Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,901, Joseph Wood, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Wood, Joseph
S 111901
Carded.
CONTENTS

Vermont
18.868
Joseph Wood
of Windsor in the State of Vermont who was a - P t - in the Company commanded by Captain Davenport of the Reg t commanded by Col. Whitehead in the Vermont line for Stillwater.
18 Mo. Private. $ 60 00 Mass. Line. June 1835. Records corrected.
Inscribed on the Roll of - Vermont at the rate of 10 Dollars - Dimes per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Oct r 1833 and sent to - J. Converse. Bethel, Vt.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 - 150. 00 Semestral allowance ending 4 Mch 1834 30. 00
$ 180. 00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. Sprague Clerk.
Book 6 Vol. 3 - Page 98

Joseph Woods Affidavit

State of Vermont - Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Windsor County Justice of the peace within said County of Windsor Joseph Woods, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that on the last of January or first of February 1776 he enlisted as a soldier in the State Troops of Massachusetts for the term of one year, and marched immediately to Roxbury Massachu- setts where he joined the Army. That he served under the officers and in the manner stated in his original declaration which he has once transmitted to the War Department but which has been returned to him, and which he intends to accom- pany this affidavit. That he served under this enlistment one full year, and was discharged at Picoondarega in the State of New York, but he cannot at this distance of time positively say whether he received a written discharge but if he did he has long since lost the same. That while he was stationed at said Picoondarega there was a battle on Lake Champlain between the naval forces of the Americans and the British which according to the  this best recollection was in the month of October. That he understood that in said en- gagement the British were victorious. That he was not himself in said engagement. That in the month of July 1777, at Sturbridge he again enlisted as a soldier for the term of six months and marched immediately to Providence in the State of Rhode Island under Capt. Cullen, Lieut. Mower, Ensign Francis Mowatt. That he enlisted into and served in the State Troops of Massachusetts. That owing to old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot now say what the names of the field officers were, but he thinks the name of the

Colonel was Arnold but is not positive. There were not a large number of Troops at Providence at this time. That he was in no battles during the term of service. the business of the Troops at that place being to guard the Prison and vicinity and the Coast there. — That he served out his full term of six months and was discharged at said Providence in the month of January 1778. but received no written discharge, as he now thinks. but if he did he has long since lost the same. That for all the time aforesaid he served with an embodied Corps called into service by Competent authority, and that he served either in the field or garrison. and for the time during which the ser- vice was performed he was not engaged in any civil pursuit.
Joseph Wood
Sworn to before me this first day of October 1833. Jonathan Marsh Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont Windsor County ss. I hereby certify that I have long personally known Joseph Wood the signer of the above, and that he has ever had still does sustain an unblemished reputation as a christian and a man.
Jonathan Marsh Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont Windsor County ss. I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court, Do hereby certify that Jonathan Marsh is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified, and that his Signature above written are genuine — Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court this first day of October 1833 — Benj. Swan Clerk

claim of Joseph Wood Bethel Vt
Claimant
Commit 1860's
L. C. onverse Esq Bethel Vt

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
8 April 1833
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 subjined 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 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
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr. Leach's brood Bethel

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 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, 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 } ss. County of }
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 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 _____
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 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 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.
[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 Revolutionary 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 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.
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 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 traditional 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 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, deponeth 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 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 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; and 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 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 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.
[1] 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.
[2] 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 in note [1] applies to continental troops only.
[3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[5] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Joseph Woods
18.
No 2,608

STATE OF VERMONT, WINDSOR COUNTY, ss.
On this Seventh day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford District now sitting, Joseph Wood a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged Seventy four 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.
That at Sturbridge in the State of Massachusetts where he then resided he enlisted as a soldier in the State Troops of that State as he thinks on the last of January or first of February 1776 for the term of one year in the company commanded by Capt Danf orth. First Lieut Mr Mawl . 2 d Lieut Benjamin Pollard (the name of the Ensign forgotten) Col Whitcomb comm- anded the Regiment. That soon after enlisting he joined the Army at Roxbury in Massachusetts. That they contin- ued at Roxbury untill the next July or August as he thinks, when he went to Concord in New York - That while at Roxbury and vicinity the British evac- uated Boston and the shipping left the harbor which was in March - That he remained at Concord till discharged at the end of the year which was about the first of February 1777 as he thinks - That the garrison at Concord was commanded by Col Wayne as he thinks when he was there - He was in no battles during this enlistment - That he received no written discharge as he remembers but if he did he has lost it - That in the month of July 1777 at said Sturbridge he again enlisted for the term of six months and marched immediately to Providence in Rhode Island under Capt John Bulter . Lieut Moor , Ensign Jonas Newell - That the troops in which he served were com- manded as he thinks by Col Arnold - He was born March 4th 1761 Phillips Patent in the State of New York - and has resided in Bethlehem over forty years last past -

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.
Sworn to and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. }
Joseph Wood
L. Marsh, Register
We, Washington Granger a Clergyman residing in Bethel and Miss May residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Wood who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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. }
Washington Granger Miss May
L. Marsh, Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the mat- ter, and after 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 that Washington Granger who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Bethel Vermont and that Miss May who has also signed the same, is a resident in said Bethel and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Lyndon Marsh Register of the Court of Probate of the Dis- trict of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Woods for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of August A. D. 1832
L. Marsh, Register

Washington September 3, 1931.
BA-J/ADY
Mrs. Susan T. Wood, Route 3, Idlewild Farm, Nashua, New Hampshire.
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.11901, that Joseph Wood was born March 4, 1761 at Phillips Patent, New York.
While a resident of Sturbridge, Massachusetts he enlisted in January or February 1776 and served one year as a private in Captain Danforth's Company, Colonel Whitcomb's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted in July 1777 and served six months in Captain John Cutler's Massachusetts Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832 while living in Bethel, Windsor County, Vermont, where he had resided over forty years.
There are no family data.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford any information in regard to Stephen Wood as described by you.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
January 13, 1927.
Honorable Bird J. Vincent, House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Vincent:
In response to your letter of the tenth instant, requesting the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Joseph Wood, S. 11901, for Mr. Elbert Wood of St. Louis, Michigan, I have the honor to advise you, that it is not on record in this Bureau.
For the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and the date of death of said Joseph Wood, application should be made to the Civil Division, General Accounting Office, citing all of the following data:
Joseph Wood, Certificate No. 18868, issued October 17, 1833, rate $60 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Vermont Agency.
Herewith are returned Mr. Wood's Letter and the bureau report relative to this pensioner, dated July 10, 1926.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
July 10, 1928.
Honorable Ely J. Vincent, House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Vincent:
In response to your letter of the eighth instant, requesting data for Mr. Elbert Wood of Saint Louis, Michigan, I have the honor to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 11901, it appears that Joseph Wood was born March 4, 1761, at Phillips Patent, New York.
While residing at Sturbridge, Massachusetts he enlisted in January, or February 1776, and served one year as a private, in Captain Danforth's Company, Colonel Whitcomb's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted in July 1777, and served six months in Captain John Outler's Massachusetts Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, while living in Bethel, Windsor County, Vermont. There is no data on file as to his family.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.
Small lot Wood as Capt John Outler was of Whitcomb Regt. at the time. A letter in pension claim file was in Ely's Regt.

Rev. War
11.901 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11.901
Joseph Wood Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: Vol. A , Page 415
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1894 Sept 10 Visit to Hon. A. P. Bate Long Lake N.Y.
1926 July 10. Visit to Hon. Bird Vincent 1927 Jan. 11. Visit to Vincent informed how to obtain date of death. au
1931 Sept. 2. Visit to Mrs. Susan J. Wood. N.Y.

BIRD J. VINCENT 8th DIST. MICHIGAN
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. WASHINGTON, D.C.
Hon. Winfield Scott, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Scott:
I am taking the liberty of inclosing herewith a letter from Elbert Wood of St. Louis, Michigan, and one from yourself dated July 10, 1926. If it is possible for you to give the information Mr. Wood requests in his letter, it will be appreciated.
Kindly return the enclosures when they have served your purpose.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
A handwritten signature in cursive script that reads "Bird J. Vincent".

BIRD J. VINCENT 8TH DIST. MICHIGAN
COMMITTEES:
IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION CLAIMS WORLD WAR VETERANS LEGISLATION ELECTIONS NO. 2
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
July 8, 1926.
Hon. Winfield Scott, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Scott:
Replying to your kind letter of the 17th ultimo, I beg to state that my constituent, Elbert Wood, of Saint Louis, Michigan, writes me that he would like to have a history of the service of Joseph Woods, S. 11901, who lived at Bethel, Windsor County, Vermont, in 1832, during the Revolutionary War.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
Bird J. Vincent

Idlewild Farm, Route 2, Nashua, N.H. Aug 17, 1931.
Pension Bureau. Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir's -
I wish, very much, to obtain the Revolutionary War records relating to the following: -
✓ Stephen Wood . York Co., Maine, age 84, Private Mass.
✓ Joseph Wood, Bethel, Vt., age 79 in 1840.
Any information you can furnish will be of value to me.
Sincerely Yours,
Mrs Susan J. Wood