Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18614, Reuben Blair, Mass.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

Blair, Reuben
         Susan

NUMBER
W.-18614.

CONTENTS
Page 2

21,178
Massachusetts

Reuben Blair
of Worcester in the State of Mass.
who was a private in the Comp commanded
by Captain Clapp of the Reg commanded
by Col. Keys in the Mass
line for 8 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Aug
1833 and sent to H. Stebbins
Brookfield

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 23             $53"33
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 23   13"33
                                                          ________
                                                           $66"66

{Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book E.  Vol. 2,  Page9.
Page 3

(Page is totally black)
Page 4

3798
Susan Blair
wid of Rueben
Mass.
Act July 7. 1838
Married 1778
died 1835
Allow. $26.66 per
ann. Mass Militia
Capt Newell Col Keyes
On roll Vol 21. p 153


C.G. Prentiss
Worcester
Mass
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Couts of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Ira Barton is the Judge of said Court, duly Commissioned and qualified - and that his signature to the paper hereto annexed is genuine.

I further certify, that Jesse Bliss is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified - and that his several signatures to the papers hereto annexed are genuine.

In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Count, this Sixth day of December, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight.

Chas. G. Prentiss, Register
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss.
On this ninth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared, before JM Bartin Judge of the Court of Probate in said County of Worcester, Susan Blair a resident of Brookfield in said County aged seventy-eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in which to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress of July 7, 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows -

That she is the widow of Reuben Blair late of said Brookfield deceased who was a private in the army of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States under the law of 1832.  they both belonged to the town of Western, near Warren a town adjoining said Brookfield, & then
Page 7

he went into the service, and as they both belonged to one neighborhood they knew he was in the service, but as his services are precise in his case, she will not undertake to state them.  She has no documentary evidence of them except what is filed in his case, to that and to the rolls she respectfully refers.

She further declares that she was married to the said Reuben Blair of said Western by the Rev. Mr. Jones the minister of that place on the ninth day of July in the year seventeen hundred and seventy-eight; That her husband the aforesaid Reuben Blair died at said Brookfield on the sixteenth day of January in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-five, and that she has never been married since.

That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the
Page 8

first day of January in the year seventeen hundred and ninety-four to wit at the time above stated

Sworn to and subscribed
the day & year first
         her
Susan X Blair
        mark
above oath
Before me
J M Bartin Judge of Probate for
said County of Worcester
Page 9

I John Moore, Clerk of the Town of Warren in
the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts hereby certify that the following is a transcript from the Records of said Town Viz.
A purpose of marriage between
Reuben Blair and Susanna Shepard both
of Western April Eleventh one thousand seven
hundred and Seventy eight
Attest Denty Partridge Town Clerk 
And I certify that this is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on Record in fair legible figures as follows April 11th. 1788
John Moore Town Clerk


I John Moore above named, depose and say:
that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town,
County, and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
And I further certify that owing to the deranged state of the Town Records in consequence of a part being destroyed or lost I have not been able to find a record of marriage of the above named persons
John Moore} Clerk of the Town of Warren
                (formerly Western) for the year 1838

Worcester ss. Nov. 30. 1838
Sworn to before me
Jesse Bliss Jus. Peace
Page 10

I Mary Bliss of Brookfield in the County of
Worcester & State of Massachusetts being eighty years of age and the sister of Susan Blair now the widow of Reuben Blair late of Brookfield town do testify & say that I was at the wedding of my said sister Susan Blair & saw her joined in Marriage to said Reuben Blair by the Rev: Jonas Jones then the minister of Western now called Warren I can not tell how many years since but should think nearly or about Sixty years since - I made no memorandum at the time of the part of her marriage & have no other means of giving the date than my own recollection
Mary Bliss


Worcester ss. Nov. 3rd. 1838 Then personally
appeared Mary Bliss above named & subscribed the above deposition in my presents & made oath to the same before me - I further certify that I am acquainted with said Mary Bliss, I am of opinion that her testimony is entitled to full credit & belief
Jesse Bliss Jus. Peace
Page 11

We Micah Stone a Clergyman residing in the town of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Simeon Draper a resident in Brookfield aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Blair who is an applicant for a pension and a resident of Brookfield aforesaid that we believe him to be Seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood (neighborhood) where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion
Micah Stone
Simon Draper

Worcester ss. Aug. 28 1832 Personally appeared Micah Stone and Simeon Draper, and made oath to the truth of the above affadavit (affidavit) before me
Heman Stebbins Jus Peace
Page 12

I, Josiah Putnam, of Western, in the County of Worcester, & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of lawful age do depose
& say that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy-five a company was detached from Brookfield in said
County, & said Western - The said company was composed of men from said two towns - Reuben Blair, then of said Western, and now of said Brookfield, and myself were volunteers as privates in said company. We marched with said company to Roxbury, in Massachusetts, in the month of December, in said year, & remained at said Roxbury two months - Said Reuben Blair was there in said company, doing military duty during the whole of the said term of two months, & at the expiration of said term
returned with me to sd. Western - Captain James Convers, of Brookfield commanded our Company at said time - The first Lieutenant
was Joseph Packard of Brookfield - The second Lieutenant was Edward Brooks of Western -Colonel ____ Larned (Ebenezer Learned) commanded the regiment to which we belonged when we arrived at Roxbury - Colonel Danforth Keyes, of Western, was also in said Regiment.
Josiah Putnam

Worcester ss. August 2d. 1832. Then personally appeared the said Jonah Putnam and made oath that the declarations contained in the above deposition are true. and the said Putnam being so aged & infirm as to be unable to travel & attend Court, in the Cause of taking the above deposition at the
house of said Putnam-
Barlow Freeman, Justice of the Peace
Page 13

We Aaron Kimball of (Worcester?) and (Caleb?)
Allen of Sturbridge Both Towns in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawful age Testify and say that we were well acquainted with Reuben Blair of Brookfield who was a Soldier with us in Col. Danforth Keyes Regt. said Blair belonged to Capt. Ebenezer Newells Company six months in Providence in Rhode Island in the year 1777.  in the war of the revolution and served the above term of six months further your deponents sayeth not.
Aug. 3d. 1832
Aaron Kimball
Caleb Allen

Worcester ss Aug 3d. 1832
Personally appeared the above named Aaron Kendall and Caleb Allen signers to the above deposition and made oath to truth of the same
before me. Simeon Draper


Worcester ss
Page 14

County of Worcester}
Aug. 18th 1832} ss.

I Benjamin Jennings of Brookfield
in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts United
States pensioner, of lawful age, first being duly sworn according to law do testify and say that I was a Soldier in the United States Service, Massachusetts Militia, during the Revolutionary war, that I was in in Col. Spencer's Private expedition in Rhode Island, - from July to December 1777 in [illegible] - That I belonged
to Col Danforth Keyes Regt. and Capt Wilsons Company - That I served said six months
in said Company - that Reuben Blair, then of Western in said County of Worcester, now of Brookfield aforesaid was a Soldier in the same Regiment, and I believe of Capt Newell's Company. I saw him frequently while in Rhode Island, and he was doing duty as a soldier, - 
I saw him after he was discharged
which was on January 1 1788 - and further the
deponent saith not
              his
Benjamin X Jennings
              mark

attest Heman Stebbins


Worcester ss Aug. 10th 1832 Personally appeared the said Benjn Jennings and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me
Heman Stebbins Jus Peace

I certify that Benjamin Jennings is a person of truth and veracity
Herman Stebbins
Heman
Page 15

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
On this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two
personally appeared before Hon Nathaniel Paine Esq Judge of the Probate of wills [illegible] for Court of the County aforesaid Reuben Blair resident of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy seven years 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 7th 1832.

THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I was born at Western in the County of Worcester aforesaid on the twelfth day of May
A.D. 1755. There is no record of my age in the town Records; my father used to register the
name and ages of his children in his family bible, which bible I suppose my brother Seth
Blair has - he resides in Madison N.Y.  At the commencement of the Revolutionary War I resided in Western in the County of Worcester aforesaid, when the eight Months Service (so called) expired, a requestion of about 15 men was made of Western aforesaid, to go to Cambridge to join the main army to guard the lines the Militia [illegible] beat up for volunteers to go for six weeks. I volunteered marched about the first of January 1776 to Roxbury  I served six weeks and then agreed to stay two weeks longer, and completed that
period making two months service in the Massachusetts Militia. Officers Col. Larned (Learned?) Commanded the Regiment part or all the time I was in Capt James Converse's Company - Lieut Packard & Lieut Edward Brooks, Joah Putnam was a Corporal in said
Company and served with me I was dismissed at Roxbury March 1st 1777.

I enlisted again at Western July 1. 1777 for six months, was appointed a Corporal,
and did a Corporal's duty for that time I went to Providence R. Island to guard the shores, arrived about the middle of July, went to Obdykes Newtown, then to Point Judith after boats to carry the army and to take Newport, the troops were collected at the four corners; there were 6 or 7000 troops collated here to
pass over to Newport, but the British discovered our design and drove us back
when my time expired I was dismissed, and never received any written discharged.
General Spencer commanded the troops, Col Keyes commanded our Reg. Col Wade
and Maj Clapp. I was dismissed at Providence Jany. 1. 1877. having performed six months duty in the Massachusetts Militia, I was dismissed in Providence R.I. Aaron Kimball of North Brookfield in said County of Worcester was then a Soldier in the same Company and Caleb Allen of Stanbridge
was a soldier in Capt Sibley's Company in the same Regiment - 

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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Reuben Blair
Before Nath Paine Judge of Probate
for the County of Worcester
Page 16

We _____ a Clergyman residing in the ______ and _____ residing in _____ 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 we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and a subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Micah Stone who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Brookfield aforesaid and that Simeon Draper who has also signed the same is a resident in the town Brookfield aforesaid 
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit, that said applicant could not produce in court two reputable persons, one of whom should be the nearest Clergyman, residents in said town of Brookfield, without too much expense, and inconvenience,
Nathl Paine Judge of Probate 
                    in the County of Worcester

I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Worcester County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Blair for a pension. & that Heman Stebbins, Barlow Freeman & Simeon Draper before whom the annexed affidavits were made are Justices of Peace in & for said County in full credit & that they signed the same. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 7th day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Theophilus Wheeler register of Probate for
   the county of Worcester in Massachusetts.


Worcester ss.  Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that since making my above certificate dated the 7th day of September 1832 the affidavit of Reuben Blair made before Heman
Stebbins Esq May 27th 1833 has been produced in the said Court and that the papers in this case now connected by a ribbon under the Seal of the said Court contain the proceedings of the said Court in
the matter of the application of Reuben Blair for a Pension, and that the said Heman Stebbins Simeon Draper and Barlow Freeman are each and every of them Justice of the Peace in & for the said County of Worcester -and that their signatures in each case
is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court the fourth day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three -
Theophs. Wheeler Reg of said Court
Page 17

10.440
Reuben Blair
Mass
Private 8 Months

P.396
14 of
May11.1833

Heman Stebbins
Brookfield Mass



(Written upside down on right side of page:)
1821
11/53
July 10. L
Jany 4

221-


llllll
Page 18

BRIEF in the case of Reuben Blair
County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

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

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? no

3. How old is he? 77 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
Volunteered
In 1776 Jany
Enlisted 1777 July 1st

Duration of Service.
Years,
0
Months,
2
6
Days.

Rank.
As a
private
Corporal

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Col Larned (Learned?), Capt Converris (Converse?)
Col Keys (Keyes?), Major Clapp 

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Western Mass

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

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Jnos Warren Examining Clerk.
28th Febry 1833
Page 19

August 21, 1934.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ady

Mrs. Earl Meserve
27 North Pine Avenue
Albany, New York

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Reuben Blair of Blandford, Massachusetts, born February 12, 1763, died July 18, 1856, married Hannah
Noble, whose service you cite as "corporal Captain Ebenezer Newall's Company, Colonel Danforth Key's Regiment".

The records of this office show that on May 16, 1929 the record of Reuben Blair of Blandford, Massachusetts, who married Hannah Noble, and died July 16, 1856, was furnished
you.

He was not the Reuben Blair who rendered the service cited by you. That Reuben Blair was of Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Hannah Noble Blair's husband was of Hampden County, Massachusetts.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 20

1934 Aug. 21. Mrs. Earl Meserve
adv. this sol. not the one who m.
Hannah N. etc. A.D.Y.  See Reuben
Blair [illegible] 56506-160- [illegible]
Rev. War for letter.


Revy  WIDOW, &c.

File No. 18614
Susan Blair
Wid of
Reuben Blair
Priv Rev War

Act: Feby 2nd. '/48
Index: - Vol. A, Page 68

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 21

let. Jesse Blair Sept. 11 1843

2753  Repd.

Massachusetts

Susan Blair
widow
of Reuben Blair, Decd:
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June '32. and who died on the 14th: January, 1834
of Worcester Co in the State of Mass who was a pri: in the Co commanded by Captain Clapp of the Regt commanded by Col: Keys (Keyes?) in the mass line for 8 Months

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass -
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th. day of May 1839 and sent to C.G. Prentiss, Worcester - mass - 

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1839             $79.98
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sept - 13.33
                                                              ________
                                                               $93.31
{Act July 7,
1838.}

Recorded by MW Stewart - Clerk,
Book A- Vol.1 - Page 72
Page 22

3728
Massachusetts

Susan Blair
widow of Reuben Blair
who was a private
in the Massts Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
26 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
12th day of Decr 1843
and sent to
Pensioner
Westbrookfields
Massts

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1
Page 37
Page 23

Rueben Blair Mass June 7. $26.66 when paid.
Died 14 Jany 1834 pd to that paid HHL.
IH
Page 24

Augt 11/48

West Brookfield
August 10. 1848

Declaration of Susan Blair for
the renewal of her pension.
au
3728l
B 373
17 August 1848
Pension Bureau
Page 25

West Brookfield Augt. 10. 1848

Hon Secretary of War of the United States

Sir.    Enclosed I send you the declaration
of Susan Blair of this Town for the
renewal of her Pension. Please direct your
communication to the Subscriber West Brookfield

Resplly Your Obt St.
Jesse Bliss
Page 26


20

(Circular stamp:)
WESTBROOKFIELD
AUG
10
MS.


Hon. William Marcey
Secretary of War
Washington City
Page 27

John Combs
Page 28

I John Combs of Warren in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of
Massachusetts being eighty years of age
do testify & say that I was present at the marriage of Reuben Blair & Susannah Shepard at the house of the Revd Isaac Jones then of Westen now Warren said Jones was at that time a regular settler minister of the gospel of said Western said marriage was solemnized according to the best of my recollection in the
month of July 1778 I was born & have
lived in said Town of Warren formerly Western ever since my birth & was well acquainted with said Reuben Blair before his death & his wife
now his widow, & has remained his widow since the death of said Rueben - I was out with said Ruben Blain in the War of the revolution
six months at Providence in the year 1777 
ending the first day of January 1778 & I am confident said Reuben & Susannah were
married in the month of July after our return
from Providence - I did not attend the funeral of said Rueben Blair but know that he died three or four years since & that said Susannah
has not been since married but still remains his
Widow
John Combs

Worcester ss.  October 15, 1838 Then personally appeared John Combs above named & subscribed the above deposition in my presents & made oath to the same before me I further certify that I am well acquainted with said John Combs & that in my opinion his testimony is entitled to full credit & belief
Jesse Bliss Justice Peace
Page 29

aa
Page 30

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 2d February 1848, entitled "an act making further provision for surviving
Widows and Soldiers of the revolution

State of Massachusetts ss
on this second day of August eighteen hundred & forty eight personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the
Peace in & for the County of Worcester & state aforesaid Susan Blair a resident of West Brookfield in the said County of Worcester aged Eighty eight years who being duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d. February 1848 granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Widow of Reuben Blair late of said West Brookfield who was a private in the army of the
Revolution he served in the regiment commanded by Col. Danforth Keyes in Capt.
Ebenezer Nowells Company in the State of Rhodeisland [Rhode Island] twenty six dollars & sixty seven cents was the annual pension which she received under the act of the 17th. June 1844 She further declairs [declares] that she is still a Widow of said Reuben Blair 
          her
Susan X Blair
         mark

Attest Reuben Blair
Amelia Blair

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
before me
Jesse Bliss Justice Peace
Page 31

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston August 9th 1848.

I hereby Certify, That at the date of the
annexed attestation Jesse Bliss was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester.

in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned; and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the
Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written

Wm Calhoun
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 32

1920
S. Blair

$26:66 per an

Pensioner at
West Brookfield
Mass

Bliss
Page 33

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3d. of March 1843. granting pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the act of
July 7. 1838.

State of Massachusetts}
Worcester County} ss.
on this thirtieth day of May 1843 personally
appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in & for the said County of Worcester, Susan Blair a resident of Brookfield in the County of Worcester aged Eighty three years, who being duly sworn
according to Law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d. of March 1843. granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war That she is the Widow of Reuben Blair who was a private in the militia service in the war of the Revolution & that he served at Roxbury two months I do not know the regiment or the names of the office under whom he served & also served at Rhode Island six months in Col. Danforth Keyes Regiment in the Company commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Newell, and the annual amount of pension which she
received under the act of July 7. 1838 was twenty six dollars & sixty seven cents she further declairs (declares) that she is still a widow. Sworn and subscribed on the day & year above written
Susan Blair
Before me Jesse Bliss Justice Peace
Page 34

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss.

I, Joseph G. Kendall, Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas, the same being a Court of Record, in and for said County of Worcester, do certify, that Jesse Bliss, Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County of Worcester, duly commissioned and qualified - and that the
signature of said Bliss, on the preceding page hereof, is in his own proper hand writing.

In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name,
and affix the Seal of said Court, at Worcester,
this thirtieth day of May, in the year 1843.

Jos. G. Kendall Clerk

Worcester County ss. September 4. 1843 I Jesse Bliss Justice of the peace within named hereby that the within named Susan Blair the signer of the within petition is personally known to me have personally known her for more than twenty
years more last past
Jesse Bliss Justice Peace
Page 35

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

Worcester ss May 27 1833. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the peace within and for the County
of Worcester, Reuben Blair of Brookfield in said County aged seventy eight years, who being, duly, sworn deposeth and saith that he is the same Reuben Blair, whose application to the war department for a pension under the Law of June 7th 1832 is returned to him, No 10.440. and to the third interrogatory prescribed by the government, he says, that at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, he was living in Western in the County of Worcester aforesaid, and that since the war aforesaid, he has resided a part of the time in Western, and the rest of the time in Brookfield in said County which is his present residence

Reuben Blair


Worcester ss. May 27 1833
Subscribed & Sworn to
Heman Stebbins Jus. Peace
Page 36

Commonweath of Massachusetts -
Worcester ss.  May 22d 1833.
I Barlow Freeman, before whom the Deposition of Josiah Putnam was taken and sworn to on the 2nd day of August 1832. which deposition is annexed to the application of Reuben
Blair to the War department for a pension, No. 10.440. - do hereby certify that the said Josiah Putnam is a person of truth and veracity.
Barlow Freeman


Commonweath of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. May 22nd 1833. I Simeon Draper, before whom the Depositions
of Aaron Kimball and Caleb Allen were taken and sworn to on the third day of August 1832, which said deposition is annexed to the application of Reuben Blair to the War department for a pension No 10440.  - do hereby certify that the said Aaron Kimball & Caleb Allen are person of veracity -
Simeon Draper
Page 37

10440

Reuben Blair


Heman Stebbins
Brookfield
Mass
Page 38

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

1. 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 amout (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

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 39

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? yes

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? yes
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? only to one
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes

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? yes

XVI.  ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes

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 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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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

+ QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
  ++ QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

->In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*


NAME Blair, Robert   GRADE Private   LINE New Jersey


WARRANT
NUMBER 8110   ACREAGE 100   ISSUED November 5, 1789 to  - not shown--




* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.