Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19139, Simeon Upson, Conn. Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
born. Privateer
Upson, Simeon
S. 19139
carded
CONTENTS

74 Hampden
Jan. 30, 1840
22336 Massachusetts
Simeon Upson of field in the State of Mass who was a private in the Com commanded by Captain Sloper of the Inf commanded by Colo Stanley in the Army time for
8 Months, May 1
Conn & Plwater
Enscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 28. Dollars 34 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate & Pension issued the 14 th day of April 1834 and sent to N. J. Leonard Westfield  Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834  $85.62 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep "  14 27 $99.89
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By George Taylor Clerk, Book C Vol. 2 Page 78

State of Massachusetts } County of Hampden }
On this twenty seventh day of August Anno Domini 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before Oliver B Morris Judge of the Probate Court within for the County of Hampden aforesaid Simon Upon of Westfield in the said County of Hampden aged seventy two years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832
That in the year 1777 in April he was drafted in Southington in Connecticut (famous the Militia) into a Company commanded Capt Ambrose Soper the Lieut Name was Woodruff then Colo name was Standley. they marched from Southington to defend Danbury in Connecticut but before they arrived the enemy had destroyed great quantities of provisions & burnt part of the town, here he saw Genl Horatio brought in mortally wounded & that he was in the service at this time about twenty days
That About the first of October 1777 he volunteered as a Soldier under Capt Soper of Southington in a regiment commanded by Colo Standley of Kensington Connecticut they marched from Connec- ticut through Fishkill & Poughkeepsie to Red Hook in the State of New York, here they heard of the Surrender of Genl Burgoyne they were at Red Hook at the time the British Fleet came down the North river, & About the middle of November they were permitted to return home after being in service at this time about six weeks Genl Peterboro commanded at this time

That in July 1778 he enlisted under Capt Sloper joined in the said Col. Sturdivant Regiment for three Months Marched through Danbury joined to Berkshill in New York & staid there about six weeks & from thence to the White Plains & from thence to East Chester. At this place he was one selected as a Scouting party to go to West Chester from thence he went to Saratoga & staid two or three days for there he returned to the white plains where he served his time out
That in August 1779 he was drafted under the aforesaid Capt Sloper & marched to a place called Horse neck was in the service at this time about six weeks
That in July 1780 he was drafted under Capt Woodward of Connecticut in a regiment commanded by Col Austin of New Hartford in Connecticut & Marched to New Haven in Conn was in the service at this time five weeks
That in the fall of 1780 he entered the service under Capt Riden & one Smith was under orders to go on privateering for three Months they they cruised on Long Island Sound. They took two Sloops at East Chester harbour belonging to the British upon pressure at the time they took the two vessels aforesaid the British fired upon them, & wounded him in the hand & that the scar scar is now visible that they took two refugee Boats at an Island near Norwalk in Connecticut & eight prisoners the name of the Sloop he does not recollect
That at the time the above service was performed he was an inhabitant of Southington aforesaid, that he moved to

where he was thirty six years of age to Westfield Massachusetts & has resided there ever since that the record of his age was kept in his father's family Bible, that he has no discharge nor any documentary or other evidence to prove the disposition survive except the accompanying disposition of further asking nor does he now know of any person whereby he can prove the same. that he is well acquainted with the Rev Isaac Knapp & David E Allen of Westfield aforesaid Dott Murrell Labor Day He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State - Simeon Upson
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
We Isaac Knapp a Clergyman residing in the town of Westfield in the County of Hampshire aforesaid & David E Allen of said Westfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Simeon Upson who has subscribed the above Declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age that he is respected & believed in the Neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that our concern in that Opinion -
Given under our hands this 17 th day of August 1832 Isaac Knapp David E Allen Isaac Knapp & David E Allen personally appearing made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate by them subscribed Before me Eld. H. Hamilton justice of the Peace

12.051
And the said Court Do hereby Declare their Opinion after the investigation of the Matter & after putting the interrogating prescribed by the said Department that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states & that the Court finds the certificate that it appears that to them that Isaac Reapp who has signed the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman resident in said Westfield & that who has signed the same is a resident of the same town & is a credible person & that this statement is entitled to credit
I Justice Willard Clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the Application of Simon Upson for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 27 th Day of August Anno Domini 1832
Justin Willard Registrar of Court
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Eli B. Hamilton Esq. before whom the within certificate was verified is a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that his name there subscribed is his proper & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

I Luther Adkins of Westfield in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachussetts of the age of seventy six years Testifies & says that Simeon Upson was born & had his residence in Southington town within about two miles of the place of the Deponent's birth & residence as he has always understood & believed - That both the Deponent & said Upson both continued such residence at said Southington until about thirty six years ago when they removed to said Westfield - That the Deponent was a Soldier of the Revolution & was absent for a considerable portion of the time from 1777. to 1780. in that service.
That in the summer of 1780. said Upson enlisted under the Command of Capt. Samuel Smith of said Southington to go on a privating expedition for the term of three months - That the Deponent thought of going at the same time but did not - The Deponent testifies that the said Upson was absent on that expedition for the term of three months - The Deponent further testifies & says that he has no other or further personal knowledge of the service of the said Upson in the War of the Revolution than as above stated but that from repeated conversations he has had with said Upson extending back fifty years he has no doubt of the truth of the facts stated by said Upson in his declaration made for the purpose of obtaining a pension.
Luther Adkins

Hampden Co.
Be it remembered That on the Sixth day of December in the year of our Lord eight hundred & thirty three per- -sonally appeared Luther Robbins to me personally known to be of whose character for truth probity & integrity is unimpeach- -able so far as I know & whom I verily be- -lieve to be a man of truth & made solemn oath to the truth of the fore- -going affidavit by him subscribed & Before me Norman S. Leonard. Justice of the Peace.

19139 INVALID.
File No. 19139
Simson West
Pr Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 384
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Simeon Upsons Declaration & Supplementary Declaration

Personally appeared before me the under- signed a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden in the Commonwealth of Mas- -sachusetts Simeon Upson of Westfield in said County who being duly sworn de- -poseth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he can- -not swear positively as to the precise length of his as a revolutionary soldier service but according to the best of his recollections he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades. For one year & thirteen days I served as a Private & for such ser- -vice I claim a Pension -
The Deponent further deposeth & saith that at the time he was drafted in July 1780. as stated in his first declaration he actually served two months & that he stated it therein by mistake as he but five weeks & that he has included the whole of said time of service in the above period of one year & thirteen days. & that he did actually serve in the whole of said term of one year & thirteen days & no less -
Simeon Upson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. } ss.
Sworn to & subscribed this twelfth day of November in the year of Lord eighteen hundred & thirty three.
Before me Norman S. Leonard Justice of the Peace

residing in the Town of Westfield in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby Certify that well ac- -quainted with Simeon Upson who has sub- -scribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neigh- -hood where he resides to have been a revolution- ary soldier & that we concur in that opinion -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being about of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Norman J. Leonard Esq. before whom the within or annexed depositions were certified is a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that I believe his name there subscribed to be his true & proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court on this tenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three
John Ingersoll Clerk

Simeon Wilsons Additional Supple- -mentary declaration

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Simeon Upson of said Westfield who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service (in the War of the Revolution) but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades, viz. From April 5th to April 25th. 1777. for 20. days I served as a private. From October 1st. 1777. to November 14th. 1777. for 1. month & 14. days I served as a private. From July 16th. 1778. to Oct. 16th. 1778. for three months I served as a private. From August 6. 1779. to September 13. 1779. for one month & 13. days I served as a Private & From July 10th. 1780. to September 10th. 1780. for two months I served as a Private. & for such service I claimed a Pension Simeon Upson
IV 18
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden } ss.
Sworn to & subscribed this tenth day of March in the year of our Lord eight hundred & thirty four
Before me Norman S. Leonard Justice of the Peace
I Norman S. Leonard Justice as aforesaid do hereby certify that the said Simeon Upson whose name is affixed to the foregoing affidavit is to me personally known to be of his character for truth & integrity in all respects so far as I know is good. Norman S. Leonard Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Norman S. Leonard Esq. before whom the within deposition was verified is a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that his name thereunto subscribed is his true & proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas at Springfield on this second day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & thirty four John Ingersoll Clerk

12057 Simeon Upson
Private 8 mos & 17 days Adm'd
Capt. Hoke's Co Col. Standley's Bgt. Map
H. J. Leonard Westfield Mass.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Dec 22 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 Simon Upson
   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.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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) , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with 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 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.
[t] 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.
Comply with this
The Magistrates, &c. The process under length of service. Official declaration has not been certified under seal by the Clerk of the Court or other competent officer. * in setting forth (as regards) more specifically the process under length of service. Official declaration has not been certified under seal by the Clerk of the Court or other competent officer.
Please return this paper

War Department Pension Office Decr 31. 1835
Sir With return the documents in support of the claim of Simeon Upson they being insufficient to the admission of his claim. His amended declaration is not satisfactory. He should state the commencement of each particular tour of service and the length of the same. His service on board of the privateer is not provided for. He may therefore omit the same in his amended declaration.
I am, Sir, Respectfully H. M. W. H. J. L. Edwards
W. T. Leonard Esq Westfield Massachusetts

I hereby certify, that I have been acquainted with Mr. Simeon Miron of Westfield Mass. for more than fifty-five years, being both of us natives of Southington (Conn.) While we resided at Southington, I well recollect of Mr. Simeon Miron's being out as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, at several different times, between the years 1775 & 1780.
Westfield Mass. } Aug. 3-1832 }
Luther Atkins
Hampden Co. August 6 th 1832 Then the above named Luther Atkins who is personally known to me and whose character for truth and veracity I consider as unquestionable made solemn oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed
Before me Lucius Wright Justice of the Peace Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hampden Co. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Clerk of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Lucius Wright Esq. before whom the above & annexed deposition was verified is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true & proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

I Doctor Merriman of Westfield in the County of Hampden do testify declare and say that I have been acquainted with Mr Simeon Upson for more than fifty years. we were both of us natives of Southington in Conn, we have always lived near neighbours to each other. I have often heard him say that he was out as a soldier in the war of the revolution and have heard him relate little circumstances that occurred while he was out. I have always respected him as a man of strict truth and veracity. from what I have heard him and others say who were older than I am who were well acquainted with him and the circumstances of his being out I do not hesitate to say that it is my firm belief that he was out as a soldier in the war as aforesaid
Doctor Merriman
Hampden Jo. August 6 th 1832 Then the above named Doctor Merriman who is personally known to me and whose character for truth and veracity I consider unquestionable made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed
Before me Lucius Wright Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify, that I have been acquainted with Mr. Simeon Ypson of Westfield, Mass. more than twelve years, and that about eight years he attended my ministry at Westfield. I have generally understood that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war, have esteemed him a worthy citizen, and believe him to be now about seventy two years of age.
David Wright, Pastor of the Baptist Chh. at Cummington.
Westfield, Mass. } Aug. 3, 1832. }

Let the Ribbon pass under the Seal of the Ark

I, Jabez Otis, of Winfield, county of Hampden, do hereby certify that for more than twenty years, I have been acquainted with Mr. Simeon Mason having lived in the same neighbourhood with him. I have ever considered him as a worthy citizen, & have often heard him speak of his being in the War of the Revolution, & do not hesitate to say, that I believe that he served in the Revolutionary War as a Soldier Jabez Otis
Hampden Jo. August 6 th 1832 Then Jabez Otis above named who is personally known to me and who I consider a man of the strictest veracity made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed Before me Lucius Wright Justice of the Peace