Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11474, John Whitman, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
or Whitman, John Whitmon
R. 11474
CONTENTS

Declaration of Deacon John Whitman Commonwealth of Mass a .
Phy m o Js.
On this first day of July A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty four, personally appeared, in open Court, before Wilkes Wood Esq. Judge of Probate for said county, John Whitman, a resident of said town, now in the one hundredth year of his age, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832. viz
That immediately after the battle of Lexington in the Spring of 1775, he the said applicant went to Roxbury adjoining Boston, on an alarm, with a company of militia under Capt. Nathan Oldin and served three days. In March of the following year he served five days at a place called Horn-neck, in the town of Quincy (then Braintree) about eight miles from Boston, with a company of militia commanded by Capt. David Kingman. In December 1776, he served

sixteen days at Bristol in R. Island, with a company of Militia commanded by the said Capt. Alden; and in July & August following, twelve Days, at Little Compton R. I. in a company also commanded by the s d Alden. He also served the term of three months at North-Kingston, R. I. (the term commencing the first of January 1778) with a company of Militia, under the command of Capt. Abraham Workman, and in Col. Sprout's Regiment. The period of service above stated are as nearly exact, as Applicant's recollection enables him to make them, at this distance of time. All the above companies were raised in Bridgewater, but whether by Draft or enlistment he does not remember. His services in them, in every instance, were in the capacity of Lieutenant. In addition to the above mentioned services, he was employed at various times, in raising men, distributing orders, and mustering and forwarding the troops, while at home

and not actually in the field, and for a length of time, as he believes, with the term of service above specified, to make of two months at least.
The applicant was born in Bridgwater, now East Bridgwater, March 17. 1735, Old Style. He lived there at the various times when he entered the service and has lived there ever since. He has no documentary evidence except his commission from the Great Falls Council of Massachusetts; which, with such proofs of service as he has been able to obtain and the record of his age, accompanies this declaration. The applicant is known to the Hon. Nahum Mitchell, late Treasurer of the Commonwealth - to Isaac Alden & Batholomew Brown Esqrs. all residing on his Neigleham Road; and to them he refers for testimony as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as an officer of the Revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present

and declares, that his name is not on the Poll tax - roll of the agency of my state -
Sworn to & subscribed, the
day & year aforesaid - John Whitman
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register

31534
John Whitman Maps
Jacob H. Loun Esq. Probate Office Plymouth Mass

We, Eliphalet P. Crafts a clergyman, residing in the town of East Bridgewater and Aaron Hobart, Nahum Mitchell & Isaac Alden residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Deacon John Whitman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be over ninety-nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier  on the of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Eliphalet P. Crafts, Nahum Mitchell, Isaac Alden, Aaron Hobart
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Eliphalet P. Crafts who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of East Bridgewater and that Hon. Aaron Hobart, Hon. Nahum Mitchell & Isaac Alden Esq. who have also signed the same, are residents in the same town and are a credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I, Jacob H. Lord Regr of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Whitman for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office, this first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four .
Jacob H. Lord
Cotton H. Hance Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, May 2 d 1813.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Benjamin W. Harris was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth and John C. Dodge was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M c Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

John Whitman.
Map.  Oct of June 1 st 1832
Astoria

State of Massachusetts. } p. Plymouth County. } 3
Be it known that on this twenty fifth day of February A. D. 1853, before me subscribed a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Josiah Whitman a resident of C. Bridgewater in said County and made oath according to law that he is one of the children of John Whitman decd. who was a Lieutenant in the war of the Revolution and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of June 7, 1832. That he believes the United States are still indebted under existing laws, for the pension which was due under the application made as aforesaid and that he is directly interested in said pension.
Josiah Whitman
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written. & I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Josiah Whitman & that I believe him to be directly interested in said claim as above set forth & to be the identical party who represents himself to you.
Bengus W. Harris
Justice Peace.
Know all men by these presents that I, Josiah Whitman above named do hereby certify attest and appoint Franklin Hall of Boston

my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute the claim of my father John Whitman, within named for any amount of pension that may now be due, and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said claim on file in any Department of Government, to obtain by all lawful means any and all amounts that may be due to said John Whitman dec d , from the United States, to appoint one or more sub- stitutes under him for the purposes herein ex- pressed, and generally to do all things in the premises that I might or could do were I personally present; hereby ratifying & confirming all that my said attorney or his substitutes may lawfully do by virtue hereof. Witness my hand & seal this Twenty fifth day of February A.D. 1853. Signed sealed & delivered Jonah Whitman in presence of
State of Massachusetts, Plymouth County, p. Feb 25 th 1853. Then personally appeared the above named Jonah Whitman & acknowledged that foregoing instrument to be his free act & deed. Before me  Benjamin H. Russell Justice of the Peace.

Know all men by these presents, that I, Franklin Hall, within named, by virtue hereof & of the power of substitution in the foregoing power of attorney contained, do hereby substitute & appoint S. M. Briggs of Washington City, to be the lawful and sufficient attorney of the within named Josiah Whitman with all & every power & authority of acting in the name, stead & to the use of said Josiah granted to me by said letter of attorney, which I can lawfully exercise & delegate: hereby ratifying & confirming whatsoever the said shall lawfully do in the name of the said Josiah, by virtue of these presents and the power of substitution in said letter of attorney contained,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this second day of May, eighteen hundred and fifty three
Franklin Hall,
Suffolk ss. May 2 d 1853. Then personally appeared the above-named Franklin Hall & acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be his free act & deed
Before me
Wm C Dodge
Not. Public

315 3/4 John Whitman Mass.
11 H 74
reject
Jacob H. Lona Esqr Plymouth Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
July 30, 1834
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. 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
   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.     1775 3   1776 5   do 16   1777 12   1778 3 — Lieutenant Col. Sproat   1780 11   2 in 1780 in Detachment  
Ninety-nine years - Capt. Miligante
Depositions of Nathan Alden & Thomas Chamberlain - Certificate of Holmes, Thayer, Foss - Clark His Commission as Lieut Pay-Roll of Capt Nathan Alden Company for service of 11 days Certificate of Character - Certificate of Sec. Bongs
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 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 it is requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether a doubt has 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 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.

John Whitman Massachusetts
Rejct'd
Decr 4 1834
J. H. Lord
Col Hon Idun Reed
27 Decr 1834
Set to Hon B Storer, Jan 4. 1837.

11 4 74
P. O. John Whitman
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
REJECTED
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Sir
Will You have the goodness to inform me whether a Pension has been allowed to John Whitman of East Bridgewater — If it has been allowed & not sent I beg it may be sent to me — If there be any objections I would beg to be informed —
House of Rep. Dec 26 th 1834
Your Ob. t Serv. John Reed
J. L. Edwards Esq
rejected mscript

Washington Dec. 30 1836
Sir -
I am charged from the Com. on Pensions with the application of John Whitman of Massachusetts, Thomas Ramsay of Ky. & James M'Nutt of New York, for pensions, on the interest of Russia - In the case of Mr. Whitman, I presume you are authorized to send me the original paper, in the two last, I will thank you to furnish me with copies of the application & evidence -
Your obedt. Servt P. Atkinson
J. L. Edwards Esq. Washington D.C.
7 R 6 M 019 S 18 27 595

Additional Declaration of Genl John Whitmore Comm d of Mass s County of Plym t
On this seventh day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty four, personally appeared in open Court, before Wilkes Wood Esq, Judge of Probate &c for s d County of Plymouth, John Whitmore of East Bridge- water in said county, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on oath make the following additional declaration (his first having been made 1 st July now last past, in order to obtain the benefit of the Pension law of Congress, passed June 7. 1832 viz -
That in addition to the service specified in his original Declaration, he went on an alarm to Kingston in the State of Rhode Island in the summer of 1780 as Lieutenant of a company com- manded by Nathan Alden, and served in that expedition from the 30 th of July to 9 th August - a period of eleven days - In confirmation of this statement he has obtained from the prop- -rietor of Nathan Alden Esq, of s d East Bridge- -water, son of the aforesaid Capt. Alden the Pay-Roll of said company, which is transmitted herewith to the War Department sworn to subscribed the day John Whitmore & year aforesaid
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
In testimony that the said court are of opinion that the said John Whitmore did serve in the War of the Revolution as he has stated in this additional declaration & that the foregoing is the original paper of Jacob H. Lord Register

of Probate for said County do hereby subscribe my name & affix hereunto the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of October A.D. 1832.
Jacob H. Lord
Declaration of Deacon John Whitman Commonwealth of Mass.
Plym: ss.
On this first day of July A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty four, personally appeared, in open court, before Wilkes Wood Esq. Judge of Probate &c for said county, John Whitman, a resident of said town, now in the one hundredth year of his age, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832 viz—
That immediately after the battle of Lexington, in the spring of 1775, he the said applicant went to Roxbury adjoining Boston, on an alarm, with a company of militia under Capt Nathan Alden and served there three days. In March of the following year, he served five days at a place called Horse-neck, in the town of Quincy (then Braintree) about eight miles from Boston, with a company of militia commanded by Capt David Kingsman. In December 1775, he served sixteen days, at Bristol in R. Island, with a company of militia commanded by the the Capt Alden and in July & August following twelve days at Little Compton R.I. in a company also commanded by the s d Alden. He also served the term of three months at Natick—Kingston R.I. (with a company of militia, under the command of Capt Abraham Washburn) and in 1776 spent