Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22185, Daniel Colby, Mass

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Mass  Colby, Daniel  S.22185

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New Hampshire 29922
Daniel Colby
of Grafton in the State of N.H.
who was a private in the___________ commanded by Captain ___________ of the RI commanded 
by Cl Wade in the Mss. line for 7 mos 5 days

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire at the rate of 23. Dollars 88 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of  May
and [illegible] George 
Kimball, Concord N.H.

Arrears to the 4th of March [illegible] 
Semi-an. allowances ending 4 Sept. [illegible] 

95.52
11.94
_______
$107.46
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nath. Rice, Clerk
Book E Vol. 1 Page 77

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Daniel Colby
Dec.

8 months and 8 days

H. Hubbard 

[illegible] of [illegible]

and 
who has signed the preceding
Joshua Wells, who has also signed the same
and are credible person, and that their statement  is entitled to credit.

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DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

County of Grafton State of New Hampshire, ss.

On this ________ day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of Canaan in the County of Grafton and State of N.H. aged 79 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 to wit that he enlisted as a minuteman at Hampshire [illegible] in March 1775 in Capt. James Sawyer's company in Col [illegible] unit Mass. militia - that on the morning of the Lexington battle, the 19th of April, he was called out and marched towards Lexington and continued in his march to Cambridge and was stationed at Cambridge till the day before the battle of Bunker Hill, the sixteenth of June, where he hired James Pike to take his place who was accepted as his substitute for the remainder of his term of enlistment as minuteman, which term in the whole [illegible] nine months.  That pensions to his going to [illegible] he was called out and drilled in said company two days in each week for five weeks.  That he served as a minuteman at Haverhill and Cambridge two months and [illegible] days in said company.

That he again enlisted at said Haverhill the last of June or first of July 1780 for the term of three months in Capt Samuel [illegible] company in Col. Wades regiment Mass. militia 
his regiment at first B [illegible] ing  the Mass. Militia [crossed out] thence marched to Claverack N.Y. then [illegible] -- there to West Point  That he humbly served his said term of three months and was discharged.  

That he again, the third time, enlisted in Capt. Malone's [illegible]

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last of June or first of July 1780 for the term of three months in Capt. Samuel [illegible] company in Col. Wades regiment Mass. militia that he joined his regiment a [illegible] thems marched to Claverack N.Y. the place of [illegible] there to Westo Point that he fully served his said term of three months and was discharged.

That he again, this third time, enlisted in said Haverhill in Capt Malone's company, he [illegible} and recall to minde the Colonel's name, adjoined his regiment at West Point-- that he served his term of enlistment there, which was three months and was discharged.

That he served in the whole in the revolutionary was was eight months and eight days.

That he was living in Haverhill when called into service-- was born in that town 1753 record of his age there- Has lived in Haverhill since the war, in [illegible] N.H. in Canaan where he now lives and has lived 46 years.  Valued terms in each serivce 

Gen Putnam was in command at [illegible] till Gen Washington came out-- and while he was at West Point Benedict Arnold till his treason, when Gen McDougle took his place, never received any other than [illegible] his [illegible]-- that John Worth David Dustin Joshua Wells  George   Kimball and Elijah Blasdell and others of his neighbors will testify that he is person of truth and veracity and believe he was a revolutionary soldier ^as he states that he has no documentary evidence known of no person who can testify directly to and of his services except David Dustin.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, Daniel X Colby (his mark)
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
[illegible] Clerk
We, Elijah Blasdell residing in Canaan and Joshua Wells, residing in New Canaan hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Daniel Colby, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 79 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the [illegible]

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term of enlistment there, which was three months
and was discharged.

The he served inthe whole in the revolutionary war eight months and eight days.

That he was living in Haverhill when called into service_ was born inthat town 1753 record of his age there.  Has lived in Haverhill since the war, in in Sanbornton, New Hampshire in Canaan where he now lives & has lived 46 years. Volunteered in each service.

Gen. Putnam was in command at Cambridge till Gen. Washington came on, & while he was at West Point Benedict Arnold till his treason, when Gen. McDougle took his place. Never received any other than verbal discharges. That John Worth, David Dustin, Joshua Wells, George Winnhall & Elijah Blasdell & others of his neighbors will testify that he is person of truth & veracity & believe he was a revolutionary soldier as he stated. That he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person who can testify directly to any of his services except David Dustin.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, — Daniel Colby [X his mark]

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year  aforesaid, George Woodward, Clerk

We, Elijah Blasdell residing in Canaan and Joshua Wells residing in New Canaan hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Daniel Colby, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 79 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid  Elijah Blasdell Joshua Wells  Geo. Woodward, Clerk

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 names applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court certifies, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court certifies, that it appears to them that Elijah Blasdell who has signed the preceding certificate, is Magistrate resident in the town of Canaan and that Joshua Wells, who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Canaan and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Geo. Woodward Clerk 

I, George Woodward, Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Daniel Colby, for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and deal of office, this fifth day of September 1832

Geo. Woodward, Clerk

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August 30,1929

Mr. W.A. Roberts 
Box 208 
Nunda, New York

Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.22185, it appears that Daniel Colby was born in 1753, at Haverhill, Massachusetts.
While residing at Haverhill, Massachusetts, in March, 1775, he was a minute man in Captain James Sawyer's Company, Colonel Frye's Reginent; the morning of the nineteenth of April, he was called out and marched to Cambridge, where he was stationed until the day before the battle of Bunker Hill.

He enlisted, in June or July, 1780, and served three months as a private in Captain Jonathan Ayer's Company, Colonel Wade's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in 1781, and served three months as a private in Captain Mallon's Massachusetts Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, while a resident of Canaan, Grafton County, New Hampshire.

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It is not stated whether soldier was married.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Daniel Colby (S.22185), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:
     Daniel Colby, Certificate NO. 29926, issued May 4, 1835, rate of $23.88 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New Hampshire Agency.
     Due to the very large number of inquiries similar to your and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the bureau is unable to make immediate reply to each request pertaining to soldiers of the Revolution.
   Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in order of receipt.
      Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

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1925 June 21 - His to Mrs. H. Bender (illegible)
1929-Aug 30, Hist to Mr. W.A. Roberts, M.E.E.

Revolution

22185
INVALID>

File No. 22185
Daniel Colby
[illegible] Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"

Index:-- Vol. 2, Page 77
[Arrangement of 1870]

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Secretary's Office, April 16th 1835

I hereby Cerrtify, 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 the name of Daniel Colby, as a private, is borne on a roll of Capt. Jonathan Ayer's Company, in Col. Nathaniel Wade's Regiment, where he is allowed from July 15th to October 10th, 1780, for services and travel, three months and seven days. m.d. 3=7

Daniel "Colby's" name is borne on a payroll of Capt. James Mallon's Company in Lt. Col. Putnam's Regt. where he is allowed from August 18th to Decem 4th 1781, for services and travel, three months and twenty eight days. 3= 28 7:05

Daniel Colby clains for services under Capt. James Sawyer, in Col. Frye's Regt. in 1775.  A muster roll of the men who marched on the 19th of April 1775, under the above named Officers, is found in the Offiice, but the name of

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Daniel Colby is not borne therein.  The name of James Pike (who was his substitute for part of the time enlisted for) is borne thereon; time of service not mentioned. 
Edward D. Bangs [illegible]

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War Department
Pension Office
April 28, 1834

Sir
The documents in support of the claim of Daniel Cobly have been again examined and I have the honor to state, that before a favorable decision can be had in his case he must comply withthe regulations pointed out in the accompanying printed sheet.  HIs papers are herewith returned.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
[illegible]
J.L. Edwards

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Daniel Colby
NH

private
7 mo 5 days

2333 [crossed out]
55 [crossed out]

23.88

George Kimball Esq
Canaan 
NH

Hon. H. Hubbard
House of Reps

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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
Apr. 28, 1834

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 shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is particularly directed, you will find marked in the margine with a brace, (thus: }  ).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Daniel Colby

Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. 
Rank of the claimaint.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

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

Turn Over

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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places night, and were not recognized at 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 claim- ing 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 ss.
On this               day of                   personally appeared (a) befor A B. resident (b) of         in the county of               and State, Territory or District of            aged (c)             years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)         , with       and served in the           (e) regiment of the             line, under the following named officers: 
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.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every clarm (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roil 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.
of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of         for a pensoon.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this       day of          &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman. residing in the                            and C. D. residing in (the same) 
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood whang of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
     Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.  
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opionion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Reovlutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the  
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the 
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I,                Clerk of the Court of             do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
                In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this       day  of             &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commis- sion; 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 ser- vices of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a  tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To 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 answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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.

[footnotes]
[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.
conforming to the rule.
[b] The declarant must make the 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 cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of 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 ___month, and ____days, I served as a _________________.  For __ year ___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 rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the name 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.
[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 public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the metal character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificates of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers unauthenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the oars or the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the case of Militia Men, Volunteers, and State Toops. The proof 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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I John Worth of Canaan in the County of Grafton & state of N. Hampshire of lawful age depose & say that I have been well acquainted with Daniel Colby of said Canaan an applicant for a pension under the late pension act for thirty years past that he has always been reported I believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution that his character for truth & veracity is unimpeachable & that his statements in relation to his services in the revolutionary war may be fully relied on. John Worth 

State of New Hampshire Grafton ss. Sept 3. 1832 Then personally appeared the above said John Worth & made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is just & true before me Geo. Kimball Jus. Peace. 

Sep 3. 1832. I certify that the above named John Worth is a man of truth & veracity Geo. Kimball Jus. Pea

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David Dustin
and others (?)

State of New Hampshire
Grafton p.

I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Grafton do certify that George Kimball Esq is a Justice of the peace within and for said County of Grafton duly qualified to take affidavits and that I believe the within to be his genuine signatures

Witness my hand and the seal of said
Court this 5th day of September 1832
Geo. Woodward Clerk

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I David Dustin of Canaan in the county fo Grafton Estate of New Hampshire of law [pub of a before/sbprose] say that the last of June or first of July 1780 at Haverhill [drops] I enlisted in teh service of the United States in the revolutionary war in Capt Jonathan Corp Company in Col Wades regiment Mass. Militia that joined teh Regt. at GReat Barrington Mass. and marched to Claverack N.Y. thence to West Point and thence served in said company regiment three months. That Daniel Colby served in said Canaan and then of Haverhill

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I Daniel Blaisdell of Canaan in the county of Grafton State of New Hampshire late fof Congress of late one of the judges of the  counties of New Hampshire upon say that I am well acquainted with the character of Daniel Colby of said Canaan that he is a man of truth and veracity.

Daniel Blaisdell

State of New Hapshire
Grafton Sept 3.1832

Sworn to before me
Kimball Jus. Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton Jr.
I Stephen P. Webster Clerk of the Supreme Court of Judicature for said County of Grafton do hereby certify that George Kimball Esq. before whom the above and within Depositions were taken, was on the third day of September A.D. 1832 and ever since has been an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said county, and that his signatures above and within are genuine. In testimony where I have  hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at Haverhill in said County this 17th day of September Anno Domini 1834

S. P. Webster Clerk

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Nunda, N. Y., Aug. 21st.

The Comissioner of Pensions,
U. S. Department of the Interior.
Washington, D. C.

Most Honorable Sir:

A few weeks ago I addressed a letter of enquiry to your office requesting information pertaining to one Daniel Colby, who resided at Canaan, New Hampshire, and whom the "History of Canaan, N. H.," by James B. Wallace, published 1910, cites as being a soldier of the American Revolution and the recipient of a federal pension.

Now, assuming that this particular Dnaiel Colby, or any other person for that matter, to have been the recipient of a federap [sic] pension, would not the files of your office contain a record showing such to have been the case?

Also, would not a pension record contain the services whereby the recipient became intitled [sic] to the pension. And, the age of the recipient, or at least, the approximate dates of teh beginning and teh ending of such pension?

Or, to put these questions in other words; would you kindly send me any record, touching on age, service, dates of commencement and ending of pension, etc., that the archives of your office may show in regard to the Daniel Colby as above mentioned.

And sincerely trusting that you will not consider this request to be a transgression upon the urbanity of your office, I must beg to remain,

yours truly,
[handwritten] W. A. Roberts [end handwritten]
W. A. Roberts,
Box 208.

[stamped] Revolutionary & 1812 Wars Section AUG 23 1929 Bureau of Pensions

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Nunda, N.Y., July 18th

Commissioner of Pensions,
U.S. Department of the Interior.
Washington, D.C.

Most Honorable Sir:-

In trying to establish the identity of one Daniel Colby, a soldier of the American Revolution, I beleive [sic] that the records of your office would throw some light on the problem, which may be stated in teh following landgauge: [sic]

In consulting teh author of the "History of Canaa, [sic] New Hampshire," I learn that one Daniel Colby resided at Canaan on teh close of teh war, and that he was a recipient of a federal pension in teh consideration of his service. His death is given as thus; at Canaan, N. H., on June 23, 1853. Age 99 yrs. Also, the above mentioned author, Mr. James B. Wallace, states that he was on the U. S. pension rolls June 1, 1840 age 87 yrs.

In refering [sic] to the "War Rolls of New Hampshire," I find that a Daniel Colby enlisted from the town of Canterbury March 23, 1781. Also, his name appears on the list for State Bounty.

Now, the questin [sic] arises to my mind; coudl you advise me as to what service teh Daniel Colby residing at Canaan, N. H., as above mentioned, was entitled to be a recipient of a federal pension.

And, thank you in advance for any light that you may see fit and proper to throw on this subject, I must beg to remain,

yours truly,
[handwritten] W. A. Roberts [end handwritten]

W. A. Roberts,
Box 208.

[stamped] U. S. Pension Office O JUL 20 1929

Page 23

Benton Harbor Jan 2. 25

Pension Dept.
Washington,
D.C.

Dear Sirs;

I am desirious [sic] of joining the D.A.R.s. and would like the Record of my great great grandfather Daniel Colby. He served in Capt Dawnes Co in 1775, Will you give me all the information you can? He came from Haverhill Mass. to Canaan N.H. where I think he received his pension.

Yours Truly
Mrs Homer Bender,
295 Brunson Ave
Benton Harbor
Mich.

[stamp] US Pension Office H Jan 5 1925

Page 24

Rev. and 1812
War Section.

January 21, 1925.

Mrs. H. Bender,
295 Brunson Ave.,
Benton Harbor, Mich.

Madam;

I [crossed out] have [end crossed out] to advise you [crossed out] that [end crossed out] from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 22185, it appears that Daniel Colby was born in 1753 at Haverhill, Massachusetts. While residing at [crossed out] said [ end crossed out] Haverhill, [handwritten] Mass. [end handwritten] in March 1775 he was a minute man in Captain James Sawyer's Company, Colonel Frye's Regiment, the morning of the nineteenth of April, he was called out and marched to Cambridge, where he was stationed until the day before the battle of Bunker Hill.

He enlisted in June or July 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain Jonathan Ayer's Company, Colonel Wade's Massachusetts Regiment.

He enlisted in 1781 and served three months as a

Page 25

[crossed out] as a [end crossed out] private in Captain Mallon's Massachusetts Company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, while a resident of Canaan, Grafton County, New Hampshire.

It is not stated whether soldier was married.

Respectfully, 

Acting Commissioner.

Page 26

The National Archives   
Form VAM-51    
12-5-41

Division of Veterans Adminstration Archives

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*
Name: [handwritten] Colby, Daniel [end handwritten] Grade: [handwritten] Private  [end handwritten] Line: [handwritten] New Hampshire
Warrant [end handwritten]  Number: [handwritten] 2998  [end handwritten] Acreage: 100 Issued: [handwritten] Aug 26, 1790 to  Manassah Cutler, Assignee  [end handwritten] 

*The information concernign teh issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776 and subsequent dates. Other records relative tot eh applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed int eh War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archive.