Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12536, Samuel Colfix, Vt.

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(3-1776)

[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|
Vt.|Colfix,Samuel|S.12536|
[end of column]
CONTENTS  carded

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[verso]
Ex by Col Barret
Sep - 9 - 51
Ex by Ser. Neely
Sep - [illegible] - 1851
F.F.A. Wilson Octo 27 1855
to Hon. Jno. Dix Decemr 23d. 1856.

[recto]
New York 20.110
Samuel Colfix of Chataugua in the State of N. York who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Blakely of the Reg. commanded by Col. Fletcher in the Vermont line for 9 mos - 
______
Inscribed on the Roll of NYork at the rate of 30 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Sep. 1853 and Smith Brown & Per Chautaugua
______
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33    $60
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4Sep '69    15
______
$75
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Geo. c. Stiles Clerk 
Book E, Vol. 3. Page 51.

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State of New York
County of Chautaugua} SS.
On this 27th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County now sitting Samuel Colfix a resident of Gerry in the County of Chautaugua + State of New York aged Seventy eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth onn his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832 - That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers + served as herein stated - 
That in March 1781 he enlisted into the United States Service at Guilford where he there resided in the State of Vermont, into Capt. James Blakely company, 1st Lieut. ['Rice' crossed out] Cofferin 2d Powers. - That the company to which he belonged marched from Guilford to Castleton in the State of Vermont aforesaid - that several other companies were stationed at that place, one of which was commanded by Capt. Fish, which is the only commandants name now recollected - that the whole were under the command of Col. Samuel Fletcher - thinks there was also a Major Heath - That while at Castleton they built a fort, but were Stationed there to guard the frontiers - they were also occasionally engaged in scouting parties to Crown Point, Chimney Point, Whitehall + Mount-Independence - That during this time an enemy's prison ship was on Lake Champlain, + that some prisoners were exchanges that had been confined there - 
That on their march from Guilford to Castleton they passed through Bennington, Shaftsburg, Allentown + other places not recollected - that also during this time this declarant was part of a Scouting party, that rescued Judge Jones from some Tory's + Indians - That he enlisted for the term of nine months, + served the

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whole term faithfully, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment was discharged by a written discharge, which he kept until his house was burnt at Burke Vt. thirty or forty years ago when it ['was' crossed out] + nearly all its contents were consumed + his discharge among them - that  after his discharge he returned to Guilford, where he resided several years afterward - That he has no documentary evidence, + that he know of no person other than James Dennis William Marsh whose affidavits + herewith sent who can testify to the same, that he was well acquainted with the said James Dennis + William Marsh, + well recollects that Marsh left the company before this declarant did in consequence of sickness of his father - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity except the present, + declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State - 
1 That he was born in Scituate in the State of Rhode Island in the year 1754 on the 24th of November -
2 That there is a record of his age in the Town Clerks office of Scituate - 
3 That he resided at Guilford Vermont when he entered the service + several years after his discharge - has also resided at Hoosack, N. Y. Burke, Vermont, Hartland, N.Y. from whence he removed to Gerry Chautauqua Co. where he now resides - 
4 - Enlisted as above stated - 
5 - That all the officers he knew are named above, so far as their names are recollected - that there were no other Regiments at Castleton than Col Fletchers, + that his services are stated above truly - 
6 He received a written discharge from Capt. Blakely as he believes but cannot state positively - 
7 He is acquainted with the Rev. Oliver Bar. + George Leonard + many others who will testify to their belief of his service + good character - 
/s/X [his mark] Samuel Colfix
Sworn + ['subscribed' crossed out] mark made the day + years aforesaid - before me.
/s/Philo Aston a Judge of Chautauqua County Comm

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No. 25919
Samuel Colfix Chautauqua County
New York

Admitted 
Private 9 months

Brown & Tew Chautauqua County
New York.

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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 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. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to be 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 Samuel Colfix Chautauqua County New York
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered.|Duration of the claimant's service.(Years.|Months.|Days.)|Rank of the claimant.|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.|]
entered Mar 1781|( - |9| - )|private|Cap Blakely, Colonel Fletcher, Major Heath|78 years Guilford Vermont|Traditionary evidence + two witnesses certified credible papers correct| [end of columns]

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

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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 et 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} 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, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [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 resides, to have been a soldier 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 opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a RevoIutionary 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 [blank] 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. It 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 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the, declaration 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 most assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making au 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 service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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 place 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 or the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no 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 thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which 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 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 cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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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Rev War
12536
INVALID.
File No. 12,536
Samuel Colfix
Priv. Rev. War
______
Act: June 7" 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 77
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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[addressed envelope]
Hon. R. McRae
Samuel Colfix
W.G. June '32 - No 20110

JDick MC

Honl G C Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

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House of Rep
Washington Dec 16 "56

Honl G C. Whiting

Dear Sir
You will oblige me by answering the within letter

yours
John Dick

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[addressed envelope]
Samuel Colfix
NY - a' 1852
Abner Jennings
Pa - a' 1832
2 cases - 
[postmark: MEADVILLE PA OCT 10] 
FREE

Hon. J. MInot
Com'r of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

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Marlboro. Vt
July 17 - } 8 3/4

Mr Samuel Colfix
Gerry
County Chautauqua
State New York

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I James Dennis of Marlborough in the County of Windham and State of Vermont of Lawfull age do testify and say that Samuel Colfix of Gerry County of Chauctauqua State of New York - was out with me in the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty one in the Continettal Servis in the Same Company with me under the Command of James Blakely Capt Samuel Fletcher Colo that he was with me - Nine Months in the Same Company 
Further Deponant Saith not
/s/X his mark James Dennis

State of Vermont
Windham County ss} Marlboro July 16th 1832
Than James Dennis - Personally appeared and after being carefully examined ad Duly cautioned made Solomn oath that the foregoing Deposition by him and subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth 
Before me - 
Jesse Cone Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the within named James Dennis is a credible witness 
/s/Jesse Cone Justice of the Peace

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[illegible]     .25
Deposition   25
travel            50
______
1.00

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I William Marsh of Guilford in the County of Windham and State of Vermont of Lawfull Age Do Testify and Say That in the year one Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty one I Belonged to Coln C Samuel Fletchers Regiment & a company in S'd Regiment & a Company in S'd Regiment Commanded by Blakely James Blakely & two other Commissioned officers I Recollect whose names were Cofferin & Flowers =
I Well Recollect Samuel Colfix a man that Belonged to the Same Company with me & I believe Enlisted while a Inhabitant of the Town of Guilford in which I now Live I feel Safe I Saying that Said Colefix Served as Long in Said Company as I Did which was Six Months at Least & how much Longer he Service I Know not the troops above Described were called out for the Purpose of Defending the frontiers of Vermont & New York States
The Said Colefix above Described Since our Services Closed has gone to Parts unknown to me But if he is now Liveing I think he must be Between 70 & 78 years of age Further I will Restate that our troops were Stationed at Castleton Vermont while we Belonged to then & further I say not - 
/s/Wm Marsh

State of Vermont
Windham County ss} Guilford January 31st 1803
Then William Marsh the within Deponent Personally Appeared & after being carefully Cautioned & Examined made Solemn oath that the above statements by him made & Subscribed too Relative to the Said Colefix Contains the whole truth & Nothing but the truth Before me
Attest /s/Otis Shepardson Justice of the Peace
I Hereby Certify that the within named William Marsh is a Credible Witness} 
/s/Otis Shepardson Justice of the Peace

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State of Vermont
Windham County Court Clerks Office,
New Fane, February 9. A.D. 1833.
I certify that Jesse Cone and Otis Shepardson, Esquires, are Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the within and annexed, respectively, are their signatures - 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of the said County Court on the day and year above written - 
/s/James Elliot, Clerk.

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We Oliver Barr a Clergyman residing in the Town of Gerry in the County of Chautauqua, + George Leonard residing in the same town, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Colfix - who has subscribed + sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, + that we concur in that opinion and that his character is good for truth + veracity - 
/s/Oliver Barr
/s/Geo. Leonard
Sworn + Subscribed the year + year aforesaid - 
/s/Philo Orton a Judge of Chautauqua County Common Pleas.

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[margin notes: Samuel Colfix - 25919]
I James B Lowry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Chautauqua, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Colfix for a Pension.
and I do further certify that Philo Orton before whom the foregoing declaration and certificate were subscribed and sworn, is a Judge of Court of Common Pleas of said county duly commissioned & sworn, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the Said Judge + that his signatures above thereto subscribed are genuine - 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand + seal of office, this 27th day of June 1833 - 
/s/James B. Lowry Clerk

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRNAT RECORD CARD*

NAME Colgan, Barney GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9087 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED April 6, 1790
to --not shown -- notation: "On file, not delivered"
______
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants 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 to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the   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 Archives.