Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10669, Jotham Trafton, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Trafton, Jotham
R. 10669
CONTENTS

29. 7. 66 Southam Grafton
24'
2
Skavanagh Vates Green Agent Bath Mews

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF LINCOLN SS.
At a Court of Common Pleas holden at Wiscasset in said County on the fourth Tuesday of December A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty- three  three , personally appeared in open Court, before JOHN RUSSELL , David Est. one of the Judges thereof,
Jotham Trafton  Perham a resident of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, as a private soldier & volunteer in the month of July , in the year 1776 - In Saml. McCobb's regiment in Capt. John Pinkham's company, in the Regiment commanded by said McCobb in Lincoln County , he served that year four months in constant service, at Wiscasset & Boothbay & at the mouth of Kennebec river . His service was constant & in the months of July, August, September, October & November of that year & that in the year 1777. His applicant served three months in June, July & August in constant service under the same officers, at the mouth of Kennebec river & small point . In 1778 this applicant again served three months under Capt. Pinkham - That in the year 1779, he served three months in a company of Artillery under Capt. Jordan Parker , and again in 1781 three months under the same Capt. Parker . Making his whole time of service sixteen months during the Revolutionary War . He was born at Georgetown State of Maine Aug 28. 1760 . Has a record of his age in a Bible. He lived in Georgetown when called into service has lived there since & now lives there. He always volunteered, was never a substitute. He never received any written discharge, was always dismissed. He is known in his neighborhood to David Olave , Jeremiah Sperry , Mt. Gray who knew him in the service, and to David Webber a clergyman in his town & Joseph Grewall Esq a magistrate of the County of Lincoln . He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of
Jotham Trafton
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before
David Perham
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Maine.

Mr Joseph Sevall of Bath in the County of Lincoln a Magistrate for & within said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Trapham who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration that in belief him to be about seventy three years of age that he is respected and beloved in his neighborhood to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war and in his belief  Joseph Sevall
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War Department) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states and the Court do hereby certify that Joseph Sevall who has subscribed the above declaration is a Magistrate in said County residing in Bath aforesaid and that David Webb of Georgetown who has subscribed the same is a clergyman residing in Georgetown That they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit and belief.  David Webb Min. Com. Pres.  I, Clerk of the Courts of Record and Court of Common Pleas for Lincoln County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
Attest Nath. Coffin Clerk
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this day of A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
Clerk of the Courts of Record and Court of Common Pleas in Lincoln County.

We David Webber a clergyman of the Baptist order residing in Georgetown and Joseph Sewall of Bath & a magistrate in the County of Lincoln do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jotham Prentiss of our Georgetown who has sub- scribed & made oath to the foregoing declara- tion. We believe him to be about seventy years of age. And he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution our concurs in that opinion —
David Webber
Joseph Sewall
State of Maine
Lincoln ss. Sworn & subscribed this twenty third Day of December A. D. 1833
before me North Groton Justice of Peace

State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Nath. Groton Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 24 th day of December A. D. 1832
Nath. Coffin CLERK.
here it Dec

I David Oliver of Georgetown in the State of Maine aged Seventy four years testify & say that I will know Nathan Trafton of said Georgetown he is now about Seventy three years of age, I have known said Trafton ever since the Revolution. During the revolutionary war said Trafton belonged to a company of Militia commanded by Captain John Hinkley in Col. Samuel McKobb's Regiment which company was called out several times to guard the coast at the mouth of Kennebec River & at Wiscasset & at Small Point said Trafton actually served as a private in said company in doing guard duty at said several stations in 1777 & 1778 and was out on duty with said company whenever the same was called out. I think he served in 1777 - four months and in 1778 about four months - he served some at other times but the precise period of his other service I cannot now state. He was a neighbor of mine and I well knew of his service at the time, but at the distant period I cannot state more precisely about it than above. David Oliver
State of Maine Lincoln County ss. November 21 1833 Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for and within said County the above named David Oliver who subscribed the foregoing deposition in my presence and made oath that the same is true and I further certify that the said David Oliver is a credible person, and his statement are entitled to credit and belief. Joseph Grewall Just. Peace

I Jeremiah Spinnery of Georgetown in the State of Maine aged seventy five years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Nathan Trapham of said Georgetown - said Trapham is now aged about seventy three years of age - I knew him during the revolutionary war - In 1776 said Trapham belonged to a company of Militia commanded by Captain John Kimble in Georgetown, and he served as a private in said company. When it was called out which was in 1776 about three months and in 1777 three months as near as I can recollect and in 1778 about the same time - This service was rendered in guarding the coast, as and about the mouth of Kennebec River - In 1779 said Trapham enlisted into the company of Artillery commanded by Captain Jordan Parker and served in said company as a private that year, three months - he also served as a private in said Artillery company in the year 1781. Three months at least, and I think more. I was belonged to said Artillery com- pany, and well knew of said Trapham's services above related - Jeremiah Spinnery
State of Maine Lincoln County ss. December 21 st 1833 Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for and within said County Jeremiah Spinnery and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed in my presence of true faith I further certify that said Jeremiah Spinnery is a credible person, and his state- ment is entitled to credit and belief Joseph Gove Clerk Just. Peace

I Allen Clary of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln aged Seventy from year testify as say that I well know Nathan Traphon of said Georgetown & said Georgetown & have known him ever since the Revolutionary war - he is now about Seventy then years of age - I 1776 said Traphon was a private soldier in a company of Militia in Georgetown commanded by Captain John Hinkley, said company was called out that year to guard the coast and was out on duty four months at Wiscasset & at the mouth of Kennebec River. said Traphon was on duty in said company as a private & served as such four months that year. The next year the company was called out on the same service, and was out about three months and in 1778 the company was also out on duty but how long I cannot recollect, said Traphon with the company when it was out, and also so some three months in 1777, and 1778, but how long that year, I cannot say - I belonged to this company as with Mr. Traphon & well knew him to be then as also stated - his Allen + Clary marks.
State of Maine Lincoln County ss. December 7th 1833 Personally appeared before me the Justice of the Peace for which within said County the above named Allen Clary who subscribed the foregoing deposition in my presence, and made oath that the same is true, and I further certify that the said Allen Clary is a credible person, and his statements are entitled to credit and belief. Joseph Grewall Clerk Peace

State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Joseph Sewall Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature to me well known. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 24 th day of December A. D. 1832
Nathl. Coffin CLERK.

State of Maine.
— I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that the annexed paper, signed by the Judge and attested by the Clerk, contains the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas, at a special session thereof holden at Wiscasset in said County, by the Hon. David Perham one of the Judges of said Court on the fourth Tues day of December A. D. 1832 in the matter of the application of Setham Trafton — for a Pension. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 24 th day of December A. D. 1832.
Nath. Coffin
CLERK.

Stearns Boston 24.766
• April 11 1836 Ref d (with Res.) to the Com e on Rec d Pensions
• May 10 1836 Com e  disch d to lie
Return d
Hall of the
Hon. E. Kavanagh
Ans d Apr l 25. 1834

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 subjjoined 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, showing the Service of Isaac Preston
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. 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.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 " 4 " Private Sam l M c Gott age 73 years David Nibler   1777 3 . Colonel John H. Bentley left lived in Georgetown Clergyman of Georgetown John H. Bentley Esq.   1778 3 .   1779 3 Jordan Packer Esq. David Oliver   1881 3 Jordan Packer James M c Sperry   16 months Allen Ruey  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 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 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
A claimant served in the Massachusetts troops actually called into service under proper authority, they were undoubtedly paid, and often by the Secretary of State at Boston.

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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[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 _____; 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; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the 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.
[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.
[k] 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 [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Evidence of his service may be produced from the rolls in the

29.766.
Jotham Prafton Maine.
Act 7 June '32.
at Dickens Hoombs May 12/37.
10609.
act 7 th June 1832

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
10,669
P. O. Dothan Grafton
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

CARROLL L. BEEDY
1ST DISTRICT MAINE
COMMITTEES:
ELECTIONS NO. 1, CHAIRMAN BANKING AND CURRENCY INSULAR AFFAIRS EXPENDITURES IN THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS
HOME ADDRESS: PORTLAND, MAINE
House of Representatives U. S. Washington, D. C.
December 17, 1931.
TRAFTON Eliphalet
Administrator of Veterans Affairs, Attention Revolutionary-1812 Wars Section, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
In pursuance of a telephone conversation with your office of this morning, I am enclosing herewith letter from Lilian E. Trafton of Cape Neddick, Maine. This letter is self-explanatory.
I understand that your office has been communica- ting with Lilian Trafton for some time in the matter, and I would appreciate it if you would inform me as to the status of the case. I should appreciate a detailed report in the premises.
Very truly yours,
D
Enclosure.

Copy
War Department
Pension Office
April 25 1832
Sir,
Botham Troton claims to have served in Captain Hinckley's company, in Colonel M c Cobb's regiment of militia, at Wiscasset & Booth Bay, 4 months in 1776, 3 months in 1777 & 3 months in 1778. He also claims to have served 3 months in Capt Lordam Parker's Company of Artillery in 1779, and in 1781, 3 months in the same company. The papers have been heretofore returned for proof from the Office of the Secretary of Massachusetts. A certificate has been furnished from that Office stating that no rolls of the service stated under Capt n Hinckley can be found; but no reference is made to the service under Capt n Parker. As to the former service, it appears that a Corps of Sea Coast men, were maintained by the State at Booth bay, and unless the militia were called into actual service & paid, it cannot be presumed they performed service within the act of 7 June 1832. The papers are again returned for evidence & explanation.
Similar remarks apply to the claim of Alan Clacy, whose papers are also returned for further evidence.
If John Hinckley was Captain of a Company in 1776 & 1777, as alleged by the two foregoing claimants, it will require some explanation to reconcile his service as Lieutenant in Capt n Lamont's company, in 1777, a

stated in the declaration of Samuel Hinkley. From the original paper annexed to Mr Hinkley's declaration, it would seem that his father was a captain. That list appears to contain the names of those liable to do duty, and notices the state of their equipment. So far from affording a presumption of actual service, the fact that a considerable portion of the company were destitute of arms, among whom was Allen Gacy, affords a very strong probability that they were not called into permanent actual service at that time. Unless the service in Capt Park's artillery can be verified by the Rolls, it cannot be admitted. He claims to have served in May & June 1781, in that Corps; but it is stated in Mr Barry's certificate that the rolls do not contain his name. The papers are returned. The papers of Isaac Jones are also returned. There are full rolls of service in which he claims to have been engaged, in the Secretary's Office at Boston. As the regulations require the best evidence, unless this proof is procured, as has been heretofore required, the claim cannot be admitted. What renders this evidence especially necessary is, that few if any of the troops raised on that occasion served three months, and the statement of the claimant is contrary to the usual course of the service.

Similar remarks apply to the claim of Abraham Howland, whose papers are also returned.
If Eli Perry belonged to the sea coast men, who were permanently stationed at the places stated in the declaration, the fact may be proved by the evidence heretofore required. The papers are likewise returned.
Similar remarks apply to the claims of John Wallis, William Wyman & David Percy, whose papers are also returned.
William Coffee claims to have served in Capt James LeMont's company of sea coast men, in 1775. There is known to be a complete roll of that company, in the Secretary's Office at Boston; and if the claimant belonged to it, the fact may be established beyond doubt or question. His other services cannot be recognized as actual military services, unless further proof, of the character heretofore pointed out, is furnished. The papers are returned.
In the letter of Nathaniel Gorton, Esq. with which these claims were returned, it is stated by way of apology for not furnishing the evidence required, that the Officers under whom the claimants served made few returns. If such be the fact it shews very strongly that their services were not at the time considered to be of a character which entitled company in 1775 a

them to pay, and of course do not come within the law of 1832. Payment was always made upon pay rolls. If no pay rolls were furnished, no pay could be obtained, and of course the service will not, without a satisfactory explanation, be regarded as actual service in the field or garrison, having been called out by the proper authorities.
I have the honor to be very respectfully Your Ob t Serv t (Signed) J. L. Edwards.
Hon E. Kwanagh House of Representatives

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 28 th 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the rolls of Capt. John Heinckly's Company, in Col. Sam l McCobb's Regt. as described by Gotham Srafton, who claims for services under the above named Officers, in 1776. 77. 78. and 79. are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

Feb 4 - 1857
D 29.766
Southam Trafton
Act 7 th June 1832.
29766 original in 1834.
Cook Trefus
Filed by Dickins & Coombs.

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Clerk's Office, Judicial Courts, PORTLAND, January 27. A. D 1851
I, Charles C. Harmon, CLERK OF ALL THE JUDICIAL COURTS,
In and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that
Reuben Oliver Eng is an
Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for the County of Lincoln as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that the COMMISSION of the said Oliver is dated March 23. A. D. 1843 and will expire March 23 A. D. 1852
and that the following SIGNATURE purporting to be his, etc Genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written
Chas. C. Harmon, CLERK.

State of Maine } Lincoln County } ss
On this twenty third day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Nathan Dighton a resident of Georgetown in the County aforesaid aged ninety two years who being duly sworn according to law makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. And this declarant states that he is a native of Georgetown and resided there in the time of the Revolutionary war — That he performed service in that war in Capt Hockley's Company and others, for which he made a declaration after the passage of the law aforesaid the details of which he is now unable to state on account of his great age and loss of memory. He therefore makes this supplementary declaration in order to obtain the pension due him under said act and for proof of his service he refers to the

paper in his former declarations supposed to be in the Pension Department at Washington.
And in order to have my said claim pro- moted to effect, I have appointed Messrs Perkins and Loomis my attorneys for that purpose.
Jotham Frafton
State of Maine Lincoln SS personally appeared Jotham Frafton above named known to me as the person he represents himself to be and also a person of respectability and veracity and made oath to the truth of the truth of the foregoing declaration by him signed, before me the day of the year first above written
Nathaniel Oliver, Justice Peace

Power of Attorney,
I Latham Tufton of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine do hereby unrevocably constitute and appoint Messrs (Dukins and Coombs of Washington (District of Columbia my) true and lawful attorneys for me and in my name to prosecute a claim for a pension which I hold against the United States for my Revolutionary services. And for that purpose to apply to the Commissioner of Pensions for the examination of my papers in the Commissioner's office and to demand and receive from said Commissioner all and any Certificates of Pension, I may be entitled to receive. And to do all things necessary to be done under any laws of the U.S. to further the prosecution of said claim to final decision which my said attorneys can legally do in the premises — Hereby revoking all and every power of attorney which I may have given to any person or persons whatever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 23 d day of January 1857.
Andrew Oliver Whitney
Latham Tufton

State of Maine Lincoln ss January 23 rd 1851 Personally appeared Nathan Dighton within name and acknowledged the within power of attorney by him signed to be his free act and deed before me,
Reuben Oliver Just. Jur.

Power of Attorney from John F. Foster to J. E. H. Hassler. B. Johnston & Co.
Revolutionary
Suspended or Allowed 1832.

State of Maine County of Sagadahoc, ss Be it known that before the undersigned a justice of the peace, in & for the county, & State of Maine, personally appeared Jonathan Dighton aged ninety six years, resident of Georgetown in the State of Maine, who being duly cautioned, then I sworn in due form of law, states that he is the identical person who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war, that he was a resident of the town of Sheep, now the State of Maine when he went into the Revolution, that the name of the Captain under whom he served was, John Hinkley & the name of the lot was the same as the lot, that he served in said war seven years, & was honorably dis- charged which discharge is now the property at Washington D C, that he was a private Soldier that he has never received any pension for his service, but has made application several years since & furthermore By these Presents constitutes Appointments, & fully empowers, & authorizes irrevocably & with power of substitution

J. E. Hassler of Washington D. C. as his true & lawful attorney for him & in his name & stead, to examine into & present to demand, & receive from the U. S. Government & state offices his rights in all, & in any manner of claims for arrears, of pay, half pay or commutation pay, for pension, increase of arrears, of pension or land that are or may be due him, & furthermore revoke all & any powers, of attorney heretofore executed in favor of any person or persons. In witness whereof the said Jotham D. Foster has, on this twenty sixth  fourth day, of July 1855, hereunto signed his name, & affixed his seal.
Witness Elias Brookings Jr. Jotham D. Foster his mark Witness Leaphalen A. Rowe
Signed sealed, acknowledged, & sworn to before me & I further certify that the applicant is the identical person he represents himself to be that the witnesses are credible persons that I have no interest in the result of this claim Dated at Georgetown this twenty sixth day of July 1855 David T. Wright Justice of the Peace,