Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,422, John French, Mass.

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(top left corner): Mass.
(middle): French, John
(top right corner): S17,422
(right side): Carded

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15.399
Massachusetts
John French
of Bristol in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the Company commande(d)
by Captain Tubbs of the Rgt. commande(d)
by Col. French in the Mass
line for 14 months & 12 days

Inscribed on the roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 48 Dollars ~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of June
1833 and deliv.d to Hon. J.
L. Hodges Present
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept

$96.00
$24.00
--------
$120.00 

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

(re)corded by DD Addison Clerk
(bo)ok 9 | Vol. 2? | Page 25

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9751
John French
Private 14 Mass [?]
[illegible]
14 06
May 7 1833
P. 382

46 67
1 33
------
48 00

A Bassett
Taunton mASS

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BRIEF in the case of John French
County of Bristol in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? 
- In open Court

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

3. How old is he? 
- 78 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.

- Enlisted in 1776 Febry (February) | 2 (Months) | As a private | Gen. Col. French, Capt. Tubbs

- August 1776 | 4 (Months) | "" (As a private)| Col. Francis, Capt Wilber
 
- Summer 1777 | 1 (Months) | "" (As a private) | Col. Carpenter, Capt. Hathaway

- Sept 1777 | 1 (Months) | "" (As a private) | Capt. Briggs, Col. Hathaway

- 1779 | 3 (Months) | "" (As a private) |  Col. Hathaway, Capt. Haskins?

- Jany (January) 1778 | 3 (Months) | "" (As a private) | Col. Daggett, Capt. Nicholls

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
- Berkely Mass

7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by rolls? 
- living witnesses & traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
- Correct

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

Jno S Watson | Examining Clerk
21 Febry 1833

# supposed he was drafted

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9751

John French
E.P.M.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol }ss
On this Thirtieth day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Hediah Baylies Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Bristol now sitting at Dighton by Adj. in and for said County, John French a resident of Berkley in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 - and that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state - and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present - That he  entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - Viz. -That he enlisted about the first of February AD 1776 at said Berkley (where he resided) as a private solder, for the Term of two months in a company of infantry commanded by Capt Samuel Tubbs in Col Jacob French,s Regiment;  that very soon after he first enlisted he with the company were marched from said Berkley to Roxbury in the vicinity of Boston in Massachusetts. soon  after arriving at Roxbury he and the company were marched from thence to Winter Hill, so called, in the neighborhood of Boston where they were Stationed untill about the first of March then following, when he and the company were marched from thence to Dorchester, which is also next to Boston, where he was stationed with the company untill about the first of April AD 1776, when he having served Two months and his time of enlistment having expired, he was there discharged by Capt. Tubbs - His discharge was a verbal and not a [illegible] one -- That he cannot fix the time of his enlistment or discharge with any greater certainty that is above stated. - That he knows [illegible], he served the said two months under 
Capt Tubbs and was discharged as above stated - That this service was sendeace he thinks and believes for the state of Massachusetts - Whilst he was at Winter Hill he was upon guard and sometimes although it was very cold weather he was upon fatigue duty - whist he was at Dorches-

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{Dorches}ter, he was sometimes upon guard duty but generally upon fatigue duty upon Dorchester neck - that when the troops were throwing up fortifications upon Dorchester neck the British Shipping lay near to them and were almost instantly throwing large shot, and the shells at the Americans works --
2 the period of his service he well recollects the evacuation of Boston by the British troops in March 1776 -- He recollects that many of the Americans were killed at Dorchester, by the shot and shells that were 
thrown by the army. - He recollects of having seen Generals Washington and Thomas in this period--He thinks there were not any Continental troops at or in the vicinity of Boston at that time; as he does not recollect of seeing any at that time  -- Evidence of this service will be found in the annexed affidavit of John Giff and John Briggs of Nutown both of whom were private soldiers in the same company. 

And the said John French upon his oath aforesaid, further declares that he again enlisted about the first of August AD 1776 at said Berkley (were he then resided) as a private soldier, for the term of four months, in a company of infantry commanded by Capt. Joshua Wilber, in Col. Ebenezer Francis Regiment, that very soon after he enlisted he went to Taunton which is adjoining said Berkley, where the company were ordered to march that from said Taunton he and the company were marched direct for Dorchester in the vicinity of Boston  where the company were stationed upon and near to the Heights, so called, untill about the first of December AD 1776, when he having served Four months, and the time for which he enlisted, having expired he was there with the company verbally discharged by Capt Wilber - That his discharge was not in writing that he cannot fix the time of his enlistment or discharge with any greater certainty than is before stated - He knows however that he served at this time under Capt. Wilber at least Four months -

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This service (he thinks and believes) was rendered for the State of Massachusetts - Whilst at Dorchester, he and the company were engaged upon guard and upon fatigue duty in erecting and repairing fortifications and intrenchments at Dorchester and at the Castle - He does not recollect (although he is not certain that such was the fact, of any Continental troops being stationed near Dorchester in this period of his service - He recollects, that these were many troops stationed in the vicinity of Boston at this time, but notes many he thinks as were there in January and March preceding as he does not recollect the names of any officers, except the officers of the company.and Regiment to which he belonged – Ebenezer Francis was the Colonel, 
Ebenezer Hayne the Lieut. Col. and he think but is not certain, that a person, by the name of Doggett, was the major of the Regiment – Joshua Wilber of Taunton was the Captain; Jacob French of said Berkley was the First Lieutenant, a person by the name of Peckham was the second lieutenant and John Godfrey of said Taunton was the Ensign, and the commissioned officers of said company. -  Evidence of this service will be found in the affidavit of Benjamin Hood who served as the orderly Sargeant in said company. -

And the said John French upon his oath aforesaid declares that He again enlisted at said Berkley, another time, as he think and believes, in the summer of AD 1777 (said Berkley then being his place or residence) as a private Soldier, for the term of Six weeks or one and a half months, in a company of infantry commanded by Capt. Ephraim Hathaway, in Col. Carpenter’s Regiment; that he was enlisted by Jacob French Jr. who was one of the Lieutenants in said company; that soon after he thus enlisted he and

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Others, who had enlisted, were marched from said Berkley by Lieutenant French to Kingstown Rhode Island where they joined the other part of the company under the command of Capt. Hathaway; where they were soare after marched, from thence, through Bristol and Warren, to Providence Rhode Island, where after remaining a few days they were marched to North Kingston in the same state, where, and in the vicinity thereof, the company was stationed, in different detachments until they had served six weeks, when his period of enlistment having expired, he and the company were there verbally discharged by Capt. Hathaway  - That he had no written discharge. – That he has no recollections, of any other troops being there stationed, at that time except the said company or a small push of Col. Carpenters Regiment, That he cannot fix the day or the month when this service commenced or ended with any certainty, which will be satisfactory to himself, as it was a short campaign, and one which he never supposed until lately would [illegible] be called up, after it had terminated – Neither can he be positively certain that he can fix the year correctly,  - But he knows he did serve six weeks in Capt. Hathaways company and was stationed the principal part of that period at North Kingston having there engaged in guarding the shore of the mainland and from 4 invasions of the enemy who thus had the possession of Newport & the Islands of Rhode Island, and that after he had thus served he was there discharged as aforesaid – He well recollects that Benjamin Paull served in the same company as a private soldier, whose affidavit is hereunto annexed. – Evidence of this service will be found in said affidavit. -

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And the said John French upon his oath further declares, That he again enlisted, for the period of one month, at said Berkley (where he resided) he thinks and believes in the latter part of September AD 1777 in a company of Infantry commanded by Capt. James Briggs then of Dighton in said County - 
That soon after he thus enlisted, he and the company were marched from said Berkley to Fall River, so called, which is near to Mount Hope Bay, so called, and the line betwixt the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island where after being stationed one or two weeks, they were marched from thence to Fogland Ferry so called in the state of Rhode Island, where as in the county thereof, the company was stationed until he had served one month, when the period of his enlistment having expired he, with the company was there discharged by Capt. Briggs; this discharge was verbal and not a written one – That he cannot fix the time of his enlistment, or the termination of this service with any greater precision - 
This service was rendered at the time of Spencers expedition, so called upon the Island of Rhode Island  - He cannot be certain of the name of the Colonel of his Regiment, but he knows that Col John Hathaway was one of the Regimental officers there were so many Troops at and near Fogland Ferry at that time but he is unable to say whether any of these were Continental Troops - 
Neither does he recollect the name or names of any of their Officers, beside his own Company Officers & Col. Hathaway, except the name of Gen. Joseph Spencer who had the immediate command of all the Troops there stationed, and Capt Joshua Sawyer who then and

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And there commanded a Company of Artillery which belonged to Col Eliots Regiment – Col. Eliot ha thinks was not therein He well recollects of several attempts that he and the Troops made to land where the Island but were tormented in consequence of the British Shipping that there lay near to Fogland Ferry – John Briggs then and was a resident of Berkley, served in the same company with him the said French, and said Briggs’s affidavit is hereunto annexed; to prove this service of the said French – He thinks and believes that this service was rendered for the state of Massachusetts -

And the said John French upon his oath aforesaid further declares that he again enlisted in said Town of Berkley where he then resided, and served another and a further period of three months in a Company of Infantry –  That he was enlisted by Lieutenant Jacob French Jr, who was the son of Col. Jacob French, and  belonged to the Regiment of Col. Joshua Hathaway. That soon after he thus enlisted he marched with the Company under the command of Lieut. French to Seconnet [Sakonnet] so called, in Little Compton, Rhode Island and near to Fogland Ferry – That after he and the company had there remained some time under the command of Lieut. French the said French and Amo Snell the other Lieutenant of the company both having obtained furlough or leave to return home, and being about to return home they were there attached to the company commanded by Capt. Jacob Haskins of the same Regiment. That he served under Capt Jacob Haskins the remaining part of the said period of three months being engaged from the time he first went to Little Compton under Lieut French until he was discharged, in guarding the main land from the invasions of the Enemy who were -

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There is possession of the Island of Rhode Island – that he enlisted and served during this period as a private Soldier – That he was discharged by Capt Haskins at Howlands Ferry, so called, having marched from Fogland Ferry, which are not far from each other – That this discharge was a verbal and not a written one – That he cannot be certain in what month this service commenced or terminated but is very confident that the time when it was rendered, was in the Spring and Summer of AD 1779 – That he does not recollect of any other troops beside the Regiment to which he belonged being stationed near to him during this period of his service – This service was rendered by him as one of the Soldiers of the State of Massachusetts – That he does not know of any person now living who there served with him under Capt. Haskins, except Samuel Paull who served as an orderly Sergeant in the same Company with him, Evidence of this service will be found in the annexed affidavit of the said Samuel Paull – 
And the said John French upon his oath aforesaid, further declares that about the first day of January AD 1778. He again enlisted , or was drafted to serve as a private soldier, and he cannot be certain whether he enlisted or was drafted, but supposes he was drafted, in a company of Infantry commanded by Capt. James Michaels in Col. Daggett’s Regiment in Gen, Cornell’s Brigade. -
That he was drafted or enlisted to serve the period of three months- That soon after he thus enlisted or was drafted he left said Berkley where he then resided and proceeded to Dighton in said County (he thinks on the first day of January AD 1778). When and where some of the company, and from thence he and the company were marched through Providence, R. I. to Warwick in the same State, where the company and Regiment to which he belonged, were stationed.

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Until (he thinks) the last day of March AD 1778. Then on that day he and the company having served three months, and their term of service having then expired, he was there verbally discharged by Capt. Nichols – His discharge was not in writing. Whilst he was at Warwick the troops that were there stationed, were engaged in guarding the shores of the mainland for another invasion for the British who then had the possession of Newport and the Island of Rhode Island, - He recollects that the only troops there stationed at this period of his service, were the Regiment to which he belonged and a company of Artillery that belonged to Col. Elliots Regiment – He also well recollects that Seth Austin was the Lieutenant of Capt. Nichols, who with Capt. Nichols were all of the commissioned officers of the company – He does not recall the name of names of any other officer. Barzillai Hathaway, Esquire, whose affidavit is hereunto annexed & who is the same of the said Col. Hathaway was also a soldier in said company. Evidence of the service of the said French in that period in said Barzillai’s affidavit – That he served this period for the State of Massachusetts. – This campaign should have been inserted in this declaration preceding the one in which he served under Lieut. French & Capt. Haskins, but was accidentally there omitted. – 
And the said John French further declares that (beside those have described and aforementioned periods of service, all of which described periods amount at least to Fourteen and an half months) he served several months longer, at other periods in the Revolution, but as he cannot fix with any degree of certainty, which is satisfactory to himself, the time

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Or months or year or years in the Revolution when he rendered the said service which is not herein before described he shall herein not make any further mention thereof.-
And the said John French in order to answer more fully the Interrogatories of evidence by the Secretary of War, says he was born in said Berkley on the 13th of February AD .1754 - 
That he has an attested copy of the time of his birth taken from the Records of Births in said Town of Berkley, which copy is hereunto annexed, That he resided at the several period when he was called into Service in said Berkley, where he had always resided since the Revolution – That he was called into the service and also the names of his and of other officers that he recollects, and the general circumstances of his service and the manner in which he was discharged are before mentioned in this declaration. – He was not a substitute – The names of the persons who can testify to his veracity and services as a solder are the same who have subscribed the annexed affidavits and he has no doubt in addition to these, that Philip Hathaway clergiman of Freetown in the vicinity of said Berkley and Abner Burt of said Berkley – can testify to his character for veracity and their belief that he rendered the aforementioned and described service as a soldier of the Revolution
John French 
His mark (symbol)

Inscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid
H Baylies, Judge of Probate

We Philip Hathaway a clergiman  ---- residing in the Town of Freetown and Abner Burt  ______ residing in the Town of Berkley – hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John French who has submitted and sworn to the above declaration; That we believe him to be Seventy eight years of age, that he is

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Reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion
(signed)
Philip Hathaway
Abner Burt

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid – 
H. Baylins, Judge of Probate

And the said court do hereby declare this opinion after their investigation of the matter and 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 Phillip Hathaway – who has signed the preceding certificate is ac Clergiman resident in the Town of Freetown – “ and that Abner Burt - who has long signed the same is a resident in the Town of Berkley and is a credible person, and that this statement is entitled to credit.- 

H. Baylies Judge of Probate

Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Bristol, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of John French to a pension – In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court, this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two – 
(signed) 
Anselm Bassett

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This Certifies that John French of Berkley was born in said Berkley February 13 AD 1754 as appears of record

Attest Adoniram Crane Town Clerk

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I John Gaff of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being in the eightieth year of my ages and I John Briggs of Freetown of the County and Commonwealth aforesaid being in the seventy ninth year of my age, do testify and say that John French now a resident of said Berkley, served with us in the Revolutionary war, and in the same Company with us, for the period of two months, under Capt. Samuel Tubbs, in Col Jacob French,s regiment. – French served with us aforesaid from about the first of February AD 1776 untill about the first of April of the same year. -  That during this period of service, we were stationed at Winter Hill and at Dorchester both of which places are in the vicinity of Boston Mass – The said French and ourselves together with the remainder of the company were all discharged at the expiration of said two months at said Dorchester by Capt. Tubbs. 
His discharge, and we [illegible] – his was a verbal and not a written one. -
(signed) 
John Goff.
John Briggs

Bristol ss. Aug. 23d. 1832 Then personally appeared John Gaff and John Briggs who subscribed the above declaration and made oath to the truth of the same, Before me. 
Elnathan P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace

Bristol ss. Mary 16th1833. I certify the John Gaff and John Burt are both personally and well known to me, and that their characters for truth are good, & that the statements made by them as above is entitled to full faith and credit -
E. P. Hathaway (signed)

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I John Briggs of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being almost Seventy nine years of age, do testify and say, that at the time of Spenser;s Expedition, so called, upon the Island of Rhode Island in AD 1777 and I think in the month of September or the month of October of that year, or in part of both of those months, I served as a private solder in a company commanded by Capt James Briggs – I do not recollect the name of the Colonel of the Regiment but John Hathaway was I think the Lieut. Col. of the Regiment – That said Company marched from said Berkley to Fall River, so called, which is near the line of the state of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where said company was stationed one or two weeks, ,and from thence was marched to Fogland Ferry so called in Little Compton or in Tiverton, Rhode Island. – The company marched to that place for the purpose of landing upon the Island under Gen Spenser. – There were several attempts made to land, but they were given up as the British ships of war lay near to and just below Fogland Ferry – The company, after getting to said ferry, was there stationed and in the vicinity thereof, ,until the term of service of the company, which was for one month, had expired when the company was there verbally discharged by Capt Briggs – I served one month & received a verbal, but no written discharge & presume that there to as not any one in the company that did receive a written discharge - 
I further testify and say that John French then and now a resident of Berkley and the same person at whose request I am now testifying did serve with me as a private solder in the same company, during said period of one month and was discharged with the company aforesd at or  near said Fogland Ferry – 
(signed) 
John Briggs

Bristol ss. Aug 28th 1832 Then personally appeared John Briggs, who subscribed the above declaration and made oath to the truth of the same – Before me, Elnathan P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace

Bristol ss. May 16th, 1833. I certify that John Briggs who subscribed the above affidavit is personally known to me; and that his character for truth is good & that the above statement by him made is entitled to full faith & credit. 
Elnathan P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace -

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I Benjamin J Hood of Hampton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being in the eighty third year of my age, do testify and say that I served in the Revolution War in Capt Joshua Miller of said Taunton company in Col. Ebenezer Francis Regiment of Beverley, from about the first day of August to almost the first day of December AD 1776, the period of my enlistment being four months – Jabob French of Berkley was the first lieutenant – Prince Peckam of Dartmouth was the second lieutenant, and John Godfrey of said Taunton was the Ensign and commissioned officer of this Company under Capt. Willber – Ebenezer Thayre of Braintree was the Lieut. Col. and Nathan Doggett of Rehoboth was the Major of the Regiment. – That during four months said Company was stationed upon Dorchester Heights in the neighborhood of Boston Mass.- That That John French then and now a resident of Berkley in said County served as a private soldier in that company with me during the period aforesaid – That in the period of the service said company were engaged in keeping guard, and in erecting and repairing fortifications, and entrenchments - at the end of this period the company was verbally discharged; I received no written discharge & I assume said French did not – He was discharged with the company. – I was the orderly seargeant of the Company during this period and now have in my possession the orderly Book of the company – in which is the names of the officers & soldiers of said company and Regiment – Said company was discharged at said Dorchester – 
Benja L Hood

Bristol ss. Aug. 23rd 1832 Then personally appeared Benjamin L. Hood who subscribed the foregoing declaration and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me, Elnathan P. Hathaway – 
Justice of the Peace -

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Bristol ss. May 16th 1833 I certify that Benjn L. Hood who subscribed the within affidavit is personally known to me, and that his character for truth is good and that the within statement by him made is entitled to full faith and credit - Elnathan P. Hathaway,
Justice of the Peace}

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I Benjamin Paull of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Eightieth year of my age do testify and say that John French then and now a resident of said Berkley served as a private soldier with me in a Company of Infantry commanded by Capt. Ephraim Hathaway in Col. Thomas Carpenters Regiment; that the said French and myself were enlisted by Lieut. Jacob French at said Berkley, said Jacob French being one of the lieutenants of the company – that said John French marched with one and others under Lieut. Jacob French from said Berkley some time (as I think and believe in the month of June AD. 1777) to Tiverton Rhode Island, where we joined the remaining part of the company under the command of Capt. Hathaway – Soon after arriving at Tiverton the said John French and the company marched to Bristol and from thence to Warren & from thence to Providence where the company stopped about ten days, and from thence the said company marched to North Kingston in the same State, here after being stationed until the latter part of July of that year then said John French together with the company were discharged – This period of service embraced ( I think and believe) about six weeks. – There were no other troops to my recollection stationed at North Kinston at this period, besides a part of the Regiment under Col. Carpenter. – The discharge of the company was not in writing, but verbal
(signed) Benjamin Paull

Bristol ss. Aug. 21st 1832  Then personally appeared Benjamin Paull who subscribed the foregoing declaration and made oath to the truth of the same – 
Before me, Elnathan P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace

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Bristol ss. May 16th 1833 I certify that Benjamin Paull who subscribed the written affidavit is personally known to me and that his character for truth is good & that the written statement by him made is entitled to full faith and credit
Elnathan P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace}

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I Barzillai Hathaway of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire being in the sixty eight year of my ages, do testify and say, that I served as a private soldier, for and during the period of three months in Capt. James Nichols,s company, and in Col. John Doggett,s Regiment in General Cornell,s Brigade – There were two commissioned officers in the company, Viz, the Captain and Seth Austin the Lieutenant. My father, John Hathaway was the lieutenant Colonel, and Peleg Slade [see comment] the Major of the regiment – that this service was rendered between the first of January AD 1778 and the first day of April of the same year both days inclusive – That the company marched from Dighton in said County, where the Company met and mustered, through Providence Rhode Island to Warwick in that State, where the company and Regiment, together with a Company of Artillery that belonged to Col. Elliot,s Regiment, were stationed guarding that part of the Country from the expected invasions of the enemy, as the British then in the possession of Newport and of the Island of Rhode Island – That after being there stationed untill about the first of April aforesaid, and the term of the service of the company, which was for three months as before stated, having expired, the company were all then verbally discharged by Capt Nichols – I had not a written Discharge and presume that there was not any person in the company who had a written discharge – I further testify and say that John French then and now a resident of Berkley aforesaid did serve as a private soldier in the same company with me and that he was stationed at Warwick as before stated with the company, and that he served during the whole of the three months aforesaid and was discharged 
I have given this testimony by the request of the same John French who served with me as aforesaid from about the first of January, to about the first of April AD 1778
(signed) 
Barzillai Hathaway

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Bristol SS.  Aug. 28th 1832 Where personally appeared the within named Barzillai Hathaway who subscribed to written declaration and made solemn oath to the truth of the same.

Before me, Elnathan P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bristol SS. I, James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Elnathan P. Hathaway, Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing and [illegible] certficate is a Justice of the Peace, in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this third day of September, in the year of our lord, Eighteen Hundred thirty two.
James Sproat

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17422
Invalid.
--------
File No.  17,422
John French
Priv Rev War

-----
Act:  June 7th  32

Index: - Vol.  1, Page 133

[Arrangement of 1870.]

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9751
John French


A Bassett Esq
Taunton Mass

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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 John French which require further proof of explanation.
1. 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 of 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, 1833? yes
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 has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such as situation, or of such and age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. + Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes

EXPLANITORY BOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, stat 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 consequest 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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3.
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phraseabout three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions a objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. withouot 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. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer, who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate 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.
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.

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I Samuel Paul of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I served three months in the Revolution in a company of Infantry – That I served a part of said three months under lieutenant Jacob French Jr. when he and Amos Snell who was l lieutenant in the same company, having both procured furloughs; the company under lieutenant French was annexed and joined to the Company commanded by Capt. Jacob Haskins, in which company under Cat Haskins I served the remaining part of said three months – That during this period Col. John Hathaway commanded the Regiment to which I belonged – Issued under lieut. French and also under Capt. Haskins as the orderly sargeant – I was stationed with the company when under lieut. French and under Capt. Haskins, after said at or near to Seconnet, so called, in Little Compton or Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island during the principal part of this period – That I and the company were marched to Howlands Ferry, so called before we were discharged and having served three months, and the period of the enlistment of the company having expired, we were all there discharged by Capt. Haskins I think and believe that it was in the Spring and Summer of AD 1779 when this service of three months was rendered – I further testify and say that John French then and now a resident of said Berkley (and the same person for whom I am now testifying and at his request) did serve with me as a private soldier under lieutenant French a part of said three months and under Capt. Haskins the remaining part thereof
That he served during the whole of the said period of three months and was discharged by Capt Haskins at said Howlands ferry with the company – I did not have and presume the said John French did not have a written discharge –
(signed) 
Samuel Paull

Bristol ss. Aug. 29th 1832 Then personally appeared Samuel Paull who subscribed the above declaration and made oath to the truth of the same – Before me, Elnathan Hathaway, Justice of the Peace -

Bristol ss. May 16th 1833 I testify that Samuel Paull who subscribed the written affidavit is personally known to me & that his character for truth is good and statement by him make as written, is entitled to full faith and credit – 
Elnathan P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace