Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28908, for Cornelius Thompson, Massachusetts
Page 1

Mass
Thompson, Cornelius
S. 28908
Page 2

[Page 1]
(8-1776)
SERVICE  NUMBER
Mass   Thompson, Cornelius  S28908

[Page 2]
ine - A. 27.283
rnelius Thompson
done in the State of Mass
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Curtiss of the Rgt. commanded
by Col Carg[unreadable] in the mass. m.
line for 8.mos.

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

Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of March 1834 and
Hon. L. Ianvin

Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1834 - .. 79.98
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4-. Sept. .. ... 13.33
[double line]
$93.31
[double line]

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by R. Burdinet Clerk,
Book 6... Vol. A .... Page 59 ...
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27057
Cornelius Thompson
24 Dev
8 m funal
$26.66

Hon S Ianis
HR

In. H Mood [unreadable]
Ellsworth
Maine
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Oct 28 1833

Sir:
[indented line] The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus:}). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Cornelius Thompson
[First Column, written vertically] Period when the service was rendered]
[Second Column] Duration of the claimant's service. [written vertically] Years. Months. Days.
[Third Column] Rank of the claimant. 
[Fourth Column] Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. 
[Fifth Column] Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered
[Sixth Column] Proof by which the declaration is supported.
[Under First Column] 1775
[Under Second Column] 8 [months]
[Under Third Column] Private
[Under Fourth Column] Capt Custis
No Colonels Mentioned.
This should be done

Application should be made to the Secy
of the State of Mass for evidence of the claimant's service

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted: 
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, 
but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claim-
ing the 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 of } ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District
of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and
served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: 

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he serv
ed 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. [unreadable] This form is to be varied so as to the cases of officers and per-
sons 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  A.B.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 Revo-
lutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the 
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of 
for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have  hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this day of &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commis-
sion; 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 ser-
vices 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
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3
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.
Where and in what year were you born?
Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
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.
To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what hs become of it?
		To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
State the name of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that 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, to respectable persons- one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except he 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 resided. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the 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 to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in a garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[I] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no 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.
[image of a pointing finger] The notes from [a] to [I] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Cornelius Thompson
27,057
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State of Maine
County of Hancock SS
On this eighth day of May AD 1833 personally
appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate now sitting-- Ellsworth in said County
of Hancock, Cornelius Thompson a resident of
[illegible] in the County of Hancock & State of
Maine aged seventy six years who being first
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to ┃
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th AD 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers
served as herein stated-
That the month of May the latter part of it
in the year 1775 about five or six weeks after
the battle of Lexington he enlisted at Harpswell (or New Meadows as it is sometimes called)
near Brunswick (Me) as a volunteer for eight
months under a Capt Curtiss whose christian
name he does not recollect-- Capt Curtiss was
commissioned as the applicant understood, by
the Government to raise eight months [illegible]
He thinks there were sixty eight enlisted officers & men- one Isaac Hall of Harpswell formerly a Militia Captain was the enlisting officer under Capt Curtiss. They enlisted to go wherever they were ordered. In the next month (June) he went with his
Company to Cambridge by land - they started from
Brunswick - march this Portland, Old York
Portsmouth [illegible] Newbury back of Salem & through Danvers & arrived at Cambridge in five days-- was barracked there in a barn about a month he recollects they lost two men there who died of fever. There were regular troops there-- While there Gen Washington came there with same ┃
troops from the South Riflemen & there was a great parade that day he arrived. recollects of Gen Putnam being there after being there about a month
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the Company to which applicant belonged, they being mostly seafaring men were selected to go 
back as far as Newbury, & there they manned
eight boats which had been prepared for them
& cruised along the shore & came down to Penobscot river & took a station at North West Harbour on Deer Island to prevent the English from carrying off wood to Boston. They remained there performing that service till the latter part of the next December when they were directed by their commander to take the boat, & make the best of their way home. The Applicant , it being then in dead of winter, was not able to reach home for some time after & when he reached home, which to the best of his recollection was the latter part of January 1776 his eight months had just expired. He was not discharge & did not get his pay till two or three months afterwards when he was paid for eight months service, in the Continental paper money. He has no documentary evidence & he knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. There is no Clergyman resident in Eden, but James I Hopkins of Eden & Davis Wasgath of Mt Desert are present & can testify as to applicants character for veracity & their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution. He further states that he was born in Harpswell August 2d AD 1756. Has no record of his age, was living at Harpswell
when called into the service & after that time
went to Salem (Mass) & lived there till he moved to Eden where he has resided for forty five years past & where he now resides. He would also state that he had no written discharge. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll
of the Agency of any State or if any only on that
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of the agency of the State of Maine 
Cornelius Thompson
sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before me J Nelson
Judge of the Court of Probate

We James C Hopkins of Eden & Davis Wasgath of Mt. Desert & now residing in said town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Cornelius Thompson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been
Soldier of the revolution & that we concur in
that opinion. We also certify that there
is no Clergyman resident in Eden & that the
Clergyman of the neighboring town of Mount
Desert is too infirm to attend Court
James C Hopkins
Davis Wasgath
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before me J Nelson Judge of the Court of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion, after the investigation of the matter &
after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war
Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears
to them that James C. Hopkins who has signed the
preceeding certificate is a resident in the town of Eden & that Davis Wasgath who has also signed the same
is a resident in the town of Mt. Desert&  are
credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies that it appears
to them that there is no clergyman resident in Eden & that the 
Clergyman of Mount Desert is too infirm to attend Court
J Nelson Judge of the Court of Probate
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I Hez Williams Register of the Court of Probate
for the County of Hancock aforesaid do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
application Cornelius Thompson for a pension. And that Job Nelson is Judge of the Court of Probate for
the County of Hancock aforesaid & that the signatures annexed purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office
this Eighth day of May A.D. 1833
Hez Williams
Register of the
Court of Probate
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28 908
INVALID98,908
Cornelius Thompson
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 39"
Index: -- Vol 9, Page 418
Arrangement of 1870
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Novemr 27th 1833
I Hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Cornelius Thompson, as a private, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. James Curtis' Company, where he is allowed from July 1st to August 1st, 1775, for services and travel, one month & eleven days. (Notation in margin reads mo 1 11 days) Cornelius Thompson name borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. James Curtis's Company, in Col. James Cargills' Regt. where he is allowed from August 9th 1775 (Notation in margin reads E.? M) five months and five days.
Edward D Bangs, Secy
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Hon J L Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Ellsworth Dec 14 1833
Hon J L Edwards
Com of Pensions
Sir
I herewith return to
you the papers of Cornelius Thompson &
Benj Kent with such evidence as I have
been able to procure. I send the certificate
of the Secy of State of Massachusetts in Thompsons case, which shows his service for near seven months of his time stated by
himself. In regard to Benj Kent I send
the certificate of the same Secretary proving
the months service & as to the others there are
no rolls now in the office. He is a very honest
old man & very poor & I have no doubt
whatever from his manner & appearance
when taking his statement, that he served
the other term of which the rolls cannot now
be found. The reason of his not naming
any regular field officers is, that there was
none as you will perceive from his statement
the whole force being under the charge of
Capt Pinkham. I really hope that the prop
he has produced will be considered sufficiant
by corroboration of the whole statement & that his
pension will be allowed him, for I have no
doubt whatever of his deserving it. As to how
for my opinion may be entitled to weight in
the matter I must refer you to Hon Leonard
Jarvis & Doct A Nelson of the P O Department
I am Sir
very respectfully
Your obt said
J A Wood