Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18040, Ebenezer Humphreys, Mass.
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Mass. 
Humphreys or Humphry, Ebenezer
S. 18040
carded
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7533
Indiana
Ebenezer Humpherys [crossed out and corrected as] Humphreys
of [illegible] in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Zucker of the Reg [?] commanded by Col Tyler in the Comm [crossed out]in line for 15 months  
[illegible]

Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana
at the rate of 30 [?] Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of April 1833 and sent to W. C. [illegible] Printers Retreat

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $100.00
Semi-anl. Allowance ending Sept 25.00
$125.00

[In {] Revolutionary Claim. Act June 7, 1833
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book E Vol 7 Page 114
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In the matter of
Ebenezer Humphreys } An applicant for a pension, under the act of Congress of June 7, A.D. 1832
Recorded in book F page 82 Edwd Patton clerk.
The state of Indiana, Switzerland county, SS: 
On this Eighteenth day of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared, in open court, before the honorable, the Circuit court, of the county aforesaid, being a court of record, Ebenezer Humphreys a residence of Switzerland county Indiana aged sixty nine years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his said oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress, passed the 7th of June, A.D. 1832 - that he the said Ebenezer Humphreys entered the service of the United States, during the AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - That he, the said Ebenezer served in A.D. 1777, in a company commanded by Capt. William Tucker in the regiment of Massachusetts Militia, commanded by Col Tyler. Again in 1778 or 1779, in a company commanded by Capt. Williams Moores, in the regiment of Massachusetts Militia commanded/he believes, but is not certain by Brintwood, and served in said regiment, nine months, by these successive enlistments of three months each--
And, that he hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
The Court, then propounded the following interrogatories to the said Ebenezer Humphreys - 
1. Where, and in what year were you born? I was born in the town of Oxford, Massachusetts, on the 8th of May 1763.
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? I have not = my name and age is recorded in Oxford, Mass? on the town books, ---
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live?  I lived then in Oxford aforesaid = went to N. Hampshire and lived about 5 years = then in Vermont about 35 years = then in Ohio, 1 year = in Indiana the last 15 years
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted - did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? I volunteered first tour and enlisted the last 3 times. 
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers, who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. 
He the said Ebenezer Humphreys in A.D. 1777, or 1778 volunteered and served as a private soldier, for six months, at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a company of Massachusetts Militia commanded by Capt. William Tucker, in the regiment commanded by Col. --- Tyler. After joining said company
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County, Massachusetts, [illegible] sachusetts Militia commanded by Capt. William Tucker, in the regiment commanded by Col. --- Tyler. After joining said compy we were marched to Rutland, Massachusetts (which was our head quarters) we march from Rutland to guard prisoners taken from Burgoin, at Stillwater = we guarded them to near Cattskill, when we were met by some troops from the South, who took charge of our prisoners, and we returned to Rutland - were we lay until our terms of service expired and we were dismissed = there was another company of Massachusetts Militia with ours at Rutland only = the captains name of that company, I have forgotten. Again in February of 1778 or 1779, (1779 he believes) He the said Ebenezer, at Oxford aforesaid enlisted and continues to serve, three tours in succession, in a company of Massachusetts Militia commanded by capt. William Moores (he calls them Militia but believes they were continenal troops, and wishes the records and rolls, examined). He joined said company at West Point And during this tour, he was marched to New Jersey and lay some time at Trenton but cannot recollect how long.= some Massachusetts and New Hampshire regiments of Militia, lay at Trenton, at the same time. General Sullivan was there. Col Smally, commanded one of the New Hampshire regiments = Major Rayment, was in the service, also from N. Hampshire = we were discharged or dismissed at West Point. General Hazen, was in command at Reading Pennsa while while our troops lay there
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6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? I never received a written discharge.-
7. State the names 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. Aribert Gazlay William Cunningham, Levi Maples Wm B Chamberlin, Abel C. Pepper, Caleb Craft Samuel Jack--
8. Have you any documentary evidence of your services, and do you know of know of any person now living whose testimony you can procure to testify to your services? I have none and know no person being alive, by whom I can prove said service. -
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid }
Edward Patton Clerk.}
Ebenezer his Humphrey
x mark

We John Pavy a clergyman, residing in Switzerland county and state of Indiana and Samuel Blake [crossed out] Bela Hearick residing in Switzerland county, state of Indiana hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Humphrey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age- the he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the REVOLUTION, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, } John Pavy [signed]
Edward Patton Clerk. } Saml Blake [crossed out]
Bela Harnick [signed]

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 Ebenezer Humphrey was a REVOLUTIONARY SOLIDER, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that the John Pavy who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in Switzerland county and state of Indiana and that Bela Hearick who also signed the same, in a resident in Switzerland county and state of Indiana and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit.
M C. Eggleston Presd Judge
[illegible] associate
Elisha Golay, associate

I, EDWARD PATTON, clerk of the Switzerland Circuit Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Humphry for a pension

[seal]   In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand, and affix the seal of said Court at Vevay this Twenty Seventh day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty two
Edward Patton Clk
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E. Humphreys
13.559

Direct to W.C. Keen
Printer's Retreat
Indiana
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May 16, 1939

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mr., Robert E. Espey   Ebenezer Humbhreys
316 Walnut Street       S. 18040
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania    BA=J/MLB

Sear Sir:

Reference is mase to your letters of recent date, in which you requested the Revolutionary War records of William Espy who was born in Ireland in 1740, came to this country early in 1774, settled in Tyrone Township, Westmoreland County, and later in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and served in the Revolutionary War, also the Revolu-tionary war of 1818 record of Ebenezer Humphrey (S. 18040) who, you state was born in oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, May 8, 1763. married Huldah Kenney who was born at Corinth, Vermont, and they has sons, Stephen born 1791, who married Hannah Barrows, and Arthur born 1796, who married Catherine Tripp, also that the soldier Ebenezer Humphrey dies March 23, 1841, and was buried in Switzerland County, Indiana.

There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of William Espy, under any spelling of the surname.  Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by the Veterans Administration.  The pension granted to Ebenezer Humphreys under the file number cited by you, S. 18040, was for service rendered in the Revolutionary War.  His record follows as found in pension claim S. 18040, based on his service in that war.  It is not stated that he served in the war of 1818.  His record follows as found in petition claim S. 18040, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.  

Ebenezer Humphreys was born May 8, 1763, in Oxford, Massachusetts, where his birth was recorded in the Town Clerk's Office.  The names of his parents were not stated.

While a resident of Oxford, Massachusetts, Ebenezer Humphreys volunteered in 1777 and served six months as private in Captain William Tucker's company, Colonel Tyler's Massachusetts regiment.  He enlisted in February, 1778 or 1779 and served as a private in Captain William Moore's company, Colonel Brintwood's Massachusetts regiment,  this service consisted on three tours of three months each.
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After the Revolution the soldier resided five years in New Hampshire, thirty-five years in Vermont, one year in Ohio, then moved to Indiana.

Ebenezer Humphreys was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Switzerland County, Indiana.

There are no family data shown in the claim.

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possible the date of death of Ebenezer Humphreys, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Ebenezer Humphreys, certificate #7555, issued April 26, 1833, rate, $50 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Indiana Agency.

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

-2-
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., April 15, 1896.

O.W. & N. Div.
F.S.
M.E.C.
I.18040.

Sir:
In returning herewith your letter of April 3, 1896, you are advised that Ebenezer Humphrey made an application for pension on September 18, 1832, at which time he was residing in Switzerland, Ind., and his pension was allowed for fifteen months actual service as a private in the Massachusetts troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time served under Capt. William Tucker and Col. Tyler.

He was born in Oxford, Mass., May 5, 1763, and resided there when he entered the service.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Wallace H. White, Esq.,
Lewiston, Maine.
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ROBERT H. ESPEY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
316 WALNUT STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA.

TELEPHONE
LOMBARD 4221

RECEIVED APR 18 1939
MAIL [illegible] DIV.
[illegible] 35

April 17th, 1939.

Veterens Administration, 
Washington, D.C.

Re: Revolutionary War Service - Ebenezer Humphrey

Gentlemen:

I am endeavoring to obtain authentic information, relative to the Revolutionary War record of Ebenezer Humphrey, one of my ancestors. The only information I have to date, is the following: 

EBENEZER HUMPHREY - S-18040. Born in Worchester County, Oxford, Massachusetts, May 8, 1763. Enlisted as a private in Captain Tucker's Regiment of Colonel Tyler in Massachusetts line for fifteen months. Inscribed on the rolls of Indiana Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per annum.
Wife, Huldah Keeney, born at Corinth, Vermont. Sons, Stephen, born 1791; married Hannah Barrows. Arthur, born 1796; married Catherine Tripp.

Ebenezer Humphrey - S-18040; the War of 1812. He is buried at Querous Grove, Switzerland County, Indiana. Grave stone inscription - Ebenezer Humphrey. Born in Massachusetts May 8, 1762. Departed this life March 23, 1841.
Record recorder in Complete Record Book F, page 81, Switzerland County, Indiana.

Can you advise me what the records available in Washington show, as to whether or not Mr. Humphrey was enlisted in the Colonial Troops; or in any way, served in the cause of American Independence.

From unofficial family records, it appears that he was a Revolutionary Soldier; but it also appears, from the foregoing information, that the No. S-18040 may refer to a Pension Claim relating to service in the War of 1812. Such information as you are in a position to give me in this connection will be very much appreciated.

Very truly yours, 

Robert H. Espey [signed]
RHE/B
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[illegible] P 18040   Apr. 15/96 Soldier pensioned
Wallace H. White  Lewiston
1939.May.16 - Hist. to Robt H. Espey - [illegible]B

INVALID.
18040

File No. 

Ebenezer Humphrey

Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32

Index: - Vol. 1, Page 436

[Arrangement of 1870.}
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GIDEON, PRINTER

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 
July 7th, 1843.
Sir: 
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Adm: of Ebenezer Humphreys, dec; a Pensioner on the Roll of the Madison, Ind. Agency, at the rate of -fifty- Dollars and [crossed out] Cents [crossed out] per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4t of Sept. 1839. to the 4th March 1840.
Respectfully, yours, 
Albion K. Parris [signed]
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, 
Present.
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Printer's Retreat Indiana
Oct 4 1832     file

Oct. 10 Lewis Cass Secy of War
Washington City
D.C.
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B.559 to 60
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Printers Retreat Indiana
October 4. 1832
Sir
Inclosed I forward the application of Ebenezer Humphreys Robert Rickets and Isaac Levy for pensions under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832.
I have the honor to be 
Your obe Servt
William C. Keen
Honble Lewis Cass.
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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 Ebenezer Humphreys which require further proof or 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? Yes

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 amout [sic] of pension he is entitled? Yes

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

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of 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
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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, and 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? -
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? -
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulation direct? -

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 by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes

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.
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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 (italics) about three or four months (end italics) is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn [sic] 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 garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

QUERE XIV. (Italics) Proof of Service. (end italics)
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 claimants 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.

QUERE XVI. (italics) Mode of authenticating papers. (end italics)
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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which much pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.