Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,888, David Woodman, N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.H.
Woodman, David
S 11888.
Carded.
CONTENTS

15. 926. New Hampshire
David Woodman
of Strabane, in the State of N. Hampshire who was a Private in the Camp commanded by Captain Holman of the Ky. commanded by Col. Poor in the N. Hamp line for 15 mo. & 6 days
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hamp at the rate of 50 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Aug. 1835 and Supt. P. Wentworth Sandwich
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 21 $101 32 Pension allowance ending 4 Sep. 25 33 $126 65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Robt. Stiles Clerk, book E. Vol. 7. Page 118

No 25672
David Woodman Strafford County New Hampshire
Wat 15 M rs 6 days
Paul Wentworth Sandwich N.Hamp.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office;
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the 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. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of David Woodman Strafford County New Hampshire
   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.     Enlist June 1776 - 1 12 private Captain Elijah Derman 75 years Lee Traditional evidence & two Witnesses certified credible papers authenticated   Enlist Sept. 1776 about 6 12 " Lieut. Woodman, Col Poor, Col Folsom New Hampshire   Enlist June 1777 - 6 - " Col Pike, Col Senter   Enlist { 1778 or 1779 - 1 12 " Col Leguith, Col Mooney  
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

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.
[k] 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.
[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.

June
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
COUNTY OF STRAFFORD ss.—
COURT OF Probate holder at Moultonborough in said County
On this 15 th day of May 1832, personally appeared before the Justices of the said Court of Probate now in session at Moultonborough within and for said County of Strafford, David Woodman a resident of Tamworth , in said County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, aged seventy five 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 enlisted in the army of the United States, in the year 1776 .
and served as follows: — In June 1776. I enlisted in Lee N.H. with Capt. Elijah Dinsmore and marched to Portsmouth N.H. and did duty as a soldier guarding the seacoast, was on duty six weeks and then discharged. In September 1776. I enlisted in the town of Lee and joined the Company under the command of Lieut. John Woodman at New Market from there we marched to Mistick and did duty at Winter hill. The last of March 1777 was discharged after receiving I think 10 or 12 days over six months. The company belonged to Poor Regiment - soon after arriving at Mistick Captain Benjamin Folsom commanded the company - The last of May or first of June 1777. I enlisted in the Company of Capt. Robert Pike of New Market marched from there to Portsmouth N.H. from there to Providence R.I. There to Warwick where the Company was discharged. Col. Senter Commanded. I enlisted for six months and served the whole time - In the year 1778 or 9. I enlisted in Lee and joined Capt. Scammon Company at Newport R.I. did duty six weeks and received a discharge with the rest of the Regiment under Col. Archibald Mooney - I had no written discharge for any of the above service -
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
David Woodman
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, in open Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their  its opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate ATTEST James Barlett  Reg
I James Barlett Reg Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of David Woodman for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this fifteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two  three
ATTEST James Barlett  Reg

State of New Hampshire Stratford Jt. Tamworth May 31. 1833. We Samuel Hidden a clergyman, residing in the Town of Tamworth aforesaid, and Nathl. Hubbard, residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with David Woodman, who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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. —
Samuel Hidden
Nathl. Hubbard
State of New Hampshire. Stratford Jt. May 31. 1833. Then personally appeared Samuel Hidden a clergyman of the Town of Tamworth and Nathl. Hubbard an acting justice of the Peace residing in the same, and in my presence subscribed the above affidavit and made oath in due form of law that the same was just and true. —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal at Concord in the County and State aforesaid on the day last above named.
Paul Wentworth Notary Public

Rev. h. w.
11888
INVALID.
File No. 11888
David Woodman
Dr. Rev. h. w.
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: — Vol. A , Page 415-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Lebulon Pease of Parsonsfield in the County of York & State of Maine Seventy two years of age do testify & say that the last of May or first of June D. 1777 enlisted as a private in a company of New Hampshire Militia comman- ded by Captain Robert Pike in the Regiment commanded by Colonel — Genter. Said Company met & was organized at Portsmouth New Hampshire. Mr David Woodman, who then resided at Lee in the County of Strafford & State of New Hampshire, & now resides in Farmworth State & County aforesaid. met with & joined Said Company at Said Portsmouth on the first of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven & Said Woodman marched with Said Company from Said Portsmouth to Exeter New Hampshire. & from thence to Providence in the State of Rhode Island & from thence to Warwick in the State of Rhode Island & from thence to Little Compton & from thence returned to Said Warwick where Said Company was discharged some time in the month of December in the year 1777. Said Company was enlisted for the term of six months & served Said term & then was discharged. Said David Woodman was with Said Company during the whole of said term & was dis- charged with the rest of said Company. Said Woodman was I know older than myself when we were in the army & I suppose him to be about seventy five years of age. Lebulon Pease
State of Maine County of York ss. January 28, 1833. Then personally appeared Lebulon Pease above named & made solemn oath that this depo- sition by him subscribed is true. Before me Noah Tabbett Justice of the Peace.
I do hereby certify that Major Lebulon Pease the aforesaid deponent is a respectable citizen of Parsonsfield in said County & is a man of unquestioned veracity. Noah Tabbett Justice of the Peace.

I Nathan Wiggins of Parsonsfield in the County of York & State of Maine being seventy two years of age do testify & say that the last of May, or first of June in the year 1777 I enlisted as a private in a company of New Hampshire Militia commanded by Captain Robert Pike in the Regiment commanded by Colonel — Gentry. Said company met & was organized at Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire. Mr David Woodman, who then resided at Lee in the County of Strafford & State of New Hampshire & now resides at Tamworth in the State & County aforesaid, met with & joined said company at said Portsmouth on the first of June in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & seventy seven & said Woodman marched with said company from said Portsmouth to Exeter New Hampshire & from thence to Providence in the State of Rhode Island & from thence to Warwick in said State & from thence to Little Compton in said State & from thence returned to said Warwick where said Company was discharged some time in the month of December 1777.
Said Company was enlisted for the term of six months & served said term & at the expiration thereof was discharged. Said David Woodman was with said company during the whole of said term & was discharged with the rest of said Company. Said Woodman was older than myself when we were in the service & I should think him about seventy five years of age. Nathan Wiggins
State of Maine County of York ss January 28, 1833 Then personally appeared Nathan Wiggins above named & made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true. Before me Noah Roberts Justice of the Peace.
I do hereby certify that Nathan Wiggins the deponent is a respectable citizen of Parsonsfield in said County & is a man of unquestioned veracity. Noah Roberts Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
County of York ss.
I Jeremiah Bradbury Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of York, certify, that Noah Sebbets is a magistrate as stated in the annexed papers - and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine -
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my name and affix my official seal this thirtieth day of January 1833 -
Jer. Bradbury Clerk of the Jud. Courts York Co.