Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25557, John Easland, Mass.
Page 1

Easland, John W.25557.
or Esland B.L.Wt.Gl.057-160-55
Sally
Page 2

21..455
MASSACHUSETTS
___________________________
JOHN EASLAND
of Essex Co. in the State of Mass. who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Shepard of the Regt. commanded by Col. Porter  in the Mass line for 8 mo. 25 days

_________________________________________________

Inscribed in the Roll of Mass'tts
at the rate of 29 Dollars 41 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

_________________________________________________

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of (illegible)
1823   and (illegible) H W Bishop Lenox
_________________________________________________

Arrears to the 4th of (illegible)           $73.52
(illegible) allowed ending 4 (illegible) $14.70
                                                          ___________
                                                            $88.22
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Go E. Stiles Clerk.
Book E.  Vol. 2.   Page 21.
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3.587
MASSACHUSETTS
____________________
Sally Easland
widow of John Easland
who (illegible) served in the Revolutionary 
War, as a private.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 29 Dollars 41
Cents per annum, to commence 
on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued
4th day of February 1854.
and sent to A. M. Copeland
Lenox 
Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853,  Page 39.  Vol. A

Written to the side is the following:
270714
Let.   R. C. Fitch,  Oct 5, 1857
Page 4

Act (illegible)                              End

270.714     March 7 /57

Sally Easland
wid of
John Easland
Private

(something illegible written sideways)

Rev War
(illegible words)
Pension 
(illegible)  3589
(illegible)
(illegible)
(illegible)

R. C. Fitch
Alford              Vol. E. page 6.
Mass
[there are 2 or 3 random markings that might be letters]
Page 5

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
                                  SS
County of Berks, ss.
On this twenty sevent day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within an dfor said County of Berkshire, now sitting.
John Easland a resident of the town of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy three 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. That about the latter part of March or beginning of April in the year of our Lord 1776 he enlisted as a soldier in the company commanded by Capt John Shephard of Westfield Lieut. Silas Goodrich of Great Barrington aforesaid about the first of April AD 1776 & march to Bennington in Vermont then to Shinsborough (now called White Hill) in the state of New York then to Ticonderoga & Crown Point, & St. Johns & Chambly & Three Rivers & then to (illegible) where he was stationed for some weeks & then was sent to the hopsital at Montreal after his recovering from the SmallPox he joined the American army at St. John's that he & his said Company was joined to Colonel (illegible) Regiment & thence (illegible) to (illegible)where he remained about (illegible) thence to (illegible) where he continued to do duty in said Company & Regiment till late in the Fall & he verily believes till the latter part of the month of November when he was discharged on account of (illegible) by (gen'l Gates
Page 6

then joined the American troop & with a small party
was [?] stationed at the town of one Patrick where
he was on duty in the Militia for one month
& was then discharged & returned home.
The said John Easlon in annon to the Interrogations
presented by the War department states
as follows said In annon to the first interrogatory
he states that he was born in the City of New York
in the year 1759 as he has always understood and
verily believes and at the age of about two and
one half years old was removed to West Stockbridge.
aforesaid where he has ever since resided, in 
the second he says that he has no record of his age.
In Annon to the third he says he volunteered at
West Stockbridge aforesaid where he now lives & has
ever since lived- In Annon to this fourth he says
in his first engagement aforesaid he volunteered as
a Substitute for his Brother Francis Easland of West
Stockbridge in his last engagement aforesaid he
volunteered In Annon to the fifth he says he
recollects the name of Capt. Chapin, but no other 
nor the names of of any continental or Militias Regiments.
In annon to the sixth he says from his first 
engagement aforesaid he received a written discharge
He verily believes it was given by Genl Gates he
has not seen it for a great many years & believes
it is lost and in answer to the seventh he says he can
name the Revd Nathan Shaw & Capt Josephy Hurns

He further states that he has no documentary evidence
& that he knows of no person whose testimony he
can procure who can testify to his services in the first
engagement aforesaid except Daniel Fenton & Francis
Easland whose affidavits hereto annexed and that
of his last engagement he can procure no evidence
of his serving
Page 7

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.        John Easland
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
William P. Walker, J. Probate

We, Nathan Shaw a Clergyman residing in the Town of West Stockbridge afores.  and Abisha Lewis- residing in West Stockbridge hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Easland who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reputed and believe, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that concur in that opinion.    
Abisha Lewis
Nathan Shaw

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 if appears to them that Nathan Shaw who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Abisha  Lewis who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker   J.Probate

I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Easland  for a pension.
In testify whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Henry W. Bishop   (illegible) of Probate
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State of Massachusetts}
Berkshire County Ss. }   On this third day of August Eighteen hundred fifty three,there, personally appeared, before me Daniel N. Dewey Esq. Judge of Probate in aforesaid County, Sally Easland a resident of West Stockbridge in the County and State aforesaid aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d of February 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War:  That she is the widow of John Easland who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution:  that she is unable to state the particulars of his service, but for such service he was placed upon the Pension List and was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death he was receiving a pension of about twenty nine dollars per annun, that his pension certificate was given up to the Pension Agent at Boston for the purpose of obtaining the balance of pension due at the time of his death:  She further declares that she was married to said John Easland on the twenty fifth day of September Eighteen hundred and three by Rev. M. Nisbit, a Baptist clergyman then preaching in said West Stockbridge:  and that said John Easland her husband died on the sixth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred fifty seven:  She further declares that she was not married to said John Easland prior to the second day of January
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Eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated and that she is now a widow.
Sally Easland

Berkshire Ss.  Probate Court Great Barrington
August 3d,  1853.
Subscribed and sworn to by the said Sally Easland in open Court.
Before me Daniel N. Dewey 
Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Berkshire Ss.  I hereby certifed that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me Daniel N. Dewey Esq. Judge of Probate (illegible) said County. that John Easland late of West Stockbridge in said County deceased, was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the time of his death, that he died on the sixth day of August in the year eighteen hundred forty seven leaving Sally Easland his widow who now resides in said West Stockbridge.   And (illegible) certify that I am in no way included in the claim of said Sally Easland for a pension.  In Testimony 
whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed 
the seal of the Probate Court 
this third day of August in the year eighteen hundred fifty three.
 Daniel N  Dewey
Judge of Probate
[a clear image of the seal is visible]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss.   I Henry W. Taft, Register of Probate within and for said County of Berkshire, do certify that Daniel N. Dewey Esq. before whom the foregoing proceedings were held at the date of said proceedings was and still is Judge of Probate within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing ["proceedings" crossed out and "signatures" written above] purporting to be his are genuine.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of said Probate Court the twenty sixth day of December in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & fifty three
Henry W. Taft
Register of Probate
[seal stamped]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
BERKSHIRE SS.

I, Henry W. Taft Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Reuben C. Fitch, Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity, and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Reuben C. Fitch, and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed  the Seal of the Superior Judicial Court for said Commonwealth this twenty seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
Henry W. Taft   CLERK.
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BOUNTY LAND DECLARATION.
STATE OF Massachusetts.}
County of Berkshire         }  SS
ON THIS twenty first day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven personally appeared before me, Reuben C. Fitch a Justice of the Peace, within and for the Count and State aforesaid, Sally Easland aged eighty five years, a resident of WestStockbridge, in the State of Massachusetts who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Easland deceased, who was a soldier in the company commanded by Captain      name forgotten    in the   forgotten    regiment of Infantry  commanded by Col    in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States in 1775-1776 in the Continental Army of the Revolutionary War.
that her said husband enlisted at West Stockbridge on or about the day of       A.D. 1776 or 1777 for the term of one year     and continued in actual service in the said War for the term of five months    and was honorably discharged at    forgotten where     on the     day of         A.D. 1776 or 1777.
She further states that she was married to said John Easland in West Stockbridge on the twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1800 by one   Nisbit   Clergyman  and that her name before her said marriage was Sally Webb  that her said husband died at WestStockbridge on the sixth day of August A.D. 1847 and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3d, 1855. & she refers to her pension papers under the act of 3d of February A.D, 1854 for the evidence of Service, Marriage, Death & all of which having been fully proved before her Pension of $29 41/100, per annum was allowed under act of 3d February AD 1853. - her pension certificate is dated February 4th A.D. 1854 is payable at Boston Mass.
Sally Easland
We, George W. Parrish and Morgan H. Arnold residents of West Stockbridge in the State of Massachusetts upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sally Easland in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Geo. W. Parrish
Morgan H. Arnold
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affliant to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Reuben C. Fitch Justice of the Peace
[written in a box is the following]
Please To address all communications To
R.C. Fitch  Alford, Berkshire Co. Mass.
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Commonwealth Massachusetts
Berkshire County SS.
Extracts from the Records of the Town of Massachusetts in said County of Berkshire

"Eighteen Hundred three.  September Nineteenth.
John Easland and Sally Webb both of West Stockbridge have had their intentions of marriage published as the law directs By Luther Hooper Clerk"
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows: "1803 Sept. 19th"
Martin R. Kellogg Town Clerk

William, son of John and Sally Easland was born  September thirteith Eighteen hundred four.
Hendrick, son of John and Sally Easland was born September twentieth Eighteen hundred six.
Catherine daughter of John and Sally Easland was born March first Eighteen hundred eight.
Peter, son of John and Sally Easland was born September third Eighteen hundred ten.
George, son of John and Sally Easland was born November twenty third Eighteen hundred twelve"I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the several dates while are expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows:
Sept. 30th 1804
Sept. 20. 20th, 1806"
M"March 1st, 1808."
"Sept. 3d, 1810"
"Nov. 23d, 1812" Martin R. Kellogg Town Clerk
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I Martin R. Kellogg above named do depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, Town and State aforesaid, and that the above are true extracts from the record of said town, with the exceptions above named as certified by me

Martin R Kellogg } Clerk of the Town of West Stockbridge

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss. Sworn to before me, this sixteenth day of December 1853.
Henry E Fitch  Justice of the Peace
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John Easland
Mass'tts
No. 167.46

Private 8 Mar  25 days

?-16.16 (illegible)
June 28 1833

    275
 2660
_____________
29.41

58.82
14.70
__________
73.52

HW Bishop E
Lenox Mass
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT

Pension Office,     183

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 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 show what is necessary to be done.  These 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
__________________________________________________
A Statement, showing the Service of John Eastland
__________________________________________________

Period when the service was rendered
1776 enlist
__________________________________________________
Years          Months       Days
(illegible)
 1/8 25 "     
__________________________________________________
Rank of the claimant.
__________________________________________________
Names and Rank of the Company officers 
under whom he served.

Capt Jno. Sheppard
Lieut O. Newell
________________________________________________
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col Porter
_________________________________________________
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.

__________________________________________________
Country through which he marched.

From Great Barrington to  Bennington then to (illegible) then to Ticonderoga & Crown Point 
__________________________________________________
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.

73 years  
West Stockbridge Mass.ts
________________________________________________
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary Witnesses



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, musicians 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 officers:
[Here set for 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 enered 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 the 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 of
the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set by 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 additions, 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 certificates 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 applicacation of
for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hadn 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 part will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least on 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
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 18

3
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 he 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, 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 for
low 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 his service, but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the period, 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."
"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 [illegible] 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 shows under what officers the applicant served; the duration of term of engagement;
the particular place or places whereof the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority;
that he was enter in the fied 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 affix 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 part.
The 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 others of the certifying officer, to us 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, [illegible]
as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of his witnesses [?}, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified the proper officer, under his seal of office.
(k) The notes from (a), (b), (c) [?] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rules
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.
The above [illegible] to the rate [illegible] must all be [illegible] and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 19

Revy
WIDOW, &C.    [illegible initials]

File No. 25.557
Sally Easland
Widow of John Easland
Private Rev War

Act Feb 3 1863
Index: Vol A, Page 208

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

No. 4.150
Massachusetts
Sally easland
wid of John.
Admitted $29.41 per ann
from 3 feb. 1853

A M Copeland
Lenox Mass
Act 3 feb. 1853

FREE
[postmark]     ALFORD   MASS
Commissioner of Pensions

Washington 

D.C.
Page 21

Pension Off
Jany. 21.1854
Sir
Please certify when Jno. Easland the within named person died
Respy
(illegible)
(illegible)
F Burt Esq
3d (illegible)
John Easland, Act 1832
$29.41 per ann. Died 6 Aug '47
Paid  F. Bush
Auditor.
(illegible) Feby
Page 22

 [postmark]    LENOX
                          Jan 2
                        MASS
                                                                              Hon.  Loren P Waldo,                     FREE
Commission of Pensions,
Washington, 
D.C.

[written sideways on the left side :]
Mass
Sally Easland
(illegible)
Jan 23/52 
(illegible)
2145
Page 23

61057

[illegible] Amt
Page 24

I Daniel Fenton of Austerlitz in the County of Columbia & State of New York aged seventy six years being duly sworn do depose & say that about the later part of March or the First part of April in the year of Our Lord seventeen hundred seventy six I enlisted as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia under Lieutenant Silas Goodrich, in the Company commanded by Capt. John Shephard, of Whitefish that John Easland now residing at West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts also enlisted in the same company about the same time for the term of nine months, which was also the term of my own enlistment, that said John Easland & myself were first mustered or joined said Company at Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire aforesaid about the first of April AD 1776, that said John & myself in the said Company then marched to Bennington in Vermont then to Skinsborough(?) (now called Whitehall ) in the State of New York & Ticonderoga & Crown Point & (illegible) & St. John's & Shambler & Lowe & (illegible) - said company was joined to Colonel Porters regiment, that I was discharged & returned home about the first of September following when I left said John Easland in this service during all which period above mentioned I was knowing to said John Easland doing duty as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the Company aforesaid and further says that he has known said Easland since that peiriod & have never understood that he left said service before he was regularly discharged but on the contrary do verily believe he continued in said service after I left & for the terms of his enlistment or untill he was discharged.
Witness Robbins Kellogg             his
                                        Daniel  X  Fenton
                                                  mark
Berkshire, August 3d 1832 The above named Daniel Fenton personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me
Robbins Kellogg  Justice of the peace
Page 25

I Robbins Kellogg a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify that Daniel Fenton who executed the within affidavit is a man of truth & veracity.
August 3d 1832  Robbins Kellogg Justice of the peace
Page 26

Francis Easland of West Stockbridge in the County
Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
aged eighty nine years being duly sworn deposes and
says that during the revolutionary war he was
drafted in the Town of West Stockbridge aforesaid where
he then [illegible] to perform a tour of duty as a soldier
to the Northside of it his [illegible]ness at the time
and that instructions[?] for him to go, he therefore
presented[?] him to the John Easland was a resident at west
Stockbridge aforesaid to go in his stead, that said John
at that time resided with 
his father in West Stockbridge aforesaid that he
left West Stockbridge in the [illegible] first year on
a tour of duty to the North deponent tells us
about [illegible] eight months as the deponent
now and owing to [illegible] is about [illegible] recollection but says
that he did not return to [illegible] in the Fall &
says during the period and that my [illegible] the First
action at the north [illegible] [illegible] after has
ever since has [illegible] & only belongs, that he is
a clerk to State the year, he recollects that
his Father went for said John [illegible] the fill to apart
and getting him home his being sick & he[?] took to
me himself as this deponent [illegible]
& only belongings that said John was sick & feeble
To the terms of his return.
Francis Easland
Berkshire Ss. August 10th 1832 the above named
Francis Easlan personally appeared & Made oath to 
Truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed &
Veranty – Upon Mr. Robbins Kellogg, Justice of the peace
Page 27

was during this period in the army of the revolution
at the north said as this Deponent has 
ever since [illegible] & verily believes that he is
unable to start this year, his [illegible] recollects that
his to that event for said John in the fall to [illegible]
in getting him home he being sick & was taken to
home himself [illegible] this deponent then [illegible]
& verily believes that said John was sick & feeble

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, SS. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of
Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Robbins
Kellogg Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was
taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said
County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I was well 
acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature
annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of sad Court this Twenty Seventh day of September
A.D. 1832. [rest of line illegible]
Page 28

Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, John Easland who being duly sworn deposeth & 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 & in the following (illegible)
For seven months & twenty five Days
No. 1    I served as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the Massachusetts line in the year 1776 as stated in my Declaration & first engagement therein marked No. 1
For one month I served in said Army in the Militia as stated in my second engagement & stated in my Declaration aforesaid marked No. 2  Making in the whole eight months & twenty five days for which service I claim a pension    
John Easland

Berkshire Ss.  Subscribed & sworn to
this 3rd day of August AD 1833
before me Robbins Kellogg Justice of the peace
Page 29

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire Ss.      I Henry W. Bishop Register of the Courts of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Robbins Kellogg Esquire, before whom this annexed Depositions of Daniel Fenton & Francis Easland also the affidavit or additional declarations of John Easland were taken  (illegible) dates thereof & now is one of the Justices of the (illegible) within & for said County duly & regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, & have no doubt that the signatures annexed to this Deposition & affidavit are genuin.

In testimony whereof I have 
Hereunto set my hand & affixed the 
Seal of said Court this 
Seventh Day of August AD 1833
Page 30

16766
John Easland



H. W. Bishop Esq.
Lenox, Mass
Page 31

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 Easland 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 amout [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 32

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable 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?  No
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 applicants 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 not so answered?

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 befo&c, A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by eason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his sevice, but according to th e bet 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 33

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 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 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 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.
[illegible] 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.
Page 34

Mass
Sally  Easland
Page 35

Brief in the case of Sally Easland, widow of Jn.
County and State of Massachusetts.
act 2 February 1853
__________________________________________________
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, tradiitonary,or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance

Husband pensioned at (illegible) 29. 41, Act of June '32.
Marriage proved by town record, confirmed by affidavits of witnesses.
Death of husband alleged (illegible) Aug 6, 1847
Satisfactorily proved to Probate Court; which also certified identity of the claimant
(if for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claims?  If so, what? 

Name and resident of Agent
A. M. Copeland         McRae Examining Clerk
Lenox, Mass.
Page 36

I Rufus Wilson of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman on oath do depose and say
1st  That I knew John Easland and Sally webb before their marriage, or their reputed marriage.
2d.  That in the fall of AD. 1803 the said Sally Webb came to the house of the said John Easland as his reputed wife and lived with him until his death.  Supposed they were husband and wife. Have often heard Easland speak of her as being his wife.  they had several - five children, born while they were thus living together.  It was understood by all that they were married. The general reputation was that they were married, and I have never heard it questioned.
3d.  That I am seventy three years of age, and for over sixty years I have lived within half a  mile of the said Easland's our former (illegible)
Berkshire Ss.
Subscribed and sworn to this fourteenth day of December A. D. 1853
Before me
Henry E. Fitch 
Justice of the Peace
Page 37

I Enos Boughton of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts (illegible) an oath to depose and say
1st  That I was acquainted with John Easland and Sally Webb before their marriage or reputed marriage.
2d   That about or near the year 1803, I cannot recall precisely when, Sally Webb came to live at the said John Easland as his reputed wife, and continued to live with Easland in this manner until the time of his death.  I always supposed they were husband and wife.  Their manner toward each other was that of husband and wife.  They had several children while thus living together, of which I suppose the said Easland and his wife to be the father and mother. It was generally understood that they were married.  I have never heard it disputed or questioned.
3d  That I am eighty three years of age, I have lived within three miles of said Easland since AD. 1785,until the time of the said Easland's death.
Enos Boughton
Berkskhire Ss
Subscribed and sworn to this [could be: fourteenth, fiveteenth, or sixteenth] day of December AD. 1853
Before me
Henry E. Fitch
Justice of the Peace
Page 38

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
_________________________________________________

Berkskhire, ss.

I, CHARLES SEDGWICK, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Henry E. Fitch Esquire, whose signatures here affixed to the certificates on the papers hereto annexed, was, at the dates thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, 
and that full faith and credit are and ought to be give to his acts and attestations done in that capacity and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Henry E. Fitch, and believe his signatures to said certificates are genuine.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this twenty second day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Chas. Sedgwick  Clerk.
Page 39

Deposition of Rhoda Baldwin formerly Rhoda Boughton of West Stockbridge Massachusetts now residing in Eaton Lorain Co. O relative to the marriage of Sally Webb & John Easland.

Rhoda Baldwin of Eaton in the County of Lorain and State of Ohio being duly sworn doth depose and say that she is in her 79th year having been born on the day of the Battle of Bunker's hill and formerly resided in West Stockbridge Berkshire County Massachusetts, that she was well acquainted with Sally Webb now Sally Easland of said West Stockbridge and with the late John Easland her husband before their marriage; that the said Sally Webb was married to the said John Easland at said West Stockbridge on or about the 25th day of September in the year 1803 By a Mr Nesbett a Baptist Clergyman, that she the deponant knows this fact well though being about at the time she was not present at the wedding but avers that she knows the fact to be as stated as well as any one can know an event without being actually present to witness it, that she was familiar with the incidents of their courtship and subsequent events.  And the Deponant further says that after their said marriage the said John Easland and Sally Webb
Page 40

lived together as husband and wife at said West Stockbridge and were so living together when said deponent removed from said West Stockbridge in the year 1816 or about that time and further this 
deponent saith not.
In presence of 
Francis Moran          Rhoda Baldwin
Henry B. Kelsey        By Anna J Kelsey
                                per order Rhoda Baldwin

State of Ohio}
Lorain county SS}    On this nineteenth day of September A.D. 1853 Rhoda Baldwin above named made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by her thus subscribed before me And I do hereby certify that the said Rhoda Baldwin is a person of good character and reputation and though at present prostrate on a bed of sickness is yet of a sane mind and rational conversation_ and further that I am not in any way interested in the claim of said Sally Easland for a pension_ In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at Eaton this 19th day of September AD. 1853
Henry B. Kelsey Notary Public
Page 41

(sentence fragment) am not in any way

Sally Easland for a pension_ In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at Eaton this 19th day of September AD. 1853
Henry B Kelsey Notary Public

THE STATE OF OHIO.}
Lorain County, SS}

I, Landon Rood, Clerk of the Court of common Please, within and for said county DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that Henry B. Kelsey Esq. by whom the forgoing certificate was made was at the time of making the same, & now is an acting NOTARY PUBLIC in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified, that I am acquainted with his signature, and verily believe the above to be genuine, and that the same is in the form and in accordance with the Laws of the State of Ohio, and that said Court is a Court of Record.
WITNESS my signature and the Seal of the Court, at Elyria, this 19 day of September A. D. 1853.
L. Rood  Clerk   (illegible)

Clk fee  .50
(illegible)  E. S. Gardner
L. Rood  clk
Page 42

Lenox, Jan. 20th, 1854
L.P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you Affiavits, Certificates and Records concerning Sally Easland and her pension title; and also an instrument by which she appoints me her true and lawful attorney for the purposes there in mentioned.
I desire that the files and records of the department at Washington may be examined in reference to her claims, and that any pension certificate which may be due to her, may be forwarded.
Page 43

to me.

Respectfully,
Alfred M. Copeland
Page 44

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
                                  SS
County of Berks, ss.
On this twenty sevent day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within an dfor said County of Berkshire, now sitting.
John Easland a resident of the town of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy three 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. That about the latter part of March or beginning of April in the year of our Lord 1776 he enlisted as a soldier in the company commanded by Capt John Shephard of Westfield Lieut. Silas Goodrich of Great Barrington aforesaid about the first of April AD 1776 & march to Bennington in Vermont then to Shinsborough (now called White Hill) in the state of New York then to Ticonderoga & Crown Point, & St. Johns & Chambly & Three Rivers & then to (illegible) where he was stationed for some weeks & then was sent to the hopsital at Montreal after his recovering from the SmallPox he joined the American army at St. John's that he & his said Company was joined to Colonel (illegible) Regiment & thence (illegible) to (illegible)where he remained about (illegible) thence to (illegible) where he continued to do duty in said Company & Regiment till late in the Fall & he verily believes till the latter part of the month of November when he was discharged on account of (illegible) by (Gen'l Gates
Page 45

Berkshire Ss
January 16 1857
Then personally appeared the above named Sally Easland and acknowledged the above instrument to be her free act and (deed?)
Before me 
Henry E. Fitch
Justice of the Peace
Page 46

State of Massachusetts}
County of Berkshire}      Ss.
On this 22nd day of September AD, one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for thie County and State aforesaid, Sally Easland, aged eighty six years, a resident of Weststockbridge, in the State of Massachusetts, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Easland decease, who was a private in the company commanded by Capt          in the         
regiment of            commanded by          in the Revolutionary war, and that her said husband enlisted at Weststockbridge, on or about the first day of April Ad 1776 for the term of one year and continued in actual service in said war for the term of four months and was honorably discharged at            on the           day of         AD 1776.
She further states that she was married to the said John Easland, on the 25th day of September AD 1803, by one Elder Nisbit and that her name before her said marriage was Sally Webb that her said husband died at Weststockbridge on the 6th day of August AD 1847, and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration, for the purpose of obtaining the arrears of the pension, to which she may be entitled under the act of March 4th 1848, or any other act.   She further states that all the proof necessary is already with the Department as she has drawn a pension of 
$29.41/100 per annum, commencing on the 3rd of Feb 1853, as her certificate will show, which is Recorded in the Pension Office, on the Roll of Pensions, under act of Feb 3rd 1853, Page 39, Vol A.
Sally Easland
Page 47

We, George Easland and Climend Alexander residents of Weststockbridge in the State of Massachusetts, upon our oaths declare that the forgoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sally Easland in our presence, and that we know, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
George Easland
Climand Alexander

The foregoing declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that i have no interest in this claim.
Reuben C. Fitch  __________  Justice of the Peace

Please address all communications, to Reuben C. Fitch, Alford, Berkshire County, 
Massachusetts.
Page 48

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

BERKSHIRE SS.
I, Henry W. Taft Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Reuben C. Fitch Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth
and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Reuben C. Fitch and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Courts for Said Commonwealth, this twenty third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.

Henry W. Taft   CLERK