Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28981, Silas Bacon, Mass.

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(3-1776)

SERVICE
Massachusetts

Bacon, Silas

NUMBER
S. 28981

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15148

Massachusetts
Silas Bacon
of Dover in the State of Massachusetts
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Winch of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Bullard in the Massachusetts line for 13 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May 1833 and sent to J. Ware, Dedham

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - $86.66
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 September - $21.66
= $108.32

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by W. L. Williams, Clerk
Book E Vol. 2, Page 6

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Silas Bacon
15199

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

County of Norfolk, ss. On this twenty first day of September in th year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable John M. Hillary of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Dedham in and for County, Silas Bacon a resident of Dover, in said County, aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on. his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, A.D. 1832.
That he was born at Dedham in that part which is now Dover, on the eleventh day of September A.D. 1758, and that there is a record of his birth on the blank leaf of his father's Bible; that he was in the United States service form the first day of August A.D. 1777, to the first day of December A.D. 1777 as a Private in the infantry in the Massachusetts line; that he was residing at Natick when he entered the service; that he was drafted for four months, and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Joseph Wench of Framingham, Captain Joshua Fisk, Lieutenant Colonet Samuel Bullard; that he marched from Framingham to Bennington and Manchester, Vermont, thence to Lake George, the Diamond Island, thence to Saratoga; that he served with General Gales army of the regular troops; and General Gales & Colonel Whiting regular officers were known to him; that he was in the battle at Lake George Landing. and at the end of his service received a discharge verbally at White Plains; that he left the service on or about 1st December 1777 and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided in that part of Dedham, which is now called Dover.
Also: that he was in the United States service from [cross out]the [end cross out] about the first day of January A.D. 1778, to the first day of April A.D. 1778 as a private; in the Infantry of Massachusetts Line the he was residing at Natck when he entered the service; that he enlisted for three months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Samuel Burbank, Lieutenant Joshua Leland; that he marched for Natick to Rhode Island to the town of North Kingston where he was stationed with the Guards.
 That he served with none  of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him; that he was in no battle at the end of his service he received a discharge verbally and left the service on or about the first of April 1778.
Also: that he was in the United States service from the about the first day of August A.D. 1778, to the about the first day of November A.D. 1778 as a private in the Infantry of Massachusetts line; that he was residing at Dedham when he entered the service; that he enlisted for three months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Ebenezer Everett, Samuel Dogged Lieutenant; that he marched from Dedham to Taunton to Portsmouth on Rhode Island thence to the line near Newport; that he served with none of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him; that he was in Butts Hill battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge verbally and left the service on or about the first of November 1778, but not finding documents of which he comfurts the term of service at two or three months;

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Also that he was in the United States Service from the last of July or first of August A.D. 1780 to about the last of October 1780 as aforesaid in the Infantry of Massachusetts line; that he was rending at Dedham where he entered the service, that he enlisted for the term of three months & served the [illegible] aforesaid under the command of Captain Moses Bullard, Enoch Kingsley [illegible] Lieutenant Colonel Ebenezer Thayer; that he marched from Dedham through Taunton to Tiverton in the state of Rhode Island thence over Slades Ferry to Rhode Island stationed part of the time near Newport Town the [illegible] thereof at Portsmouth at a place called Buttston [sp] and served there dismissed on the 31st day of October 1780.

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.
Silas Bacon
Sworn to and subscribe ed the day and year first aforesaid.

We Ralph Sanger a Clergyman residing in the District of [illegible] and Josiah Draper residing in said [illegible] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Silas Bacon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is repute and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, the last named was in the same company with him at Rhode Island.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Ralph Sanger
Josiah Draper

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 certify that it appears to them that Ralph Sanger who has signed the producing certificate, is a clergyman resident of the District of Dover; and that Josiah Draper who has also signed the same is a resident in Dover and are credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. M. Williams, J.C.C.P.

I Jaines Ware Clerk, of the Court of Common Please, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Silas Bacon for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Jaines Ware
[illegible]

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[typed form with handwritten entries] BRIEF in the case of Silas Bacon of Dover in the State of Mass'ts
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  open court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?  73 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.
1 [illegible] In 1777 | 4 months | Private | Capt. Winch Col Bullard
1 [illegible] 1778 | 3 months | Private | Capt Burbank
1 [illegible] 1778 | 3 months | Private | Capt Everett Col McIntosh
1 [illegible] 1780 | 3 months | Private | Capt Bullard [illegible] Thurges
5. In what battles was he engaged?  none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Natick Mass'ts
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses
[8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Michael Cutts
examining clerk.

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28981
Revolutionary INVALID.

File No 28, 981
Silas Bacon
Private, Revolutionary War

Act: June 7th '32
Index: Vol. 2, Page 24
(Arrangement of 1870.)

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I Joshua Whiting of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of the age of seventy four years do hereby testify and say, that Silas Bacon of Dover County & Commonwealth aforesaid, was a Soldier in the same company with me in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight and served the term of ^two or three months in the line of Massachusetts Militia, which term of service commenced about the first of August 1778. the Regiment then being commanded by Colonel Williams McIntosh of Needham, in the company of Captain Ebenezer Everett, Samuel Daggit being Lieutenant, both of Dedham, the Company paraded in Dedham, marched from there through Taunton to Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island thence over Shoots ferry to Portsmouth on Rhode Island thence to the lines near Newport, the enemy then being in possession of that town, from then retreated back to Portsmouth to a place called Butte Hill near which we were in a short engagement with the enemy thence, retreated off the Island to Tiverton, thence to Warrick creek where we were dismissed.
Further deponent saith not.
Joshua Whiting
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk, [illegible] September 22nd 1832. Then the above named Joshua Whiting personally appeared under solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him [illegible]. I further certify that he is a credible witness.
Jonathan H. Cobbs
Justice of the Peace

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Baruch Lealand of Sherborn in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts bing of the age of seventy do hereby testify that Silas Bacon of Dover in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth foresaid was a soldier in the same company with me in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, and served the term of four months in the Massachusetts line of Militia which term commenced the beginning of August, and term ended the beginning of December of the same year. The Regiment then being commanded by Colonel Samuel Bullard of Sherborne in company of Joseph Winch of Framingham, Joshua Fisk of Natick being Lieutenant; the company paraded in Farmington and marched to Bennington and Manchester in Vermont, from thence were detached under the command of Colonel Brown of Vermont marched from thence to Lake George, and was defeated at Diamond Island. Marched from thence to [illegible] by way of Skenesborough from thence to Saratoga was ^present at the surrender of Burgoyne, thence down the Hudson River to Tarrytown and White Plains in the State of New York.
Furthermore, I also served with said Bacon three months in the winter next succeeding the above state in the State of Rhode Island which ^time of service commenced about the last of December or first of January in the year one thousand and seven hundred and seventy eight under the command of Captain Samuel Burbank of Holliston and Lieutenant Joshua Lealand of Sherborn, the Company being [illegible] into severals guards. Have no recollection of it. Regiment being formed at that period and have no knowledge of field officers except that a Colonel Taylor had commanded in that vicinity. We were stationed at the House of one Runnells in the town of North Kingston in Rhode Island to guard against the encroachment of the cove of an enemy's ship of war, which lay opposite our station in Narragansett Bay; and was thence dismissed.
Further deponent saith not
Barak Lealand

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Middlesex, ss.
August 4th 1832, There the within named Barak Leland made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true and I here certify that the said Barak Leland is a man of truth and a credible witness.
Dalton Goulding, Justice of Peace.

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I Josiah Draper of Dover in the County of Norfolk and commonwealth of Massachusetts being at the age of twenty four years, do hereby testify and say, that Silas Bacon of said Dover, County of and Commonwealth aforesaid, was a soldier in the same company with me in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty, and served the term of three months in the Massachusetts line of Militia, which term of service commenced by own enlistment in the Town of Dedham the last of July or first of August; the Regiment then being commanded by Colonel Ebenezer Thayer of Braintree in the company of Captain Moses Bullard, Enoch Kingsbury being Lieutenant, both of Needham. The company paraded in Dedham, marched from hence through Taunton to Rivertown in the state of Rhode Island, thence over Slades Ferry to Rhode Island, stationed part of the time near Newport Town; the remainder thereof at Portsmouth at a place called Butts Hill and there dismissed the 30 or 31 day ofOctober, of the same year.
further deponent saith not.
Josiah Draper

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk, ss.
Then personally appeared the above named Josiah Draper & [illegible]cautioned & sworn according to law & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me.
Jonathan H. Cobbs
Justice of Peace
I further certify that said Josiah Draper is a credible witness & a man of truth.
Jonathan H. Cobbs
Justice of Peace

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.

I Jairus Ware, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County Norfolk, hereby Certify that Jonathan H. Cobbs Esquire. is a Just of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed affidavits respectfully is genuine and true.

In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of th eSupreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twenty first day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jairus Ware

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In Rev Battles & Silas Bacon [illegible]

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[Left side]
Levi Lincoln

[Right side]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By his Excellency Levi Lincoln, Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:

Know Ye, that Chester Adams Esquire and Dalton Goulding Esquire are Justices of the Peace, for the county of Middlesex in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to their Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.

In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1832, and in the fifty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America.

By His Excellency the Governor,
Edward D. Bangs
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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Silas Bacon

Private
13 months administered

J. Ware
Dedham
Massachusetts

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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 Silas Bacon, Dover Massachusetts 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 amount of pension he is entitled? yes

VI. Has he given the names 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? 
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?
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? yes
If he had produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear form 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 applicants service? yes
XVI. ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
SVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if 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, etc. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposits 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 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 militias, etc. 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 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 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. Made 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 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 form 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.