Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18447, Jacob Hills, Conn.
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Conn
Hills, Jacob
Number
S18447
Carded
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29/42
Massachusetts
Jacob Hills
Hampden in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Cone of the Reg commanded by Col. Wells in the[crossed out] Conn.
[illegible] for 8 mo.

[light printing illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass 
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Aug.
1822 and [illegible] R.D. Morris
Springfield

]right hand side]
See letter to R.D.
Morris  Springfield
Map Oct 21 1833
G.C.

Arrears to the 4th of Ma. '[illegible] $53.33
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sep [illegible' 13.33
$66.66
{evolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by [illegible] Clerk,
Book 6. Vol 3 Page 34
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12/34
Jacob Hills

Private 8 Months

P h02

14 of 
May 16 1837 [?]

R.D. Morris Esq
Justin Willard
Springfield
Mass
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BRIEF in the case of Jacob Hills of Long  meadow
County of Hampden in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 68

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period  
Duration of Service   Years Months Days
Rank   
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
August in 1779 
  --2--
As a substitute for [illegible] 
Col. Feliz [illegible] Capt Cone Militia

June 1780
--1--
Substitute for Benjamin [illegible] King
Col. Starr

5, In what battles was he engaged?  not any

6. Where do he reside when he entered the service? Enfield, Connecticut

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by rolls? living witnesses 8 traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Chas. S. Wilcox Examining Clerk,
2nd March 1833
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Jacob Hills
Declaration with the
Depositions of Hill Gowdy
Ebenr Prior

12.634
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampden ss.
On this Twenty seventh day of August, in the year of Our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two personally app[eared in open court before Oliver B Morris Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Hampden now sitting at Springfield within and for said County Jacob Hills a resident of Longmeadow in said County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty eight years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he entered the service in the Connecticut Militia in the month of August in the year 1779 as a militia, under an order for a draft, at Enfield Connecticut for two months and immediately marched for New London in a company commanded by Capt Cone in the Regiment Commanded by Col Wells and was stationed in the City of New London and performed guard duty near the light house. That he was verbally discharged on the parade sometime in October (does not recollect the day) after having served out the time of his engagement which was two months and returned home; that he does not recollect the names of any other officers than thus he has mentioned. That he did not receive a written discharge, and he has no other documentary evidence of this service than the Depositions of Hill Gowdy and Ebenezer Prior which are hereunto annexed and that he knows of no other person by whom he can prove his service now living.

That in the month of June in the year 1780 he again entered the service of the United States in the Connecticut militia as a substitute for Benjamin King of Enfield who was drafted at Enfield Connecticut under an order for a draft of the militia for a term of six months, that he marched
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from Enfield through Hartford, to Danbury Connecticut where the militia were mustered. That he has forgotten the names of the officers of the company to which he belonged but recollect that he was in Col Starrs Regiment and in General Huntingtons Brigade. That he was marched from Danbury to Nelsons Point - opposite West Point - where the Regiment encamped about three weeks and from there they marched to Peekskill to a place called Thuderhill where they remained awhile and then marched to Kings Ferry and crossed the River into New Jersey and went to Orange Town - and there remained awhile - that they were marched from place to place, in that vicinity, and finally went to Totoa, where they remained awhile and were again marched back to Peekshill where he was dismissed in the month of December following having served and six months the time of his engagement.  He recollects that James Benjamin of Hartford was the orderly Sergeant of the company but the other officers he cannot recollect. That he never received a written discharge. He recollects to have seen Ge. Washington, Gen. Stuben and Ge. Poor during his service, and he also recollects of hearing of the death of Gen Poor during this campaign. That he does not know of any person living who served in the Company or Regiment with him and the only documentary evidence which he can offer is the Deposition of Hill Gawdy which is hereunto annexed. Who saw him during this service. That he was born in Enfield Connecticut in December 1763 and has resided in Enfield and around Longmeadow ever since the Revolutionary War and that said towns adjoin each other; that he has no knowledge of any record of his age. That he resided in Enfield when he entered the service. That he served in the whole eight months. That Maj Andrew was executed while on this last mentioned term & there he saw the gallows & grave the day before he was executed. [illegible] Taylor & Seth Taylor can testify as to his character for veracity. He 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 beforesaid.
Jacob Hills
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We, Er Taylor & Stephen Ashby & Seth Taylor all of Longmeadow of Hampden hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jacob Hills who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Er Taylor
Stephen Ashby
Seth Taylor

And the said Court, after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department & after fully investigating the matter, do hereby certify that it is their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that Er Taylor, Stephen Ashby and Seth Taylor who have expressed the preceding certificate are all resident in Longmeadow and are credible jurors & that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Justice Willard, Register of said Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Jacob Hills for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Justin Willard
Registrar
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The written Deposition of Ebenezer Prior was taken at the request of Jacob Hills to be used in a  an application of the J Hill for a pension and to be [illegible] by the Person or Persons before whom [illegible] application is heard
Taken  + sealed tup this4th day of Augt 1832

by [illegible] Lorrain T. Pease Justice of  Peace
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I Ebenezer Prior of Enfield in the County of Hartford & state of Connecticut of lawful age depose & say that I was well acquainted with Jacob Hills formerly of Enfield now residing in Longmeadow in the State of Massachusetts before & during the Revolutionary War. That in the year 1779 in the month of August Jacob Hills went to New London in a company of men drafted from the militia under the command of a Capt Cone of Hebron or Bolton Moses Hall Lieut & Samuel Bancraft Ensign that he served [illegible] New London about two months according to my best recollection that Col Jonathan Wells of East Hartford commanded the Regt to which he belonged that I served in the same company with him during the Tour as a Sergeant & further the deponent saith not.
Ebenezer Prior
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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford}ss Enfield Aug 7th 1832

Then personally appeared before me Lorrain T Pease Esq a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid. Ebenezer Prior, who in my presence subscribed his name to the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same. The foregoing deposition taken at the request of Jacob Hills to be used in an application of the said Jacob Hills for a pension undere the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 before any Tribunal proper to hear & try the same.
Lorrain T. Pease, Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
Hartford County} Enfield 22nd May 1833
I further certify that the aforesaid deponent Ebenezer Prior is a resident of the town of Enfield in the County of Hartford & is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit.
Lorrain T. Pease Justice of Peace
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I Hill Gowdy of Enfield in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut of Lawful age depose & say that I am well acquainted with Jacob Hills formerly of said Enfield now of Longmeadow in the State of Massachusetts. That I was well acquainted with said Hills before & during the Revolutionary War that in the year 1779 the said Hills served as a private soldier in Capt Cones Company of Militia as New London in a Regiment under the command of Col Jonathan Wells of East Hartford according to my best recollection for the term of three months that I served with him in the same company. That in the year 1780 I again saw the said Hills in the service with the main army under General Washington that I served with him in the same Brigade but not in the same company or regiment. That I do not know what company or regiment said Hills was in nor how long he served but I then understood he was in service for six months. That my Father visited me while I was in garrison at Totoway in New Jersey & brought clothes to me and he also brought cloths for said Hills from home & further he saith not.
Hill Gowdy
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State of Connecticut
Hartford County} ss Enfield 7th Aug 1832

Then personally appeared before me Lorrain T Pease Esq a Justice of Peace for said county Hill Gowdy who in my presence subscribed his name to the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same. The foregoing deposition taken at the request of Jacob Hills to be used on the hearing of his application for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 before any tribunal proper to hear the same Lorrain T. Pease Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
Hartford County} Enfield 22 May 1833
I further certify that the aforesaid deponent Eben. Prior is a resident in the town of Enfield County of Hartford & is a credible person that his statement is entitled to credit.
Lorrain T. Pease Justice of Peace
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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford}ss
I Jared Griswold clerk of the county court for the county of Hartford aforesaid, do hereby certify that Lorrain T. Pease Esq before when the foregoing affidavits of Ebenezer Prior & Hill Gowdy was taken was on the seventh day of August A.D. 1832 a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hartford, & I believe that the signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have signed my name & affixed my seal of office this 20th day of August A.D. 1832
Jared Griswold Clerk of Co Hd Co Connecticut
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The within deposition of Hill Gowdy was taken at the request of Jacob Hills to be used in the hearing of his application for a pension & to be opened by said Person or Persons before whom said application is heard. Taken & sealed on this 7th day of Augt 1832.
by [illegible] Lorrain T. Pease Jus of Peace
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P 18447

Invalid

File No. 18,447
Jacob Hills
Pri. Rev. Wars

Act: June 7th 1832
Index:--Vol. 1, Page 432

(Arrangement of 1870)
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J L Edwards Esq
Commissionor of Pensions
Washington City
DC
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Springfield [illegible] May 23, 1883
Sir
The declaration of Jacob Hills accompanying this letter (being one sent to the war department by me in September last,) was several days [illegible] by Justin Willard Esq then Clerk of the Court of Probate for this County the same having been sent to [illegible] through mistake. I have procured the certificate of the magistrate before whom the depositions annexed to the declaration were taken. As to the credibility of the witnesses being the only objection contained in the brief [illegible] the declaration. I have also procured the Clerk of Probate Court to attach the papers together with a string & placed their ends under the seal of the court. I hope said certificate may be granted and sent to me as early as possible. I have [illegible] name of Justin Willard from the back of the brief and put on any previous name lest another mistake occur.
I am respectfully yours &c
Richard D. Morris
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19634

Jacob Hills

Richard D. Morris

Justin Willard [crossed out]

Springfield

Map
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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 Jacob Hills, which require further proof or explanation.

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
2. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
3. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 
4. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
5. *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 [it is spelled wrong] of pension he is entitled? Yes
6. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
7. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
8. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
9. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
10. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which is can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2

11. 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 [it is crossed out]
12. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes [it is crossed out]
13. 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?
14. + 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 as produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the offical character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
15. 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? Yes
16. ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
17. 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 5. 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 -aith, 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, ---- 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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3

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 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 [typo? shown] under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place  of 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. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of thee 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 adminster 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 authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate muat 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.
[hand pointing to indented paragraph] 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.