Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10579, David Douglas, Conn.

Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE 
Conn.

Douglas or Douglass, David 

NUMBER 
S 10579

Carded

CONTENTS

Page 2

14619
New York (Utica

24,550 [number crossed out]

David Douglass 
Of Oneida in the State of N. York
Who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Shaply of the Reg commanded by Col Ledyard in the Cont. - line for 7 months- 

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 23  Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of June 1833 - and sent to B. P. Johns in [crossed out] [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Ma : 33 $46.66
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4th Sep’  [illegible] 11.66 
$58..32

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk,

Book E. Vol. A. Page 53

Page 3

State of New York 
Oneida County [illegible]

On this first day of April 1833 personally appeared before John P Sherwood of our Court of Common Pleas [crossed out] David Douglass a resident of said County aged 74 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 on June 7th 1832

He removed to Verona. Oneida County N. Y. Where he now resides-. That he served in the Revolutionary War as follows. 

That he enlisted about two years previous to the burning of New London by Genl Arnold according to the best of his recollection - 4 Which would be in the Spring of 1779 - This deponent enlisted [illegible] to Fort Trumbull at new London, under a Capt Shapley - one Lieutenant Stow. One Sergeant Whittleley - [illegible] [illegible] in the fort,

Col Ledyard had command of Fort Trumbull and Groton fort,  whom this deponent often Saw - That this deponent continued to serve at the fort through the Season - 

He cannot now from his advanced age and Consequent  loss of memory, 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 period mentioned below- namely the Term of Seven months and for that Service I claim a pension -

Page 4

That- I was born at City of New London Conn - in 
1. the Year 1758- There is no record of his age that
 2 he knows of - The time of his birth is or no record it [illegible] his parents. That he lived 5 miles 
3. Out of the city of New London in the town of New London. Conn- when he entered the Service - That since the Revolutionary War he resided at New London- until about 30 years since when he removed to Verona, Oneida County N. Y. Where he now resides-. That he served in the Revolutionary War as follows.

That he enlisted about two years previous to the burning of New London by Genl Arnold according to the best of his recollection- 

4 which would be in the Spring of 1779 - This deponent [illegible] to Fort Trumbull at New London under a Capt Shapley - one Lieutenant Stow. one Sergeant  Whittlesey was [illegible] [illegible]

Col Ledyard had command of Fort Trumbull and 
Groton fort; whom this deponent often Saw - That this deponent continued to serve at the fort through the Season -  He cannot now from his advanced age and Consequent  loss of memory, 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 period I mentioned below - namely the Term of Sevon months and for that service I claim a pension -

Page 5

This deponent was discharged at the Close of his service - 

5 There was no other Officers whose name he recollects other than those herein named.

6. This deponent did not receive any discharge in writing.

7. This deponent [illegible] - to Deacon Seth E. Briggs Martin Langdon.  Jedediah Minkler Leonard Brown of Verona. Who can testify as to this deponents character and [illegible] .

This deponent knows of no living witness to know his Services- 

That he humbly relinquishes all claim to a pension except the [illegible] and that his name is not contained on the pension Roll of any State.

David Douglas [signature]

Sworn + subscribed }
the day and year}
Aforesaid- }
John P. Sherwood}
Judge of Oneida }
Co Courts}

Page 6

We Israel Brainerd a Clergy man residing in Verona, and Alexander Whaley of said town do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Douglass of said Verona [illegible] We believe him to be about 74 years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a Soldier of the Revolution. and that we concur in that opinion and that be a man of truth and veracity- 

{Sworn and subscribed before me this 26th day of February 1833. and I certify the above all persons of credibility}

Alexander Whaley

Israel Brainerd

Richard Beckham
Justice of the peace

Page 7

And I the [illegible] [crossed out] do hereby declare [crossed out] my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations [illegible] by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he States - and the [illegible] further [illegible] that it appears certain that Israel Brainerd who has signed preceeding Certificate a Clergy man resident in Verona and Alexander Whaly is a doctor and resident in Same place and their statements entitled to credit. - And that they reside so far from the place [illegible] of the court that it would be inconvenient for them to be brought personally before the court. - And I the said judge certify that the said David Douglass from bodily infirmity is not able to attend court in person - 

John P. Sherwood 
Judge Oneida Co Court

I George Brown Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Oneida County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the [illegible] proceedings John P. Sherwood judge of court of common pleas the court in the Matter of the application 

And Groton fort,  and whom this deponent often Saw  - that this deponent continued to be at this fort through the Season

Page 8

David Douglass.
Oneida County N. Y. 

Private.

1779. Capt Shapley 
Col Ledyard.
Fort Trumbull 7 mos.

B. P. Johnson 
Agent.Rome. N. Y.

Pension payable at 
Branch Bank
Utica N. Y. 

of David Douglass for a pension- and I further Certify that William Peckham before whom the foregoing appl was taken is a justice of the peace in + for said County. That I am acquainted with his hand writing - and the foregoing signature is his. In Testimony which I have hereunto Setting hand + affixed the [illegible] aforesaid County this 9th day of April 1833. 

I further Certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of Said  body + too Signature are in his known hand writing 

Geo Brown Clerk

Page 9

24550

David Douglass.
Oneida County N.Y.

Invalid.

1779. Capt Shapley

 Col. Ledyard.

Fort Trumbull 7 mos

B. P. Johnson
Agent. Rome. N.Y.

Pension payble at Branch Bank

Utica N. Y.

Page 10

24.550.

David Douglass.
Oneida Co
New York.

[illegible]

7 mo. Pri

$23.33

B. P. Johnson Agent.

Rome. Oneida Co.
New York.

Page 11

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of David Douglass. Oneida. New York.

Period when the service was rendered / Sp. 1779

Duration of the claimant’s service / Years. “ / Months. 7 / Days. “

Rank of the Claimant / Priv

Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. / Col Ledyard  Cap Shaply.

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the  service. / 74 years  New London  
Conn

Proof by which the declaration is supported. /
Traditionary.

I am respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 12

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. " 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 & Teamsters, Boatmen, & Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law. as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Nacal 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, musicians 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 }88
On this   day of    Personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of     in the county of   and State, Territory or District of   aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 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:

[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 country through which he marched. {finger pointing to next word]  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
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 revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I     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 pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this  day of     &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such 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 Stat Troops, Volunteers of 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 ..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 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 the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolurtionary Soldier, and servedas he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. and that C. D. who has also sighed 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     foe a  pension

Page 13

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be 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 of 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.
[underline]
[a} The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer 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 the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For __ year __ months, and __ days, I served as a __. For __ months and __ days, I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months, [end italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions [illegible] state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; 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 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 of narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
]m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department with the declaration.
[handwritten] Joseph Rowen

Page 14

Rev. And 1812
War Section.

July 8, 1926

Mrs. C. B. Riggs
1303 Clinton Blvd
Bloomington, Ill

Madam:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 10579, it appears that David Douglas or Douglass was born in 1758 at the city of New London, Connecticut. 

While residing about five miles from there, at the town of New London, Connecticut, he enlisted in the spring of 1779 and served seven months as a private in Captain Shapley’s Company, at Fort Trumbull under Colonel Ledyard, in the Connecticut Troops. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 1, 1833, while a resident of Verona, Oneida County, New York.

There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

Page 15

[illegible]

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section 

November 15, 1926

Mrs. J. E. Robinson
1411 North Main St.,
Bloomington, ILL.

Madam:

I have to advise you relative to the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 10579 of David Douglass, that in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of his death, you should apply to the Civil Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. citing all of the following data: David Douglass, certificate No. 14619, issued June 4 or 6, 1833, rate $23.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York, (Utica) Agency [illegible]

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

Page 16

Pension claim of David Douglass
S. 10579.

When and where did the above die?

[illegible] J. E. Robinson
1411 N. Main St.
Bloomington Ill.

9-16-1926

Page 17

10579

INVALID

[illegible]

No. 10,579

David Douglas

Pri. Rev war

Act: June 7th 32

ex: - Vol. A, Page 100

[Arrangement of 1870.]

1926 - July 8. Hist. To Mrs. C. B. Riggs [illegible] letter [illegible] 
Benjamin Willcox S. 14852 [illegible] 
1926 - Nov. 15 - Mrs. J. E. Robinson advised [illegible] date of last payments
[illegible]