Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14861, Jesse Williams, Vt.
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Service Vt.
Williams, Jesse
Number S.14861
carded
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Vermont 18759 Jesse Williams Windsor in the State of Vermont. who was a private in the Compy. commanded by Captain Woods of the Regt commanded by Col Herrick in the Vermont and Ma [Massachusetts] line for 12 months Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 21. Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Sept and sent to W. Palmer Woodstock Vt.   Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33    $54.15     Semiant. allowance ending 4 Mar. ’36  10.83    $64.98    {Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}   Recorded by E. C.  Brown, Clerk Book E  Vol. 3, Page 98
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Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 6 April 1838 from 4 Sept. 1841 to 27 January 1842
Agent notified 26 April 1845.
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Jesse Williams Declaration
20606
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STATE OF VERMONT } Windsor County, ss. } On this 26th day of November A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Harfor [Hartford ] District now sitting. Jesse Williams a resident of the county of Windsor and the State of Vermont, aged Seventy 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 7, 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.    
That in the year 1777 he lived in Woodstock Vermont some time in June in said year he volunteered under Colo. Olcott of Vermont Militia. Marched to Mount Independence Vermont Stationed there at a Fort till the army under Genl. St. Clair retreated and left the fort. Went to Hubbardton Vermont. staied there till after the Battle which took place the next morning after he arrived then returned home having served two or three weeks. Soon after he returned home, he enlisted into Capt. Woods Company in Colo Herrick Regiment ( Troops raised by what is now the State of Vermont) for six months marched to Manchester Vermont and there joined the company commanded by Genl. Lincoln. Benjamin Wait was Major in Colo. Herricks Regiment of Rangers -  so called    from that time he served as Waiter to the said Major Waite that Jesse Safford was a Lieut in the said Capt. Woods company some time after arriving at Manchester he with the Regiment that he belonged to volunteered in a private expediton under Colo. Brown went across Lake Champlain at the maneuver so called went on to Mount Defyance [Defiance] staied till night then the party decided one party surprised and took the British Troops encamped there and also took a Block [unreadable] at the falls and the troops encamped at the French lines and retook all the American prisoners took at Hubbardton the July before by the British
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and also destroyed the Boats and other Water Craft that conveyed the British troops across the Lake except what boats together with a stoop that was necessary to transport our troops to Dimond Island so called the troops under Col Brown made an attack on Dimond Island and was defeated and retreated to a Bay and then destroyed all the water craft then went by the way of fort Ann to Pallet Vermont staid there till after Burgoyn was taken then went to Mount Independence staid a short time then went to Pallet and staid there till he was discharge which was some time in January 1778 then he returned home    
he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services except the testimony accompanying this he was born in Mumfuld Connecticut June 14th AD 1761 that he has a record of his age in his Bible that in 1774 he removed to Woodstock Vermont where he has ever since lived and is known to the inhabitants generally and in particular to the Jasper Hagen and Walter Palmer Esq who can testify to his character for veracity their belief of his services as a solder of the Revolution
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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 aforesaid}  Jesse Williams
L Marsh, Register

We, Jasper Hazen a Clergyman residing in Woodstock and Walter Palmer residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jesse Williams who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, }
L Marsh Register
Jasper Hazen
Walter Palmer
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 Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jasper Hazen who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Woodstock and that Walter Palmer who has also signed the same, is a resident in Woodstock and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Lyndon A Marsh, Register of the Court of Probate of the District of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jesse Williams for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26 day of November
A. D. 1832
L Marsh Register
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20606
Jesse Williams

Admit
6 1/2 mos [months]

Walter Palmer Esq. [Esquire] 
Woodstock Vermont
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Sir: WAR DEPARTMENT. Pension Office, 183 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 shew 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. Statement, showing the service of Jesse Williams of Windsor County Vermont 
Period when the service was rendered.  vol to 1777  Duration of Claimants Service.  Served 2 or 3 weeks  Rank of the claimant.  Private   Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Capt.   Col. Olcott   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  None   Country through which he marched.  From Woodstock to Mt. Independence.  Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period.  Woodstock Vermont.  Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  Living witness  
Period when the service was rendered.  Soon after     Duration of Claimants Service.  6 months    Rank of the claimant.  Private    Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Capt. Woods    Col. Herrick  
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, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians 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 served 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. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons 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 then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary 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 day 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 Revolutionary 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 commission; but it 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 services 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. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
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 services. 
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To un Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
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. 
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, two 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 the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry 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 resides. 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 bis 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            mouths 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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. 
[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 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. The notes from [a] to [j] 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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TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
March 17th, 1845
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 third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Adm: [administrator] of Jesse Williams, decd [deceased] a Pensioner on the Roll of the Montpelier, Vt Agency, at the rate of Twenty one - Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1841, to the 27th January 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
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State of New York
Genesee County ss ⎬ 
On this 18th day of October 1832, personally appeared before me, John D. Safford Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, Jesse Safford, a resident of the Town of Pembroke in said County, aged seventy seven years, who after being duly sworn, deposeth [deposes] and saith; that in the year 1777, this deponent was a Lieutenant in Capt Woods company, in Col Herrick's Regiment, Vermont Militia; and that Jesse Williams, now residing in the town of Woodstock, in the State of Vermont was a private soldier in said company; that this deponent can not recollect the exact time when the said Williams enlisted, but confidently believes that it was about the 15th of July in that year, as this deponents commission was dated that day and the enlistment of the company was very soon completed. and this deponent further saith that the said Williams remained on duty in the service during that campaign. And this deponent further saith that his said commission expired on the 15th of January 1778 and that his said company was discharged at or about that time making a service of six months; and this deponent further saith that said Williams served the term of six months and was discharged with the rest of the company as near as this deponent can recollect, all of which facts are true according to the best of this deponents knowledge and belief, and further this deponent saith not -
Jesse Safford
Subscribed and Sworn to this 18th day of October 1832- before me, 
John D. Safford
Justice of the peace
I hereby Certify that I am acquainted with the within named Jesse Safford & he is a credible witness - John D. Safford Justice of the peace
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State of New York }
Genesee County. 
I. Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said county certify that John D. Safford Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been taken and made, was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and verily believe the signature "John D. Safford" subscribed to said affidavit to be his genuine hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this twentieth day of October A.D. 1832.
Timothy Fitch Clerk
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State of Vermont}
Windsor County ss}
Woodstock July 10th A.D. 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of peace within & for the County of Windsor, Jesse Williams who being duly Sworn, Deposeth [deposes] & Sayeth,  that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot Swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mention below & in the following grades
Days For six months & fifteen Days I served as a private & for such Service I Claim a Pension & for the time during which the service was performed I was not imployed [employed] in any civil pursuit that I Served with in imbodin Corpse [Corps] called into service by competent authority & performed the service as I have stated in my said Declaration which this is an addition or amendment those [illegible] - I further depose & say that I cannot obtain any testimony to prove my first term of service, that I know of no person now living who can testify for me to that service [illegible]
Jesse Williams
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above written 
Eliphalet Dunham Just. Peace
State of Vermont}
Windsor County ss}
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Eliphalet Dunham who has affixed his name to the above is a Magistrate duly qualified & that the same is his Genuine signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Woodstock this 13th day of July AD 1833-
Benj. Swan
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14861
INVALID.
Rev war
File No. 14. 861
Jesse Williams
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 413
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Hon Lewis Cass Secty [secretary] of War
Washington D. C.
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Woodstock Vemont July 15th 1833
Dear Sir
I herewith inclose [enclose] three Declaration for Pensions with additional 
affidavits &c, when an examination can be had I wish the returns Sent to
me [illegible]
Respectfully yours
Walter Palmer
Hon Lewis Cass
Secty [Secretary] of War