Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22930, for John Peavey, New Hampshire
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE N.H.
Peavey, or Peavy John

NUMBER
S.22930

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left sideways] Date of death [illegible]
21688 21.688
New Hampshire
John Peavy.
of Strafford in the State of N. H.
who was a Pri [PRIVATE] & Corpl. [CORPORAL] in the company commanded by Captain Robbins of the Regt [REGIMENT] commanded
by Col Drake in the N H line for 20 mos & 22 days Private 3 --[MOS.] 8 [DAYS] Corporal

Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire
at the rate of 80 - Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Oct 1833 and Sent [illegible] Peirce
Dover New Hampshire
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $202.78
Semi-anl. [ANNUAL] allowance ending 4 Mar [18]34- 40.55
__________
$243.33
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D D. Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 1st Page 11
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2 111
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I George Foss Junior of the town of Strafford in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire aged seventy five years depose and say that I was a soldier in the service of the United States in the term of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, and became acquainted with John Peavey, now a resident in said Strafford, the same autumn at Stillwater and Saratoga in the State of New York, who was then and there a soldier in the United States service but how long he served I do not know - said Peavey was present at the surrender of Burgoyne - and I believe him to have been of the age of 76 years at the time of the annexed declaration
[signed] George Foss Jr

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss
May 23d 1833. Then personally appeared before me the subscribed a Justice of the Peace for said County of Stafford the above named George Foss Jr & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true-
[signed] Moses Norris Jr.  Jus. of the Peace

I hereby certify that the said George Foss Jr who subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit is a person of credibility
[signed] Moses Norris Jr  Jus of the Peace
Page 5

I Enoch Place of the Town of Strafford County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire certify and say that I am the regularly ordained and acting Clergyman in the said town of Strafford and have been for more than nine years last past. That I have been acquainted with John Peavey who has subscribed the annexed declaration for twenty years - that I believe the said Peavey to have been seventy six years of age at the time he subscribed said declaration - that he is reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war and that I concur in that opinion-
[signed] Enoch Place

State of New Hampshire
County of Stafford SS
May 23 1833    Then personally appeared the above Enoch Place before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said County of Strafford and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
[signed] Moses Norris Jr.  Jus. Peace
Page 6

I John Nutter of Barnstead in the State of New Hampshire, aged seventy six years, depose and say that I enlisted a soldier in the Revolutionary War in Capt Shackford's Company and served at Portsmonth Harbour at Fort Sullivan and in assisting in erecting certifications in said harbour from June A.D. 1775 to September A.D. 1777.  I was also commanded while there by Capt Salter and Parsons & others, and that on the seventeenth of September A.D. 1777 I enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. Rollins, Mark Wiggins Mayer, Col. Drake's Regiment N.H. Militia for three months, and served at Bennington, Stillwater &c. and was discharged at a place called Murderers Creek on North River New York - and I further say that John Peavey of Strafford, County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire was also a soldier during all the time aforesaid, being as near as I can now recollect two years and six months.  I enlisted in the same company with said Peavey and served during the the time aforesaid in the same Company and we were discharged together-- during the last enlistment and service of three months said Peavey was chosen a corporal at Bennington and served as such during said last enlistment
[signed] Jn  Nutter

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss } May 29th 1833. Then personally appeared before me, the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said County of Strafford the above named John Nutter and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true-
[signed] Moses Norris Jr  Jus. of the Peace

I hereby certify that the said John Nutter who subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit is a credible witness
[signed] Moses Norris Jr Jus. of the Peace
Page 7

On the 23d day of May A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Strafford in the State of New Hampshire, John Peavey of Strafford in said County, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that he is the identical John Peavey named in the annexed declaration - that he enlisted into the U. States service as a private soldier at Newington N.H. June 1775 in a company commanded by Captain Shackford, as mentioned in the annexed declaration, and that he continued in said service at Fort Sullivan, Sevey's Island & Great Island, then so called, till the month of September 1777 - being in all two years and three months that he served at Portsmouth according to the best of his recollection-- that he served as a private soldier during all that time and under various officers, to wit, Captain Shackford of Newington, Capt Salter of Portsmouth, Capt Persons of Rye and others whose names he cannot from the lapse of time recollect.  That he is unable to obtain but one living witness to the above services all the rest that he recollects belonging to his company having died or removed to other parts-- that he served as a corporal while in Capt Rollins' Company, Col Drakes Regt for the term of three months excepting about eight days
[signed] John Peavey

State of New Hampshire
Strafford County SS }  May 23d 1833. Then the above named John Peavey personally appeared before me  the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said County of Strafford and made solemn oath that the above deposittion by him subscribed is just & true
[signed] Moses Norris Jr  Jus. of the Peace
Page 8

10,240
Page 9

DECLARATION IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS PASSED JULY 7, 1832.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
COURT of Probate
COUNTY OF STRAFFORD SS. --
September TERM, 1832
On this 17th day of September 1832, personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate now in session at Dover within and for said County of Strafford, John Peavey - a resident of Strafford in said County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, aged Seventy Six - 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 enlisted in the army of the United States, in the year 1775 and served as follows: He entered the service at Newington N.H. June 1775 in a company commanded by Capt Shackford and marched to Portsmouth harbour at Fort Sullivan, and continued in that service under different offices in assisting in erecting certifications in the harbour until about Sept. 1777, and the 17 Sept 1777 he enlisted in a Company commanded by  Capt Rollins, Col Drakes Reg. N. H. Militia at Newington, was mustered at Exeter & immediately to Benington Vt from thence to Stillwater and served three months when he was discharged at a place called Murderers Creek  on the North River & returned home - was ch [rest is missing] a Corporal at Bennington & served as such until disch[arged] - has no written discharge - Has always resi[ded] where he now lives since the Revolutionary War [a place?] called Strafford formerly a part of Barrington

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
[signed] John Peavey

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, in open Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare it s opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
[signed] Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate

I, James Bartlett Reg of the Court of Probate for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Peavey for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this 17th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
ATTEST--[signed] James Bartlett Reg
Page 10

We Joseph Tasker Esq  Residing in Barnstead & George Foss Jr. residing in Stafford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Peavey who has subscribed & sworn to the within declaration; that we believe him to be 76 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
[signed] George Foss  Joseph Tasker

Subscribed & Sworn to by the above named Deponants in open Court, Sept 17th 1832
[signed] Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate
Page 11

81.11 x 2=1622+4056=20278

John Peavy
Strafford N.H.

No 10240

Corporal 3 mo + 8 days
Private 20 [mo] 22 [days]

Has not mentioned  with precision the
length of his service, Witnesses not auth.
to be credible, papers not properly authorized
[illegible]
333-89=244
[Nov?] 10 1832
66.67+2.44=69.11+11.00+1=81.11
A Peirce
Dover N.H.
Page 12

BRIEF in the case of John Peavey 
of Strafford in the State of N. Hampshire 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 

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

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

3. How old is he? 76 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
June in 1775 - 2 years, 3 Months - Private - Capt Shackford & others
3 Months 8 days - Corporal - Capt Rollins Col Drake

5. In what battles was he engaged?  none stated

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Newington N.H.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Living witness

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and, if so, how? defective - Witness bot stated as credible

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
[signed] D D Addison   Examining Clerk.
Page 13

December 7, 1937
John Peavey 
S.22930
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. George B. Leighton
Strafford, Bow Lake
New Hampshire

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Peavey of New Hampshire.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 22930, based upon the service of John Peavey in the Revolutionary War. This
[is] the record of the only John Peavey found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office; the surname was searched under similar spellings.
The date and place of birth of John Peavey were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
John Peavey enlisted in Newington, New Hampshire, sometime in June, 1775, served as a private under Capttains Shackford, Salter, and Parsons, assisted in erecting fortifications at Fort Sullivan in Portsmouth Harbor, continued in this service until early in September, 1777. He enlisted September 17, 1777, served three months as corporal in Captain Rawlings' company, Colonel Drake's New Hampshire regiment, and was present
at the surrender of Burgoyne.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy-six years and living in Strafford, New
[end of page]
Page 14

Hampshire, where he had lived since the Revolution.
The papers on file in this claim contain no reference to the family of the soldier, John Peavey.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data-
John Peavy (as he was pensioned)
Certificate # 21668
Issued October 10, 1833
Rate $81.11 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New Hampshire Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 15

State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss
I Andrew Peirce Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said County of Strafford, do hereby certify that Moses Norris Junior, Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavits were taken, is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Strafford, and his name subscribed to the same I have no doubt are his genuine signatures -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this first day of June, Anno Domini 1833-
[signed] A. Peirce  Clerk

I hereby certify that Enoch Place who made one of the affidavits annexed, & to which his name is subscribed is a Clergyman of the Baptist denomination residing in Strafford in this County, and I believe him him to be a man whose statements may be relied upon.
[signed] A Peirce Jus. Peace & Clerk of the Judicial Courts in Strafford  County
Page 16

Revolution
22930
INVALID.

File No. 22,930
John Peavy
Corp Rev. War 

Act:  June 7th '32
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 317

[in brackets] Arrangement of 1870.

1937 Dec 7 - hist to Mrs. George B. Leighton  [assy?]
Page 17

Strafford, N. H. Nov. 21, 1937.

Veterans Administration
Washington, D?C.

Gentlemen:      only
I have found in the New Hampshire State Papers Vol. XXX, page 428, under Strafford the name of the Revolutionary soldier John Peavey, living with John Peavey Jr.  I would like to know the war record of this soldier - I think he may be the John Peavey listed in Cheshire County, N.H. placed
on the pension rolls Oct. 10, 1833, age 78.
Sincerely yours,
[signed] Lena Waldon Leighton

Mrs. George B. Leighton
Strafford, Bow Lake, N. H.

[stamp]
RECEIVED
NOV 23 1937
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VERS. ADM. READER  29
Page 18

John Peavy
Strafford
N. H. 
10,240



claimant
Dover
N.H.
Page 19

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Peavey, 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? [blank]

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 the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No

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
Page 20

[Page] 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? [blank]

# XIV. +If the applicant has he 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? No

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in 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? None

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
Page 21

[page] 3

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. 

#  +QUERE XIV . Proof of Service. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on 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 following is underlined] The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated as below.
#  ++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. [This paragraph is underlined] 
 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 paper 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.
Page 22

J.L. Edwards Esquire
Comr of Pensions
Washington
Page 23

Dover June 1st. 1833
Sir,
I herewith enclose the application of John Peavey a Soldier of the Revolution, for a Pension, with such additional testimony as he has been enabled to obtain.-
An answer may be directed to this place
Respectfully yours
A Peirce
Dover New Hampshire