Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26303, for Joseph Pelton, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn.
Pelton, Joseph
Abigail
NUMBER  W. 26303
B.L. Wt. 34904-160-55
CONTENTS
This woman has also applied for bounty land on account of her first husband John Ayres or Ayers (Conn.) B. L. Rej.
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No. 34904 iss [issued] July 30 / 56
212,157 Mch 3, 53
19.886 Sept 17 55
Abigail Pelton 
wid of Joseph - Private 
Capt 
Col. 
Enl.
Dis
Revolutionary War  
Vt Feby 53-5475  
AD:160 ac. July 25 / 56 
Boynton 
Vol P=59 
Wm Heywood 
Northumberland NH
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5.475 
Vermont Montpelier 
Abigail Pelton widow of Joseph Pelton Conn who served in the Revolutionary war as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 dollars, 44 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853. 
Certificate of Pension issued 18th day of Septr 1853 and sent to W. Heywood Northumberland NH 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 2 Vol. A 
212157
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June 1839 
10334 
New Hampshire 
Joseph Pelton of Lynn in the State of NH who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain  - of the regt commanded by Col Tyler in the Conn line for 7 Mos 19 Days  
Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 25 Dollars 44 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of Apl 1833 and sent D. C. Churchill Lynn NH 
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $50.88 
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 12.72  
$63.60  
{Revolutionary Claim, June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by JH McBlair Clerk 
Book E Vol. 11  Page 114
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Joseph Petton
Lyme N.H.
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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 
State of New Hampshire 
County of Grafton} SS 
On this twenty seventh day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Probate for said County now sitting Joseph Pelton a resident of Lyme in the County of of Grafton and State of New Hampshire aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the set of Congress passed June 7th 1832.   
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated 
At Saybrook Connecticut about the middle of April 1777 being about the time of the burning of stores at Danbury in said State of Conn, he was called out in an alarm and marched under command of Col Tyler to New Haven. While there he volunteered with a company of Militia commanded by Captain Dudley for the purpose of scouting in the vicinity of New Haven,  continued with said Company scouting from place to place and returned home to Saybrook after being absent one week.  The next day day after his return to Saybrook, was drafted and joined a company of Militia commanded by Captain Platts, marched to New Haven and Joined the Regiment of Col Pentfield, where he was stationed until about the middle of June was dismissed and returned home to Saybrook after being absent the full term of six weeks.  He further states that in the month of October 1778 at said Saybrook he was drafted and joined a company of Militia commanded by Captain Dudley marched to New London where he was stationed until the 24th day of November in the same year was dismissed and returned home to Saybrook on the 25th day of said November (being his birth day) after being absent from Saybrook the full term of six week.  
He further states that in the month of December 1778 at Saybrook he enlisted into a company of Militia commanded by Captain Starkey for the purpose of guarding said Saybrook & vicinity for the term of three months continued in said company the full term of three months and was dismissed in March 1779, his term of enlistment having expired. 
He further states that about the 12th day of July 1780 on an alarm he joined a company of Militia commanded by Captain Shipman marched to East Haven there and Col Tylers Regiment met with
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the Regiment (does not know by whom commanded), had a skirmish with the British on Bacon Hill so called between New Haven Harbour and East Haven Village afterwards dismissed and returned home to Saybrook after being absent the full term of Eight days.   
He further states that in the month of September (he thinks the 4th day of the month) 1781, at said Saybrook on an alarm he joined Company of Militia commanded by Captain Waters was ordered to march to New London, marched part of the way to New Londen had counter orders marched back with said company to Saybrook continued there in sight of the Enemy who lay on Long Island side, the Sunday following a part of the enemy attempted to land in Boats but were repulsed by the American troops and retreated to their station, he was stationed at said Saybrook unto it Thursday following, at which time he with others belonging to Col. Tylers Regiment a sufficient number to form a company were drafted for one month service for the purpose of guarding the shores at said Saybrook.  The remainder of said Regiment being dismissed.  He continued in the service in said Company the full term of one month agreeably to his orders and was then dismissed in the month of October 1781, making in both terms last mentioned one month and ten days.  
Having served his country in the Revolutionary War the full term of seven months and nineteen days He further states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. 
He was born in the town of Saybrook in the State of Connecticut in the year 1756. 
He has no record of his age (except in his family Bible. 
He lived in Saybrook in Connecticut when called into service and in April 1783 he moved to Chatham in Connecticut where he lived until August 1786. he then moved to Lyme New Hampshire where he lived until July 1823, when he moved to Fairlee Vermont where he continued until April 1831 he then removed to said Lyme New Hampshire where he has since and now lives.   
He was three times ordered out on an alarm,  three times Drafted and twice volunteered.   
He cannot state the names of any other officers than he has stated, does not recollect any other Regiments than he has stated above and has stated the general circumstances of his service as near as he can recollect.   
He never received any discharge except verbal. 
He refers to Arthur Latham Esqr & David Goodell who reside in his neighbourhood & can testify to his character as to veracity & there belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution
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Declaration 
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension all of the agency of any State. 
Joseph Pelton 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
We Arthur Latham residing in Lyme and David Goodell residing in Lyme hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Pelton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 75 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. 
Arthur Latham 
David Goodell 
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 certifies that it appears to them that Arthur Latham who has signed the proceeding [unreadable] residing in the town of Lyme and that David Goodell who has also signed the same is a resident in said Lyme and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full credit. 
Edward Webber Judge of Probate 
I Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Pelton for a pension.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal Official, this 27th day August A.D. 1832.   
Moses Dow
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Joseph Pelton of Lyme N.H. assigns the following reason for not obtaining the affidavit of a clergyman at the Court of Probate before whom he made his declaration on the 27th day of August A.D. 1832. in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 
viz he was instructed that the affidavit of two respectable persons who were well acquainted with him would answer the requisitions of the war department, and he referred to Arthur Latham & David Goodell who had been acquainted with for more than forty years last past, they being better acquainted with him than either of the clergymen by could be.  As before stated in his declaration he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and he now refers to the Rev Nathaniel Lambert & the Rev Erdix Tenny who can testify to his character as to veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
Joseph Pelton 
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss. Lyme December 3d 1832 Subscribed & sworn to before me 
D. C Churchill Justice of the Peace 
W Nathaniel Lambert & Erdix Tenny clergyman residing in the Town of Lyme hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Pelton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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. 
Nathaniel Lambert 
Erdix Tenny 
State of New Hampshire Grafton Ss Lyme December 3 1832 then personally appeared the above named Nathaniel Lambert & Erdix Tenny and made Solemn Oath that the above affidavit by them severally subscribed is in their belief true.  Before me 
D. C Churchill Justice of the Peace
And I D.C. Churchill do hereby certify that Nathaniel Lambert & Erdix Tenny who have signed the above affidavit are Clergyman residents in said Town of Lyme and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
D. C Churchill Justice of the Peace
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State of New Hampshire 
Grafton ss I Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County of Grafton do hereby certify that D.C. Churchill who has signed the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Grafton duly authorised to administer Oaths & take affidavits and that his signatures to the within is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this fifth day of December A.D. 1832. 
Moses Dow
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I Daniel Ayers of Maidstone in the County of Essex and State of Vermont depose and say that Abigail Pelton of said Maidstone is my mother and she resides with me. Her first husband John Ayers was my father. He died at Corinth in the State of Vermont as I believe on the 27th day of December in the year eighteen hundred and fourteen. I can just remember the time of his death but I was then very young.  My said father was as I have always understood a soldier of the Revolution. In the year eighteen hundred and twenty three my said mother was married to Joseph Pelton and they lived together some fourteen years. I lived with said Pelton and my mother for about four before the death of said Pelton. I know that said Pelton drew a small pension and that he used to go on to Lyme NH to get the money – I used to see the money and it was used in the family.  Said Joseph Pelton died in June A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty seven and since then my mother has been a widow the whole time.  
Daniel Ayers his mark 
State of Vermont  
Essex County ss} At Maidstone in said county Sept 8th 1855 then Daniel Ayers personally appeared before me and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit. And I further certify that said Daniel Ayers is a credible witness. 
Wm H. Hartshorn Justice of the peace
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State of Vermont 
Essex County}  ss  I hereby certify that Wm H. Hartshorn Esqr before whom the foregoing it was subscribed and sworn to and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing an authorised Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, and that his signature thereto is genuine.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court for the County aforesaid this 10th day of September A.D. 1855 
Wm. H. Hartshorn Clerk of said Essex County Court.
A. Pelton for pension
Daniel Ayers affidavit
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Selina H. Wilson affidavit in case of  A Peltons claim for a pension
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I Selina H. Wilson of Towners in the County of Putnam and State of New York depose and say that Mrs. Abigail Pelton of Maidstone in the County of Essex and State of Vermont is my mother and her first husband John Ayers was my father. My father John Ayers died as I believe the latter part of the year 1814 and I have been informed and believe that he was buried new years day 1815. My mother afterwards married Joseph Pelton-- I think it was about nine years after the death of my father that she married said Pelton but I was not present at the marriage. My mother lived with said Pelton near fourteen years for the most of the time in Fairlee Orange County Vermont but I think that they lived about one year in Berkshire Vt and two years in Lyme N. H.  Said Pelton died in June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.  I lived occasionally with said Pelton and my mother for eleven years after they were married.   I know that said Pelton drew a small pension and that he used to go over to Lyme N H to get it. I recollect in particular that at one time I saw the money that he said was his pension money. My mother was Eighty years old last April. Her name before her marriage with my father was Abigail Moodey.  I am forty five years and about 5 months old.  I am now on a visit to my mother in said Maidstone
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My mother is very unwell and the is wholly unable to ride or walk out and could not be carried to appear before a court. 
Selina H Wilson 
State of Vermont 
Essex County }ss At Maidstone in paid County this 8th day of September AD. 1855 Personally appeared before me the above named Selina H. Wilson and she subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit and I further certify that said Selina H. Wilson is a credible witness.   
Wm H. Hartshorn Justice of the peace. 
I further certify that the word ten was erased and the word eleven interlined in the foregoing affidavit before the same was signed & sworn to by said Selena H. Wilson 
Wm H. Hartshorn Justice of the peace 
State of Vermont 
Essex County ss}
I Wm H. Hartshorn Clerk of the Essex County Court for the County aforesaid. Do hereby certify that Wm R. Hartshorn Esq before whom the affidavit was subscribed & sworn to & who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing and authorized Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid, and that his signature thereto is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court for the County aforesaid this 10th day of September A.D. 1855 
Wm H. Hartshorn Clerk of said County Court
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Abigail Peltons
claim for Bounty land
212,15
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State of Vermont 
County of Essex ss}  On this 8th day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Abigail Pelton aged Eighty years a resident of Maidstone in the State of Vermont who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Joseph Pelton deceased who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution and that he drew a pension at the rate of $25.44 per annum under the act of June 7th 1832 and she further declares that she has understood from him the said Pelton that he served in the Connecticut Continental line and she refers to to the declaration and proofs made by the said Pelton under said act of June 7th 1832 to establish his service.  
She further states that she was married to the said Joseph Pelton in Vershire in the County of Orange and State of Vermont on the eleventh day of September A.D. 1823 by one Simeon Bacon a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Orange and that her name before her said marriage was Abigail Ayers and for proof of her marriage she refers to the evidence of said Simeon Bacon which accompanies her declaration this day made to obtain a pension. That her husband the said Joseph Pelton died at Fairlee in said County of Orange in June A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and that she is now a widow.  She has made a former declaration to obtain bounty land for the services of John Ayers her first husband which claim has been suspended for want of sufficient proof of identity of parties. She makes this declaration for  
(over)
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the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3d 1855.   
Abigail Pelton her mark 
We William Haymond of Northumberland in the State of New Hampshire and Lucius C. Luther  resident of Maidstone in the State of Vermont upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Abigail Pelton in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person the represents herself to be.  
Wm Heywood 
Lucius C Luther 
The foregoing declaration and affidavits were 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. 
Wm H. Hartshorn Justice of the peace 
State of Vermont 
Essex County } ss  
I hereby certify that Wm H. Hartshorn before whom the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged and the foregoing affidavits are subscribed & sworn to [unreadable]
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subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing an authorized Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid out that his signature thereto is genuine.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court for the County aforesaid this 10th day of September A.D. 1855 
Wm H. Hartshorn Clerk of said Essex County Court
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Simon Bacon's
Affidavit
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I Simeon Bacon of Vershire in the County of Orange and State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that I am a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Orange and was a Justice of the Peace in the year Eighteen hundred & twenty three, that the following is a true copy from  a book of records kept by me as a Justice of Peace, to wit: 
“State of Vermont 
Orange County ss}
Be it Remembered that at Vershire in said County on this Eleventh day of September Eighteen hundred twenty three, that Joseph Pelton of Fairlee in said County and Abigail Ayers of Vershire in said County were duly joined in Marriage by me, Simeon Bacon Justice of the Peace" 
Simeon Bacon
I, Simeon Bacon of Vershire in the County of Orange & State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that the foregoing is a true copy from my records as a Justice of the Peace except the date which is expressed upon the record in figures & letters as follows “11th day of September 1823", that I was the Justice who Solemnized the Marriage, that I was personally acquainted with both of the parties, that I knew that the said Joseph Pelton was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States.
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as I have been informed & believe and that he died, as I was informed & believe, about eighteen years since. 
Simeon Bacon 
Sworn to and Subscribed by the above affiant (Simeon Bacon Esquire ) on this 29 day of May 1855 before me.   And I certify that said affiant is, and has been personally known to me about forty years past & that he is credible witness.   
Stephen Thomas, Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont 
Orange County ss} I Burnam Martin Clerk of the Orange County County Court within & for the County of Orange do hereby certify that Stephen Thomas whose Signature is attached to the foregoing in his own proper hand writing is and was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace within & for said County duly qualified & commissioned, and that full faith and credence is due to his attestations as such.   
In Testimony whereof I hereunto Subscribe my name & affix the seal of Court at Chelsea in said County this 30th day of May 1853 
B. Martin Clerk
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Joseph Pelton 
M 9326  
Private 7 Mar 19 days 
Has not produced the Certificate of Clergyman or assigned a reason why he cannot be obtained  
$25.44 
from 
D. C Churchill 
Lynn N. H
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BRIEF in the case of   Joseph Pelton  of Lynn 
in the State of  New 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 infirmity? 
3. How old is he?    75 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.  Apl 15 1777   Duration of Service.  7 Days   Rank.  Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Col. Tyler
Period.  Apl to Jun 5  77  Duration of Service.  1 Month  12 Days  Rank.  Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Col. Peatfield
Period.  Oct 78   Duration of Service.  1 month 12 Days  Rank.  Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Dudley
Period. Dec 78   Duration of Service.   3 Months  Rank.  Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt Starkey  
Period.  July 12 80   Duration of Service.  8 Days  Rank. Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Col. Tyler
Period.  Sept 4 81  Duration of Service.  1 Month 10 days  Rank. Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt Waters
5. In what battles was he engaged? 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?   Seabrook Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  none
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  Defective no witnesses or clergyman, no documentary proof.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above 
Examining Clerk
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Abigail Pelton
Declaration for a pension
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State of Vermont 
County of Essex ss}  on this eighth day of September AD. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me William H. Hartshorn a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Essex Abigail Pelton a resident of Maidstone in the County of Essex aforesaid aged eighty years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 3d 1853:  That she is the widow of Joseph Pelton who was a soldier in the Connecticut line of the Army of the Revolution and drew a pension of $25.44 per annum under the act of June 7, 1832. She thinks that said Pelton drew his pension at the Agency in the Hampshire.   
She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Pelton on the eleventh day of September AD. one thousand eight hundred and twenty three, that her husband the aforesaid Joseph Pelton died at Fairlee in the County of Orange and State of Vermont in June AD. one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven; that she was married to him at the time above stated. she further knows that she has been a widow ever since the last mentioned date when her said husband died and is still a widow and that she has never made application for a pension. 
She further knows that she is sick and
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unable to leave her room and she cannot for that reason appear in open Court to make her declaration.  
Witness  Wm Heywood
Abigail Pelton her mark 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I hereby certify that said Abigail Pelton is unable from sickness to appear in a court of record.   
Wm H. Hartshorn Justice of the peace 
State of Vermont 
Essex County ss} I  William H. Hartshorn Clerk of the County Court within and for the said County of Essex do hereby certify that William H Hartshorn Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration was made and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of to doing a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and known and that his signature above written is genuine.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office as clerk of the said County Court in and for said County of Essex this 18th day of September AD. 1855 –
Wm H. Hartshorn Clerk
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 
June 21, 1853 
Sir: 
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the Pension agents, 
the children of Joseph Pelton dec’d 
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Concord Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and 44 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4" of March 1837 to the 15" June 1837 
Respectfully, yours 
10334 Act ‘32
J. M. Brodhead 
Comptroller 
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.
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Northumberland N. H. 
March 25. 1855 
Sir.
I send you the declaration & proofs of Widow Abigail Pelton for bounty land. 
When a decision is made please communicate with me. 
Respectfully your obt svt. 
W. Heywood Es
L.P. Waldo Esq 
Com of Pensions 
Washington DC
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The portion relating to pension has been  attended to 
Adams Sept 15/55
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Northumberland N.H. Sept 10. 1855 
Sir
I enclose the declaration and proofs of Abigail Pelton of Maidstone [unreadable] for a pension and Bounty land,   Please communicate upon the subject with me. 
Respectfully your obt svt  
Wm Heywood 
Hon. Josiah Minot Com of Pensions Washington D.C.
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Abigail Pelton 
Widow of Joseph 
Vermont
Admd [admitted]  3 Feby 1853 
7 Months & 19 days private  
$25.44 a year from the passage of the Act 
Cert to 
W. Heywood Esq 
Northumberland N H
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Brief in the case of Abigail Pelton widow of Joseph 
County and State of Vermont act 3 Feb 1853 
Claim, (“original”) 
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
Her husband was pensioned under the act of 1832 at $25.66 a year 
Record of Marriage 
Cohabitation,  General repute of Mariage,  Identity,  his death & her widowhood proved 
Credible witnesses 
Name and residence of Agent W Heywood Esq 
Northumberland NH
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk
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Northumberland N.H. Sept. 10, 1855 
Dear Sir 
I wish to be permitted to make a personal application to you in relation to the claim of Mrs. Abigail Pelton for a pension & Bounty land, the papers in whose case I have this day forwarded to Washington. 
I commenced more than two years ago to get the proof for her to establish her claim to a pension on account of the services of her first husband John Ayers. I was satisfied that said Ayers served for about four years but after writing a great many letters & taking much trouble I could only prove 5 months & 23 days service. Upon this service I sent on a claim for Bounty land & have had a letter from the pension office saying that the claim is suspended for want of proof of identity of the applicants husband with the Ayers who served in the Revolutionary War. 
I think that I have now sent on sufficient proof to entitle her to a mall pension & Bounty land on account of the services of her second husband Joseph Pelton.  Now the old lady is very unwell. She has had recent sickness from which she has partially recovered but I do not think it likely that the will live a year. She is very poor and I do not think it right that her claim for a little pittance should wait for the hundreds of thousands of less meritorious claims. 
I therefore ask & if it is not improper I trust
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you will permit her the favor to have her claims taken up and examined at once.  If they have to wait till their time I feel as though they would never benefit her.  
You may perhaps recollect that we formed a slight acquaintance when you held the Court at Leominster about the time of the last Presidential election & I write to you personally upon the strength of that acquaintance. 
Very respectfully your obt svt
Wm Heywood 
Hon Josiah Minot
 Commr of Pensions Washington D.C.
Page 36

Joseph Pelton died 15 June 1837, paid in full 
Wm S Taylor 
Acting Auditor
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Pension Office Sep 14 1855 
Sir
Please state when Joseph Pelton of NH Act 1832 at $25.66 was last paid 
Very Respectfully 
J Minot
Commr of Pensions
R. J. Atkinson Esq
3 Act
Triplett 
15 June 37
Page 38

34.904
[unreadable]
Page 39

19.986
Northumberland Vt. March 26} 
Free
L. P. Waldo Esq 
Comr of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Declaration for bounty land
Page 40

Revy WIDOW, &c.  
File No. 26,303 
Abigail Pelton 
Widow of Joseph Pelton 
Pri Rev. War  
Act Feb. 3rd 1853. 
Index: Vol. P Page 125  
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 41

Joseph Pelton 
No 9326. 
49
30
19
From D. C.  Churchill Lyme N. H.
Page 42

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Pelton which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?   yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?   
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?   yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?   yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?    yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes, in his favor 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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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? Yes 
XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? 
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? 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes 
EXPLANATORY NOTES. 
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For year months and --- days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase 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 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 be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed. 
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.