Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,568, James Ward, Conn.

SERVICE
Ward, James
NUMBER
S. 22.568
CONTENTS

Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 Sep 1838 to 21 Jan 1839. A gt notified 30 June 1840
N o 18334
Pennsylvania
James Ward
of Bradford Co, in the State of Penn a who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Peas of the Reg t commanded by Col. Wolcott in the Cont. Troops time for 1 year 6 months & 14 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 54 Dollars 87 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12. day of Sept. 1833 and sent to A. Herrick Troy P a
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 137.18 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 1834 27.48
$164.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Book E, Vol. 5
Clerk, Page 65

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 25 th , 1848.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The child u of James Ward dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at $54.87 the rate of fifty four Dollars and eighty seven cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838. to the 2 nd January 1839, the day of his death.
Respectfully yours,
William H. Harrison
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

No 24004
James Ward Bradford Co Pennsylvania
Troy
Admit as Private 1 year 4 months & 14 days -
A. Henrik Esq. Troy Pa
James Bull Broth Bradford Co Pennsylvania

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to 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 James Hard Bradford Co. Pennyc
   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.     May 1776 until 1st Jan 1777 * spring 77 about seven months Private Capt. Pease Col. Holcomb Capt. Robison Col. Ely 75 years Tanners Connecticut Traditional evidence   After 1778 discharged Sept 1778 2 Capt. Dyer Genl. Tyler Capt. Cameron   Aug 1779 discharged Oct 1779 1 14  
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 G. 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 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, 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 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.
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 traditional 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.
John Ashton

State of Pennsylvania Bradford County ss
On this 28 th day of Sept r 1832 Personally appeared before me the Sub r one of the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Bradford & State of Pennsylvania - James Ward a resident of Troy Township within the County & State of aforesaid of aged twenty five years who being first duly sworn according to the rites on his oath makes the following deposition in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he was born Feb y 20 th 1757 in the Town of in the State of Connecticut that he enlisted in the army of the united about the month of May 1776 under Captain Abial Pierce first Lieutenant Pomeroy & Lieutenant Isaac Conner in the Reg t commanded by Col o Erastus Wolcott in the State Troops of Connecticut & continued in service about seven months until Jan y 1 st 1777 at being the time for which he enlisted during this time he was engaged in a skirmish to aid Fort Ticonderoga he was discharged without a written discharge he again the Spring of in 1777 in January in the State he enlisted into the service of the united States under Capt o Elijah Robinson in the Reg t commanded by Col o Jer m Ely in the Connecticut State Troops & was employed in the vicinity of Fort Griswold about four months & then the Reg t to which he was attached was ordered to Rhode Island & on their route to their place of destination they went through Huntington in Connecticut & Westerly north Kingston & South Kingston & Middletown in Rhode Island & went through Wickford in Massachusetts from there they marched through New London & Little Snipsbury in Rhode Island to Little Compton in Rhode Island where they the Reg t was stationed during our stay stationed at Little Compton in about a week we were then ordered to the Howlands Ferry about twelve miles from Little Compton & back to Little Compton & in about a month we marched back to Fort Griswold in Rhode Island & on their return to Fort Griswold they passed

Through a town called Johnsons town after the troops returned to Fort Grinnold (he thinks) they remained there about a month & then were marched to New London in Connecticut & from there we went through Lyone Saybrook Guylford New Haven Stamford & Norwalk in the State of Connecticut & marched to P'keepsie (he thinks) in West Chester in the State of New York when they were stationed at P'keepsie we were ordered on a foraging tour &aging tour & were gone about twenty four hours & took a good deal of forage from the Tories & continued in service until early in 1832 when he was discharged at P'keepsie above mentioned In 1778 he was drafted for two months to Guard Fort Tromble & served under Captain Sykes (he thinks) in Col. Disbards Reg't Genl Tyler commanded & served two months & was then discharged at Fort Tromble (he thinks) about the first of Sept 1778 no written discharge he was again drafted for six weeks in 1779 & served under Captain Gashah Conner & Noah Peas Lieutenant (the other officers not recollected) & was employed in guarding Fort Grinnold & served six weeks & was discharged at Fort (he thinks) in Novr 1779 had no written discharge he was again in 1781 drafted for three months & hired a Mr. Smith to perform the town of duty & paid him (he thinks) $4 dollars & Genl Putnam & he has no doubt but let the said Smith send the above town of duty he has a record of his age in a Bible in the house where he now lives. He lived in Farmers in the State of Connecticut when called into service he has lived since the Revolutionary war in the State of Connecticut in Pennsylvania in the State of New York & the fourteen years last part he has lived in Troy Pennsylvania in the County of Bradford & State of Pennsylvania where he now resides he has stated the officers as near as he can recollect he states the names of Genl. Scoble McKean & Genl. McKean Esq of Bentleyton & Major Ezra Lony & Major William Esq of Troy.

as Persons to whom he who he is of known & who can testify as to his character for piety & their belief of his Service as a Soldier of the Revolution
We hereby certify every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the - Pension & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state Sworn & Subscribed The day & year aforesaid James Ward
John McKean Bradford County Pa
We James Merritt & Zillah Dunbar resident In the Township of Hoy in the County of Bradford & State of Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted James Ward who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that he Believes him - him - to be seventy five years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion Sworn & Subscribed this day & year aforesaid before us
James Merritt Zillah Dunbar Bradford County State of Pa
Bradford County Pa
I James P. Buce, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county do hereby certify that John McKean whose name is subscribed to the above certificate is and was at the date thereof a duly qualified Judge of the said Court. Witness my hand and official seal this 21st day of January A.D. 1833. J.P. Buce

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania } Bradford County } ss
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Bradford, James Ward, 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 one year, four months and fourteen days, I served as a private; and for such service I claim a pension; that I know of no surviving witness who can testify to my service, that there is no Clergyman living in my immediate vicinity who can testify to my character for veracity, and that I am unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity. James Ward
Sworn to and subscribed this 5 th day of July 1833.
Col. Barnes J.P. [Signature]
And the said John M c Keen Judge as aforesaid, does hereby declare his 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; that there is no Clergyman residing in his immediate vicinity who can testify to his character for veracity; that he is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity. And he further certifies that it appears to him that James Merritt who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the Township of Troy & State aforesaid of Pennsylvania; & that Fina Dunbar who has also signed the same is a resident in the township & State aforesaid & is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Ward Application for Pension
John M c Keen [Signature] John M c Keen J.P.
Bradford County ss
I, James P. Bull, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of James Ward for a pension, & that John M c Keen is an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, & that Churchill Barnes who signed the above certificate is recognized by the said Court as a Justice of the Peace. Witness my hand & official seal this 15 th day of July A. D. 1833. J. P. Bull

Resolutions
22 568
INVALID.
File No. 22,568
James Ward Ex Rev War
Act: June 7" 89"
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 485
[Arrangement of 1870.]

The Hon. Lewis Cass.
Sec. of War.

To the Hon. Lewis Cass Sec. of War,
Sir,
By comparing the declaration of James Ward with the "Tabular Form" accompanying it, the Department will perceive that there has been a mistake in entering his second term of service. It was positively seven months and a half , and should have been so expressed.
As it now stands, it appears there were six months spent at the different posts, besides the time occupied in marching from place to place. It is respectfully submitted.
Troy July 20. 1833.
Almerin Herrick
agent for James Ward