Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23117, Nathaniel Goodspeed, Conn. Mass. N.H.
Page 1

SERVICE---------------------------NUMBER
CONN---Goodspeed, Nathaniel---W23117
MASS-----------------Abigail
N.H
-----------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
Page 2

Albany 12 New York
Nathaniel Goodspeed
Hawley in the state of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Manning of the Regt. commanded Col Putnam in the Mafs for 2 years
[illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of Mafsachusetts the rate of 80 dollars ___ cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 20th day of March 1833 and sent [illegible] Greenfield Mafs
Arrears to the 4th of March 1883 $160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 40.00
_____________
$200.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D. D Addison Clerk
Book 6, Vol 2a, Page 28
Page 3

[illegible] March 14th 1835
Transfr to Albany from 4th March 1834-Mar. 24 1835
84
Franklin
Page 4

1.691
Albany New York
Abigail Goodspeed
widow of Nathaniel Goodspeed
who died 25 December 1834 of Essex co in the state of N.Y. who was a Private in the company [illegible] by Captain Manning of the Reg. commanded by Col. Putnam in the Cont. line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the roll of Albany N.Y. at the rate of 80 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 25th December 1834
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 8th date of [illegible] 1838 and sent Edward Cugler Elizabethtown N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th fo Sept. 1837 $520.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 38 40.00 
________
$560.00

Revolutionary Claim
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3rd
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk
Book A Vol. 2 Page 100
Page 5

Commonwealth of Mafsachusetts
Franklin County fs.
On this sixteenth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judge of of the Court of Probate now sitting for the said county of Franklin Nathaniel Goodspeed, a resident of Hawley in the county and commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty-three years, who being first duly sworn according to the law, doth, on this oath, make the following declaration, in order obtain the benefit of an act of Congrefs dated June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as [illegible]
That in the month of April 1775 then living in Woodstock State of Connecticut he enlisted into said service for seven months and served said term of time in Capr Ephraim Manning's company, Col. Putnam's Regiment, marched from said Woodstock to Cambridge, Mafsachuetts, witnefsed the Battle of Bunker Hill and the burning of Charlestown, was discharged in the month of December of the same year.
Also in the spring of 1776 went to live in [illegible]  Hampshire [illegible] and in October of the same year  entered the service gain in a company commanded by Capt. Paine. Col. Chase also was with the party and believes he commanded it. around the woods and in pursuit of the Indians to Tyconderoga and [illegible] at which place they [illegible] and was there discharged in November 1776 having been in the service at this time one month or more.
Also in December 1776 enlisted into the Army of the United States at Springfield for ninteen months and served said term under Capt Richard Faxon, was discharged at the loss of said nineteen months, had a discharged given him but it is lost.
Also in 1781 in the month of September, then living in Tolland Connecticut, was fradft into said service for six weeks and served said term 
in Capt. Wales' Company, Col. Mcclelland's Regiment marched to New London, was there soon after it was burned and was there discharged in November of the same year. Making the whole term of service twenty eight and one-half months.
 Was born in Leister Mafsachusetts in 1749. Knows of no record of his age. Was living in Woodstock Connecticut when called into service, had lived in Tolland in said state, is now living in Hawley Mafschusetts, was drafted and volunteered, [illegible] Genl. Washington at Cambridge, and was on his guard, [illegible] Genl. Putnam.
Knows of no persons living who can testify to his answers. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the [illegible] and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed to this day and year aforesaid.
R. E. [illegible]
Judge of Probate
Page 6

Nathaniel Goodspeed
Hawley
22333

[written on the side]
Nathaniel Goodyear's application Hawley
Page 7

We, Jonathan Grant Clergyman, Thomas Longley & John Vincent and Anson Dyer residing in Hawley hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Goodspeed who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty three 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.
R. E. [illegible] Judge of Probate
Anson Dylan
Thomas Longley
John Vincent
Jon. Grant
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Jonathan Grant who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said town of Hawley, and that Anson Dyer, Thomas Longley, and John Vincent who have severally signed the same and are residents in the same town and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
R. E. [illegible] Judge of Probate
I Elijah Alvord, Register of said court, do hereby certify that the foregoing and within contain the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Goodspeed for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal fo said court this sixteenth day of  October A.D. 1832. E. Alvord Reg. Prob
Page 8

I, Asa Perkins of Chittenden in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, age 71 years on the 10th of March, 1837, being duly sworn according to the law, do depose, testify and say, that I was personally acquainted with Nathaniel Goodspeed, late of Wilmington in the County of Essex and the State of New York, deceased, who married my mother, Mrs. Abigail Goodspeed, now of the same town of WIlmington aforesaid. They were married at Brooklyn in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, in the fall of the year 1778, by Rev. W. Whitney, the then Minister of the parish; my mother having been a widow for several years previous to that time. I do not recollect and have no record by me, by wich to recollect the precise date of their marriage; otherwise, then that I was then 12 years old, and in my 13th year. I afterwards resided in my step-father's family, constantly, for about six years, from the time I was 14 years of age. He was a Black Smith, and resided in Tolland on the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut.
And I do further depose, testify and say, that in the month of September 1781, when General Arnold came with a party of the enemy and burnt the town of New London in Connecticut, my said step-father was drafted as a private, as I suppose, fro the standing militia company in said Tolland, and was marched to New London aforesaid for the defense of that place, and to repel the invasion of hte enemy. He was gone from home on that service about six weeks. I do not recollect what particular Captain he march under
Page 9

to New London. Stephen Grant, Daniel Edgerton, and _________ Holbrook, a tavern-keeper whose CHristian name I do not remember, were [illegible] Captains of hte standing  militia company in said Tolland, during my residence there and were oen of whom he may have served on the above mentioned tour of duty. I am unable too, to recollect any field officer who went from that section of the county to New London.
On his return my step-father brought with him a quantity of new scythes that had been burned in the stores at New London, and which he afterwards worked up, for various purposes, in his shops. And further this deponent saith not.
Asa Perkins.
State of Vermont
Rutland County, [illegible]
Be it known that on this 14th day of June 1837, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared that said Asa Perkins who hath subscribed his preceeding affidavit in my presences, and made solemn oath, that shall the same contains the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but hte truth, And I do hereby certify that the said affiant is a credible witnefs.
Saml H Kellogg Justice Peace
Page 10

State of Vermont
Rutland County fs
I Robert Pierpont, clerk of the county court in and for said county, do hereby certify that Samuel H. Kellogg is a magistrate as above, and the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said county court, and subscribed my name, at Rutland in said county, this twenty-first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
R. Pierpont
Page 11

State of New York
Essex County Js
I Edward S Cuyler clerk of the county of Essex and Clerk of the Court of [illegible] [illegible] in afore said County to humbly certify that Jonathan Thayer Esq whose name is subscribed to certificate and [illegible] of the Declaration of Abigail Goodspeed written- and that Timothy Hazelton whose name is subscribed T H certified [illegible] of the written affidavit of Elias Goodspeed are both Justices of the peace in and for the said County, And [illegible] on the date of Said Certificate + writing of both said Justices and verily   believe that that their several signatures thereto are genuine.
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand  also affixed my Seal of Office and the seal of Said County this 14th day of October 1837.
Edwd Cuyler Clerk

[on the side] 2827 NG
Page 12

Sate of New York
County of Essex fs
On this ninth day of October in the year of our Lord 1884, Personally appeared before the undersigned Jonathan Thayer a Justice of the peace on and for the county of aforesaid Abigail Goodspeed of Wilmington in said county who being by one duly sworn according to the law doth upon her said oath make the following dictation for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the Act of Congrefs pafsed June 7th 1832 Extended to widows and children under certiain circumstances and the act extended to widows on other cases [illegible]. That she is the widow of Nathaniel Goodspeed late of Wilmington aforesaid deceased that this said Nathaniel Goodspeed was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States. Under this act of jun 7th 1832. That he died at Wilmington in said county of Essex on the 25 day of December in the year of our lord 1834, That she [illegible] the arrears of his United State Pension from his late drawing up to the time of his death. That she is now of the age of ninety two years. That her maiden name was Abigail Cleaveland and that she first married one Asa Perkins who died and that she married the said Nathaniel Goodspeed the month of September in the Year of our Lord 1778, cannot recollect the precise day of the month and has no record whereby to ascertain the precise day that she was married to the said Nathaniel Goodspeed at the Parish of Brooklyn Windham County in the State of Connecticut by the Revd Mr Whitney a clergyman of said parish but received no certificate of their marriage.
That subsequent to her marriage with the said Nathaniel Goodspeed he was drafted in the militia company at Tolland in the County of Tolland in the state of Connecticut at which place he then resided
Page 13

That subsequent to her marriage with the said Nathaniel Goodspeed he was drafted in the militia Company at Tolland in the county of Tolland in the state of Connecticut at which place he then resided.
And marched to New London at which place he remained and served for about six weeks. This was in the month of September in the year 1781. That she cannot recollect names of his field or company officers on that service but thinks he served under the captain of the militia company of said Tolland. That the said Nathaniel Goodspeed had personally service in the Continental service. His first service she believes was in Col Putname Regt at Cambridge Mafsachusetts six months in the year 1775 and that he was in that regiment at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Mannings company. Continental or state troops. he also served under an enlistment as an artificer under Capt Faxton Superintendant of the army at Springfield Mafsachusetts for some time of previous to my marriage with him but how long I am unable to say but believe about nineteen months. Believe proof of this service has been made & is now on file in the war office. refference thereto will more fully appear. that she is not prepared to make any further proof than the accompaning or annexed affidavit of Asa Perkins - In relation to her marriage, that she has not any copy of the Declaration or proof made by the said Nathaniel Goodspeed by which he was formerly placed on the Pension Roll & dos not know where to look for the same proof made by him except by refference to the files at the War Office - That she releases all claims to any other Pension nor Annuity & declares her name is not now on the Pension Roll or Agency of any state - and further saith now.
Abigail Goodspeed
State of New York
Efsex County Fs
On this ninth day of October in the year 1837. The above named Abigail Goodspeed personally came before me and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the facts set forth in the foregoing Declaration by her subscribed & I certify that the said Abigail Goodspeed is a person to me well know & is a credible person & that her statement is entitled to credit. I further certify that from old age & bodily Infirmaties Abigail Goodspeed is unable to attend the court of record being about thirty miles distant and which reasons
Page 14

- I am satisfied are true.
Given under my hand at Wilmington this 9 day of October 1837.
[illegible]
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Efsex County fs
On this 9th day of October 1837. personally came before me Elias Goodspeed and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the following declaration. That is the son of the aforenamed Nathaniel Goodspeed and Abigail Goodspeed. That according to record he was born in the town of Tolland County of Tolland State of Connectiuct on the 13th day of September in the year 1780.  And that his father Nathaniel Goodspeed died at Wilmington in the County of Efsex of New York on the 25 day of December 1836. And that the above named Abigail Goodspeed is still living at said Wilmington the widow of the sd Nathaniel Goodspeed and I certify the said Elias Goodspeed is entitled to full credit.
Elias Goodspeed
GIven under my hand at Wilmington this 9th day of October 1837
Timothy Hasettan Justice of the Peace
Page 15

Nathaniel Goodspeed
22.333
Private
2 years
[illegible]

E. Alvand Esq.
Greenfield 
Mass
Page 16

BRIEF in the case of Nathaniel Goodspeed at Hawley in the state of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1829)
1. Was the declaration made before a court of jduge? In open court
2. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old he? Eighty three years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
_______________________
Period / Duration of Service / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
________________________
In April in 1775 / 7 months / asa Private / Col. Putnam Capt. Manning
In Oct. of 1776 / 1 or more months / Private / Col. Chase & Capt. Paine
In Dec of 1776 / 19 months / Private / Capt. Faxon
In Sept. 1780 / 1 month 12 days / Private / Col. Millikin & Cap Wales
________________________

5. In what battles was he engaged? None named
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Woodstock, Connt.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence alone
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correctly authenticated - 
* Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk
Page 17

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathaniel Goodspeed which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the delcaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language as definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulation? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Actof June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
Page 18

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, as has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? 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. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed byt he War Department answered satisfactorily. And is not, which of them is not so answered?
___________
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _______ year ____ months and _____ days, I served as a _________. For _________ months, and _____ days, I served as a _________; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 19

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as thes directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where te name of htth applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 20

Keeseville
Dec 2
N.Y.
I. L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Washington
Page 21

Efsex County
Keesville / Dec 1834
I.L. Edwins Esq.
Com of Pensions
Sir
As the request of the person who executed the within documents I forward these to you to process his transfer from Mafsachusetts to New York agency.
Very respectfully
Yours [illegible]
A Thompson
Page 22

2827
NY Oct 23
4 July '36
 [illegible]
I. L. Edwards
Comifsioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington DC
Page 23

Elizabethtown Essex County
NY October 14, 1837
I. L. Edwards
Com of Pension
Sir
Enclosed I send you the declarationj of widow Abigail Goodspeed for a pension with all documents accompanying it to prove her marriage with Nasthaniel Goodspeed under whose service she claims. as the applicant is extremely poor and infirm I have to request the earliest possible return to her application. You will please direct to me at Elizabethtown Essex County New York
I am with respect
Your obt svt
[illegible]
Page 24

Abigail Goodspeed
Wid of Nathl. decd
[illegible] 2 qt $80 per ann
com 26th day of Dec
1834
Page 25

Nathl Goodspeed, a pensioner under the Act of June 7 1832, first inscribed upon the Mafs Agency but subsequently transf to Albany Agency NY at the rate of $80 per ann. To that time was he paid
Died 25th Dec 1834  /  HHL
Paid to the day of his death  /  Pen Off
Jun 6 38 and office [illegible]
Page 26

State of New York
Efsex County fs
On the twenty-third day of October 1834 before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the said county of Efsex, personally appeared Nathaniel Goodspeed, who on his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Ephraim Manning in the Regiment commanded by Col. Israel Putnam, ac, in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Mafsachusetts from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in the state of New York, where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable in future _ The following are his reasons for removing from Mafsachusetts to the state of New York, viz. he lived with a grandson of his in Mafsachusetts, viz, Nathaniel Goodspeed the 2nd who removed into the state of New York and he removed with him and will remain with his said grandson probably during his life _
Sworn and subscribed
Before me on the day and
year aforesaid
Jonathan Thayer
Justice Peace
Nathaniel Goodspeed
Efsex County, town of Wilmington State of New York, fs.
On this twenty third day of October 1834 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Nathaniel Goodspeed 2d, and Harriot Goodspeed of the same place, who being by me duly sworn, say that Nathaniel Goodspeed who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit removed from Mafsachusetts in June last and now resides with Nathaniel Goodspeed 2d his grandson in Wilmington afforsaid, that he was a pensioner of hte United States, and inserted on the roll of the Mafsachusetts agency, that his pension certificate ifsued by the War department is now in his _
Page 27

_pofsefsion, and that he is the identical person named hterein and hwo signed the foregoing affidavit
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year
aforesaid before me
Jonathan Thayer Justice Peace
Nathaniel Goodspeed 2d
Harriot Goodspeed

I certify that I am acquainted with Nathaniel Goodspeed 2d and Harriot Goodspeed, who here subscribed the next preceeding affidavit so far as to consider them fully entitled to the character of persons of respectibility and veracity.
Jonathan Thayer
Justice Peace

State of New York
Efsex County fs
I Edward S. Crogler Clerk of the County Court of the county of Efsex do hereby certify that Jonathan Thayer before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn to is a justice of the peace in and for said county, and at the time duly authorized to administer oaths, and that the foregoing sinature purporting to be his are I think genuine by his proper handwriting and signature.
Witnefs my hand and seal of office this 15th day of November 1834
Edwd S Crogler, Clerk
Page 28

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23117
Abigail Goodspeed
wid of
Nathaniel Goodspeed
Priv Rev War
Act July 4th 1836
Index: Vol. A, Page 282
[Arrnngement of 1870]
Page 29

[illegible]
Cambridge, June 27th /43
Hon. J L Edwards