Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,317, for William Maples, Connecticut
Page 1

Conn.                  Maples, William              S 29,314
Page 2

Michigan 19.99
Wm Maples
(illegible) of Lenamer in the (illegilbe) of Michigan who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Miner of Rgt. commanded by Col. Ely in the Connt. line for 7 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Michigan at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of Octr. 1833 and sent to C. N. Ormsby Adrian L. Co. Mich.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833   58.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Dec 36    11.66
                                      $69.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by M R Palmer Clerk
Book E Vol 8 Page 98
Page 3

(two seals)

Musgrove Evans
Page 4

Territory of Michigan County of Lenawee SS Court of Probate Before the Honorable Musgrove Evans
On the fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judge aforesaid now sitting in special term at the village of Adrian in said County, William Maples resident of Logan in the County aforesaid aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Condress passed June seventh eighteen hundred thirty two, to wit. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he was born in the town of New London in the State of Connecticut on April seventh seventeen hundred fifty nine. when he left Connecticut he had a record of his age in a Bible which he has since lost. that at the time he entered the service of the United States as aforesaid he was living in the said town of New London, that since that period he has resided in New London in Norwich and Chesterfield all in the State of Connecticut, in the town of Ontario in the State of New York, and in the Town of Logan in the Territory of Michigan where he now resides. that when first called into service of the Revolutionary war he volunteered in New London in August seventeen hundred and seventy seven, but for no definite time, in Col Elies Regiment of Connecticut Militia in a company commanded by Lieutenant Miner, that he marched to within about four miles of Kingsbridge in New York where he assisted in the erection of a small ford from which the troops were soon driven by the Brutish. They then retreated to White Plains & that he was in a Breastwork on the plain at the time of the Battle at that place about the last of September - that he continued in service from the time of his entering it for about three
Page 5

months. that he understood and believess the sergeant of the Company to shich he belonged obtained discharges for the company, but his (deponents) never came into his possession, that in March, seventeen hundred seventy eight, he was drafted in New London for two months service in a company commanded by Capt Hardin and Lieut. Whay, that he was stationed in Fort Trumble, that the garrison was commanded by Col Tallop, a Lieut by the name of Daniel Bill served in the fort at that time, that he continued in service for two months when he was discharged. That in March in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine he was again drafted for two months service in a company commanded by Capt. Beebe, was stationed in Fort Trumble under the command of Col. Gallop, that Capt Shapley and Lieut. Daniel Bill commanded the artillery in the fort during both the last mentioned terms of service and further he never received a written discharge nor has he any documentary evidence and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. And 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. Subscribed and sworn to the day & year aforesaid before me. William Mapes C ct. Ormsby J. Peace.

We William Barrafs a Clergyman residing in the County of Lenawee and Cassander Peters residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Maples who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe he is seventy three years of age, that he is
Page 6

reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and that we concur in that opinion. Wm Barrafs  Cassander Peters.
Subscribed and Sworn to the day and year aforesaid before me C. W. Ormsby J Peace.

And the said Judge of the Court of Probate does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And further certifies that it appears to him that William Barrafs, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Township of Logan and County of Lenawee, and that Cassander Peters, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said Township of Logan and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. Musgove Evans Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Lenawee.

I Michael A. Patterson Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Lenawee in the Territory of Michigan do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of William Maples for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Probate office this fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Wm A. Patterson Register of Probate Len. Co. Mich.
Page 7

Territory of Michigan Lenawee County Clerks Office
I Daniel Pittman Clerk for the County of Lenawee do hereby certify that Caleb N Ormsby, whose signature appears to the annexed Certificates of Oath of William Maples and also of William Barras & Cassander Peters was at the time the Lance Burports to have been taken an acting Justice of the Peace for the said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the signature of the said Justice and verily believe the same to be his & no other.
In testimony whereof I have hereby affixed my signature and seal of the office at Tecumseh this nineteenth day of December A. D. 1832. D Pittman County Clerk

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Lenawee in the Territory of Michigan, william Maple 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 period mentioned below: viz For seven months he served as a private and for such service I claim a pension. And that I am known to the following named persons in my present neighborhood who can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution, viz
Page 8

Phineas Brown, Nehemiah Bassett, Cassander Peters, William Foster, Addison J. Comstock, Job L Comstock E Conant Winter L. N. Ormsby and others.  William Maples
Subscribed & sworn to this twenty second day of August A. D. 1833 before me, Job L Comstock Justice Peace.

Lenawee County Clerks Office SS I Samuel Pittman County Clerk of the said County of Lenawee do humbly certify that Job L Comstock whose signature appears to the above certificate of the Oath of William Maples was a the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Lenawee duly commissioned and qualified. 
And (illegible) that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of this said Justice and verily believe the said signature is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereby set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Tecumseh this twenty second day of August A. D. 1833. D Pittman County Clerk
Page 9

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
January 26, 1924.
Harriet C. C.ark, 416 Broad St. Adrian, Mich.
Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 29317, it appears that William Maples was born in New London, Connecticut, April 7, 1759, and was residing there when he enlisted in the War of the Revolution.
He was allowed pension for seven months service as private in the Connecticut troops, on his application executed December 15, 1832, while a resident of Logan, Lenawee County, Michigan. 
the date of his death is not stated, nor is there any family data on file.
Respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 10

Adrian Aug. 8th 1844
Sir, Enclosed I (illegible) william Maples appeared for a pension awarded to (illegible) the (illegible) quoted in your instructions if I understand them. Yours Respectfully J. L. Edwards Esq. C. N. Ormsby
Page 11

J. L. Edwards Sept 11 Michigan Rev.
J. L. Ed
Comm

(torn page)
Page 12

19991-32
Norwich, Conn. Nov. 17, 1901
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly give me the date and place of death of William Maples, a pensioner of the Revolutionary War who in Dec. 15, 1832 date of application resided at Logan Lenawee Co. Michigan, Was the pension continued to his wife.
Yours truly, 
Mrs. Elisha E. Rogers #99 Division ST Norwich, Conn.
Page 13

(left side)
29317
Revy INVALID.
File No. 29,317 William Maples Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: Vol. 2, Page 255
[Arrangement of 1870]

(right side)
Aug. 19, 1901
Mrs. Elisha E. Rogers, Norwich, Conn.
Nov 30, 1901 Hist to
Mrs Elisha E. Rogers (illegible)
& him in get date of last payment.
May 16, 1905 His, to Jas. Sheldon Jr. City
1924 Jan 26 Hist to Harriet C. Clark (illegible) (illegible) letter in Thomas Nelson S. 29345
Page 14

(stamp): May 11, 1905 Files
et (illegible) 13th Street N. W. Washington D. C. May 9, 1905
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
My dear sir,
May I ask you to kindly send to me the military record of William Maples as appears by the Records in your office. I am informed that he enlisted in the Revolutionary Army from Connecticut, probably New London. He is said to have received a pension for his Revolutionary service, and then to have moved to the west, probably Lenawee County, Michigan. Thanking you for this service I am Very truly yours,
James Sheldon, Jr.
 (stamp) U. S. Pension A Office May 10 1905
Page 15

O W & N
(stamp): O W & N division Aug 26 1901 Received

Norwich Conn. Aug. 12, 1901
Supt. Pension Bureau
Dear sir:
William Maples of Montville Conn. served in the War of 1812; he afterword moved west. Detroit it is said and was granted a pension. Will you kindly give what facts you have on record concerning him, date and place of death age service, etc. was the pension given to his wife Pricilla after his death. these facts are required in order to fill some genealogical data, and my assistance will be very gratefully received. 
Yours truly, Mrs. Elisha E. Rogers #99 Division St. Norwich, Conn.

(stamp): U. S. Pension Office Aug 14 1901
Page 16

William Maples Michigan 19.991
Adm 7 Months  $23.33
C. N. Ormsby Adrian Lenawee County Michigan Terr.
Page 17

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

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

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

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?

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?

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

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?

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?
Page 18

           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?

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

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?  No

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is nt so answered?  No

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*Quere V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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.
Page 19

                   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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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 an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he 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.
+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 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.
>> In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.