Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9919, Martin Hooker, Conn.
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(8-1776)
Service  Number
Conn.    Hooker, Martin   S.9919
Carded
Contents
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Martin Hooker
[illegible] in the state of New Yo
was a Private in the Compy 
Captain Bray of the Reg. 
by [illegible] in the [illegible]
line for 7 mos + 20 days
No. 31861

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany 
the rate of 20 Dollars 77 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of July
1841 and sent [illegible]
A. [illegible] House of Representatives 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $257.70
Semi anl. allowance ending 4th Sept. 12.88
$270.58

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by [illegible] Addison Clerk
2 Vol. 4 Page 31
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Declaration of 
Martin Hooker, in
order to obtain the, ____
fit of the art of courage
passed June 7th 1832
12.085
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State of New York
Essex County: on this twenty seventh day of August in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
personally appeared, before me Oliver Reese d.a. Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex aforesaid Master Hooker a resident of the town of Chesterfield in said County of Essex and Sate of New York aged Seventy two years the twenty fifth day of September last past 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 on June 7th 1822.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and service as herein stated.

That he enlisted as a private about the first of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven in a company of militia , reenlisted in the town of Farmington in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut (crossed out - illegible) by Captain John Allen.  That he enlisted for one month and a half- that within three of four days after his enlistment he met his company at Kinsington Parrish in the said town of Farmington from which place the company immediately marched to the borough (now a city) of New Haven in Connecticut aforesaid a distance of about thirty miles from Farmington; the inhabitants of Farmington having provided pack horses to transport the baggage of the company.  From New Haven the continued their march without any delay along Long Island Sound to New Rochelle in the County of West Chester in the State of Newyork where they met and joined Seven or Eight other companies of Militia under the command of Colonel Whiting and General Worcester; the later of the town of Stamford in the State of Connecticut.  Captain Allens comapany remained at this place about two weeks under the command of the before named officers where they were regularly drilled and served as guard to defend the surrounding country against scouts of the British army remaining near Kings Bridge after the principal part of their forces had moved
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to Philadelphia.  From New Rochelle the whole body of militia under the command of Colonel Whiting and General Worcester proceeded to a place called (underlined) Memerinick or (underlined) Merinack on Long Island Sound a distance of about five miles from New Rochelle and in a direction towards New Haven when they were stationed during the remaining term of the Said Martin Hookers enlistment.  The object of moving from New Rochelle to this place was to gain a more defensible position; that of defending the country against the incursions of British Scouts.  During the whole time they remained at Merenick, a British Sixty four gun ship (called the guard ship) was playing up and down Long Island Sound in plain sight.  After the expiration of six weeks from the time of the said Martin Hookers enlistment, Capt Allen,s Company were discharged - securing their pay from their Captain in continental money at the rate of forty shilling lawful money per month.  The whole company then returned to Farmington the same road they came carrying with them their arms and baggage; each volunteer having equipped himself.

The Lieutenant in Captain John Allens company was (underlined - John Hart of Middletown, in Connecticut. Thinks Samuel Williams was ensign and Elna... Hubbard was orderly Sergeant.  The Said Martin Hooker does not recollect the names of the other Subaltern Company officers.  William Finch was adjutant of the Militia Regiments.

That about the middle of March as near as the Said Martin Hooker can recollect of the Same year 1777 he again enlisted or perhaps he should say volunteered as a private in a Company of Militia, (illegible) by Captain Asa Bray of Southington a town adjoining Farmington for two months as forty shillings per month - lawful money.  The place of rendesvous was Southington.  The company immediately proceeded by the way of New Milford in Connecticut, to Peekskill on Hudson River in the State of Newyork.  Before they arrived at
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Peekskill the British had burned and otherwise destroyed the public stores and had evacuated the place.  A large tan yard was still on fire.

General McDougal of the continental army who was a Peaksill at the time ordered Captain Brays Company to Fort Independence two miles and one half above Peekskill.

Captain Bray found the fort garrisoned by only four men - Lieutenant (underlined - Gunoe ), two Sergeants and a corporal of the continental army - Captain Brays company was garrisoned in the fort during the whole period of said Martins last mentioned enlistment.  Immediately on entering this fort the said Martin Hooker together with Samuel Lee William Smiley, John Mather, Joseph Mather and Abel Gridley volunteered to form a company of Artillery under the command of Lieutenant Gunoe and the other three Subaltern officers above mentioned to man the guns belonging to the Said fort.  The Said Martin recollects the name of only one of the Subaltern artillery officers as Sergeant Brigley.

After about one month after he was placed under the command of Lieutenant Gunoe about thirty militia men came down from New Windsor and filled up Lieutenant Gunoes company of Artillery when the Said Martin Hooker with the other five volunteers above named returned to Captain Brays company.

Marginalia - 2 months service

At the expiration of two months he was discharged with the rest of the company when they returned to Farmington and Southington and there received their pay from Captain Bray again in Continental money.  On their return from Peekskill to Farmington they passed through Danbury in Connecticut which as recently been burned with a very valuable public Store House of provisions by the British.  Roger Norton was the (crossed out - illegible) orderly Sergeant in Captain Brays company.

Whilst they remained at Fort Independence one or two companies of continental troops and a number of companies of militia were stationed in and about Peekskill - that during this time no incident occurred at the Fort or at Peekskill worth of note other than the execution of three tories at Peekskill - two were shot and the other hung - General McDougal presided at the court martial at which they were tried
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as Said Hooker believes.  He distinctly recollects that the General was preset at the execution of the man who was hung.  The hung man was much intoxicated.  He could hardly ascend the ladder and when he pulled out an old Jackknife to cut the rope and was about cutting it off (crossed out - close) near the gallows pole when General McDougal sittin on his horse called out to him "You D----d rascal cut if off close to his (underlined - neck ) so that there may be rope enough to hang another."  At that time ten or twelve other tories under guard and yet untried had been ordered to the foot of the gallows to witness the execution. 

In the early part October and the said Martin thinks about the fourth or fifth in the year one thousand Seven hundred Seventy Seven at the time General Burgoyne was moving down upon Saratoga.  Captain John Allen before names received a letter from someone in General Gates army and the said martin think from General Gates himself informing him that with the aid of some additional forces he should be willing to give the British General Battle and calling upon Captain Allen to raise a company without delay and to proceed immediately to Still Walter to assist him.  This letter was read by Captain Allen in the meeting house a Kinsington Parrish Farmington on Sunday to the congregation there assembled for religious worship and on that day in the interval between religious services he enlisted as volunteers about twenty men of whom the said Martin Hooker was one - on the Same day he enlisted in another Parrish in Farmington about thirty men - on Monday following the company of volunteers met at the Parrish of New Britain in Farmington and these choose their officers - and on a proposition made by Captain Allen to allay the dissatifaction that had (illegible) on account of officers receiving more pay than
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without regard to rank - John Allen was elected Captain. James Francis first Lieutenant, Zachariah Hart, Second Lieutenant, Elnathan Hubbart Ensign and Jonathan Belding orderly Sergeant.  The names of the other Subaltern Company  officers not recollected by the Said Master Hooker.

On the next day morning the Company commenced their march on horseback for Still Water - Crossing Hudson river at Half Moon. now generally called Waterford, they reached Still Water after a rapid march of five days.  On their arrival here Gen Gates was encamped with the American army about five miles above Still Water watching the movements of the enemy - Next morning Captain Alen proceeded to Head Quarters and reported the arrival of this company and usual provisions for his men Captain Allens company (crossed out - took up their ) established their quarters at Still Water until the engagement between the two armies when they were marched to Bemis Heights and placed on the left wing to flank the enemy.  The said Martin Hooker remained at Still Water during the engagement as at this time he was acting as a waiter to Lieutenant Zachariah Hart and had been sent away to hunt up Garden Sauce and on his return to his company quarters he found them gone to Bemis Heights.  He remained taking charge of the company baggage and effects.

The day after this time he was sent home to Farmington in charge of a xxxxx belonging to Captain Allens company who had fallen sick .  A few days after this the whole company returned to Farmington where they were all paid for this service in continental money.  He was engaged in the service on this occasion about three weeks.

marginalia - Three weeks service - (underlined - Waiter)

The said Martin Hooker recollects on this next day after his arrival at Still Water John Patterson
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who was then a Colonel in the Continental army as is the said Martin think though as to his rank at the time he is not positively certain came to Captain Allens quarters and held a long conversation with him on the subject of the war and the army.  That before the termination of the war the said John Patterson was promoted to the rank of General.

That he remained at Farmington from the time of his return from Still Water as last mentioned until the month of August or the first of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Eight- when Captain John Allen again raised another company of militia volunteers from the town of Farmington aforesaid and composed cheifly of those who had volunteered under him in the Campaign of the previous year at Saratoga (the said Martin Hooker being only to march to a place called [underlined- Crompond} a small village situate about seven miles east of the village of Peekskill before mentioned.  The company equipped themselves as they always had done and marched immediately to this place; travelling by the most direct route.  The Said Martin cannot relate precisely the time he arrived at Crompond; nor indeed the exact time he left Farmington - he can only say that it was the season of the year when apples began to be eatable and corn was ripe for roasting.

Captain Allens company remained at Crompond about eight days when they were ordered to march to West Chester in West Chester County.  With three days provisions the company took up its line of march and had not proceeded more than five miles when they were found by a party of Americans about Eighteen hundred Strong, composed of Militia and regular troops as the said Hooker was informed.  The whole body then proceeded toward West Chester and when they arrived at White Plains the said Hooker first observed two companies of ar-
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artillery with two brass field pieces - marching all night after leaving White Plains, they arrived at West Chester about nine o clock in the morning.  The commanding officer then detached a scouting party of about thirty men who were ordered to observe and reconnoiter the British who were situated below.  The scout proceeded only to Valentines Hill about three or four miles below West Chester when they were fired upon by the British from behind a stone wall and when the Americans quickly retreated in pursuance of orders and joined the main body which had already made a retrograde movement on hearing the firing.  Captain Allens company then returned to Crompond without any delay the main body falling off from time to time and in different directions until Capt Allens company entered Crompond as they had left it alone.

About two hours before Captain Allens company moved from Crompond to Peekskill to (illegible) provisions prepartatory to their march to West Chester , two regiments said to be under the command of General Putnam marched through Compond early in the morning moving in a direction twoards Stamford in Connecticut - and when going to Peekskill the said Martin Hooker met General Putnam himself moving in the same direction with his forces.

After Captain Allens company returned to Crompond he understood that General Putnam had made a descent upon Long Island and plundered the British Stores and that the concentration of the other American forces at and near West Chester when they were discharged at that place.  The company then returned home and received their pay at the rate of forty shillings lawful money per month.  This period of service was between three and four weeks.

Marginalia - 3+1/2 weeks
service
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In March and the said Martin Hooker cannot say what time in the month in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy nine, the said Master Hooker again enlisted for the term of one year as a minute man in a company recruited by Captain Asa Bray and attached to the State troops of Connecticut.

Not more than two weeks had elapsed after he enlisted before he was ordered to form his company at Southington aforesaid - Beecher was first Lieutenant and Samuel Williams second Lieutenant, Elnathan Hubbard was ensign and Eleazer Whipples was orderly Sergeant - other Subaltern offices not recollected.  The Company was then ordered to march to White Plains in the State of Newyork.  Marching by the way of New Haven they took the nearest route to White Plains.  This was the rendesvous for the whole regiment of Connecticut State troops to which Captain Brays company belonging and on armoring there the whole regiment was soon found under the command of Colonel Roger Enos.  General Gates was in camp xxx here with his army and Col. Enos remained at White Plains until the last of June when General Washington arrived then with the forces under his command and ordered Col Enos,s regiment to that Point to reinforce Colonel Malcomb who was in command of the Fort at the Point. Here the Regiment was ordered to xxxxxx up a redoubt on the mountain west of the Point and directly below one erected by General Paterson, generally called (underlined "Putnams redoubt") before this was completed the said Martin Hooker was taken sick and carried to the hospital on the east side of Hudson river.  He remained there sick fifteen days when Captain Bray obtained him a permit to go home and there stay until he should be fit to do duty and then to return.

The said Martin joined his company again
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in the evening fall (crossed out - and ) after a severe fit of sickness at Horse Neck where his regiment was quartered until the expiration of the year.  There were no troops or militia of any description at Horse Neck during this time except Colonel Enos.s regiment of State troops.  Their duty was to protect the country.  At this time the British were below.

At White Plains the said Martin often saw General Gates - recollects a continental regiment commanded by Colonel (underlined - Dubois).  Also remembered Col  of the(illegible) continental army.  Col Sherman and his regiment of Continentals he also recollects Colonel Samuel Willis was at White Plains.

Marginalia - one year,s service

He saw and remembered Captain (crossed out - Briggs) Elijah Wright, Capt Mills , Capt Pettybone, Capt Umstead or Olstead and Capt Bray commanding companies in Roger Enos regiment.  Quarter Master was - Bull - Quarter Master Sergeant - Thomas Lee.  After their return to Farmington they received their pay at the rate of forty shillings per month lawful money.

Marginalia - (Illegible) 5 mos + 5 days

And the said Martin Hooker further saith that he was born on the twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand (crossed out- eight) seven hundred and fifty nine at Farmington aforesaid. And that there probably is a record of this age in the office of the clerk of the town of Farmington aforesaid as it was existing at that day and place to record all births.

That he remained at Farmington after he left the service about Eight years, then moved to the town of Linmouth County of Rutland and State of Vermont when he (illegible) about sixteen years.  - that twenty nine or thirty years ago last may he came to the town of Chesterfield in the said county of Essex to reside and has resided there ever since and now resides there - That he is well known to Richard Keese Esq late member of the congress
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who resides in Keeseville about two miles from the home of Said Hooker  - to Martin Pope Esq. of the Same village - To Robert Forsaith Esq of the same place - To Benjaimin Macomber Esq of Chesterfield, to John Macomber of the same place. To Deacon Samuel Whitney of Chesterfield with whom he has been well acquainted during the whole time of residence in Chesterfield.  To Samuel Doughty, Henry Tripp, (illegible) Macomber, John Nelson Macomber Esq, Alonzo Wright of Chesterfield all of whom with many others can testify as to the character of the Said Martin for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.

And the said Martin Hooker further swears that  he has no Documentary evidence of any kind or description whatever shewing that he served in the revolutionary war as a Soldier nor is he able to procure any evidence of this (illegible) - And further that he knows of no living witness whose evidence could or could not be obtained to know that he was a Soldier of the revolution - Does not know that any person how lives who has any personal knowledge of the facts (illegible)before set forth.  He now lives at least two hundred and fifty miles from the place of this nativity and is worth no property at all.  He and his wife are supported by the kindness of his friends and relations.

And further that his health is such that he is wholly unable  to attend personally any court of record to make the declaration as none ever sits nearer than Eighteen miles to his residence and he is now (crossed out - illegible) decrepid and has large running sores upon his lower limbs  which would render him unable to walk or ride any thing like that distance.

And further that there is no clergyman in this vicinity who knows him.  They all reside in the
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Village of Keeseville and no one has been settled there more than three or four years and he said Martin has not been to that place over three or four times within as many years until recently for the purpose of making this declaration before Judge Keese.

And the said Martin Hooker further saith that he never received any discharge whatever on the termination of either of the times of service hereinbefore specified. 
And turther the said Martin Hooker 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.

Martin Hooker
Oliver Keese Judge of County County Courts

Mr Samuel Whitney a Deacon in the first Congregational Church of Chesterfield and Keeseville residing in the town of Chesterfield in the county of Essex and state of Newyork aged fifty one years.  Joshua Wells of the town of Peru in the county of Clinton and State aforesaid aged Sixty nine years. Benjamin Macomber residing in the town of  Chesterfield aforesaid aged fifty seven years and Samuel Brown of the village of Keeseville in Peru aforesaid aged seventy three years - hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the Martin Hooker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to. to be Seventy two years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood, when he resides to have been a
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Soldier of the revolution, and that from an acquaintance with him for thirty years last past - and hearing from him and others during that period that he  (crossed out - illegible) served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war we have no doubt whatever of the fact and give full faith and credit to the facts set forth in his forgoing declarations, 
Sworn Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before (the same B Macober by affirmation)

Samuel Whitney
Joshua Wells
Benjn Macomber
Samuel Brown
Oliver Keese 2nd - Judge of County Court

Mr Richard Keese residing in the village of Keeseville in the town of Peru and Martin Pope of the same village in the town of Chesterfield herby certify that we are well acquainted with Martin Hooker who has subscribed and sworn to the above dictation that we believe him to e seventy two years of age that he is reputed and believed  in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been an soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn and Subscribed the 
day and year aforesaid
Richard Keese
Martin Pope
Oliver Keese 2nd Judge of County Courts

And I the said Oliver Keese 2nd a judge of the County Courts of the County of Essex in the State of Newyork do hereby disclose my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories proscribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a
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revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And I further state that from the appearance of the said Martin Hooker together with what I have heard from others and his own declaration above made I believe that the said Martin would be and is unable to attend a court of record for the purposes of making the forgoing declaration of given full faith and credit to the facts states by the said Hooker in the premises.

And I further certify that it appears to me and is a fact (underlined -known) within my personal knowledge that Samuel Whitney who has signed the preceding certificate is a Deacon of the (crossed out - illegible) congregational church as stated by (illebigle). resident in the town of Chesterfield and that Joshua Wells, Benjamin Macomber, Samuel Brown, Richard Keese and Martin Pope who have also signed the same (illegible) reside in the town and place above mentioned - are all of them personally well known to me - are credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
Oliver Keese 2nd Judge of County Court.
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State of New York
Essex County:

I Leonard Stow clerk of the county of Essex and clerk of the county of common Pleas of  (illegible) county do hereby certify that Oliver Keese 2nd before the foregoing affidavit or declarations purport to have been sworn and whose name is subscribed to the (illegible) of the same and also to the preceding certificate has on the day (crossed out - of ) the same (illegible) date show is a judge of the court of common Pleas of the said county of Essex duly (illegible) and sworn and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the (illegible) of the within (illegible) and also the (crossed out - illegible ) preceding certificate to be his genuine signature.

In listening whereof I here unto subscribe my name and office my seal of office this twenty ninth day of August in the  year 1832.
Leonard Stow - clerk

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex and State of Newyork residing in the village of Keeseville and town of Chesterfield, Martin Hooker of Chesterfield aforesaid and personally well known to me to be the same person who made and subscribed the forgoing declaration to obtain a pension who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot sear postively  as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he sxxxx not less than the Period mentioned below and in the following grade: to wit
(underlined - For one year and five months) I served as a (underlined - private soldier ) illegible such service. I claim a Pension (illegible) to before me this eightteenth day of May A.D. 1839
O.D Peabody Justice Peace
(crossed out - OD Peabody Justice) 
Martin Hooker
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State of New York 
Essex County ss
I Leonard Stow clerk of the county of Essex and clerk of the court of common Pleas of said county do hereby certify that Oliver Keese 2nd (illegible) before whom the foregoing declaration of Martin Hooker purporting to have been made on the twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty  two and the affidavit of Samuel Whitney, Joshua Wells Benjamin Macomber and Samuel M Brown and of Richard Keese and Martin Pope were sworn and subscribed to and whose name and  title and whose name and title is subscribed to the (illegible) of the same and also to the declaration of his opinion after the investigation of the matter contained principally on the second page of the preceeding half sheet was on the day the same bears date and now is and continually since both bears a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas after said County of Essex duly commissioned and sworn  and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the (illegible) of the said declaration and affidavits also is the declaration of his opinion as aforesaid to be his genuine signature.  And I also do hereby certify that Oliver D Peabody before whom the foregoing affidavit of Martin Hooker/ written on the half sheet (illegible) preceeding this and made on eighteenth day of May  - last past, purports to have been sworn and subscribed to, and whose name is subscribed to (illegible) was on the day of the date change and ever since  hath been and now is one of the justices of the peace in and for the county  of Essex residing and acting in the town of Chesterfield in said county of Essex duly commissioned and sworn and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the Justice of the court mentioned affidavit to be his genuine signature.  And I also further certify that the foregoing declaration of the opinion of Judge Keese are the identical papers certified by me on the twenty ninth day of August last past under the seal of my office as here in before contained and not otherwise be different excepting the last mentioned affidavit of Martin Hooker made before O..D. Peabody .  The testimony whereof I here unto subscribe my name and office my seal of office this twenty ninth day of July (crossed out - August) in the year (crossed out - 1832) 1838
Leonard Stow clerk 
The (illegible) August (underlined- 1832) (Illegible)
by (illegible ) 
L Stow clerk
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[top part of document cut off]

of Martin Hooker, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,  you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out - (or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Column Headings - Dates of Enlistment or appointment, Length of Service. Rank, Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered (subheading- Captain. Colonel) State.]

Jan 1, 1777. 1 1/2 mos. Private. John Allen.  Whiting.  Conn.

March 1777. 2 mos. Private. Asa Bray. -. Conn.

Oct 1777. 3 weeks. Private. John Allen. -. Conn.

Aug or Sep 1778. 3 or 4 weeks. Private. John Allen. - Conn.

Mch 1779. 1 year. Minute Man. Asa Bray. Roger Enos.  Conn. 

Battles engaged in, [crossed out- Stillwater] H is company was but he was guarding baggage V.L.M [illegible] 1909

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Farmington, Hartford Co. Conn

Date of application for pension, August 27, 1832; his claim was allowed.

Residence at date of application, Chesterfield, Essex Co. N.Y.

Age at date of application, born Sept 25 1759, Farmington, Conn. 

Remarks: Wife referred to in 1832 no name states and no other family data.
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9919
Invalid
File No. 9919
Martin Hooker 
Priv Rev war

Act: June 7th 1832
Index:- Vol.1, Page 178
(Arrangement of 1870)
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May. 1. 1897 History to 
Mrs. John M Wentworth
Campello Mass

1906 March 20 History to Mrs
Charles H Johnson MBH

1909 May 1 Hist to Elizabeth H McCain S.L.M
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Review this case
for 
Thos. A. Tomlinson
H of Rep

(See the original papers on file)
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New York
Rev

Martin Hooker
Suspended
let. to S Steson 31
Oct 1833
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Martin Hooker 72  9  81

1777- 1 1/2 Jno Allen [illegible]
Aug " " 22    Asa Bray on roll Vol 20 no 11
Oct  " " 21  Allen to Stillwater
March 21 to 28 [illegeble] " [illegible]
  79 1 mo + min man Asa Bray Gen Enos
       6 mo as [illegible] to White Plains

7. 22 Allow
2 Rr [illegible] for defense of State
Allen was a Capt
Bray was not a Capt 1779 [illegible]

Was since a minute man [illegible] in 1778
@ a or found- Martin Hooker
on Brays Roll Bundle 20 no1
@ no 11 -_
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Pension Office
July 9 1841

Sir 
Your letter respecting the claim of Mr Frances Thornton
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Martin Hooker which require further proof of 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?

V.  Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

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

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?

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

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. [footnote cross] 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?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

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.  [footnote double cross] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No.

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  5 and 16
_______________
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 the 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.
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Martin Hooker
New York 
Act June 7 1832
Allow 4 mos 22 days
private $25.77
[illegible] Conn
State Troops
Capt Bray . Col Enos
on roll Bundle 20
no 1 and 11 =
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War Department
Pensions Office
October 31, 1833

Sir,
The papers of Martin Hooker have again been examined.  There is no evidence in the Department that there was an uninterrupted time of actual service of twelve months at the time alleged amongst that class of Militia called minute men.  All the evidence on that subject goes to establish the fact that it was occasional, not continuous service.  The act provides for actual service only.  By the Regulations of the Department, it is required that each tour of service be definitely specified.  The time of service as a waiter is not provided for.  The requisition in regard to the specification, made on a former examination of the claim, not having been complied with, the case is suspended and the papers placed on file.
I am Respectfully.
Yr. Obd Servt.
J. L. Edwards

S. Stetson Esq.
Keeseville
N.Y.
Page 31

Martin Hooker
of Chesterfield
Pension Case
D application
Stetson Atty


Hon T.A Tomlinson
Page 32

State of Newyork
(smudged) County: On this twenty second day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me Oliver Keese (illegible) 2nd, a Judge of the court of Common (smudged) and for the County of Essex aforesaid Martin Hooker a resident of the town of Chesterfield in Social County of Essex and State of New York aged Seventy two years the twenty fifth day of September last  (illegible) 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 1822.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as (illegible).
That he enlisted as a private about the first of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Seven in a company of Militia in the town of Farmington in the County of Hartford in the state of Connecticut; commanded by Captain John Allen (crossed out)  That the time for which he enlisted was one month and one half.  That about three days (crossed out - days after) or four days after his enlistment he met his company at Kinsington a parrish in the Social (illegible) of Farmington.  (crossed out) when the  (illegible) were first called after which his company immediately marched to the village (now a city) of  New Haven In Connecticut (illegible) (inserted) a distance of thirty (Illegible) the inhabitants of the town of Farmington leaving (illegible) horses to transport the baggage of the company - From New Haven the continued their march without any delay (crossed out) along Long Island Sound to New Rochelle in the county of West Chester in the State of New York when they met seven or eight other companies of militia, under the command of Col. Whiting and General Worcester.
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of the town of Stamford in the State of Connecticut.  Captain Allen company remained at the place about two weeks under the command of the before named officers, when they were regularly drilled and (sent) as a guards to defending the surrounding county against scouting (illegible). a of the British army (illegible) near Kings Bridge after the (illegible) of their forces had moved to Philadelphia - From New Rochelle the whole body of militia under the command of Col Whiting and General Worcester proceeded to a place called Merrimik or Merrimack on Long Island Sound a distance of about five miles from New Rochelle and in a direction towards New Haven when they continued during the remaining term of the said Martin Hooker enlisted- The object of moving from New Rochelle to this place was to gain a more defensible position, the duty of the militia being the (illegible) as at the (illegible) place there of defending the county against the incursions of  British Scouts - during what time they (illegible) at Merrimack a British Sixty four Gun ships (called the illegible) was (illegible) long Island Sound in plain sight.  After the expiration of six weeks from the time of the said Hooker enlisted Captain Allen company was discharged from receiving their pay from their captain  in Continental money at the rate of forty shillings lawful money per month.  The whole company then returned to Farmington (illegible) in the same road they came camping with their arms and baggage each Volunteer having equipped himself  
- That his Lieutenents name in Captain John Allens company was John Hart of Middletown in Connecticut 
- Ensigns names  - (illegible)  sent (illegible) was Samuel Williams- Elnathan Hubbard was orderly Sergeants. That he cannot recollect the names of the other Subaltern
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Company officers.
That the Adjutant of the Militia Regiment was (illegible) William F(illegible)
(illegible) the said Martin Hooker says that at the time of disbanding Captain Allen Company of volunteers no discharges were given to him or others.

That about the middle of March (crossed out - in the year in )  as near as the said Martin Hooker can recollect of the same year 1777, he again enlisted or perhaps he (illegible)  (underlined) volunteers as a privat in a company of militia (illegible) by Captain Asa Bray of Southington (crossed out - an adjoining) a town adjoining Farmington for (crossed out - illegible) two months at forty shillings lawful money per month. - The (illegible) of (illegible) was Southington - first xxx and the company immediately proceeded by the way of New Milford in Connecticut to Peekskill (illegible) on the Hudson River in the State of New York. (crossed out- illegible) before their arrival the the British had burnt and destroyed the public stores and had evacuated the (illegible) (crossed out - they found) a (illegible) yard even still on fire (crossed out the - illegible - having burned to the ground before their arrival).
       General McDougal who was in the Peeksills at the time ordered Captain Bray company to Fort Independance two miles and  one half above Peekskill.
-(crossed out - They found the fort in charge of only four.  The fort was -illegible) Capt. Bray found the fort garrisoned with only four men.  Lieutenant Gunoe, two Sergeants and a corporal of the (crossed out - regular army - illegible) regular army. -  That Captain Brigs Company was garrisoned in the fort during the whole (illegible) of the said Martin Hooker last (illegible) service
- That immediately on entering the fort. - the said Martin Hooker together with Samuel Lee Willia..., Smiley John Matther, Josepher Mathe, and Abel Gridley (illegible)  to form a company of (illegible) the command of Lieutenant Gunoe and the other (illegible) subaltern officers above mentioned to (illegible) the guns belonging to the same fort. - The said Martin recollects the naim of only one these subaltern officers
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Sergeant Bingley
That (crossed out - illegible) about one month after (illegible) was placed under Lieutenant (underlined - Gunoe's) command about (crossed out - thirty militia) thirty militia men were down from New Windham in the north (illegible) and filled up to Lieutenant's company of artillery when the said Martin Hooker with the other five volunteers above named returned to Captain Brays company.  At the expiration of two months he was discharged with the rest of the company when they returned to Farmington and Southington and there received their pay from Captain Bray again in Continental money.  On their return from Peekskill to Farmington they passed thro (underlined - Danbury) in Connecticut.  (crossed out - when they found that) which had been recently burned by the British (underlined -illegible) together with a valuable public store (crossed out - containing a vast) of provisions.
      The said Martin Hooker does not recollect the (smudged -illegible) of the Lieutenant and Ensign in Capt Brays company - but the name of the orderly Sergeant was Roger Norton.
    That whilst they remained at Fort Independence one or two companies of reg continental troops and number of companies of militia were stationed in and about Peekskill - x  That during their time no incident occurred at the Fort or at Peekskill worthy of note except the execution of three tories at Peekskill - two were shot and the other hung. - General McDougal presided at the court martial when they were tried as the said Hooker believes - He distinctly recollects that the general was present at the execution of the man who was hung. - the hangman was much (underlined -intoxicated).  He could hardly get up the ladder and when he arrived at the top he pulled out an (illegible) Jacknife to cut the rope and was about cutting it off near the gallows pole when General McDougal sitting on his horse call out to him " you d---d rascal cut it off close to his (underlined) neck so that there will be (underlined - rope enough to hang another") - At this time ten or twelve other tories under guard and yet untried had been ordered to the foot of the gallows to witness the execution
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The said Martin Hooker further (illegible) that in the early part of October (crossed out - illegible) and he thinks about the third fourth or fifth in the year one thousand and seven hundred and seventy seven, (crossed out - Capt John Allen before named wrote a letter)  At the time General Burgoyne was moving down from Saratoga, Captain John Allen before named record a letter from (illegible) in the army commanded by General Gates and the said Martin Hooker from General Gates himself informing him that with the aid of these additional forces he should be willing to give the British General Bxxxx and calling upon Capt Allen to raise a company (crossed out - if possible and proceed) without andy delay and to proceed immediately to State Water to (crossed out - illegible) to assist him.
  
This letter was sent (crossed out - to the) by Captain Allen (crossed out - in sending) in the meeting house at Kinsignton Parrish.  Farmington on Sunday to the congregation now assembled for religion worship, and (crossed out- enlisted) on that day in the (illegible) religious service of which the said Martin Hooker (illegible) enlisted as volunteers about twenty men - on the same day he enlisted in another parrish in Farmington about thirty men - On Monday following this company of volunteers met at the Parish of New Britain Farmington and  then choose their officers - and on a proposition made by Captain Allen (crossed out - illegible) to allay the dissatisfaction that had been manifested by some on account of officers receiving more pay than privates it was agreed before the the election of officers that the officers and privates pay should be put into a common stock when received and and equal distribution be made among the whole company without regard to rank..
- John Allen was elected captain and James Francis (crossed out- Tyler) first Lieutenant. Zachariah Hart (crossed out - ensign) Second Lieutenant - Elnathan Hubbard Ensign - Jonathan Billing Orderly Sergeant, names of other subaltern officers
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not recollect- 
   On (crossed out - illegible) the next day morning the company commenced their march on horseback for Still water  - (illegible) Hudson River at Half Moon now Waterford, they reached Still Water after a rapid march of about five days (crossed out - at this time) One their arrival (illegible) General Gates was in (illegible) with the (illegible) about four miles above still water, watching the movement of the enemy 
- on the next morning Capt Allen proceeded to headquarters and reported the arrival of his company and arms provisions for his men - Capt Allens company remained at Still Water unit the engagements between the two armies when they (illegible)  marched to Bimis heights and (illegible) on the left wing of to flank the enemy - 
     The said Martin Hooker remained at Still Water during the engagement  (crossed out - illegible) as at this time he was acting as a waiter to Lieutenant Zachariah Hart and had been sent away to harts (illegible) quarters Service and on his return to his company quarters he found them gone to Bimis Heights - He remained taking charge of the company baggage &effects .  Three days after this time he was sent home to Farmington in charge of a soldier belonging to Captain Allens company who had fallen sick - A few days after this the whole company returned to Farmington when there were all paid for their service in Continental money - No discharges were given to any of the company. - That he served at this time about three weeks.
     The said Martin says that the next day after his arrival at Still Water John Patterson who was then a Colonel in the Continental (illegible) as the said Martin Hooker though as to this rank at the time he is not positively certain.
- (crossed out  - the same John Patterson) came to his company quarters and had a long conversation with Capt Allen on the subject of the war and the army - that before the termination of the war the same John Patterson was promoted to the rank of General
Page 38

And the said Martin Hooker further saith that he remained at Farmington from the time of his return from Still Water last mentioned, until the (crossed out - illegible) month of (crossed out - September) August or the first of (crossed out - October) September in the year one thousand Seven hundred and seventy eight when Captain John Allen agained raised another Company of Militia, volunteers from the town of Farmington aforesaid and composed chiefly of those who had volunteered under him in the (crossed out - previous) campaign of the previous year at Saratoga , (the said Martin Hooker being one,) to march to a place called  (underlined - Crompond) a small village situate about Seven miles east of the village of Peekskill on Hudson River in the state of Newyork. The company equipped  themselves as they always had done, and marched immediately to the place; traveling by the  (crossed out - way of New Haven)  most didn't walk - the said Martin cannot state precisely the time he (crossed out - left) arrived at (underlined - Crompond) nor indeed the exact time he left Farmington he ever only said that it was the time of the year when apples begin to be eatable, and corn was ripe for roasting. - , (crossed out - At Crompond Capt Allen company was joined by a illegible of Americans about Eighteen hundred strong, - partly militia and partly regular troops as the said Hooker was informed- )
Capt Allens company remained at Crompond almost eight days when they were ordered to march to West Chester in West Chester county. With three days provisions the company took up its line of march and had not proceeded more than five miles when they were joined by a party of Americans of about eighteen hundred strong composed of militia, and regular troops as the said Hooker was informed.  The whole body then proceeded towards West Chester and when they arrived at White Plains the said Hooker first observed two companies of artillery with two (illegible - brass?) field pieces - Marching all night they arrived at West chester about nine o clock in the morning - The commanding officer of the army then detailed a scouting party of about thirty men to reconnoiter the British who were situated below - the seventy
Page 39

proceeded only to Valentines Hill above three or four miles below Westchester, when they were fired upon by the British from behind a stone wall when they american reconnoitering party quickly retreated and joined the main body which had already made a retrograde movement 
- Captain Allens company then returned to Crompond without any delay.  the main body falling off from times to at different placement moving in different directions [crossed out - until Capt Allen could] so that Capt Allens company returned to Crompond as they have left it - alone.
About two hours before Captain Allens company moved from [underlined - Crompond  ] to Peekskill to draw their rations preparatory to their march to [crossed out - illegible] Westchester Two regiments said to be under the command of General Putnam marched through Crompond early in the morning [illegible]An eastward towards Stamford and when going to Peekskill the said Martin Hooker met General Putnam himself moving in the same direction with his forces.  After the said Martins return to Crompond he understood that [crossed out- illegible] General Putnam had mad a descent upon Long Island and plundered the county and that the confrontation of the other American forces at and near West Chester was [crossed out - intended] only intended to divide the British Army from General Putnams movements.

Captain Allens company remained at Crompond about seven or eights days after they returned from Westchester and even then discharged at that place when they all returned home when they [illegible] their [crossed out - money] pay at the rate of forty shillings per month.  The said Martin was engaged 21 days service at this time between three and four weeks.
Page 40

In March, same the Said Martin Hooker cannot say what time in the month; of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine the said Martin Hooker again enlisted for one year as a [underlined - minute man ] in a company recruited by Captain Asa Bray and belonging to the State troops of Connecticut . [crossed out - as a minute man ] Not more than a fortnight after he enlisted had elapsed before he was ordered to join his company at Southington aforesaid  - Beecher was first Lieutenant, Elnathan Hubbard was ensign and Eliason Whipples was orderly Seargent - other subaltern officers not recollected.

The company was then ordered to march to White Plains in the State of Newyork [crossed out - which place ] marching by the way of New Haven they took the nearest route to  [crossed out - White Plains ] the place of their destination of their [crossed out - the illegible - on their ] This was the place of rendesvous for the whole regiment [crossed out - to white illegible] of Connecticut state troops to which Capt Brays company belonged and in arriving there the whole regiment was soon found and taken under the command of Col Roger Enos [crossed out - They illegible stationed at White Plains from the time of their arrival until the last of June ] General Gates [crossed out - was there illegible] was encamped here with his army at the time and Col Roger Enos remained at White Plains until he last of June when General Washington arrived then with the forces under his command and ordered Col Roger Enos regiment to West Point to reinforce Colonel Malcolm who commanded the Fort at the Point - Here the regiment was ordered to throw up a redoubt on the mountain west of the Point and directly below one erected by General Patterson and generally called [underlined -" Pattersons redoubt". ] -before the completed the said Martin Hooker was taken sick and carried to the Hospital on the east side of north side - was sick then fifteen days - when Capt Bray obtained him a permit to go home and there remained until he was fit to do duty and then to return.  The said Martin returns home accordingly.

The said Martin joined his regiment again in the ensuing fall and after a severe fit of sickness
Page 41

at Horse neck where they remained until the expiration of the [crossed out - year] term of their enlistment one year. - were no troops or militia of every description at Horse neck during this time except Col Roger Enos Regiment of State troops - their duty was to keep guard and reconnoiter.  At this time the British were below.

At White plains the said Martin often saw General Gates [ crossed out - and illegible General Burgoyne illegible] recollects a continental regiment commanded by Colonel [underlined - Dubois ] - recollets Col Meigs of the continental army  - Colonel Sherborne and his regiments of continentals , he also recollects - Col Samuel Willis Regiment was there - He recollects [crossed out - that ] Capt Elijah Wright, Capt Mills, Capt Pettybone, Capt Umpstead or Olmstead and Capt Bray commanding companies in Col Roger Enos Regiment - Quarter Master Martin Bull - Quarter Master Sergeant Thomas Lee.  After their return to Farmington when they received their pay at the rate of forty shillings lawful money per month.

And the said Martin Hooker further saith that he was born on the twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand and [crossed out illegible] seven hundred and fifty nine at Farmington aforesaid. And that there is record of his age he presumes in the office of the clerk of the town of Farmington in Connecticut as it was [illegible] customary to record all births.

2nd that he remained at Farmington after he left the service about eight years - then moved to the town of Lee in the County of Rutland and state of Vermont where he  resided sixteen  years - that twenty nine or thirty  years ago last May he came to the town of Chesterfield in the county of Essex to reside and has remained there ever since and now lives there that he is well known to Richard Keese of Keeseville late member of congress residing about two miles from their home  - to Martin Pope Esq of the same village - to Benjamin McComber Esq of Chesterfield. to John Mc Comber Esq of Chesterfield - Robert Forsaith Esq [illegible] of the town Deacon [crossed out - Whitney ] Samuel Whiting with
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whom he has been well acquainted following the whole term of his residence in Chesterfield to Leonard Doughty of the same place, Henry Tripp - Wesson Macomber, John Nelson Macomber Esq, Alonso Wright and many other persons all of whom can testify as to the character of the said Martin for veracity and the belief of this service as a soldier of the revolution.

And the said Martin Hook further declares that he has no documentary evidence of any kind or description whatever showing that he served [crossed out - as] in the revolutionary war; nor is he able to produce any evidence of this description.

And further that he knows of no living witness whose evidence he could be obtain to show that he served in the war of the revolution - does not know that any person who has any personal knowledge of the facts here before set forth. [crossed out - illegible] He now lives from the place of his nativity at least two hundred and fifty miles is worth no property at all is supported together with his wife by his friends [ crossed out - illegible ]

And further that his health is such that he is wholly unable to [crossed out - attend of ] attend personally court of Record to make this declaration as [crossed out - there is ] nowhere  sits nearer than 18 miles to his residence and he is none decrepid and has large running sores upon his lower limbs which [crossed out - illegible] which [crossed out - illegible] disenable him from walking or riding [crossed out - any distance ] that distance

And further that there is no clergy from in this vicinity who knows him.  They all reside in the village of Keeseville and no one has been [illegible] there over three of four years- and he has been to Keeseville only a few times within as many years past.
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Postal card
Post stamp G.W.& N.D March 19 1906 Fl

Post stamp Northampton Mass 7 pm Mar 15 1906

Post stamp WASHINGTON D.C. REC'D Mar 16 5 PM

Stamp U.S. PENSION OFFICE A MAR 17 1906

Addressed to
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 44

Will you give us the record of 
Martin Hooker as found in the 
pension reports.  Revolutionary Soldier
from Connecticut.
Especially all dates you have.

Resp- 
Mrs. Charles H Johnson
Reg. Se. Chaplin

Easthampton Mass.
Mar. 15 1906
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April 17th 09
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
I am desirous of gaining information regarding the war record of one Martin Hooker who enlisted in Asa Brays Conn Company Commanded by Colonel Roger Ennos or Colonel Hooker Date June 27th 1778 April 3rd 1777 
Think he was wounded but cannot say in what engagement was when.  Any information which you can give me is most acceptable.
Respt.
Mrs Elizabeth H.McCain 
Plattsburgh - N.Y.
Page 46

PH
Campello March 29th 17
Commisioner of Pensions,

Hon. Sir
having [illegible] to you by the Chief of Record and Pension Department I now [illegible] hoping to obtain fuller information in regard to the war record of my Grandfather [underlined - Martin Hooker ] who was a soldier and Pensioner in the [underlined - Revolutionary ] War.  According to family record he was granted a pension sometime in the forties not definitely stated.

Will you please forward whatever you may find in referance to this matter to Mrs John M Wentworth
Campello.
Mass.