Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 30,241, Elias Adams, Mass

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(3- 1776)
Service                                                 Number
Mass          Adams, Elias                $ 30,241

Contents
f, June 10, 1764 in Brookfield Mass.
res. at eul, Medway Mass-
res in 1833 Spencer, Worcester So Mass

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To
Worcester

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15571
Massachusetts
Elias Adams
of Worcester in the State of Mass
who was a Mato in the Company commander
by Captain Lincoln of the Rje. commander 
by [illegible] Neff in the Mass
line for 3 Months + 6 days
[illegible signature]
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 2H Dollars cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 2Hth day of June
1835 and Sent James 
Draper Spencer, Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March '33                                      $48.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept.                              12.00
                                                                                                     $ 60.00
                                                                                     {Revolutionary Claim,
                                                                                       Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by: [illegible signature].                                                    Clerk
Book 3            Vol. 2  ?                   Page 1

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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7, 1832,
State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester
On this Eleventh day of February - 1833 personally appeared in
open court, before me Nathaniel Paine Esquire Judge of the court
of Probate for the said county of Worcester now sitting Elias Adams
a resident of the town of Spencer in the County of Worcester
and state of Massachusetts aged sixty eight 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 sometime
in the month of July 1780, he enlisted into company of
Massachusetts State Troopes or Malitia, said company was commanded
by Capt. Nathan Thayer, in the regiment commanded
by Col. Ebenezer Thayer. We marched immediately from Medway,
Mass, to Great Barrington, Mass, was stationed there a few days
then marched to West Point, New York, where we were stationed
most of the remainder of the term, except when out on scouting
expeditions, which was very often and was discharged sometime
in the month of October the same year, being out in the said
service more than three months, according to the return of
the Secratary of this Commonwealth, three months and six
days. Also, sometime in the month of July 1781, the said Elias
Adams, enlisted into another company of Massachusetts
State Troops or Malitia, commanded by Capt. Lincoln, in the
regiment commanded by Col. Webb, belonging to Boston,
marched from said Medway again to West Point, N. York,
and was stationed there a part of the time, but was employed
most of the time out on scouting parties in various
parts of the country, was sometimes at White Plains, and other
places, and was discharged at a place called Gallows Hill,
or Pecks[?] Hill, sometime in the month of November according
to the best of my remembrance, being out in the
last tour of duty four months. For proof of this last tour of
service, reference is had to the Deposition of Amzi Holbrooke,

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which is hereunto annexed. Both terms of service amounting
at least to seven months and six days. Said Elias Adams was born 
in the town of Brookfield, Mass. June 10, 1764, and supposes the
record of his birth is in the clerk's office in said town. Lived
in said Brookfield about twelve years, then removed with his
father to the town of Medway, Mass, then removed back again
to said town of Brookfield, and lived there about twenty seven
years more, then removed to the town of Spencer, Mass. where
he has lived ever since, and where he lives now. Lived in said
Medway when he entered into the United States service, both tours,
was not drafted, but enlisted voluntarily, and has never received
a written discharge. Reference may be had to Jonas Bemis Esq,
Capt. James Capen, Doct. Jonas Guilford or Rufus Adams, who
are some of my neighbours, and who can testify as to my character
for truth. Have no documentary evidence, except from the
records of the secratarys office, a certificate from Edward D. Bangs,
the secratary is hereunto annented[?].
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or,
annuity except present, and declares that his name is not on
the pension roll of the agency of any state.
        Attest James Draper                  Elias Adams
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
	Befne [Before] Nathl Paine Judge of Probate
		For the County of Worcester

We Levi Packard, a clergyman, residing in the town of Spencer,
aforesaid, and William Pope Esquire, residing in the same
town of Spencer, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Elias Adams, who has applied for a pension, as above, that we 
believe him to be sixty eight 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 this eleventh [faded]            Levi Packard [sig faded]
day of February A.D. 1833                                       William Pope [sig faded]
Before me James Draper Just. Peace

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Elias Adams
22747

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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 appears to them that Levi Packard who has
signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, residing in the
town of Spencer, aforesaid, and that William Pope, Esquire,
who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town
of Spencer, and is a Justice of the Peace, and a creditable person, 
and their statement is entitled to credit

Attest James Draper                                 Elias Adams 
	Nathl Paine Judge of Probate
	For the County of Worcester

Worcester Js[?] Commonwealth of Massachusetts
		   I Theophilus Wheeler register of the court of
		   Probate for said county of Worcester do hereby
		   certify that the foregoing contains the original
		   proceedings of the said court in the matter
		   of the application of Elias Adams for a pension
		   and that James Draper before whom the
		   annexed affidavits was made, is a Justice
		   of the Peace in For the county of Worcester
		   and that the signature purporting to be
		   his signature is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said court this eleventh day of February
in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty three
			Theophs Wheeler Reg of said county

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Jan [illegible marking] 16th 1833.
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 Elias Adams has served under Captn 
Nathan Thayer in Col Ebenezer Thayer's
Regiment from July 14th to Oct 9 1780 Three
months + 6 days
Edward D Bangs [illegible signature]

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I Amzi Holbrook of Bellingham in the county of Norfolk
and state of Massachusetts, being sixty nine years of age
do testify and say, that sometime in the month of July
A.D. 1781, I enlisted into a company of Massachusetts
Malitia for the service of the Revolution commanded by Capt.
Lincoln of Hingham the name of the Lieutenant was
Hancock of Wrentham in the regiment commanded
by Col. Webb of Boston, we marched from home within
a few days after our enlistment to West-Point N. York, we
were stationed at West-Point a part of the time was out on
scouting parties a part of the time, and was discharged
at a place called Pecks hill(?) sometime in the month of
November in the same year being in the service aforesaid
four months, and Elias Adams then of Medway in
said county but now of Spencer in the county of
Worcester was a soldier with me in the same 
company during the same time Amzi Holbrook {sig}

	Worcester Js.(?) January 18th. 1833

Then the above named Amzi Holbrook personally
Appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace
for said county of Worcester and was sworn to the truth of
the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me			James Draper Just. Peace

I hereby certify that the above named deponent, Amzi Holbrook
[illegible: btm corner page folded over] a good character for truth and veracity  
					James Draper Just. Peace

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22747
Elias Adams
Mass
Pay at 7 Mot + 6 days
[M in scribbled signature]

2333
   .64
--------
24.00

James Draper
[Illegible city in Massachusetts], Mass

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
                                                                                                                                         Pension Office,
                                                                                                                                                                                 183
Sir:
               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 show 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, bu complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your 
claim.
[line across the page]

A Statment, showing the Service of Elias Adams 
                                                                     Worcester Co Mass
[double line across page]
Period when 
the service
was rendered         Duration of the             Rank of                  Names and Rank     Names and Rank.   Battles in which            Country through            Place of abode              Evidence by
                                 claimant's service.         the claimant.       of the Company        of the General      the applicant was         which he marched.    when he entered      which the decla-
                                   Years. Months. Days.                                        officers under         and Find officers          engaged.                                                          the service, and age           ration is sup-
                                                                                                                    whom he served.                                                                                                                                      at the present                    ported.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   period. 
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   more than                                                     Cadd                            Col  --                        Bone                                 New York                              68 ys                 documentary  
Enlist 1780              -            3             6                     priv                             Thayer                        Thayer                        }                                       West Round                        Brook             [illegible]
            1781.             -            4             -                      ------                            Lincoln                        Webb.                        }                                       Same                                      field               [illegible]
                                                ---------------                                                                                                                                                                             Whisef                                    Mass
                                                  7            6                                                                                                                                                                                  Lainy 
                                




                                                                                                                              I am, respectfully, 
                                                                                                                                                 Your obedient servant,
                                                                                                                                                                      J. L . EDWARDS,
                                                                                                                                                                               Commissioner of Pensions.

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2
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. 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 Rolla of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claim-
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in-
stance, 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 } ss.
                                                  County of                                }
               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 provion 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 serv-
ed 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. [pointing finger] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
sons who belongs 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 revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I                                                                                                                                 of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the saints 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 a 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, which 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 was
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of the; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a solider
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 Revo-
lutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
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 commis-
sion; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party with so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, state in detail his personal knowledge of the ser-
vices of the applicant, and such circumstance 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 
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3
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 at-
tempted; 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 live now?
      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 giv-
                                 { en and what has become of it?
    {To an 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 tes-
tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
      The Court will see that he 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 Courtm if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persens -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 char-
after 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 be-
fore 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 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 pro-
cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the decease, the period
of his death, and 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 fol-
low 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 any 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 Just 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 ------------------- month 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 rand 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 an embodied corps called into service by competent au-
thority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the first 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 affix 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 pub-
lic seal of office, there certificate of a Member of Congress, providing 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 con-
twins the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbons, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being inappropriately 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 of 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 wit-
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
    [pointing finger to the right] The notes from [a] to [I] 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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30241
Revy INVALID.
File No. 30,241
Elias Adams
In Rev WAr
Act: June 7th 32"
Index:-Vol. 2. Page 3
[Arrangement of 1870.]