Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4940, Thomas Hulett, Mass.
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Mass.  Howlett, Thomas R. 4940
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State of Vermont         }
County of Bennington }ss
On this 17th day of October 
1835 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon the Probate Court within & for the Probate District of Manchester in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont, now sitting, Thomas Hewlett a Resident of Dorset in said County of Bennington, aged eighty eight years, and 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 7, 1832.  That he was born in the Town of Scituate, in the State of Rhode Island on the 26th day of August AD. 1747. That he had understood & believed, that his birth was recorded in the Town Records of said Town, tho he has never personally examined it.  That he continued to reside in said Town of Scituate, until sometime in the fall of the year 1767. when he moved from thence to Belchertown in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts.  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, & served as herein stated.  That he was enrolled as a Minute-man in a company of Militia at said Belchertown - that in the latter part of the month of June or the first part of July AD. 1775.  he was as such called out in an alarm in a Company of Massachusetts militia commanded by Capt. Shumway & in a Regiment as he supposed commanded by Col. Woodbridge - that he marched from said Belchertown to Cambridge near Boston in said State of Massachusetts where he was stationed  & did duty for the term of two months at least & a few days (but does not now recollect how many) over when he was regularly dismissed without any regular written discharge & returned to his home in said Belchertown during which time he was engaged in several small skirmishes but in no regular battle.  That [word crossed out] some time in the month of April in this same year 1775 he was again called out in an alarm with several others ^militiamen^ at said Belchertown to go to Boston or vicinity that they have Capt. Elijah Smith as their Capt & Shumway as he thinks as their Lieut. that they marched from said Belchertown to Wooster & from there to Sudbury [illegible] so called both in said State of Massachusetts, where information was received that the said alarm & the cause of it had subsided they did not march.
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Further but after being stationed there for a few days they were dismissed by parol, & returned to their homes in said Belchertown. 
that he was abreast upon said expedition at least twelve or thirteen days - That afterwards, sometime in the latter part of September of the same year 1775. he enlisted at said Belchertown into a Company of Massachusetts State Troops commanded by Capt. Elijah Dwight if he recollects his christian name correctly, & in  the Regiment commanded, as he believed, by Col. Woodbridge, for the term of two months that he marched from said Belchertown to Cambridge aforesaid, where he was stationed & did duty until the expiration of his term of enlistment where he was requested by [?] Col. Woodbridge to continue to serve longer, & accordingly he staid & did duty at the same station & in the same Corps, for the further time of two months, & as he now believed at least 10. or 12 days over that time, when he was again regularly dismissed or discharged by [illegible] once more to his said home in said Belchertown, being as he now thinks in the month of February 1776. _ that he was subsequently called out [illegible] on three short [illegible], the particulars of which he is not now able fully distinctly to call to mind & afterwards during the continuance of the war; hired a man (one John Lubert) to serve in his stead, in the army, for at least the term of three years.
That he continued to reside in said Town of Belchertown until sometime in the month of April 1801. when he removed to the Town of [illegible] in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont he resided about one year, [illegible] removed to that part of Mount Tabor, which has since been annexed to the said Town of Dorset; where & in the original Town of Dorset he has ever since resided - that he is aged [illegible] & infirm & is therefore unable to get much ahead; & lives quite retired, & has never been informed or understood, until very lately [crossed out words] (when he was [illegible] informed by a neighbour) that many Persons was entitled to a Pension under the laws of the United States, for any period short of nine months actual service, which is the reason he has not made earlier application - That he has no documentary evidence to substantiate his foregoing statements, neither does he know at present of any living Witnesses, by whom he can prove his said services except his Brother Joseph Hewlett who now resides in the Town of Chester in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont, who had knowledge of a
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part of his said services, + whose Affidavit he has processed to that affect, & [illegible] As to his [illegible words] forthwith, & the general understanding & belief of his said services amongst his neighbours & acquaintance he affected[?] to them generally, & especially he expects to be able to procure the affidavit of the Revd John Whiteham a Clergyman of the Methodist congregation of which he is a Member, & who resided in that part of the Town of Dorset, & the nearest Clergyman to where he had principally resided & also of James Hickox Esqre another respectable neighbour who resides just little distance from him, [illegible] in the bounds of the adjoining town of Manchester, to the above [illegible] [illegible] - 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.
Thomas Hulett [signed]

Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid by & before me
Reuben H. Blackmer Req. Prob Court

We John Whiteham a Clergyman residing in the Town of Dorset in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont, & James Hickox of Manchester in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Hewlett who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be eighty eight years of age-that he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution & we concur in that opinion
John Whiteham
James Hickox

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid by & before me
M Clark Judge

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after [illegible] the interrogatories subscribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution & served as he stated - and the Court further certifies that it appeared to them that John Whiteham who had signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Dorset in said County of Bennington & that James Hickox, who has also signed the same is a resident of Manchester in the same County & is a credible Person & that their statement is entitled to credit. Certified by me
M. Clark Judge of Probate Court
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I Reuben H. Blackmer Register of the Probate Court in & for the Probate District of Massachusetts in the County of Bennington do hereby certify that the foregoing contained the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of the said Thomas Hewlett for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & have affixed the seal of our said Probate Court at Manchester aforesaid this 17th day of October AD. 1835. & of the Independence of the United States the sixtieth
Reuben H. Blackmer [signed] Register

Thomas Hulett
Vt

Suspended
[illegible] Nov 1835

S. Swift Esqr
Manchester
VT
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I Joseph Hewlett a resident of the Town of Chester in the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont aged eight two years, do testify depose + say that at or about the commencement of the revolutionary war I enlisted into Capt. Cole's Company  Col. Woodbridges Regiment of Massachusetts State Troops for the term of eight months - that I understood + think that I have a pretty clear recollection that my Brother Thomas Hewlett who now resides in the Town of Dorset in the County of Bennington in the same State of Vermont, was called out in an alarm at Belchertown in said State of Massachusetts, where we then lived in the month of April 1775, as about that time + if I recollect rightly in Capt Elijah Smiths Company to march to Boston or Cambridge or vicinity, + that he marched to Worcester + Ludbury as I understood + was dismissed + returned home, + that he was absent on said expedition a fortnight or about that time _ I have also like recollection + understanding, that he my said Brother Thomas, was again called out in another alarm about the latter part of June or first of July of the same year 1775. in the Company of Massachusetts militia commanded by Capt. [illegible] as I now believe, + marched to Cambridge near Boston where I was then stationed, where he was also stationed + did service at that time two months or more _ And I have a more distinct recollection that afterwards about the latter part of September or fore part of October of the same year 1775. That he my said Brother Thomas enlisted into a Company of Massachusetts State Troops commanded by Capt. Elijah Dwight + in the same (Col. Woodbridge.s) Regiment to which I belonged.  + that he marched to + was stationed at the same place ( Cambridge) where I was, at that time, where he did duty + continued to serve at least four months, + I should now think, something more.  Joseph Hewlett [signed]
State of Vermont }
Bennington County ss}Manchester Sept 23. 1835. Then, personally appeared before me, the above named Joseph Hewlett, + made solemn Oath, that the facts stated in the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed are true according to his best knowledge + belief
And I do hereby further certify that the said Joseph Hewlett is a credible Witness  Azel Morse Justice Peace
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State of Vermont 

To all to whom those present shall come,
I Henry Robinson Clerk of Bennington County Court, hereby certify that Azel Morse Esqr whos signature appears to the foregoing is a Justice of the peace in + for the County of Bennington duly qualified by Law to act as such + that his signature I believe to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name + affixed the Seal of Our County Court at Manchester this twenty third day of Septr A.D. 1835 - + Of the Independence of the United States the Sixtieth - 
Henry Robinson
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Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. [crossed out]

4940
P.O. Hulett
Thomas Hewlett [crossed out]
Service: July 18 '06
[illegible]
REJECTED
Enlisted: ___, 18  .
Discharged: _____, 18  .
Application filed: ______, 18   .
Alleges: 
Re-enlisted: 
Attorney: 
P.O. 

Recognized.    Contract.
Cert. of Dis.   Searched for ____, 18  .
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No 33393
Vermont
Thomas Hewlett
Suspended
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Aaron Boardman
Vt [illegible] 1832
Thomas Hewlett
Vt, [illegible] 1832

FREE
Hon. George C. Whiting, Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, 
D.C.
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Elijah (Mass 530999)
Abija Dunbar
Born in Virginia
about 1743
died in Clark Co
Kentucky 1855
about 112 yrs old.

Abjia Dunbar served 
as a solder in 
Revolutionary War
(He had a brother, 
a Captain a Tory 
in same war)
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Manchester Vt Nov. 5th 1858
Hon. Geo. C. Whiting, 
Hon. Sir, I wish [inserted: to present] to you, for review, two cases, very similar in their circumstances, & the principles, on which rest their decision, both of which have been suspended, in the Pension Office, for a great number of years, principally, on account of the death of the applicants, both of whom, died about the time of suspension. & since their death, their representatives have been unable, to procure additional testimony, to support their claims, as they know not where, or to whom, to apply. Neither of the claims, are of great amount, but, I consider them, both as meritorious. The cases I refer to, are of Thomas Hewlett, presented about or a little previous, to, Oct. 1835, V Aaron Boardman, presented, not far from Dec. 1834. Both died, quite a number of years since, & each has now, one surviving child, to whom, the small gratuity, to which they [inserted: would be entitled] would be very acceptable, if not needful. I intended to have defer,*, calling up these claims, until sometime, when I should be personally at Washington; but the two last times, I was there, were times of hurry & confusion & any business required, but a short stay. Since then, I have, at several times, been thwarted, or disappointed, in my purpose, to visit, or rather to pass thro; [underlined] there. In each of these cases, the service, for which they claim, was but a few days, or but a short time, over the six months, which would entitle to a pension. The proof exhibited in each case, was a few days short, of that period, exclusive of their own statements, under oath. & they were both too poor, to be at much expense, to hunt up, or procure, other testimony. The Statute, under which these claims were presented, authorized, or allowed, claimants, to substantiate their claims, by their won moths, under certain circumstances & I think that both these cases, were embraced within the rule. They [inserted: both] were men, of strict honesty & veracity, at least, in the opinion & estimation of their neighbors, & in that sense, men of respectability, altho' poor.
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And I would thank you, Hon. Sir, to do the claimants, in these cases, the favor, to review the decision, thereupon, upon the proof & showing there exhibited, & if in your opinion, the claims aught to be sustained, I will, upon notice thereof, forward to you, the proof, of the time of their death, & also the receival of their claims, by their legal representatives, with proper proof thereof, also, & you will greatly oblige, them, as well as, Hon. Sir, with due respect,
Your most obedt & C
S Swift
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Manchester Oct 24th 1835.
To the Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Hon. Sir, Enclosed I forward to you, the Declaration of Thomas Hewlett for a Pension—the reason for the delay of this application until this time, are partially stated by him therin—he is aged, quite infirm, as well as deaf, & had lived quite retired, & secluded almost from the world but has the reputation & appearance of being an honest man. 
I am Hon. Sir, very respectfully, your most dedt & c
S. Swift
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Jan, 22 1836.
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 [following handwritten:] the name of Thomas Hulett" is borne on the following roll. viz "A muster roll "for to draw the Billeting money for a company "of the Militia, under the command of Capt. Elijah Dwight." where he is allowed 166-miles travel. The year or time served, is not mentioned. Thomas Hulett claims for services in 1775 & 1776, under Capt. Shumervay, and under Capt. Dwight in Col. Woodbridges Regt. also under Capt. Elijah Smith, but the rolls are not found in this Office, except the one above mentioned.  
[Signature.] 
John P. Brigelow,
Secretary.
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W 23323—
Thomas Hulett
Free
[illegible] Feb 13
Thomas Hulett
The Hon. James L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Manchester Febr 4th 1836.
The Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Hon. [symbol] Sir: Agreeably to a requisition contained in a communication heretofore made by you to me, Mr. Thomas Hulett has applied at the Secy of States' Office, of the State of Mass. for a Certificate of his services during the revolutionary war & I have now the honor of enclosing to you the Certificate which
he obtained therefrom. It appears by the Certificate, that his name is on the roll of a Company named by him in his Declaration;
but the length of time of his services are not specified - but it also appears that the Rolls of the other Companies & Reg. referred to his Declaration, in which the others services named by him [illegible] = [illegible] are not found in that office. Thus & therefore, that, as this testimony was required solely on the ground that it was a higher & better kind of testimony, than that [underlined] produced by him, to prove the precise amount of time for which he served, & as for some cause or reason, or by some accident or neglect, it is missing, & can not now be had, the other will be admitted which I believe is conformable to the Rules & regulations heretofore established, & , I presume uniformly acted upon in the "War" & "Pensions" Offices respectively.

I have the honor to be Hon.[symbol] Sir:
very respectfully,
Yours [illegible]
S. Swift.
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S. Swift
2 Nov. 1835
O.b.

Rec. Vol. 37 pa 137.
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War Dept
Pension Off 
Oct [crossed out] Nov. 2 1835

Sir
The claim of Thomas Hewlett enclosed in yours of 24 inst has been examined & suspended. The regulations require that each claimant should produce the best evidence in his power. He should therefore procure the certificate of the Secy of the State of Mass in relation to each term of service, and the testimony of some of his ancient comrades & neighbors in & about Belchertown.

His papers are placed on file.

S. Swift Esq
Manchester
Vermont