Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,214, James Wilder, Mass.

SERVICE
Wilder, James
NUMBER
Mass
S. 30.214
CONTENTS

1497.  Massachusetts James Wilder of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain White of the Reg't commanded by Col Revere in the Mass line for 9 Mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of Nov 1832 and sent William  Johnson Worcester Mass Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $ 4 50 Semi-annual allowance ending 21 Mar — 15 $ 60
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J H Blain Clerk Book D Vol. 27 Page 93

Mr. Lawrence, Greeneboro Mass
in Role of Col. Spauls Rest. at 6 months
$30-
W.C.G.
3613 Jan Walker Peach Camp 9 months

3613 Las Wilder Pwah Map
9 Months
H. E.
$30-
n. side of Lee Street Best of 6 months
Wm Jennison, Worcester Mass

3613
BRIEF in the case of
of Worcester Cy
James Wilder of Sterling in the State of Mass.
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? about 1st of Probate  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 69  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.     March '78 — July '78 — 3 — Substitute Capt. Geo. White — Col. Revere   about 1 July '80 — 69 July '81 — 6 — private Capt. Williams — Col. Sproat attached to Capt. Geo. May. Col. Shepherd  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lancaster  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 4 living Witnesses —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The above does not pass under Seal No Clergyman's Certificate
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
A. C. Easton Examining Clerk.

Phil Richardson's affidavit for Colo. S. Wilder

Phr. Wilder's affidavit for
James Wilder

I Phineas Wilder of Sturte in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of the age of seventy one years, testify and say, that in the month March 1778, there being a call for troops to go to Fort- William in Boston Harbour, now Fort-Independence, I volunteered as a private soldier in the Army of the United States for the term of three months months; that I was then in company with Samuel Wilder, then of the West-Parish of Lancaster in said County, now Sturte, who now lives in said Sturte, to Roxbury where we were organized, and were both placed into the company commanded by Capt. John White then of said Lancaster, whose Lieut. were one Martin of Lancaster and Nathaniel Beman of said Lancaster, in the Regiment commanded by Colo. Revere; then we marched to the on to Fort-William in Boston Harbour, now Fort-Independence, and were then employed in repairing the Fort; that said Samuel Wilder continued in said company until the expiration of said term, when we were both discharged.
Phineas Wilder Worcester. August 13. 1832. Then the above named Phineas Wilder, in my presence subscribed, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit. I certify that said Phineas Wilder is well known by me and his character for truth is good.
Wm. Dustin Justice of the Peace

I Ephraim Houghton of Corinth in the County of Saratoga and State of New York formerly of Sterling in Massachusetts testify and say that James Wilder Esq. of said Sterling in the county of Worcester and state of Massachusetts in June 1780 he myself and others enlisted in the Continental Army in the twelfth Massachusetts Regiment the name of the Capt. who commanded the company in which he first served I do not recollect: but in the month of July next following he and myself were detached and put under the command of Capt. John Pray in Col. Shepherd's Regiment Gen. Poor Brigade and General La Fayette Division of Light Infantry and he served in said Ar- my the term of six months.
Ephraim Houghton Worcester ss. January 2. 1829. The above named Ephraim Houghton subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me, M c Lustig, Justice of the Peace

Elijah Burfus Affidavit for Colo. J. Wilder

Elijah Barber of Sturton in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of the age of seventy one years, testify and say that some time in the month of June 1780. I entered as a private the service as a volunteer in the Army of the United States in the Company of Capt. Seth Barrister of Brookfield in said County in the fourth Massachusetts Regiment commanded by William Shepard Esq., that James Whitaker then of the West Parish of Lancaster in said County now Sturton who now lives in said Sturton, marched in to Springfield where we passed muster. Then company with me from said West Parish, to High Hill, where we tarryed one night, then crossed the Hudson River and marched to West Point; soon after our arrival there, he left me and went into the Continental service in the Regiment of Light Infantry as I then understood.
Elijah his X Barber mark
Worcester ss. August 13. 1832. Then the above named Elijah Barber, in my presence made his mark to the above affidavit and made oath to the truth thereof. I certify that said Barber is well known by me, and his character for truth is good.
Rev. Justin Justin of the Parish.

Phil Richardson's affidavit for Colo. S. Wilder

Abel Richardson of Sterling in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventy one years, testify and say that some time in the month of June 1780. I voluntarily enlisted  went into the service  army of the United States as a private soldier, and never left in the company of the same commanded by Capt. Abraham Williams, one of the Saints name was Bullard in Colo. Sprout's Regiment, and Nixon's Brigade for the term of six months. I then lived in the West Parish of Lancaster in said County, now Sterling; - that James Wilder then of said West Parish, who now lives in said Sterling, and who marched in company with me to Springfield when we first mustered, thence to Fish-kill when we were then put under the aforesaid Officers, then we marched to West Point; soon after our arrival there, said James Wilder was detached into the Light Infantry as I then understood; after I had completed the said term of six months I was, discharged  on the  month  day of January 1781. and immediately after in com- pany with the said James Wilder returned home
Abel Richardson
Worcester ss. August 13. 1832. Then the above named Abel Richardson in my presence submitted his name and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and testify from the knowledge I have of his character for truth, it is good.
Then Distress Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss. I, Abijah Bigelow, clerk of the Judicial Courts, within and for the County of Worcester, certify, that Alexander Dustin, Esquire, before the within and annexed Depositions of Abiel Richardson, Phineas Wilder, Ephraim Houghton, and Elijah Burpee, were signed and sworn to, is a justice of the peace in and for said County - and that his signature to said depositions appears to be in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the County Seal, this twenty second day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clk.

And in answer to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he states as follows - to wit - (1) I was born in Lancaster (now Sterling) on the 5 th day of May, 1763. (2) No record of my age or birth, excepting on my family bible. (3) I was living in said Lancaster, (now Sterling) at the time of my entering the service aforesaid - and have always lived on the same farm where I now reside, excepting when in the service. (4) The first time as a Substitute for Ebenezer Wilder, who had been drafted - the last time as a Volunteer. (5) In the continental service were Capt. Hurd, who was in our regiment, I think; I used to see him about every day on parade - I cannot now state any more particulars, than what are contained in my declaration above made. (6) I did not receive any discharge in writing, I think, at the end of my first service - but had one at the end of my last service, but it is lost or mislaid. (7) John Robbins, Esq. Joel Pratt, Esq. Lieut. Blood, all of said Sterling.
(A)

3613
James Wilder.
po
Worcester County, Massachusetts.

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this fifteenth  twelfth day of August, in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Worcester, now sitting, James Wilder — a resident of Sterling, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty nine 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 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He enlisted as a substitute, (in the place of Ebenezer Wilder then of Lancaster, who had been drafted into the service and in a company of 2 d Infantry ) under Capt. John Write of said Lancaster, Lieut. Bearnan and Martin, under Col. Revere, for the term of three months, and served out his term of enlistment. He entered said service in March, 1778, at said Lancaster, and immediately marched with said company, thro' Lyndon, Weston, Watertown, & so on to Roxbury, near Boston, where they were organized, and then went over to Castle William, now Fort Independence, where he was stationed the whole of his term of service, and was dismissed, or discharged, at that place in July, 1778, under a general order of our commanding officer, and returned home to Lancaster.
He next enlisted, as a Volunteer, in the continental service, and joined the company, commanded by Capt. Williams, and under Col. Sproat, about the first of July, 1780, at Fish Kill, in the State of New York. When we enlisted we were to fill the place of the three years men, and were not to be allowed for our time till we arrived at our place of rendezvous, at said Fish Kill — we were immediately marched to Springfield, where we passed muster, and were then conducted thro' Litchfield to said Fishkill, and immediately were put into service — He was detached and put into Capt. John Pray's company, in Col. Wm. Shepherd's Regiment, Genl. Poor's Brigade, De La Fayette major General — there he remained till about the 1st of Jan'y 1781, when he by orders therefor removed to West Point, where he was discharged on the 9th Jan'y, 1781, and returned home to said Lancaster, having served out his period of enlistment, which was for six months — He has no documentary evidence of his service, but relies on the accompanying Depositions, to prove his claim to a pension — He was regularly discharged after each term of service expired.
4) 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Nathl. Plummer Probate For the County of Worcester
James Wilder

We
a Clergyman residing in the _____ residing in _____
and _____
certify that we are well acquainted with _____ to the above declaration, that we believe him to be _____
hereby _____
who has subscribed and sworn
years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Worcester, fs. August 15, 1832. ->
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the
who signed
and that
who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. James Judge of Probate For the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler, Register, clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James
Wieder
for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Theophl. Wheeler Register of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts -

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Wilder 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? [Handwritten line] 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?  No
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?  _____
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  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?  No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes 
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 the 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.
† 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

30 214 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30,214
James Wilder Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 a 1890
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 455
[Arrangement of 1870.]