Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22197, Joseph Danford, Mass.
Page 1

Service                 | Number
Mass.
Danford, Joseph  |  S. 22197
or Danforth
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6934.
Joseph Danford
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DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

State of New-Hampshire  ) ss.  Superior Court 
County of Strafford          )         of  Judicature
August term 1832--

On this twenty seventh day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature, now sitting, Joseph Danford a resident of Meredith in the County of Strafford and State of N.H. aged 68 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 states, he enlisted as a Soldier in Capt. Herman Stickneys Co. in Col. Michael Jackson's Regt. on the Continental establishment Mafsachusetts line, the first of July, 1780, for six months, & marched with said Company to Andover Mafs. and to Springfield, then to Westpoint State of New York, and then to Kingsbury and from there to the Jerseys and then returned to Westpoint and there discharged on the first of January 1781 at the close of said six months---

Oct. 1763--I have a record of my age in my Bible--I was born in Bradford Mafs.  I was living in Bradford aforesaid.  I have lived since the War in said Bradford, in Londonberry N.H. and I now live in Meredith aforesaid--I enlisted voluntarily--I do not recollect the General Officers as I was young at that time--I received a written discharge & it was signed by said Col. Jackson and is since lost--Persons that I was acquainted with in my vicinity was, Revd. john Young, Daniel Tucker Esqr. Stephen c. Lyford Esqr. Stephen Penley Esqr. Lyman B. Walker Esqr., Jonathan Prescott Esqr. Stephen Gale Esqr. and Daniel Gale Esqr.--I saw Major Andre hung and two men shot on Westpoint.

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,
Joseph Danford

Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid.

We, Stephen C. Lyford residing in Meredith and Daniel Gale, Esquire residing in Gilmanton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Danford, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 68 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.  
Stephen C. Lyford
Daniel Gale

Sworn and subscribed the 30th August 1832, in open 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 certifies, that it appears to them that a Stephen C. Lyford Esqr who has signed the preceding certificate, is Comptroller of this Court resident in the same Meredith and that Daniel Gale Esqr, who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Gilmanton and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest--A. Peirce, Clerk

I, Andrew Peirce Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Danford for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court ["of office" stricken out] this 27th day of August 1832.
A. Peirce, Clerk

[Illegible seal affixed to the left of the above paragraph]
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[Left side of page]
84 Oct 8, Mrs. J.D. Gilmore
with history

[Right side of page]

New Hampshire 30,735
===========================
Joseph Danforth
of Strafford Co in the State of N. Hampshire who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Stickney of the Regt. commanded by Col. Jackson in the Mafs. line for 6 months.
============================
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire
at the rate of 20 Dollars --------Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
============================
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 1st day of July 1836 and sent to Hon. B.M. Beau  N.R.
============================
Arrears to the 4th of March '36             100.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 36      10.00
                                                              =====
                                                             $110.00
                                                             =====
(Revolutionary Claim,   )
(Act June 28, 1836.       )

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book E.  Vol. 1    Page 80
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6934

Joseph Danford

N. Hampshire

M.C.E.

on Rule Col Jackson's Regt
enlisted 1 July 1780--6 mos dischg
13 Dec 1780--5 mos & 13 day

Rejected

18 Decr. 1832

Dan'l Gale
Gilmanton
N.H.
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6934

BRIEF in the case of Jos. Danford of Meredith ["of" stricken out] Strafford Cy in the State of NH
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?   A Court

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

3.  How old is he?  68

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

[Column 1]
Period.
1 May '80  ["In 17" stricken out]

[Column 2]
Duration of Service.
Years,          Months,        Days.
-----------------6----------------

[Column 3]
Rank.
As a Private

[Column 4]
Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served.
Capt Stickney   Col Jackson

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  none mentioned

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?   B

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?   no living Witnesses---Tradition

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

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Wm. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
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22197

Revolution

INVALID.   Oem

File No.  22,197

Joseph Danforth

Pri   Rev    War

Act:  June 7" 32"

Index:---Vol. 2, Page 100

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 8

Petition of
Joseph Danford
praying for a
Pension
========
March 1 1836

Refd. to the Committee
on Revolutionary Pensioners
========
Mar. 21 1836
Bill---------No. 443
==========

refer to the Com'e on
Revolutionary Pensions

Bean----------
Page 9

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in the Congrefs of the United States of America now convened

Respectfully Shows, Joseph Danford of Meredith in the County of Strafford in the State of New Hampshire aged seventy two years, formerly of Bradford in the State of Mafsachusetts, that in the month of June 1780, he enlisted as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War for the term of six months in the Company commanded by Captain Thomas Stickney in Colonel Michael Jackson's Regiment in the Mafsachusetts line and marched from the said Town of Bradford to Springfield to Westpoint State of New York and there stationed a short time, from thence he went across the Hudson River to a place called Tappan and there stationed and was at the execution of Major Andre the British Spy, and he was discharged the last of December or the first of January 1781.--That he made application to the Secretary of War under the provisions of the Act of Congrefs pafsed June seventh 1832, for a pension, but did not succeed, the Secretary of War says the records show he was not in actual service but five months and thirteen days, but from the time he marched to the Time he returned home was a number of days over six months----
Page 10

Wherefore he prays that you will take his case under your wise consideration, and grant him a pension on the same ratio for his services, as is now granted to pensioners who served six months or more, commencing on the fourth day of March 1831, as it would greatly relieve him in his advanced age and indigent circumstances--For proof of his services is the accompanying affadavits of Thomas Carlton and James Choate and his declaration retained at the War Department---
As in duly bound will pray---
Meredith July 15th 1836---
Joseph Danford
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6934

Jos. Danford


Dan'l Gale
Gilmanton N.H.
Page 12

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 Danford 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?   Yes [Answer stricken out]

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 amout of pension he is entitled?   Yes

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

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?   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
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2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?   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 one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such 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?   Yes

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?      Yes
____________________________________
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:  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."
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3

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 officer, 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 15

HR. 443

Joseph Danforth

Act June 28, 1836
$20 per annum
N.H. roll

Hon B. M. Bean
HR.

Com on Pensions
Page 16

Thomas Carletons
affidavit
Page 17

I James Choate of Derry County of Rockingham & State of Newhampshire do testify and say that I was a soldier at West Point in the year 1780 and belonged to the Eighth Mafsachusetts Regiment commanded by Colonel Michael Jackson.

I further state and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph Danford a soldier in the Company commanded by Capt Samuel Pierce in the same Regiment Joseph Danford was one of the Six months men who inlisted from the County of Essex in Mafsachusetts whose term expired the first of January 1781.  I was one of said number and was discharged at that time.  [Illegible line of writing stricken out]
I have never heard or known any thing to the contrary but that the said Danford served out his full term of Six months as a faithful soldier.  Said Joseph Danford is now Sixty eight years of age
James Choate
August 1st 1832.

State of Newhampshire Rockingham fs.
August 1st 1832.
Sworn to & subscribed
Before me
David A. Gregg Jus Peace
Page 18

James Choates
affidavit
Page 19

Rockingham ss August 1st 1832
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with James Choate within named as a person of truth and veracity.
David A. Gregg Justice Peace
Page 20

Thomas Carlton of Derry County of Rockingham and State of Newhampshire appearing and makes oath that Joseph Danford now of Meredith in said State of Newhampshire volunteered into the Continental service in the American Revolutionary War in June 1780 from the Militia Company in Bradford Mafsachusetts commanded by Capt Thomas Stickney and that he the said Carlton volunteered at the same time with said Danford and two others.  That said Danford marhed with him and the two others from said Bradford to Andover from Andover to Menotamy from Menotamy to Springfield and from Springfield to West Point ["Where he was discharged" stricken out]

I saw said Danford often at West Point but I do not know at what time the said Danford was discharged or left the service.  I with the said Danford and the two others enlisted for the term of Six months and I have never known or heard any thing to the contrary but that the said Danford served his full term of Six months--
Thomas Carlton
August 1st 1832.

State of Newhampshire
Rockingham fs   August 1st 1832
Subscribed and sworn to
Before me
David A. Gregg Justice Peace
Page 21

Rockingham ss August 1st 1832
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Carleton within named as a person of truth and veracity.
David A. Gregg Justice Peace

[left margin] Thomas Carleton affidavit [/left margin]
Page 22

Priv 151

24th CONGRESS.
1st SESSION.
___________________

[ALL the following stricken out with a single large "X" drawn through it]

H.R. 443.
_____________________
MARCH 21, 1836.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
______________________________
MR. STORER, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:   A BILL
[end of crossed out wording]

An Act
For the relief of Joseph Danforth.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of American in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, instructed to place the name of Joseph Danforth, of New Hampshire, on the roll of revolutionary pensioners, and that he cause to be paid to said Danforth the sum of twenty dollars per annum during his natural life, to commence on the fourth day of March, anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one.
[Numbers 1 through 8 stricken out which were number the lines of the above bill in the left margin]

Approved June 28th 1836

A true copy compared with the Roll in this Office
Dept of State    )
June 30th 1836 )

Asbury Dickins.
Chief Clerk
Page 23

HR. No 443

24th CONGRESS,
1st Session.
_________________________

[Rep. No. 431.]

HO. OF REPS.
_________________________

JOSEPH DANFORTH.
[To accompany bill H. R. 443.]
_________________________
MARCH 21, 1836.
_________________________
MR. STORER, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following

REPORT:

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which was referred the petition of Joseph Danforth, ask leave to report:

That the petitioner claims to have served in Colonel Michael Jackson's regiment, in the line of Massachusetts, for the space of six months, during the war of the revolution.  It is in evidence from the rolls of that regiment, in the War Department, that he served five months and thirteen days; it is further in evidence that all private soldiers who were enlisted for six months were frequently permitted to return home before the time expired, and were allowed full pay notwithstanding.  There are two affidavits submitted to the committee, properly authenticated, which, in connection with the record in the War Department, are, in the opinion of the committee, sufficient to entitle the petitioner to a pension for six months' service.  They, therefore, report a bill.
________________________________________
Blair & Rives, printers.
Page 24

[upper left corner of page]
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-5-41

[upper right corner of page]
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Danford, Joshua   GRADE  Private  LINE New Hampshire

WARRANT NUMBER  3053    ACREAGE  100
ISSUED  Feb. 24, 1791  To----not shown-----

________________________
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.