Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21143, David Tottingham, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Tottenham, David Deborah
W 21143
CONTENTS
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Set to pay May 23. 1839
2422
Bellows Falls Vermont Deborah Tottingham widow of David Tottingham decd.
Mass who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 12 th October 1834 of Windham in the State of Vt who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Foster of the Reg t commanded by Col. Bullard in the Ms. time for 8 mos & 25 days
Inscribed on the Roll of B. Falls Vt at the rate of 29 Dollars 45 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Apr 1839 and sent to Brattleboro Vt
Arrears to the 14 th of Mar. 39, $88.35 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep t .. 19.72 $108.07
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
H. H. Addison Clerk, Vol. 2. Page 59
Recorded by Book A

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 Sept 1834 to the 12 th Oct 1834 the day he died
Vermont. 18. 722
David Tillingham of Windham in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Foster of the Reg t commanded by Col. Bullard, in the Mass. Militia for 10 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Sept r 1833. and Sept r 11 th 1834. Elliott New Haven.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept r 33 $83.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 34 16.66
$ 99.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ele Brown Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 3 Page 94

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Oct r 30 1838.
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," Widow of David Nottingham dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Bellows Falls V t Agency, at the rate of Thirty three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1834 to the 12. Oct r . 1834. day he died.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson H. Harris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Woburn, County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I Oliver B. Coolidge do hereby certify that it appears from the records in my possession That "David Tottenham, and Deborah Diken were married by Rev: Samuel Sargent on the first day of December, Seventeen hundred and eighty five" And I certify that the above is a true copy of record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "December the 1 st 1785."
I Oliver B. Coolidge, above named do depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk, in the town of Woburn, in the County of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Woburn now in my possession, with the exception above named as certified by me. — Oliver B. Coolidge Town Clerk of Woburn.
County of Middlesex ss:
10 th day of September 1838.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss.
I Isaac Fisher Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, hereby certify that Charles Chester's signature is a true copy of the same within & for said County duly acknowledged and qualified & that his signature within written is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight
Isaac Fisher Reg

3269 Deborah Nottingham wid of David petition for Pension
Verf.
Act July 7. 1836
Mannu 1785
aid 1834
Allan 8 mo 25
days for $29.45
per ann
Vol. 19 p. 37 3 mo 24
" 2. 59 \frac{3.1}{6.25}
no roll. \frac{2.}{8.25}
Chyiman Swan Battlebury P.

State of Vermont District of Marlboro On this 17 th day of September Anno Domini 1888 personally appeared before the probate court within and for the District of Marlboro aforesaid it being court of record having a Clerk and Seal Deborah Tottenham a resident of Whitingham in the County of Windham and State of aforesaid aged seventy six (76) years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1888 entitled: An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows: That she is the Widow of David Tottenham late of said Whitingham deceased who was a private in the army of the Reunion and found on the pension roll on the 27 th of September A D 1888 the evidence of whose service she believes to be on file in the pension office to which she refers.
She further declares & says that she was married to the said David Tottenham on the first day of December Seventeen hundred and eighty five (1785) and that her husband the fore said David Tottenham died on the twenty first day of October eighteen hundred and thirty four. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four viz: at the time above stated.
Deborah Tottenham
Sworn and Subscribed on the day and year above written before
Dana Hyde Judge
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said court the day and year above written Samuel Elliot - Clerk and Register

No. 96. - Windham Co. Vermont.
David Tottenham Dec r 26.
For Pension - Sept r 1832.
11672
[Supplementary Affidavits.]

STATE OF VERMONT.
County of Windham ss.
Probate District of Marlborough!
At the Probate Court, for said District, being a Court of Record.
On this fifth day of September A. D. 1832—Personally appeared in open Court, — at Wilmington in said District , —
Present - Marshall Miller, Esquire, Judge
Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District - now sitting - David Tottenham a resident of Whitingham in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, 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 benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 - That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was drafted at Woburn, Massachusetts, August 15, 1777, and served five months, and was at the taking of Burgoyne's army and at the battle on Bemis's heights. served under capt. Foster and Col. Bullard of the Massachusetts troops - was dismissed at least 60 miles near New York at the end of the five months - has no other evidence, except the original notice of his draft, which is herewith transmitted. Afterwards served three months, enlisted at Woburn Mass. under Captain Green, does not remember the Colonel's name - served on Rhode Island, believes (but is not certain) General Sullivan commanded - it was in the year 1780 - was dismissed at Rhode Island at the end of this term - had no written discharge - also served about two months in 1781 in the New Hampshire troops under Gen. Sullivan on his expedition against the Indians - cannot recollect the captain's or colonel's name.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:
1. Was born at Woburn, Massachusetts, in the Year 1758 2. Has only a private record of his age in a Bible. 3. Lived in Woburn, Mass. when he went into service - Has lived in Whitingham, Vermont for 37 years last past - 4. Was once drafted and once voluntarily enlisted as stated above - 5. Cannot at this time remember the names of officers except as above stated - 6. Received no written discharge. 7. Refers to John Roberts, Esq. & Samuel Parker as witnesses under this interrogatory -
David T. Henson

6. Received no written discharges.
7. Refers to John Roberts, by Samuel Parker as witnesses under this interrogatory. David Tottenham
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
We John Roberts citizen residing in the town of Whitingham in said and who has subscribed and hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with David Tottenham years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. John Roberts
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
[N.B. The Court dispenses with the attendance of the other witness, on account of expense and inconvenience to the applicant. -]
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 John Roberts, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a citizen resident in the said town of Whitingham and that  who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of in said county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I James Elliot, Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Marlborough aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Tottenham for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixth day of September A. D. 1832.
James Elliot, Probate Register.

Capt Bakewell

Woburn Augst 15. 1779 To David Attingham I have this Day Recd. orders From the Col: to Draft the men according to the Late act of Col: amendment. Without Delay, and cannot defer it until next monday therefore this is to let you know that you are Drafted accordingly, and you must be Ready to march next Tuesday morning With out arms Compleat &c, according to the before mentioned act Sam: Belknap Capt.

David Jottingham at June 7 th 1832
Died 12 Oct 1834 p o to that sum off
When paid?
ASB

On order from his Capt to report for duty

D. Tottingham-
Admit 10 months
J. Elliott New Farm Q.

11.672
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David Nottingham — which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned 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? — no — VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? — no device or seal —

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no clergyman
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? none
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? none
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

I Charles K. Field of Wilmington Wilmington County New York of lawful age depose and say that I was well acquainted with one David Lottingham late of Wilmington deceased. he was entitled to and obtained a pension under the act of the 7 th day of June AD 1832. He died the 12 th day of October AD 1834 & left a widow one Deborah Lottingham who still survives & as I understand claims a pension under the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838. And further this Deponent saith not —
Chas K. Field
State of Vermont, Wilmington Sept 24 th 1838 Wilmington County ss Personal appearance Charles K. Field of Wilmington affirmed and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Before Me Stephen P. Hagg Justice of Peace
The above named Charles K. Field is a man of undoubted truth and veracity —
att — Stephen P. Hagg Justice of Peace

State of Vermont— Windham County Court Clerk's Office New Fane September 25, 1838 .
I, Marshall Miller, Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify, that Stephen P. Flagg is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures within written are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have set my hand and affix the Seal of the said County Court, the day and year above written.
Attest Marshall Miller, Clerk.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace with in aid for the County of Windham in the State of Vermont David Tattings- ham who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length service in the year 1781, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period, mentioned below and in the following spaces for the year 1779 five months as a private for the year 1780 three months as a private for the year 1781 two months as a private and for such services I claim a pension I further testify that I now recollect that in 1780 my services rendered as above was in the regiment com- manded by Colonel Shaw I further say that of the clergymen in the town of Whitingham where I reside are young men and recently came to reside in said town and I do not know that they have any knowledge by hearsay or otherwise of my services I further testify that I know of no person living who has any personal knowledge of my services nearer than the town of Natick in Massachusetts a distance of more than one hun- dred miles and that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity I am wholly unable to perform a journey of that distance I have no document any record except as stated in my declaration of the fifteenth of September 1832 before the Probate Court
David Tattingsham Sworn to and subscribed the 16 day of July A.D. 1833 before me John Roberts Justice of the Peace

I Calvin Buckland a clergyman resident in the in the Town of Whitingham in the County of Windham and State of Vermont hereby certify that I have resided in said town but a few years past part that time I have been well acquainted with David Tottenham who has subscribed to the foregoing affidavit and that I believe him to be seventy four years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolution and that I concur in that opinion
Calvin Buckland
Sworn to and subscribed the 16th day of July 1877
before me John Roberts Justice of the Peace
I certify that the Rev Calvin Buckland who subscribed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of Whitingham in the county of Windham and State of Vermont
John Roberts Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont.
Windham County Court Clerk's Office, New Haven July 20. A.D. 1833.
I certify that John Roberts Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the foregoing on this sheet are his signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County Court on the day and year above written.
James Elliot, Clerk.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21443 Deborah Jottingham Widow of David Jottingham Priv. Regt. War
Act: July 7 th 1838
Index:—Vol. VI , Page 279
[Arrangement of 1870.]