Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,225, Samuel Hood, Mass.
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Mass.  Hood, Samuel  S.30.225
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no. 660
Massachusetts
Samuel Hood
of Topsfield in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Brown of the Rgt commanded
by Colo Wade in the Mass line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 30 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th dat of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of April 1833 and sent Noon.  I. Nelson Newburyport, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " 15.00
$75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Dhl. Nooison Clerk, 
Book 6 Vol. 2a Page 32
Lib. to J. Gregory Feb 29 1844

72
Essex
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Brief in the case of Samuel Hood
of Topsfield in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7 June, 1832)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge?  Court
2.  If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he?  Seventy years & a half-
4.  State his service, as directed in the for annexed.
[headings] Period. Duration of Service.  Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
[subheadings] Years, Months, Days.  As a     Gen.
In 1778 [under subheading months] 3 [under subheading As a] Private [Under subheading Gen.]  Col. Jacob Gerrish Col. Nathaniel Wade
[under subheading Months]  6
5.  In what battles was he engaged?  not named-
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Topsfield Essex County
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Living Witnesses
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  incorrect Justices of Piece not certified as such
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. D. Addison
Examining Clerk
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Saml. Hood
Topsfield
Essex County
Mass
M 1515
Present 9 months
16 & 16 interrogaters not completed with
Nov 27 1832
Hon J Nelson
Newberryport Mass
N. Cleaveland E. [slashed through]
Topsfield
Mass
Nathaniel Lord jr Essq
Lynn Mass  [slashed through]
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State of Massachusetts County of Essex} Ts.  On this fourteenth day of August in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Honourable Daniel A. White Judge of the Probate Court in and for the County of Essex in the State of Massachusetts, now holden at Salem , in said county. Samuel Hood resident of Topfield in said county and State aged seventy years on the first Day of March last past, who being first 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 4th 1832- That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and lived as having after statu- to wit - that on the last day of March in the year 1778 he went to Winter Hill near Boston and enlisted as a private into a Company of Foot  commanded by Captain John Dodge and in the Regiment of  Massachusetts State Troops under the command of Col. Jacob Gerrish, for the term of  Three Months [underlined] - that said troops were stationed in said Winter Hill to guard General Burgoynes Convention troops- that he served out his said term of three months partly on said Winter Hill and partly in Rutland in the western part of Massachusetts aforesaid. while at Rutland he was employed in building barracks for the accommodation of said convention troops.
 And he further states. that early in the month of July 1778 immediately after his return home from the service as above set forth, he was drafted by the Commanding officer of the Company of Militia to which he belonged for the term of Six Months [underlined] and forthwith joined Capt. Simeon Bruire's Company of Foot. and Col. Nathaniel Wades Regiment of Massachusetts State Troops and was marched to Rhode Island and there joined the army under the command
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command of Maj. General John Sullivan.  And he further states that he was engaged in the battle fought between the Americans and English forces on said Island on the 22 of October in the year aforesaid.  Soon after said battle the American Army returned from said Island and encamped in East Greenwich in said State of Rhode Island at which last mentioned place he completed his Six Months term of service. And in further proof of his performance of the services as above set forth he has herewith annexed several affidavits to which reference may be had.  And that the two terms of service amount in time to Nine Months [underlined].  And he hereby relinquishes any 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. Sam Hood
heard to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid} D. W. White
And on the Day & year and at the place aforesaid the said court propounded the interrogatories set forth in the instructions of the War Department, to the said Samuel Hood, who, in open court on his said oath aforesaid did make answer as follows - to wit - 
I.  To the first interrogatory he answers - that he was born in the town of Topsfield aforesaid March 1st 1762
II.  To the second interrogatory, he answers - that his age is recorded in the Records of the said town of Topsfield.
III.  To the third interrogatory he answers - that he was living in said Topsfield when called into service and has lived in said town ever since the war of the Revolution.
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states- And the court further certifies that it appears to them that [names crossed out] ^ Nehemiah Cleabeland and Elijah Cummings who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Topsfield and are credible persons and that there statements are entitled to credit. Dr. A White
[folded paper covering something] Hood [underlined and written sideways]
I Nathanial Lord Junior Register of the court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Hood for a pension.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office this 14th day of August 1832.  And I do further certify that Nehemiah Cleabeland before whom the annexed affidavits were taken is a Justice of the Peace & of the Quorum and the signature at the foot of said affidavit is the genuine signature of the said Cleabeland his testimony whereof on the day last aforesaid a have subscribed my name and set my seal of office. Nath. Lord jr
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IV.  To the fourth interrogatory, he answers- that he was a volunteer for the first term of service- and was drafted for the last term of six months as set forth above.
V. To the fifth interrogatory he answers - that he has stated above in his declaration the names of the officers and the circumstances connected with his service as nearly and correctly as he can recollect.
VI.  To the Sixth interrogatory he answers - that he never received any written or printed discharge.
VII.  To the seventh interrogatory- he answers -  that he is known to Hon. [title crossed out] Nehemiah Cleabeland and Elijah Cummings both of  Topsfield aforesaid.
sworn to & Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid }  Sam. Hood
D. W. White
We, Nehemiah Cleabeland and Elijah Cummings  both of Topsfield in the County of Essex and state of aforesaid & in the absence of the Clergyman of said Topsfield -----
do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Hood who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy years of age - that he is refuted and believed to be in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
sworn to & subscribed  N. Cleaveland
the day aforesaid }  Elijah Cummings
D. A. White
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30225
Rev y INVALID
File No  30,225
Samuel Hohttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngod
Pri Rev War
Act:  June 7 32
Index: -Vol. 2, Page 463
[Arrangement of 1870]
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SamlHood
Topfield
Mass
no 1515 [underlined]

N. Cleaveland E.
Nathl [smudged] Topsfield
Nathl Lord [crossed out] Esq
Lynn Mass [crossed out]
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Saml Hood 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 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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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? [curled mark]
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [drawn line]
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? 
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?  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."
#See next page
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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 [italic] about three or four months [end italic] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
+QUERE XIV.  [italic] Proof of Service. [end italic]
# [Hand drawn bracket to the left of the paragraphs]  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, [begin underline] and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. [end underline]
QUERRE XVI.  [italic] Mode of authenticating papers. [end italic]
[still in handdrawn bracket, begin underline] In every intance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated his 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.
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Marblehead, February 23d 1844
Honored Sir:
I have the Honor to enclose herewith the Pension Certificate of Samuel Hood, of Topsfield, in this, the County of Essex, and am requested to submit to your Honor the following statement and enquiry:
Mr. Hood has been informed through a Clerk at the Pension Agency in Boston, that in about 1836, he believes, a letter was received from your Honor's office stating that Mr. Hood's Pension had been increased in the sum of $2.33 per annum.
Mr. Hood was not aware of it, and therefore continued to draw his old allowance of $30 per annum instead of $32.33, which it now seems he was entitled to.
The object of this communication, therefore, is, very respectfully to enquireof your Honor, whether the information he thus received - that his Pension had been "increased $2.33 per annum" is correct; and if so, whether he can have a new Pension Certificate to that effect in lieu of the old aforesaid one now forwarded?
An early answer will much oblige the party interested. 
1
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I am, with very great respect,
You Honor's humble servt.
James Gregory

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
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Samuel Hood's Revolutionary papers re & proceedings dc in his application for a pension re-

9 months.
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I Enos Gallupe of Werrham in the county of Essex aged seventy years do on oath testify that I am well acquainted with Samuel Hood of Topsfield in said county and I do know that he served in the Mass. State Troops which were stationed on Winter Hill to guard Burgones convention Troops.  That said Hood commenced said service on the last day of March A. D. 1778 in Capt. John Dodge's company and Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment and that I was [crossed out] he served the term of three months.  I was also in the same company the same term of service.  
Enos Gallop
State of Massachusetts
Essex 33 August 13. 1832 When the above named Enos Gallop who is credible witness subscribed an oath [crossed out] made oath to the above affidavit before one N. Cleaveland Just. of Peace & Quorum
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The undersigned Henry Perley and Elijah Cummings generally on oath testify ^that we are well acquainted with Samuel Hood of Topsfield and know that he served as a soldier in Capt. Simeon Brownes company of foot in Colonel Nathaniel Wades Regiment of Mass. State troops for the term of six months in the year 1778.  That the said troops were stationed in the state of Rhode Island that said service commenced early in July and terminated by the disbanding of said Regiment early in January 1779.  we were also in the same company & service during the same six months Henry Perley Elijah Cummings
State of Massachusetts 
Essex SS; August 11th 1832.  When the above named Henry Perley and Elijah Cummings generally subscribed and made oath to the above written affidavit before me.  I also certify that the above named Perley and Cummings are credible witnesses.
N. Cleaveland Justice of Peace & Quorum
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex. ss.  Probate office, December 14, AD 1832.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby confirm my foregoing certificate, by signing and sealing anew in this manner.
Nathl. Lord jr.