Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21580, Henry Williams, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Williams, Henry
S. 21580
CONTENTS
carded

Provisions
21580
INVALID.
File No. 21580
Henry Williams
B: Rev. M...
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 451
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11. 644 Vermont
Henry Williams of Calcutta, Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Dr. in the Company commanded by Captain Pilsen of the Regt. commanded by Col. French in the Capt. Co. for Dr. P.
1 Y. P. - $40.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 40 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of May and sent to 1833 Amos Paul, Danville, Vt
Arrears to the 14th of March 1832 - 80.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " 20.00 $ 100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk, Book 6 - Vol. 3 Page 97

16.492
Henry Williams Caledonia Co. Vermont
Admitted
1 year
$40.-
Amos Paul Esq. Danville Vt

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, showing the Service of Henry Williams
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Octob r 1777 1 Private Capt Titcomb Col. Gerrish Holland at Winter Hill to guard Prisoners 70 years Ansbury Mass s Tradition of a Col. by name  
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 day 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] 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.

Danville Vermont Oct. 9. 1832
Sir - I enclose herewith the applications of several persons for pensions. You will please to commu- nicate the result to
Respectfully
y r ob t Serv t .
Amos Paul.
Hon. Lewis Cass,
Secretary of War.

16492 Henry Williams Declaration

State of Vermont } ss. District & County of Caledonia
On this second day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Benj. H. Denning Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid now sitting - Henry Williams a resident of Danville in the District & County aforesaid aged seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7 A. D. 1832.
"That he enlisted in the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
"That he resided at Amesbury Mass. in the time of the revolutionary war. that immediately after the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne a regiment of men was raised in the vicinity of said Amesbury to guard the prisoners that had surrendered under S d Gen. Burgoyne. that at S d Amesbury on one of the last days in October 1777 he enlisted into that Reg t for the term of one year - in the company of cap t Oliver Hictomb of S d Amesbury - S d Lieut. Stickney of Rowley - S d Reg t was commanded by Col. Joseph Gerrish of Newburyport Major Shaw - The British & Hessians that surrendered under Burgoyne were confined in barracks on Winterhill near Boston. this declarant immediately after his enlistment marched to S d Winterhill and was there stationed to guard said prisoners for the whole term of his enlistment. a few days before his term expired he, reg t marched to Springfield Mass to guard S d prisoners - at that place another reg t received them to guard them to New York - his term of enlistment expired while on his way to Springfield - he however continued to serve until their arrival at that place and was discharged at said Springfield about the first day of November 1778 - he recollects that the winter he was stationed

at Winterhill was a very cold winter, and he stood on guard many a bitter cold night.
Was born at St. Amesbury in the year 1762. Had a record of his age at his house. removed from St. Ames- bury to Orange N. H. where he resided about four years from which place he removed to his present residence Danville Vt. about twenty nine years since where he has ever since resided.
No other troops except his reg t . served in that vicinity at the time. He did not receive a written discharge.
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.
Henry Williams
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before Benj F. Dunning Judge of Probate
On this 27 th day of August, A. D. 1832 before the Court aforesaid the above named Henry Williams further declares and says that af- ter making enquiry he is satisfied that no person are now living who can testify to his service.
Henry Williams
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last aforesaid Before Benj F. Dunning Judge of Probate
I Archelaus Sias a Clergyman residing in the town of Danville in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Henry Williams who has subscribed and sworn to the above de- claration - and have known him for more than twenty years past - that I believe him to be seventy years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution - that he has ever since my acquaintance with him sustained a good character for truth and veracity and that I believe that

he did serve in the revolutionary war as he has stated in the foregoing declaration.
Archelaus Sias
Sworn to and subscribed this 8 th day of October 1832.
Before Benj. P. Deming
Judge of Probate
I Samuel Sias residing in Danville in the county of Caledonia and State of Vermont, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Henry Williams who has made the foregoing declaration - that I believe him to be seventy years of age - that I have known him more than twenty years - that he has ever since my acquaintance with him sustained a good character for truth and veracity and that I believe he served in the revolutionary war as he has stated in the foregoing declaration.
Sam Sias
Sworn to and subscribed this ninth day of October A.D. 1832
Before Benj. P. Deming
Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the investigating githa 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 Archelaus Sias who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in said Danville whose statement is entitled to credit - And the Court further certifies that Samuel Sias who has signed the preceding certificate is first Assistant Judge of Caledonia County Court and a gentleman of the first respectability.

and that their several statements are entitled to credit. I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid do hereby cer- tify that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Williams for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this ninth day of October A. D. 1832 - Amos Paul Register.