Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7969, Thomas Woodman, N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
A.H.
Woodman, Thomas
S 7969
CONTENTS
Carded

10.822 New Hampshire
Thomas Woodman
of Strafford in the State of N.H. who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Gilman in the N.H. line for 8 Mos 13 Days
Inscribed on the Roll of N.H. at the rate of 28 Dollars 09 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Ap r 1833 and sent Daniel Dale Gilman to N.H.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $56.18 Pemi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " 14.04
$70.22
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J.H. McBlain Clerk, Book 2. Vol. 1. Page 128.
W

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Woodman which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? yy 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? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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? Certified by two citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
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?
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? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
2-6
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, deposeh 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.

Sub: Thomas Woodman
20737

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New Hampshire, } ss. At a Special Court of Probate held County of Strafford } at the dwelling house Thomas Woodman in Newhampton in said County of Strafford On this tenth day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the said Court of Probate, now sitting, Thomas Woodman a resident of Newhampton in the County of Strafford and State of N. H. aged 80 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated that he enlisted at Hampton New Hampshire in November 1776 under Capt. Pearson for three months. Lieut. Dearborn, Col David Gilman mustered at Newhampton where troops mustered at Hampton & marched through Hartford Connecticut to Puckskill New York served three months the full term of his enlistment was dismissed at Puckskill had no written discharge - enlisted again the first of July 1780 in Newhampton where he now lives ordered to Kingston N.Y. there passed muster was ordered & marched through Worcester Mass. to a place called Soldiers Fortune in New York near West Point there joined the Continental Army under Capt. Ferrin do not now recollect the name of the Lieutenant Col. Billings Lieut. under Genl. Poor enlisted for six months marched into New Jersey was there when he heard of Gen. Arnold's going over to the British & Andre was hung served the full term of his enlistment which was six months was honorably discharged by a written discharge signed by his Colonel which discharge he handed to Judge Smith deceased to draw his wages & that it was never handed back to him & supposes it is lost - that he actually under the two above enlistments served nine months - that he has no documentary evidence & no testimony but the accompanying affidavits, that he was born in Newburyport Mass. moved with his Father when six years old to South Hampton in New Hampshire lived there eleven years then moved to Hampton lived there about seven years when he enlisted the first time after his return home moved to Newhampton in 1778 where he has since lived except the six months that he was in the service as a soldier & was unable to attend Court from his house
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, Thomas Woodman
Sworn to and subscribed, the day afore said before me Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate
We, Nicholas M. Taylor residing in Newhampton and Samuel Woodman residing in Newhampton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Woodman, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 80 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. Nicholas M. Taylor
Sworn and subscribed the day aforesaid before me Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate
And the said Court 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 said Court certifies, that it appears to them that Nicholas M. Taylor who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the Newhampton and that Samuel Woodman, who has also signed the same is a resident in the Newhampton and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. By bodily infirmity he is unable to attend Court from his house Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate
I, James Bartlett Reg Clerk 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 Thomas Woodman for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 25th day of October AD 1832
James Bartlett Reg

Thomas Woodman
N Hampshire
Privat 8 Mo 13 days
$28.09.
207 3/4
Daniel Gale Esq Gilmanton NH

BRIEF in the case of Thomas Woodman  66 of Strafford  in the State of N.H.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Superior Court before a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  3. How old is he? 80  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     November 1776 enlisted 3 private Capt Pearson, Col Gilman   1 July 1780 5 13 " Capt Hatten Col Colley   per Roll of service  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampton N.H.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

Rev War
7969 INVALID.
File No. 7969
Thomas Woodman
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1  et , Page 414
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New Hampshire Strafford County
Gilmanton December 10 th 1832
Sir,
Therewith transmit to you the declaration of Thomas Woodman of New Hampton in order to obtain a pension under the late acts of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 — I see the declaration says — the accompanying affidavits which affidavits I have not enclosed, as I have understood by your instructions that was not requested until you had examined the Muster Roll and if the persons name was not there found you should send detailed instructions — Getting certificates from a Clerks of Courts or Secretary of the State or States makes it expensive to pension serv especially when the pension is small — It is requested that you return me an answer as soon as may be —
I am Respectfully Your Obedt Servt —
Hon. Lewis Cass
Secy of War,
Washington City
Daniel Gale