Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10355, Charles Belden, Conn.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Belden, Charles
NUMBER
S. 10355
Carded
CONTENTS
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24.133
New York
Charles Belden
Montgomery in the State of New York
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Allen of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Eno in the Connt
line for 17 months and 8 days

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 57 Dollars 60 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Nov.
1833 and sent to Jno V Berry Johnstown

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $144
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 M '34 28.80
$172.80

Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Go C Steles Clerk
Book E. Vol. 4. Page 90

5660
58
5754
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Send Answer to Jno V Berry
Johnstown M County
N York
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State of New York
Montgomery County SS
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace Charles Belden, 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 [illegible] mentioned below and in the following grade
For 1 month & 26 days in the year 1777, as his [illegible] served under the officers mentioned in his original declaration, as a private, at the places in said declaration mentioned, the names of the officers he cannot now name and it is impossible for him to state the name of his colonel at this time: For 1 year in 1778 I served at the places mentioned in my declaration, under Col. Enos he was mistaken when he stated Eno, the adjutant, Goodman of Hartford Goodman was not lieutenant as stated by him he was mistaken when he said that he was Abraham Sedgewick was the Capt & Lieutenant John Seymour the insigns name he cannot now name, I served as a private: For 1 month & 12 days in the year 1779 at the places in my declaration mentioned and served under the officers mentioned in his declaration in Willis regiment as a private, I served 1 month in the year 1780 at the place in my said declaration mentioned untill the same officer under whom I served in the term last above mentioned For 1 month in the year 1781 I served under Capt Umphrey went from Hartford to Providence & then to Tiverton in Col Phelps Regiment a man by the name of Beebee was the major of the Regiment I served as a private and for the above service I claim a pension. He says that he has produced, the best proof in his power that he knows of no persons by whom he can prove any record about his service that he has no discharge and never had any and says it is not possible for him to obtain any person to give in detail of his personal knowledge the service of this applicant on any record than has already been given. He says he served as a volunteer & a draft. He cannot state the names of the Reg Officers on any record circumstances than have been stated by him He says he is acquainted with Rev Elisha Yate Johnathan Harmon living in his neighborhood who have already sworn to his character and who reside in his neighborhood the other interrogatories and [illegible] in declaration
Sworn & subscribed to this 6th day of September 1833
[signed] Charles Belden
Before [signed] Aaron Harrington Pain
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State of New York
Montgomery County.
I George D. Ferguson, clerk of the County of Montgomery, do hereby certify that Aaron Haring, Esq. before whom the within supplemental declaration purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a Justice of the peace of the said county: - and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice of the peace, & verily believe that his name subscribed to the within supplemental declaration is Genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this 7th September 1833 -
[signed] Geo. D. Ferguson
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State of New York
Montgomery County} SS.
On this Twentieth day of September 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery, now siting Charles Belden, a resident in the Town of Johnstown in the county and state aforesaid, aged 71 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: In the year 1777, sometime in the month of April the day he cannot state the militia or a part of them, of the Town of Hartford, State of Connecticut, were called out and compelled to go out, that he as such militia, man went from the latter place to Peeks Kill and form thence to, White Plains, that he was out about Eight weeks at this time, and served under Captain Allen, Lieutenant Charles Seymour the other officers of the company he does not recollect, the Regimental officers he does not recollect.
Your applicant says that sometime in the month of April in the year 1778, he enlisted in the Connecticut State Troops, as a volunteer for the term of one year, and went from Hartford aforesaid, and went to White Plains and from thence to West Point, from thence to Greenwich Connecticut, along the sea shore, where he remained until his term expired. he served under Captain, he does not recollect, Lieutenant, Moses Goodman the Ensign he does not recollect, Col Eno was the col of the Regiment, He served the full term of one year at this time at the foregoing places: He has no written discharge, does not recollect the particular time when he was discharged: 
And your applicant further says, that, he thinks some time in the month of July in the year 1779, he drafted in the militia of Hartford in Connecticut and went from that place to New Haven to guard the sea shore, he served at this time six weeks and served under Captain Collins & Ensign Seymour
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belonging to Col. Willis Regiment, that the regiment was commanded at this time while at New Haven by Major John Belden
He says that he was again drafted and went from Hartford to a place called Ole Millford he thinks he served under the same officers as above stated and says it was in the same season as last above stated and that he served at this time four weeks and was then discharged.
He says that he was out to Rhode Island, the year he cannot state on account of the failure of his memory, it was at the time that he British had possession of that place that he went, this service was in the Connecticut State Troops, and does not recollect the names of any of his officers except that he recollects, they were commanded by one Gen Spencer, he was out he thinks one month at this time. 
[paragraph of crossed out text]
His witnesses if living and he does not know where and this applicant says he knows of none by whom he can prove his services and therefore wholly relys upon the liberality with which he is to be treated by the War Department, He has no documentary evidence: He says he was born in Hartford Connecticut in the year 1761: He has no record of his age: He resided at Hartford when called into service and has resided since the Revolution in Johnston his present place of residence.
He says he is acquainted with the following persons residing in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, to wit,
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signed] Charles Belding

We Elisha Yale a clergyman residing in the town of Johnstown and Johnathan Hosmer residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Charles Belden, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 71 years of age: that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] Elisha Yale
[signed] Jonathan Hosmer

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 Elisha Yale who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman and resident in the town of Johnstown and Jonathan Hosmer who has also signed the same resident in the Town aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit

I George D Ferguson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Charles Belden for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and hand and seal of office this 20th day of September 1832 
[signed] Geo: D. Ferguson
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State of New York
Montgomery County
On this 20th day of September 1832, personally appeared in
Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery, now sitting, Levi Seymour of Mayfield in said County who being duly sworn says that he was well acquainted with Charles Belden during the Revolution. He says he knows that the said Charles went from Hartford Connecticut to the White Plains and thinks it was in the year 1777
He says he knows that the said Belden went 
out again after this, the year he cannot state, and says that he was quite young at this time and heard this at the time that the said Charles had gone out and he understood that
he had again gone to White Plains the officers under whom he Served and the length of time he served he is unable to state
And this deponent says that he ^the said Charles^ is a man of truth and veracity
                                             Levi Seymour

State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks office: I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery
County do hereby certify that Levi Seymour whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit appeared in open Court before the Judges thereof at the September term of said Court in 1832 & subscribed & swore to the above affidavit
And the said Court have directed me as their Clerk to certify & I hereby do certify to the War Department, that in the opinion of said Court the said Levi Seymour is credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office of this 2nd July 1833.
                                       Geo: D, Ferguson
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No 25922
Charles Belden Montgomery County 
New York

Adm 1. year 5 Months & 8 days -

Jno V Berry Johnstown, Montgomery County
N York
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
Augt 15 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 the regulations will shew 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 compling [complying] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Charles Belden Montgomery County New York

Period when the service was rendered.
Entered Apl. 1777
Entered Apl. 1778
Drafted July 1779
Draft        "
Served      "

Duration of the claimant's service.
1 Month. 26 Days.
1 Year.
1 Month. 12 Days.
1 Month
1 Month  ________
                 38 Days.
above 8 weeks

Rank of the Claimant.
Privt.
  "
  "
  "
  "

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap Allen
Col Eno
Cap Collins Col Willett
same officers
Genl. Spencer,

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
 71 years
 Hartford
 Connecticut

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence & one witness certified credible.
papers correct-
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
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.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. 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, mucicians 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, or District of
County of} ss.
On this    day of
personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District of
aged (c) 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)         , with    and served in the
(e) regiment of the       line, under the following named officer:

[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.
I                          of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter & the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i), this
day of                               &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 addition, 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 day 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 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 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.
I,                             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

[Handwritten note at bottom of page]
There are numerous applicants for pensions who [remaining illegible]
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 (m) 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.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what 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.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 bis 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 mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension."
{It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer 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 must 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.
[j] 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 claimant's 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. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Objections Answered [handwritten]
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10355
Rev War
INVALID
File No. 10.355
Charles Belden
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 30]
Index:-Vol. A, Page 28
[Arrangement of 1871