Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,052, Elijah Cochran, N.H.

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[column headers:  service. number]
NH Cochran, Elijah  S15,052
contents carded

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10.886
New Hampshire
Elijah Cochran
of Hillsboro in the State of NH
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain------ of the regt commanded
by Col Stark in the NH
line for 13 Mos 6 Days,
=================
Inscribed on the Roll of NH
at the rate of 43 Dollars 99 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of May
1833 and Sent [to]  Joseph
Cochran New Boston NH
==================
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible]1833 $87.98
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " [1833] 21.99
[total] $109.97
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J H McBlair Clerk,
Book 6, Vol.1, Page 76.

[right side of page] 1885 Aug12 Paul Van Der [Voort?]  history relating to the battle at [Bennington?] ( & also of Reuben Gregg)

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No. 109

Elijah Cochran





[bottom of page]
Please to direct the return 
to Joseph Cochran Jr. Esqr.
New Boston N. H.

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STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE
County of Hillsborough, SS.

On this twenty eighth day of 1832, personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Probate, now sitting at Amherst within and for the County of Hillsborough, in the State aforesaid, Elijah Cochran of New Boston in the County & State aforesaid aged 80 years Who being 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 7th, 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.  That is to say, on the first of May 1775 I enlisted in the Company commanded by Capt. Gordon Hutchins. Lieut Joseph Soaper & Ens. Daniel Livermore as a private Soldier for the term of eight months and was attached to Col. John Starks Regiment and was first stationed in Medford in the State of Massachusetts and after the Battle of Bunker Hill we were stationed on Winter Hill near Boston, and was under the command of General Lee, Genl. Putnam, & Genl. John Sullivan untill [until] the first of January 1776 at which time the whole company was discharged by aforesaid officers.

In August 1776 there was a call for soldiers to go to New York on the first of September of the same year I enlisted with Captain Thomas McConall, Lieut Oliver Holmes & Ens. James Duncan for the term of three months and was attached to Col. Ninian Bauldings & Lieut Col, Gordon Hutchins Regiment, had orders to march to Hartford Connecticut from thence to Newhaven [New Haven], from thence to New Rochel [Rochelle] in New York and from there to White Plains was there when Genl. Washington & his army came thru & when the Brittish [British] Army came thru & cannonaided [cannonaded] our brestwork [breastwork] and was afterwards stationed at New Castle untill the first of December and was honourably dismissed by the officers of said Company.

On the first of August 1777, I enlisted in the Company commanded by Capt. Peter Clark Lieut. Benjamin Bradford, Lieut Daniel Mortimore & Ens. William Beard for the term of two months had orders to march to Charlestown New Hampshire from there to Manchester Vermont & from thence to Bennington and was in the battle of Bennington from first to last, afterwards had orders to march [end of page]

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[affidavit of Elijah Cochran, page 2]

to Stillwater on Hudson River crossed the River Hudson and marched to Bemas heights & joined Genl. Gates army and was then stationed until the first of October 1777, and was under the Command of Genl. John Stark Col. Nichols Lieut. Col. Stickney & Maj. Head, and was honorably dismissed by the aforesaid officers.

I lived in the Town of New Boston in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire at the several different times at which I entered the service as aforesaid.

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State.
  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid  [signed] Elijah Cochran
[signed] Edmund Parker, Judge of Probate., 

We John Atwood a Clergyman residing in the town of New Boston in the county of Hillsborough aforesaid, and Joseph Cochran Jr. Esqr. residing in New Boston aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elijah Cochran who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be eighty years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, [signed] John Atwood   Joseph Cochran Jr.
Edmund Parker  Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, John Atwood who has signed the preceding Certificates is Clergyman resident in the town of New Boston and that Joseph Cochran Jr. who has signed the same, is a resident in the town of New Boston and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. [signed] Edmund Parker {Judge of Probate for said County of Hillsborough.

I CHARLES H. ATHERTON , Register of the court, do hereby certify, that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Elijah Cochran for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court, this twenty eight day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.  [signed] C. H. Atherton  Register of Probate, for said county of Hillsborough.

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STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE
County of Hillsborough, SS.

At the County aforesaid, On the application aforesaid, the following interrogatories were proposed to the said Elijah Cochran and the following answers given [inserted "on oath"] to wit
1.  Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, I was born in Salem in County of Essex in the State of Massachusetts on the 12th day of August Old Stile in the year 1752.  I have always been so informed by my parents.

2.  Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, I have no written record.

3.  Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer, In the Town of New Boston County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire and have lived there ever since except about five years that I lived in Marshfield in the State of Vermont, & I now live in said Town of New Boston.

4.  How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer, I enlisted as a volunteer.

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 recollect, and the general circumstances of your Service?
Answer, The Company to which I belonged was in Col. John Starks Maj. Andrew McClarys Regiment at Winter Hill the commanding officers were Generals Lee, Putnam & Sullivan at White Plains General Washington commanded, & at Bennington Genl John Stark.

6.  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer, I never received a written discharge at any time.  I served out the time for which I enlisted and was discharged by a verbal order.

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 service as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer, Jacob Hooper   Abner Hogg   & James Cochran

Certified by [signed] C. H. Atherton  Register.

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No. 109

Elijah Cochran





[bottom of page]
Please to direct the return 
to Joseph Cochran Jr. Esqr.
New Boston N. H.

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Elijah Cochran

N Hampshire

Private 17 Mos. 6 days



$43.99
20155

Joseph Cochran E [Esquire]
New Boston
N H

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BRIEF in the case of Elijah Cochran
Co. of Hillsborough in the State of N. H.
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Open Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily injury?  [blank]

3.  How old is he?  80

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
1st May in 1775 enlisted,  8 months,  private,  Cap Hutchens Col Stark
7th Sept 1776, on roll of [?]3 Months,  [private].  Cap McConnel  Col Balding
1st Aug 1777,  2 months,  [private],  Cap Clarke  Col Nichols

5. In what battles was he engaged?  was in the Battle of Bennington

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Hillsborough N.H.

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  traditionary thru Living witnesses

8 Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [blank]

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signed] George Taylor   Examining Clerk.

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[It appears that some writing at the top of the page has been cut off]

Elijah Cochran of New Boston N H
In Augt. 1832 of Amherst N H aged 80 years -- In Augt 1777 joined Capt. Peter Clarke's Co, Lt Benj [Benjamin} Bradford & Lt Daniel Mittimon [Reuben Gregg's affidavit says "Mortimore"  (see image # 3)] & Ensign Wm Beard for 2 months; marched from Charleston N H to Bennington Vt & was in the Battle of Bennington from first to last & then ordered to Stillwater & Stationed on Bemis Height till Oct 1 - was under command of Genl Starke, Colo. Nichols; Lt Cdr Stickney.  He was born in Salem Mass Aug 12, 1752. After he lived in New Boston N H except 5 years in Marshfield Vt.
   Reuben Gregg of Deering N H aged 76 years States while living at New Boston N H he enlisted Augt. 1, 1777 in Capt Peter Clarke's Co. for 2 mos. going to Charleston N H & Bennington Vt & was in the battle at the latter place from first to last & assisted in drawing off from the battle ground the last field pieces taken from the enemy.
  (He enlisted 1777 at New Boston for 2 mos)

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15052

INVALID.

File No. 15,052

Elijah Cochran

Pri. [private] Rev War

Act:  June 7th 32

Index:--Vol. 1, Page 79

[in brackets] Arrangement of 1870

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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 Elijah Cochran, which require further proof or explanation.


I.  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?  {blank]

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or 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?  no

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, 1832?  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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[Page] 2

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?  [blank]

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?  [blank]

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 witness or witnesses?  yes
   Has the proper officer certified to the character and signature of the magistrate as regulations direct?  yes

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in a situation, or of such an 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?  [blank]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V.  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.["]

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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 phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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 services 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 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 certificated 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.
 [ hand symbol pointing ] 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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Elijah Cochran

22155

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I Reuben Gregg of Deering in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire of 76 years of age depose and say that at New Boston in said County and State on the first of August 1777 I enlisted in the Company commanded by Capt. Peter Clark, Lieut. Benjamin Bradford, Lieut. Daniel Mortimore & Ens. William Beard as a private with Elijah Cochran of said New Boston for the term of two months, and marched from there to Charleston N.H. from thence to Manchester Vermont, and from there to Bennington, and was in the battle of Bennington from the first to last, and assisted in drawing off the battle ground the last field piece taken from the enemy, & the said Elijah Cochran was with me in the same Company & in the same battle & served with me during the full term of two months under the command of Gen. John Stark  Col. Nichols, Lieut. Col. Stickney & Maj. Head after the battle we had orders to march to Stillwater on the Hudson River, crossed the River & marched to Bemas heights and joined Genl. Gates Army & was there stationed untill [until] the first of October 1777, at which time we were honourably discharged by a verbal order.  Maj. Head died at Bennington before we left that place.
[signed]  Reuben Gregg

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough SS}  November 8th 1832  Then personally appeared the above named Reuben Gregg & made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true, & I further certify that the said deponant is refuted to be a man of truth & veracity & a creditable witness in court.
Sworn to before me [signed] Joseph Cochran Jr.  Justice pf the Peace

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I Jacob Hooper of the town of New Boston & County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire of 82 years of age depose and say that I have lived in said town of New Boston ever since the year 1774 & have since that time been personally acquainted with Mr. Elijah Cochran of said town an applicant for a pension for revolutionary services, & recollect well of his serving as a soldier at Winter Hill near Boston Mass. six or eight months in the year 1775, although I was not in the service myself. I am knowing also of his being in the service one or two months in the year 1777, and of his being at the battle of Bennington Vermont.  I had a brother who was wounded in said battle and died there, said Cochran has frequently related to me the circumstances of my brothers death and burial. for said Cochran took care of him after he was wounded untill [until] he died, and assisted in burying him.  & I further say that said Cochran has always been considered a man of truth & veracity.
[signed]  Jacob Hooper

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough SS.}  December 31st 1832  Then the above named Jacob Hooper personally appeared before me the subscriber and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true, & I furter certify that the above deponant sustains the character of a man of truth and veracity.
[signed]  Joseph Cochran Jr.  Justice of the Peace

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I James Cochran of New Boston in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire of 84 years of age depose and say that I have lived in said new Boston ever since the year 1759.  That I have always been acquainted with Elijah Cochran of said town, the applicant for a pension for revolutionary services, & I know that he served eight months as a soldier at Winter Hill near Boston Mass. in the year 1775.  I served one month as a substitute for an other soldier on Winter Hill, with him.  I also recollect although I was not with him of his serving three months [in] 1776 at White Plains in New York, & of his being at the battle of Bennington in Vermont, & serving two months in the year 1777.  I further say that said Elijah Cochran has always sustained a good character for truth and veracity.
[signed] James Cochran

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough SS}  December 31st 1832  Then the above named James Cochran appeared before me the subscriber and made solemn oath that the above affidavit bt him subscribed is true & I further certify that the above deponant sustains the character of a man of truth & veracity.
[signed] Joseph Cochran Jr   Justice of the Peace

I Andrew Wallace Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that Joseph Cochran Jun. above named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough, and that the above and foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this first day of January in the year of out Lord 1833
[signed] A. Wallace, Clerk