Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,137, Joseph Ely, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

Ely. Joseph

NUMBER
S. 29,137

CONTENTS
Page 2

Massachusetts

Josheph Ely
at W. Springfield in the State of Mass who was a private in the Camp commanded
by Captain Chapin - of the Regt commanded
by Col. Mosley - in the Mass
line for 7 mo.

Amt

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass - 
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Aug.
1883 - and sent to S. Lathrop
in Springfield

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. '33                $46.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. '33   11.66
                                                               ________
                                                                $58.33
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Go. C. Stebs Clerk
book E. Vol. 2. Page 21
Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts}
County of Hampden} ss.

On this twenty seventh day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, now sitting Joseph Ely a resident of West Springfield in said County & State of Massachusetts, aged 75 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 7th 1832 -

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & (illegible) as herein after stated -

That in the fall of the year 1775 in the month of October, he went to Roxbury with a sack of flour for the troops which were then stationed there - that his brother Enoch Ely of West Springfield was a soldier there on duty & had been for some time before  - that when he arrived, in Roxbury he entered into the service, as a substitute for &  in place of his brother Enoch - that the said Enoch was then discharged & came home without his term & that he the said Joseph was accepted by the officers in his stead, & that he remained & did duty in the army untill (until) the expiration of the period for which the said Enoch had enlisted, which was about the first day of January 1776 - That Enoch Chapin of West Springfield was Captain of the company of which he belonged. & Luke Day was Lieutenant - Jacob Day was one of the Sergeants of the company - Simon Smith of West Springfield was one of the company who is living, & also Lewis Ely, Caleb Day, Dan Taylor & many others who are dead. - 

The said Joseph Ely further declares that in the summer of the year 1776 he again entered the service, & left home, according to the best of his recollection about the middle of June - He was appointed by Major Benjamin Ely his waiter, Major Ely was the neighbor & relation of the said Joseph - that they went first to the North river of Troy - then marched up the river to a place called the Half Moon - that they there crossed the river & went up to Fort Edwards - that they there recrossed to the East side of the river & march to Millers Falls, & remained there till he was discharged, which was about the middle of August - that there were no soldiers from this time who went out with him on this tour of service - that when they started from home, they went to Westfield in this County, & from that place, Colonel John Moseley accompanied them. - that at Miller's falls, Col. Moseley & Major Ely were in command of the troops stationed at that place - He is confident they were in the command, because he had no recollection of having been any other field officers at that place - He knows of no person living who was with him in this service -
Page 4

The said Joseph Ely further declares, that in the year 1776, immediately after his return from the service last mentioned, he again enlisted for the term of three months, & in the latter part of August or first of September set out for the service in a company commanded by Capt. Nathan Rowley, & Roger Cooley, & Joseph Merrick were Lieutenants - they were all of this town - that the company went on board a boat at Springfield & proceeded by water to Middletown - that they marched to near Kings bridge in the State of New York - that during this time the troops did not remain stationary for any great length of time - that the troops were at Troy next. & that the next morning after their arrival there, they were ordered out early under an alarm that the enemy was advancing toward us, - that having formed and marched out a short distance, they were readdressed by Capt. May, in the expectation of an engagement. - that more troops came in, sight of the enemy, but there was no fighting - that the troops were stationed for of short time at Valentine's hill - from there they went to the white plains & then they retreated further back from the river. & further North. Just the names of the places have inspired his recollection.  The regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Col. John Moseley, Welk was Lieut. Colonel - & May was Major - - While at the white plains the Regiment commanded by Col. Brooks, & perhaps the Brigade under the command of McDougal, had an engagement with the British troops & retreated from the enemy. - 

The said Joseph Ely declares that he was born on the 19th October 1756 in the town of West Springfield, & has ever lived in said town except for two years about the years 1787 & 1788 when he lived in Vermont - that he know of no record of his birth, but declares it is on the records of the town of Springfield - that his every instance of service, he turned out voluntarily, never by draft, & never as a substitute except as above stated, in reference to his first services that he has no recollection of having ever received a written discharge, & has no documentary evidence relating to his service. - 

That he is well known to Heman Day Esq. Simon Smith, Medar Champain, Robert Ely, Charles Ball Esq. who can testify to his character for veracity & other belief of his services as a soldier in the revolution -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension role of the agency of any state - 

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid

Joseph Ely
Page 5

We Jedidiah Day & Heman Day residing in the town of West Springfield aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Ely, who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be Seventy five years of age - that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides & have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion - 
Sworn & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
Jedediah Day
Heman Day

And the said Court - Present the Hon. Oliver B. Morris Judge - after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states - 
And the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jedediah Day & Heman Day who have subscribed the preceeding (preceding) certificate are resident at now West Springfield and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit - 
I Justin Willard Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Ely for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereinto set my hand & the seal of said Cort this twenty seventh day of (May crossed out) August - in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and Thirty two
J. Willard
Reg. dr
Page 6

Joseph Ely
(Robert Ely crossed out)

8460

1775 - 2 months Roxbury
1776 - 2    " - Fort Miller
1776 - 3    " white plains
___________
            7 months.
Page 7

I Robert Ely of West Springfield in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age depose & say, that my father was a Major in the Militia of the Commonwealth in the early part of the revolutionary war - that I well recollect his going out into the service in the summer of the year 1776, & that Joseph Ely of this town went as his waiter - This deponent cannot state the exact time when they left home, but he well remembers that at the time of his leaving we had begun to mow a certain meadow, near the house, which is early mowing but had not finished it - that we commonly mowed that lot by or before the middle of June - The said Joseph Ely returned from the service with my father - I cannot say how long they were absent - but my father, in recounting his various services during the war, after made the observation in my hearing, that he lost two months in that season, during the heart of summer - 
Robert Ely

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden SS. on the ninth day of August 1832. the abovenamed a gentleman with whom I am well acquainted, & who maintains a good character for truth & veracity, personally appeared & made oath of the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Sam Lathrop Justice f the Peace
Page 8

8460

Joseph Ely

Private 7 months

5 - 14.1601
Apl 26 1833

P.357



Sam Lathrop
west springfield.
Mass.
Page 9

BRIEF in the case of Joseph Ely.
of Westspringfield in the State of Mass;
(Act 7th June, 1932.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?  open Court.

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? blank

3.  How old is he? Seventy five years.

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
Subscribed fr Enoch Ely} In 1775 fall Oct, to Jany. 1 - 

Duration of Service.
Years,      Months,      Days.
                    2

Rank.
As a 
blank

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Chapin


Period.
volunteer 1776. June to middle Augt} 

Duration of Service.
Years,      Months,      Days.
                    2

Rank.
As a 
blank

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Maj Ely.  Col Mosely


Period.
Enlisted - 1776 Aug or Sep. 

Duration of Service.
Years,      Months,      Days.
   -                 3

Rank.
As a 
blank

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Rowley

5.  In what battles was he engaged? None stated

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  West Springfield

7.  I his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  two persons certify to traditionary evidence Robert Ely. -proves service of applicant & from statement by his father says the service was as says in 1776.  Simon Smith, proves 3 mos service in 1776 with Capt Rawley. - also that applicant was substitute for a period - not definite. in 1775.

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?

* Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

D Kents Examining Clerk.
Page 10

O. W. & N. Division.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINTON, D.C.,

F. S.
M. X. C.   am_

October 8, 1895.

Madam:  In reply to you request for a statement of the military history of S29137, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Oct. 1775

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
2 mos.

RANK
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Enoch Chapin
COLONEL
Timothy Davidson

STATE.
Mass.


DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Sumr.1776

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
2 mos.

RANK
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Served as a waiter
COLONEL
to Maj Benj. Ely

STATE.
Mass.


DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Sept.1776

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 mos.

RANK
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Nathan Rowley
COLONEL
John Mosely

STATE.
Mass.

Battles engaged in, blank
Residence of soldier at enlistment, blank
Date of application for pension, None.
Residence at date of application, West 
     Springfield, Mass.
Age at date of application, August 27, 1832.
Remarks:   West Springfield, Mass.
Born, West Springfield, Oct. 19, 1756.
No record found of Samuel T Ferry as a pensioner.

Very respectfully,      Commissioner.

Mrs. Charles A. Conles,
North Cliff St.,
Ansonia, Conn. 

13603 b-3 m
Page 11

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.,

MEMORANDA.

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.

Full name of soldier:
Joseph Ely

Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
West Springfield, Mass.

Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and state, if possible.)
blank

Date of death (as near as possible):
June 19.1850

Christian name of widow:
blank

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
blank

Remarks: blank


Your name and address:
Mrs. Chas. A. Conles.
North Cliff St -
Ansonia, Conn

6-870
Page 12

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
RRS

MEMORANDA      not I
                              not w    
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.

Full name of soldier:
Samuel Terry

Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Enfield or South Windsor, Conn.

Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
South Windsor, conn.

Date of death (as near as possible):
Nov. 11. 1838.

Christian name of (widow crossed out) 2nd wife
Doras Buckland

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
blank

Remarks: blank

Your name and address:
Mrs. Chas. A. Conles.
North Cliff St-
Ansonia, Conn

6-870

Remarks:
Page 13

Wm. Lochren, Commissioner.
Department of the Interior.
Bureau of Pensions. 
Revolutionary War Rolls - Washington D. C.
Page 14

Mr. Lochren. Commissioner.

Dear sir:

Will you please send me records of Joseph Ely and Samuel Terry - if their (there) are any - (illegible) greatly obliged.

Mrs. Chas a. Conles -
North Cliff St - 
Ansonia.
Ct.


Sept - 21th - 1895 -
Ansonia.
Page 15

(illegible) Appears to be a black , blank page
Page 16

(illegible) appears to be a black, blank page
Page 17

8460
Joseph Ely






Saml. Lathrop Es
West Springfield
Mass
Page 18

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Ely which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? -

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  yes

V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  no

VI.  Has he given the names of officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 18832?  yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed:  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  yes
Page 19

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 at least on 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?  yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  no

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  yes

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

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  answered

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V.  In the 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:  "Personlly appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, %c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For ______ year ______ ____ months and ___________ days, I served as a _________.  For _____ ____ months and _______ ____ days, I served as a _______ ______; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 20

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 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 office, under his seal of office.

++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.
Page 21

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Joseph Ely of West Springfield in said County, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of his age & consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to his best recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades - 

For 1775 at Roxbury - two months as a private
For 1776 at Fort Miller two months as a private
For 1776 at White Plains three months as a private, & for each service I claim a pension - 

The said Joseph Ely further declares that there is not any settled clergyman in the North Parrish in said town, to which he belongs - & that the minister in the adjoining Parrish, living more than six miles from him, had been settled there but little more than two years, & would probably know mothing concerning the general belief relative to his revolutionary services.
Joseph Ely


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss.  May 15. 1833 - Then the above named Joseph Ely personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed - Before me
Saml. Lathrop JJustice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss.  I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court & being a Court of Record for the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Samuel Lathrop Esqr. before whom the above affidavit was certified is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden & that his name thereto subscribed is his true & proper signature - 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court of Springfield on this twenty ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred Thirty three
John Ingersoll Clerk
Page 22

I Simeon Smith of West Springfield in the county of Hampden & commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose & say that I enlisted into the United States service about the first of September 1776 for three months & that Joseph Ely of his town enlisted at the same time in the same company - That we immediately left this town on board of one of our river boats & proceeded in it as far as Middletown in the state of Connecticut - From thence we marched to Kings bridge in the state of New York - from there to Frogs (Throggs ?)neck in the same state & afterwards in two or three days returned to near Kings bridge & afterwards the same night to Valentine's hill so called - after remaining here a few days we went to White Plains where we remained until we were discharged - The aforesaid Joseph Ely was on duty with me all this expedition & was discharged at the same time - I cannot tell the precise time that we returned home but it was not until our time had expired & it was not until after Howe had retreated to New York  Nathan Rowley was captain of our company & Joesph Merrick & Roger Cooley Lieutenants.  John Mosely of Westfield was Colonel - Wells Lieut. Colonel - May Major of the regiment 

I further depose & say that in April 1775 I was drafted to go to Roxbury in this state as a minute man & that while there I enlisted into the service for the term of eight months - That I remained during my whole period of enlistment at & in the vicinity of Roxbury & was discharged in January 1776.  That Joseph Ely of this town came down sometime in the fall & took the place of his brother Enoch Ely of this town who belonged to the same company as myself & staid (stayed) there for some time, whether his brother Enoch again returned I cannot say but if he did not the said Joseph remained until we were discharged - Timothy Danielson was Colonel - William Shepard of Westfield Lieut. Col & David Leonard of this town Major of the Regiment - Enoch Chapin was Captain, Samuel Flower & Luke Day Lieutenants of our company - 
Simeon Smith


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss  on this sixth day of August personally appeared the above named Simeon Smith with whom I am well acquainted & who is a gentleman of truth and veracity & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed 
Before me Saml. Lathrop Justice of the Peace
Page 23

Personally appeared before