Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29523, Nathan Wardwell, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Wardwell, Nathan
S. 29523
CONTENTS

76 Berkshire
15.831
Massachusetts
Nathan Wardwell
of Berkshire as in the State of Massachusetts who was a treasurer Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. Starr in the At. Mili- tary for 2 years.
And
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1833 and sent to A. W. Bishop Secy of Mass.
Arrears to the 1st of March 1833 $160.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 1 40.00
$200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Book E Vol. 2 Page

Nathan Wardwell
Massachusetts,
No 6352
Plat & Wagoner 2 years
14. 16 06
March 21 1833
P. 304
H. W. Berhob E
Henry Mass
Berkshire County
1832 & 1833

BRIEF in the case of Nathan Wardwell  of Berkshire County in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 Years.  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.     Spring In 1777 Enlisted 3 " " Waggoner Gen. Andrew Bostwick. Waggon Master General Capt. Abiel Smith Continental Establishment Connecticut Line   Summer 1780 Enlisted " 5 " Private Col. Starrs Regiment Capt. Ransom's Company Connecticut Line   May or June 1781 Enlisted " 8 " Waggoner Gen. Phillips Conductor or Capt. of Waggoners Gen. Washington  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Simsbury Litchfield Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Two Living witnesses in Part & traditional.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Little
Examining Clerk.

I Ichabod Graves of Colchester in the County of New London in the state of Connecticut of lawful age, do depose, testify and say, that in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & twenty seven I belonged to the continental army and was in that year well acquainted with Nathan Wardwell now of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was well knowing to said Wardwell belonging to the said continental army in the Waggons department said Wardwell drove a Horse team at the time I the deponent drove an Ox team — Andrew Kostwick was at that time Waggon Master General — I the said deponent further testify and say that the said Wardwell did duty as above stated one or two years — further the deponent saith not —
Pittsfield May 19. 1832, I attested J. D. B. Root
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss.
On the nineteenth day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & thirty two the aforesaid deponent was examined & confirmed, and sworn agreeable to law, to the deposition aforesaid by him subscribed, taken at the request of Nathan Wardwell the person named in the above deposition —
Before me John B. Root, Justice of the Peace
Berkshire ss. April 23. 1833,
I hereby certify that, according to my best knowledge and belief, Ichabod Graves, the above deponent, is a man of truth & veracity. John B. Root, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that John D. Sleeper Esq. who appears to have the foregoing affidavit was executed, was on the 19 th of March 1832 on the 23 rd of April A.D. 1833. I now is a justice of the Peace within the said County of Plymouth, duly commissioned & qualified as such, acting under the authority of said Commonwealth and that the signature purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court at Lynn this 26 th day of April A.D. 1833. Chas. Sedgwick Clerk

I John Thompson of Lebanon in the County of Columbia & State of New York of Lawful age do certify and say that in the fall and winter of 1780 - I was Quarters at Mountstown in the State of New Jersey that I belonged to the Company of Artillery commanded by Capt Patridge in Colonel Proctas Regiment - and there at that time I was well acquainted with Nathan Wardwell he was at the said time Stati- oned in said Mountstown as a private - I further certify that I have since been acquainted with the said Nathan Wardwell and am at present - that he now resides with the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and am perfectly satis- fied that he is the identical Nathan Wardwell that was a private Quarters in Mountstown as aforesaid -
Richmond Oct 7 th 1831 - John Thompson mark.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. Oct 7 th 1831 -
Then personally appeared the aforesaid John Thompson and made oath that the foregoing affidavit to which his mark is sub- scribed is true according to his best knowledge before me Wm S. Goodlitt the Justice of the Peace The said Thompson is a man of truth and veracity according to my best knowledge Wm S. Goodlitt

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Dorchester P. Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Judicial Courts within said County do Certify that William D. Southwick Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was executed was on the 7 th of October 1831. & is now a Justice of the Peace within said County duly commissioned & qualified as such & that the signature purporting to be his is genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the Court of Com- mon Pleas this nineteenth day of December A.D. 1831. Chas. Sedgwick Clerk

Nathan Wardell's
Declaration.
N o 6352.

State of Massachusetts,
County of Berkshire } ss.
On this twenty day of August A. D. 1832, personally
appeared before the Hon. Wm. P. Walker, Judge of the Court of Probate, now held at a time within & for the County of Berkshire aforesaid. Nathan Wardwell a resident of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts, agra. I hereby declare that who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath relate the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832. —
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the Spring of the year 1777, as a Waggour in the Company commanded by one Daniel Smith & under the general direction of one Andrew Westwick called "Waggon Master General" in the Connecticut Line Continental Establishment for the term of three years. — That John Gregory Elisburg enlisted at the same time — that he resided in Soure (at the time of his enlistment) in Connecticut. — that he went from Soure to Hartford — from thence they marched to P'keepsie on the Hudson River, where they remained some time making occasional journeys to Warwick on the West side of the Hudson for Army Store, & also to Goshen, & other places — that he was at P'keepsie at the time Fort Montgomery was taken & then retreated to Redhook — that previous to the taking of said Fort, he assisted in removing Cannon from Fort Ann. — remained at Redhook until after Burgoyne's capture, & then returned to P'keepsie, & remained there & at Fishkill, assisting in drawing timber &c. to repair & improve works by the British until his term expired, when he returned to Soure, does not know that he has a written discharge if so, it is lost. —

during a part of this time one William Bowlin commanded the Company of Waggoners to which he belonged. —
That he again enlisted in the Summer of the year 1780. as a private Soldier in the Company commanded by Captain Hanson in the Regiment under the Command of Colo. Starr in the Connecticut line. Continental establishment as a private Soldier for the term of five Months or more. — that when he enlisted he resided in Somers in said State of Connecticut — he was enlisted by one Caleb Bull a Recruiting Officer. — That he marched from Hartford to Nelson's Point on the Hudson River. where Genl. Arnold then was. — he was there when Arnold deserted from this place and marched to New Britain in New Jersey & remained there until discharged. about 15 th May 1781. — thinks he had a written Discharge. but if so. has lost it. —
That he again enlisted in the Month of May or June 1781. for the term of Eight Months as a Waggoner under one Peter Phillips as Captain or Captain — marched from Hartford to the Hudson. crossed at Kings Ferry. went into New Jersey. from thence to Philadelphia the French Army & Genl. Washington's Army passed near Philadelphia. followed the Army thro' Brandywine into Maryland. — returned with the Army or part of it to Burlington in New Jersey — On his return drew of the Commissary of Clothing at Philadelphia (whose name he does not recollect) a pair of Buckskin Breeches & he thinks a vest also. & signed his name to a Receipt as he supposes in the Commissary's Book. — He remained

at Burlington a short time & believes that he was then discharged - Does not recollect that he had a written discharge
While he served as a Wagoner in the Field recollect the names & ranks of the Field & Company Officers, having no immediate connection with them
and Genl. Foster
Nathan X Wardwell Marks
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or an annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. Nathan his X Wardwell, marks
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
William P. Walker Judge
The above said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named Applicant was

a Revolutionary Soldier - and I served as the States.
William P. Walker, Judge of Probate.
I Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan Ware - well for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have unto set my hand & seal of office this tenth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty two.
Henry W. Bishop

Massachusetts Roll, Act 7 June 1832. Nathan Wardwell, Jr. & Hauser £80 per annum. To what time last paid?
Paid to 4 th March 1837.
Reupon Officer Coll
Must Bogan
B.W.B.

29523 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29,523
Nathan Wardwell.
Rev Rev Nat
Act: June 7 th 29 th
Index:—Vol. 9, Page 137
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6352
Nathan Wardwell
H. W. Bishop Esq Lenox Mass.

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

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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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 living witness in part
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? Yes
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? Yes in one case only
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
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? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes  NO
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.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Wardwell, Samuel GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6679 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Apr. 9, 1791 to not shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.