Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,223, Aaron Dunn, New York.

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New York  Dunn, Aaron  S. 32,223

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22173
Indiana
Aaron Dunn
Madison Co in the State of Indiana
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Millikin of the regt commanded by
Maj Conklin in the NY militia
[time] for 7 months from 1781

Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana
the rate of 23 dollars 33 cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Oct
1833 and sent to Robert 
N Williams  Andersontown

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833  $58.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 34   11.66
$70.00

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Wm L Allison  Clerk
Book  E  Vol 7  Page 109

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Order to pay  28 March 1838

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State of Indiana
County of Madison  O this 16th day of May personally appeared in open court before the Honorable James, sole judge of the Madison Probate Court now setting Aaron Dunn, a resident of Adams Township in the County of Madison State of Indiana, aged seventy years, who being first duely sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act on Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated to wit,  He first entered in May of the year 1781(the day of the month he cannot recollect).  He was drafted as a private in Captain Andrew Millikin's company of militia, in Ulster County in the state of New York, at a place then called  Wards Bridge, from which place he was marched to Peen Pack on the Delaware, and was there stationed as one of the guards under the command of Major Scanklin doing military duty for the space of four months & was then marched back to Wards Bridge, and discharged by Capt Millikin in the latter part of September AD 1781.  In marching in this town he crossed the Wallkill, the Rosendal & the Shawangunk or Shouguin Rivers.  He next in July AD 1782, at Goshen in the County of Orange, & State of New York, was drafted as a private in Captain John Woods company of militia and was marched from Goshen, across Drownedland & the Navesink Rivers, to a block-house at Kerkendales on the Delaware, near the junction of the Navesink & Delaware Rivers, in the state of New Jersey, at which block-house or garrison he was stationed doing military duty for the space of three months under command of an officer by the name of draper, who had command of the garrison at that time that during this period of service he was inspected by the inspecting officer whose name was Beckwith.  He was discharged from duty in October AD 1782.
In the month of May AD 1783 he hired as a substitute for a Mr Patterson who was drafted as a private in Capt John Woods company of militia at Goshen in the County of  Orange New York, from which place he marched, on the same route last above named to the same garrison or block-house, and placed under command of___ Draper (whose Christian name he does not recollect) and performed military duty for the term of one month, and was discharged in the month of June AD 1783 - during all his services he was never in any engagement or battle, nor did he ever receive a written discharge or believe any of his fellow soldiers did, during his service under command of Capt Milikin he was personally well acquainted with Joseph Barker who was a lieutenant in Capt Millikins Company.  And during his services in Capt John Woods Company, a Mr Harlow was Lieutenant in said company with whom he was also acquainted but whose Christian name he does not now recollect, but does not recollect the No. of the Regiment to which he was attached.

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He is intimately acquainted with Abraham Adams, Joseph Ingles, Joseph Barber, Brian (?) Buck, Col. Thomas Bele, Isaac Adams, William Standly, & diverse others   any rate of whom can testify to his character as to truth & veracity, & their belief of his services as a Revolutionary soldier, and all of whom resided in his present neighborhood.
He also further states he was born in the North Eastern part of Pennsylvania, on the seventh day of March AD 1763, agreeably to the record of his age as kept by his father a copy of which is the only record of his age which he has to refer to, which was entered in his family Bible.   And that he has no documentary evidence, nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, 
Aaron Dunn

Mr. Bryant Fannan    a clergyman, residing in the county of  Madison, Indiana, and John Kiesling,  residing in the county of Henry, Indiana, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Aaron Dunn who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy 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 & subscribed the day ... aforesaid.
Bryant Fannin  John Kiesling (his mark)

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, &  after putting the interrogatories ... the War Department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Bryant Fannin who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the County of Madison that John Kiesling who has also signed the same, is a resident in the county of Henry and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to ...
James Scott, Probate Judge

I Robert N Williams Clerk of the Court of Madison County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Aaron Dunn for a pension.  
In testimony whereby I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17th day of May AD 1833.
Robt N Williams Clerk

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26.748

Aaron Dunn

Madison Co.
Indiana

from 1781  private
7 months

$23.33

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War Department, Pension Office,

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 the 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.  These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will fined marked in the margin with a brace, (this }).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them, and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A statement showing the service of Aaron Dunn
Period when the service was rendered
1781
Duration of the claimant's service  4 months
Rank of the claimant     Pvt.
Names & rank of the Field officers under whom served
Cap Millikin
Maj Conklin
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service
70
NY
Proof by which the declaration is supported
Traditionary
Period when the service was rendered
1782
Duration of the claimant's service  3 months
Rank of the claimant     Pvt.
Names & rank of the Field officers under whom served
Cap Wood

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, etc, Teamsters, Boatmen, etc. 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, mucicians 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 [blank]} ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank] , with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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, etc.
He hereby, relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declared 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 [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] 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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
And 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 [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if 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 the 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; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
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 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 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 answer 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 inquiry 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 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 language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant not, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

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, & e. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.

[g] The opinions 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 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 therein 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.

- (illegible) 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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(3-1776)
Service Number
New York Dunn, Aaron S 32,223
-----
Born in Penn.
Contents
-----

[typed] Rev. War Section.

December 19, 1933.

Mr. Clarence H. Smith,
Curator, Henry County, Historical Society,
614 South Fourteenth Street,
New Castle, Indiana.

Sir:
In response to your letter of the 13"(?) instant, you are advised that from the paper in the pension claim, S. 32223, it appears that Aaron Dunn was born March 7, 1763, in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania. He was drafted at Ward's Bridge, Ulster County, New York, in May 1781, and served four months as private in Captain Andrew Milliken's Company of New York Militia. He was drafted at Goshen, Orange County, New York, in July 1782, and served three months in Captain John Wood's Company of New York Militia; and in May 1783, he served one month in Captain John Wood's Company of New York Militia.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 16, 1833, while living in Adams Township, Madison County, Indiana.

There is no data on file as to his family.

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32223
Revy Invalid.
----
File No. 32,223
Aaron Dunn
[Illegible] Rev.. War
------
Act: June 7[illiegible] 32[illegible]
Index: -Vol. 2, Page 492
(Arrangement of 1870)

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1922 Dec. 19. Hist to Clarence H. Smith (see his
letter [illegible] Jacob Winner S17794)

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Free
Anderson [illegible]

23 May 1833
2h. 748
son
Department of War
Office of Pensions
Washington City
DCa

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Anderson [illegible]
23d May 1833
[illegible]
Department of War
Office of Pensions
Washington City
DCa
2h.748

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Branch St. Bk []
Indianapolis 14 March 1858
Hon JL Edwards 
Com. Pensions 
Sir
I enclose herewith the
applications of Thomas Harding, Isaac Lawrence and Aaron Dunn, Pensioners, for 
permission to make payments.
Respectfully yours
BF Morris [illegible]