Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23431, for Samuel Spaulding, Massachusetts
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass.

Spaulding, Samuel

NUMBER
S. 23431

CONTENTS
Page 2

No 355
Vermont
Samuel Spaulding

of Caledonia in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Day of the Reg commanded
by Colonel Brooks in the Massachuestts
line, for the term of three years
from June 1781 to June 1784

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 73.33 Dollars per year to
commence on the 4th day of March
1831

                                              
Amount due on 4th of
March 1832                        73.33
due 4 Sept “                       36.66
			$109.99

Revolutionary Claim,
7 June 1832

Recorded
Book D
vol 4 page 84
Page 3

Vermont 355
Samuel Spaulding
[of] Caledonia in the State of Vermont
who was a Private in the Co commanded
by Captain Day of the Regt commanded
by Colo Brooks in the Mass
line for three years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Dec.
1833 and sent to Hon
B F Deming H of Reps

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833             200
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34   40
                                                            $240

Revolutionary Claim.
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Wm R Palmer
Book E  Vol.    Page
Page 4

I Samuel Spaulding of Waterford in
the County of Caledonia and state of
Vermont aged Fifty four years testify
declare and say that in the month of
June 1781 – I inlisted in Capt Luke
Days Company 7th Massachusetts
Regt Commanded by Col Brooks
and in the year 1783 I was Transfered to
the 4th Regt Commnded by Col
Jackson and was in 1784 transfered
to the American Regt Commanded 
by Col Hull and was discharged
by him in June 1784 having served
three years & I further say that I am
destitute of Property and am dependant
upon my daily labour for
support and have need of assistance
from my country and that I am a 
citisen of the united States
Saml Spaulding

State of Vermont 
Caledonia
St Johnsbury 17 Apl 1818

Personally appeared
Samuel Spaulding signer of the foregoing
deposition and made solemn oath that
it Contains the truth
Isaiah Fisk Chief Judge Cal Co Ct
Page 5

State of Vermont
Caledonia County

I Isaiah Fisk Chief Judge of the County Court
within and for the County of Caledonia do hereby
certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the
within named Sameul Spaulding did serve
in the Revolutionary war as stated in the within
declaration against the Common enemy and I now 
transmitt the proceedings and Testamony taken and
had before me to the secretary of the Department
of war presuant to the Directions of a late act of Congress
entitled an act to provide for certain persons Engaged
in the Land and naval service of the United States
in the Revolutionary war which declaration was
made in order to obtain the provisions made by
said act, In testamony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
this 17th day of April AD 1818
Isaiah Fisk

Attest Curtis Stanley
Clerk of Cal Co Ct
Page 6

Samuel Spauldy
Deposition

Isaiah Fisk
Lyndon
Vt

Admitted

State of Vermont
Caledonia
Lyndon Sepr 17th 1818
I hereby certify that Samuel 
Spaulding signer of the foregoing declaration
owns forty acres of Land and owes rising of
two hundred dollars and is owrth clear of debt
as nigh as I can ascertain about three hundred
dollars in Land
Isaiah Fisk Judge Cal Co Vt
Page 7

Samuel Spaulding’s
Declaration
No 50      Copy
4070
Not entitled  
Waterford
$728.42

Oct –18
Mar. ‘19
Page 8

STATE OF VERMONT
Caledonia COUNTY

At a County Court, began and holden
at Danville within and for said County on the
First Monday of June A.D. 1820.
Present in Court, the Hon. Isaiah Fisk Chief Judge.
              “                          William Cahoon &
              “                          John W Dana  Assitant Judges.

On this 20th day of June 1820, personally appeared
in open Court (being a Court of Record, with jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount,
and having the power of fine and imprisonment) Samuel Spaulding
aged fifty five years, resident in Waterford in said County,
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the
Revolutionary War as follows:-- In the Regt of Col John
Brooks and in the company of Capt Luke
Day & also in Col Jacksons Regt in Capt
Haskells company – In the continental
troops. In the Massachusetts line in the
years 1781 – 1782 – 1783 & 1784 ------- my former
Declaration was dated the 17th of April
A.D. 1818 --- and my pension  certificate
is Numbered 4,070

And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th
day of March, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner
disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to
bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled “An act to provide for
certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary
War,” passed on the 18th day of March, 1818 – and that I have not, nor has any
person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have
I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
Samuel Spaulding

Forty acres of Land & Buildings thereon $400.00
Two oxen (bought with Pension money)  65.00
Four cows  66.00
1 two year old heifer  12.00
2 one year old cattle   13.00
1 calf     3.00
Page 9

13 Sheep & 11 Lambs							37.00
2 Hogs								        	20.00
4 Pigs									5.00
1 Single Sleigh & Harness						30.00
1 Plough								6.50
7 Harrow teeth								2.50
12 feet chains								3.00
1 Grind Stone								3.00
1 wooden clock (with no face)						8.00
Household furniture (not excepted by Law)				43.00
Pitchforks & axes							3.00
about four days work & about $2. due to me				4.67
3 old sickles								.50
2 Hoes									.75
1 old Saddle & Bridle							2.50
								$728.42
And I am justly and legally indebted to
sundry persons in the sum of about $76.00
Samuel Spaulding

I am by occupation a Labourer in verry poor health
and unable to labour for my support and my 
family are my wife Sarah aged 52 – in a very
bad state of Health – My son Carlton aged 14 years in
good health and Riley Gage a Grand Child which
I am to take the same care of as tho he was my own
child aged 11 years
Samuel Spaullding

Sworn to and declared in open Court on the
20th day of June A.D. 1829
Before Wm Cahoon Judge
Page 10

STATE OF VERMONT
Caledonia County

I Benja F Deming Clerk
of the County Court aforesaid, do hereby
certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule
thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the
said Court—and I do further certify that it is the opinion
of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the
property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is
seven hundred & Twenty Eight
Dollars and 42 cents.—In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of the said Court, on this 19th day of July 1820.
Benja F Deming   Clerk of the County Court
                                   for Caledonia County.

Inventory   $728.42
Debts out       76.00
                     $652.42
Page 11

State of Vermont
Caledonia County

On this 24th day of February 1829 personally
appeared in open Court before the Probate
Court for the district of Caledonia, a court of record expressly made
such by the laws of the State of Vermont Samuel Spaulding resident
in Waterford in said County & district aged sixty four years, who being
first duly sworn, according to law doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress
of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820 that he the said Samuel
Spaulding enlisted for the term of three years in the month of June
in the  year 1781 in the State of Massachusetts in the Company commanded
by Captain Luke Day in the regiment commanded by
Colonel John Brooks and was afterwards transferred to the company
commanded by Captain Haskell in the regiment commanded by
Col Jackson in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the continental
establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps until
the month of Jun 1784 when he was discharged from the said
service at West Point in the State of New York that his name has
been placed on the pension list and dropt therefrom on account
of his property.  And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820
I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United
States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since
that time by gift sale or in any manner, disposed of my property or
any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself
within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled “An act to provide
for certain persons engaegd in the land and naval service of the 
United States in the revolutionary war,” passed on the 18th day of
March 1818; and that I have not nor has any person in trust
for me, any property or securities contracts, or debts due to me
nor have I any income other than what is contained in the 
schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed—
A lease of forty acres of land with the appurtenances
during my natural life, the yearly value appraised at $30.00
1 Yoke of Oxen $60.   2 Cows $ 28                                   88.00
1 yearling $8.00  1 Horse $40.00                                      48.00
16 Sheep $12.00  1 old one horse waggon $10.00          22.00
household furniture except bedding & clothing             30.00
                                                                                      $188.00
Samuel Spaulding

That since the exhibition of my first schedule which was
then appraised by the Court at $728.42 I sold & deeded
the forty acres of land which I then owned to my son Carlton
Spaulding on the 1st September 1825 on condition that he
Page 12

should pay what debts were then against me amounting to about
one hundred dollars and should give me a lease of said land
during the life of myself and wife or the survivor of us, with the
further understanding that he was to carry the same upon 
shares and give me yearly one half the produce—

My occupation has been that of a farmer –though I have
been unable from infirmity & poor health to do any thing effective
towards a support for several years past --: I have no family 
except my wife Sarah aged 61. her health is very poor, has been
confined for most of the time since last September, is now more
comfortable, being able to ride out –
Saml Spaulding

Sworn to & declared on the 24th day of February 1829—
Before Benj F Deming
Judge of the Court of Probate

I Samuel B Mattocks Register of the Court of Probate
for the district of Caledonia do hereby certify that it appears
to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Samuel Spaulding
did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceeding
declaration against the common enemy, for the term of
nine months, under one engagement, on the continental
establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and
the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records
of the said Court: and I do further certify that it is the
opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the
property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is one hundred
and eighty eight dollars, and the yearly value of the rent
of said forty acres of land is thirty dollars—

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said Court this 26th day of February
A.D. 1829—
Saml B Mattocks
Register of the Court of
Probate for the district
of Caledonia
Page 13

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
December 31, 1924.

E Dawn Hoag,
South Hero, 
Vt,

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary
War pension claim S. 23431, it appears that Samuel
Spaulding was born in July 1764, place not stated.

He enlisted in Massachusetts, place not stated, in June
1781, served as a private in Captain Luke Day’s Company,
Colonel John Brooks’ Massachusetts Regiment, transferred in
1783 to Captain Elnathan Haskell’s Company Colonel Henry
Jackson’s Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged in June
1784.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April
17, 1818, while a resident of Waterford, Caledonia County,
Vermont. He died May 13, 1854.*

In 1820, reference is made to his wife, Sarah, aged 52
years, a son, Carlton, aged 14, y ars, and a grandchild
Riley Gage, aged 11 years.

*From A B
Service approve by Miss Wilson
Page 14

The date of his marriage is not on record and there is
no further data as to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner
Page 15

The deposition of 
Bela Shaw
& James Sawyer
in the case of
Saml Spaulding
Page 16

Samuel Spaulding
Services cannot be
examined by Roll as
he enlisted in 1781
He relates circumstances
that are correct
that Brooks comanded
the 7 Regmt which
was [illegible] that Colo
Hull as Lt Colo commanded
the Regmt that was
Jacksons – that Henry 
Jackson was a Bd Genl
made so by Congress at
the close of the war
raising every officer
a grade, and I think
he is entitled to the 
Pension
Page 17

I Bela Shaw of Lyndon in the county of Caledonia and state of
Vermont – of lawful age do testify and say – That some time in the
fore part of January in the year of our Lord 1784. while I was a soldier
in the American Regt (of the Continental Army) Commanded by
Colonel Hull – Samuel Spaulding now of Waterford in the county of
Caledonia aforesaid was then a private Soldier in the company with
me, in said American Regiment. (said company was commanded by
Capt. E. Haskell.  Gamaliel Bradford was Lieut and James Sawyer
Ensign) and that said Samuel Spaulding continued in said
company, and Regiment til the 30st day of June AD 1784 when said
Spaulding was honourably discharged the service of the United States
by Henry Jackson Brigadier General. And the deponent further 
testififes and says, that the aforenamed Samuel Spaulding is the same
person who now makes application for a pension from the United
State by reason of his Indigent Circumstances agreeably to an act of
Congress passed March 18th 1818 and further the deponent saith not
Bela Shaw

State of Vermont
Caledonia County
In Lyndon September 2nd 1818 Personally appeared
Bela Shaw subscriber to the above Deposition and made solemn oath
to the Truth of the same before me Abel Carpenter Justice of Peace
No 1

I hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named
Bela Shaw and that he is a creditable witness
Abel Carpenter Justice of Peace

NB Colo Henery Jackson commanded the Regiment above
mentioned Hull was the Lt Colo Jackson was
never a Genl This will be necessary to Insert in
the new instrument.
Page 18

STATE OF VERMONT
COUNTY OF Caledonia

I Curtis Stanley Clerk
of the County of Caledonia
aforesaid, do hereby certify that Abel Carpenter
before whom the annexed Certificate
No. 1 have been made
at the date
thereof was a Justice of the peace
within & for the County of Caledonia
duly qualified for that purpose, acting under the
authority of this state, and that
his name subscribed thereto
is his own proper signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of
said County at Danville in said County, this 7th
day of Sept in the year one thousand eight hundred
and Eighteen
Curtis Stanley CLERK
Page 19

Saml Spaulding
Act 1 March 1823

Vermont

Samuel B Mattocks Esq
Danville Vt
Recd 11 March 1823

(March 1819)
Page 20

Saml Spalding

Declaration
July 20

Went into service by
original declaration
June 1781
Page 21

State of Vermont
District of the County of Caledonia

On this 11th day of July A.D. 1832 personally
appeared before the Probate Court of the District
of Caledonia aforesaid Samuel Spalding a resident
of Waterford in the said County and District aforesaid
aged sixty eight years the present month who being
first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress
passed June 7, 1832.

That he served in the Army of the United States in the
years 1781 – ’82 – ’83 & ’84 for the term of three years in 
the Company of Capt Luke Day in the 7th Massachusetts
regiment – commanded by Col John Brooks – was transferred
to the fourth Mass. regt company of Capt Haskell
said regiment commanded by Col Jackson – afterwards
transferred into a regiment called the American regiment
in the  Company commanded by Capt Haskell, sd regt
commanded by Col Hull – was discharged at West point
N. York June 1784.  has been previously on the pension
roll of the Vermont Agency under the act of March 
18. 1818 and dropped therefrom on account of property.
The proof of his services is now in the War Department
At the time of his former application he
resided at Waterford, Vermont, where he now resides
Saml Spaulding


Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Benj F Deming Judge of Probate
Page 22

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier and served as he states.

I Amos Paul Register for the Court of Probate
for the District of Caledonia and State
of Vermont aforesaid do hereby certify that
the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Samuel Spalding for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this 11th day of
July A.D. 1832
Amos Paul Register
Page 23

23431
INVALID
Revolution

File No. 23,431
Samuel Spaulding
Pr Rev War

Act June 7th 32
Index:-- Vol 2, Page 389
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 24

May 11-97  History to
Mr. G. I. Harvey
Kansas City  Mo

(see Inv 19-100)
Page 25

South Hero, Vermont
Dec 8, 1924

U.S. Pension Office
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:--

Would it be possible for
you to give me information
concerning one Samuel Spalding
Revolutionary Patriot. He drew
a Pension in Caledonia Co. Vt.

He served in Lt Col Brooks
7th Reg Mass. Continental Line.

Can you tell me where he
lived during the Revolutionary 
War?  I find he was born
July 1764 and died May 1854.

Can you tell me the date
of his marriage to Sarah Brooks?

If you can give me this
information
Page 26

I will be greatly obliged.
Very truly yours,
E Dawn Hoag, Regent
Lake Champlain Chapter D.A.R.

U.S. Pension Office
Dec 11 1924
Page 27

James Sawyer of Burlington in the 
County of Chittenden & State of Vermont, being
sworn says, That he was in the year 1784
and for some time previous, an Ensign in the
Company of which Elnathan Haskell was
captain and Gamaliel Bradford was Lieutenant
in the regiment commanded by Col [illegible]
[illegible] & of which Wm Hull was Lt Colonel
which regiment was of the Massachusetts
Line of the American revolutionary army
on the continental establishment; that
from circumstances related to him by Samuel
Spaulding and from the best of his own
recollection & belief, he is satisfied that
the said Spaulding was a private
soldier in the same Company and regiment
and that he served three years in the
revolutionary army – and further says
not.
Burlington Sept 7 1818
James Sawyer
Page 28

State of Vermont
Chittenden County

Personally appeared before 
me James Sawyer and being
duly sworn deposes and says
that the within affidavit by
him subscribed is just and
true, and I do further certify that
the within deponent is a credible
witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand, and affixed the Notorial seal
of my office at Burlington this 8th day of
September A D 1818
Nathan B Haswell Justice of the Peace
& Notary Public
Page 29

355
Saml Spaulding

$80

Increase of pension
See papers &c enclosed

Hon B F Deming
[illegible] of [illegible]
Page 30

WAR DEPARTMENT

Pension Office,

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 you case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will be readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and 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 in 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

Period when the service was rendered |
Duration of claimants service. Years. | Months. | Days.
Rank of the claimant |
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served |
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service |
Proof by which the declaration is supported |

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 31

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 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 benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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 } ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 entered the service' the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [finger pointing symbol] 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 any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] 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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of the applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule give in note (j) points. 
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., Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate 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 to them that A. B. and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this [blank] day of [blank] &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 party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one 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
Page 32

8

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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, 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 you character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the 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 solider, and that they concur in that in 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 inquiry 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, the 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 follow 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 makin 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"
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 tot he grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place of 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 tiem 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 musts 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 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.

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 office of the certifying officer, so as 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, 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.
The notes [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declaration must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 33

S. Spalding

Payments to be made 
at Burlington
by the Prest U.S. Br Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of
Vermont

Recorded by R Ela
Clerk, in Book D Vol 4
page 84
Page 34

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim

I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United 
States, of the 7th June 1832, Samuel Spalding
of the State of Vermont
who was a Private in the army of the
Revolution
is entitled to receive Seventy three dollars, and
thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on
the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of
March and 4th of September, in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States,
this twenty second day of August
one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

John Robb
Acting Secretary of War

Examined and
Countersigned.
J L Edwards

Sept 1833 has lived in Waterford 33 yrs
& previous thereto St Johnsbury Vt
Page 35

4,070
Vermont

[illegible] “C”

Samuel Spaulding
private
Brooks’s Regt
Massachusetts Line 4
In the army of the Unites States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on theRoll of Vermont
at the rate of 8—Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 17th of April, 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 31st of October 1818
and sent to Isaiah Fisk, Esq
Lyndon, Vt

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 4 mot 18/30		36.80
Semi-anl. all’ce ending 4th Mar 1819                      48.00
Not [illegible]ed                                                        $84.80

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.

3 years

Waterford
Caledonia Co
Vt
Page 36

Notification sent October 4, 1820 to
Benjamin F Deming, Danville, Vermont


Respecting apn to be
stored, see letter 15 April
1829 to S. B. Mattock [illegible]
Page 37

S19100
L. W. B.
I. 19100
I. 23431

This Bureau can furnish the military
record of only such Revolutionary soliders
as were pensioned or whose widows were
pensioned for their services.

Such of the original muster and pay
rolls of the Revolutionary War and the
War of 1812 as are now in the possession
of the Government are on file in the
Record and Pension Office, War Department.
Original rolls and other records
pertaining to service in the Revolutionary
War may also be found on file inthe
archives of many of the Original States.

O. W. & N. DIV
REVOLUTIONARY.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C.
May 11, 1897.

Sir:--

Replying to your request for information concernting two Samuel
Spauldings, soldiers of the Revolutionary war, you are advised as follows:

Samuel Spaulding made an application for pension on August 29,
1832, at whcih time he was 71 years of age and residing at Grafton,
Vermont, and his pension was allowed for six months’ actual service as
a private in the New Hampshire troops, Revolutionary war; a part of
the time he served under Capt. Bart and Col. Sawyer. He enlisted at
Rockingham, Vermont.

Samuel Spaulding made an application for pension on April 17, 
1818, at which time he was 54 years of age and residing at Waterford,
Vermont, and his pension was allowed for three years’ actual service
as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time
he served under Capt. Day and Col. Brooks. Place of his enlistment
not state.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Mr. G. I. Harvey,
2204 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo.