Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11732, Theophilus White, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
White, Theophilus
S. 11732
CONTENTS
carded

New York 191 Theophilus White Chicago in the State of N. York who was a private in the Corp commanded by Captain Vlex of the Regt. commanded by Col Hathaway in the Mapt one for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Aug. 1831 and to P. B. Purdie now at
Arrears to the 14th of Mar. '31 $ 16 00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep. '31 4 00 $ 20 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. } P. O. Stiles Clerk
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 3 Page 39

Amended declaration
State of New York Chenango County ss:
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of the County Court in and for the said County, Wm Theophilus White to me known of Guilford in said County who being sworn says that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot state positively 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 - to wit:
1 year. For One year I served as a private in Capt. Wilcox's company, in Col. Hathaway's Regiment - as stated in my declaration -
1 year. For One year I served as a private in Capt. Simmons' Company under Col. Hathaway as stated in my declaration.
And for the a- bove periods of time (two years in all) I claim a pension
The first times of service was in the Rhode Island State Troops or Militia - in embodied corps called out by competent authority and that he was not employed during the above time in any civil occupation or pursuit - and further saith not Theophilus White
Sworn and subscribed this 1 st June 1833 before me ("Simmons" written over "Wilcox" erased) "during the above time" interlined -
(Smith H. Purdy first Judge of Chenango County Court at Law)
State of New York Chenango County ss:
I Harris H. Pike Clerk of

The said County do certify that from the Mr. Purdie before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the justices of the Peace in and for the said County & that I am acquainted with his handwriting and really believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his genuine hand writing and signature
Witness my hand & seal of office this 3 d June 1833.
P. Purdie Clerk
Theophilus White

State of New York County of Chenango ss
On this ninth day of October A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the court of common Pleas of said County now sitting Present
John Tracy
Nathan Taylor
Levi Buffum
Hezekiah Root
Charles York
Judges
Theophilus White a resident of the town of Guilford County of Chenango and State of New York aged seventy five years and upwards 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
In 1776 about the 20 th of March he enlisted into the Rhode Island State troops after one year at Dartmouth County of Bristol Massachusetts into a company commanded by Benjamin Wilson Captain Robert Earl Lieu- tenant the name of the Ensign does not recollect. The regiment was under the command of Nathan- Colonel the names of the other regimental officers do not recollect. The commandant of the Brigade was General Spencer passed muster in a day or two at the place of enlistment - did not receive any pay or bounty at the time of enlistment in a day or two went with his company to Howlands Ferry in Swanton. Rhode Island which was the place of rendezvous and remained there about a month went about a half mile below Howlands Ferry in the same town and there remained until the expiration of the year for which he enlisted and was then discharged verbally by the Captain - was in no battle or skirmish.

Orderly Sergeant Gushman Privates Jonathan Tabor Christopher Earl. Eliezer Dother William Wilcox Jonathan Tolman served in the same company and were discharged with him
about three weeks after he was discharged enlisted at Skunet Rhode Island for a year into a company commanded by one Simmons Captain Francis Wilber Lieutenant The regiment was under the command of Hathaway Colonel The Commandant of the Brigade was Gen Sullivan. passed muster at Skunet in a day or two and then marched to Skunet Place Point the place of rendezvous and there remained for the year for which he enlisted keeping guard and performing camp duty at the expiration of the year was discharged verbally by the captain. — was in no battle or skirmish during this time of service — Williams Records Nathan Southard William Southard Nathaniel Shaw James Taylor Champlin Wilber served with him in the same company and were discharged with him
He has no documentary evidence of these his services in the Revolution without the affidavit of George Wilcox of Alfred Oswego County New York which is hereto attached is so considered and he knows of no other person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services
In answer to the interrogatories required to be put by the War Department to applicants for pensions He answers as follows viz
1st He was born at Dartmouth County Bristol Mass- achusetts the 10 of April 1755

2d He has no record of his age - but his age was recorded in the Town Clerks Office Dartmouth
3rd He resided at Dartmouth Bristol County Massachusetts each time he entered the service and remained there after the war until 1890 when he moved to Easttown Washington County New York and there lived twenty one years and then removed to Guilford Chenango County where he has since resided and now resides
4th He enlisted voluntarily each time he entered the service
5th He was always discharged verbally
6th He has been saw Colonel Cook at Ithaca Colonel Richmond at Ithaca the general circumstances of his services are stated in his declaration
7th He gives the names of Samuel Smith late Sheriff Samuel Kent Farmer Thubal Gay Farmer Elmer Gilbert Justice of the Peace Rufus Baldwin Merchant all of the town of Guilford his place of residence as men who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution
He further states that there is no Clergyman in his neighborhood who is sufficiently acquainted with him to give the certificate required by the Pension Law.

We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension 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
Theophilus White
P. B. Rundle
Dep CLR
W. M. G. residing in the town of Guilford County, State of New York and V. M. G. residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Theophilus White who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven years and upwards of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion and that we have never heard any doubts expressed by any person as his having been such soldier: and we further certify that there is no clergy man in our opinion in the neighborhood of the said applicant sufficiently acquainted with him in our to make a certificate required by the Pension Law
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
W. M. G.
S. M. G.
P. B. Rundle
Dep CLR

Theophilus White Pension Papers
18200
Direct Pension Certifi- cate if allowed to P. B. Pundle Cornwall Hudson Co N.Y.
Amount 24 mo. pri. 80 $

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after the investigation of 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 Shubal Goy and Carmel Kent residents of the town of Guilford County of Chenango who have signed the foregoing certificate are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit and it further satis- factorily appears to the Court that there is no belligerent man residing in the neighbourhood of the said applicant who is sufficiently acquainted with him to make the certificate required by the Pension Law
(For Read) Charles Foster Nathan Taylor
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas Chenango County N. York
State of New York County of Chenango
I Jarvis Kake Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chenango do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Theophilus White for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this ninth day of October A. D. 1832
P. B. Prindle Dep Clerk

Town of New York Otsego County
George Milroy of the Town of Milford County State of Pa said age 74 years being duly sworn saith that he was well acquainted with Theophilus White in the Revolutionary War & he knows that the said White served under the command of Col. Benjamin Miley in Col. Hatt's Regt Right as this deponent believes, in the year 1776. In the latter part of the year this deponent also served at the same time in the same company & Regiment Further this deponent states that the said White served for a longer time in the Revolution but the length of time he cannot recollect. He well remembers of hearing repeated by some one time that the said Theoph- ilus was in the service & he well believes that he served about two years when at home they were near neighbors Further saith not
sworn and subscribed before me this 5 th day of September 1832
Eliza Root Judge of Otsego County Court
George Milroy

State of New York Otsego County ss.
I, Horace Lathrop, Clerk of the said County, do certify, that Elisha Foote, before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Judge of Otsego County Courts, duly appointed and sworn as such: And further, that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature. Witness my hand and Seal of Office the 4 th day of September 1832.
Horace Lathrop Clerk.
I also certify that the above named Foote was at the date of the within written Certi- ficate of credibility a Judge of Otsego County Courts - and that his signature to the same is genuine.
Witness my hand and Seal of Office the 6 th day of June 1833.
Horace Lathrop Clerk Otsego County.
Otsego County ss.
I certify that I am acquainted with the within named Ezra Miles, and that he is a person of credit, truth and reli- gion - June 6 th 1833.
Ebenezer D. Smith Judge of Otsego County Court

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
183
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 subjjoined 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 Theophilus White Chenango County New York
   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.     Enlisted March 1776 1 private Capt Wilcox Genl Spencer Col Hathaway no battle Marched to Howland's Ferry in Trenton 77 years Carlisle Pa Bristol County Traditionary and Living Witnesses   Enlisted 1777 1 private Capt Wilcox Col Hathaway Genl Spencer no battle N Island Skunk Point Massachusetts no claimant, the reason given, the papers not properly attached  
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 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.

No 18260
Theophilus White Chenango County New York
Adm d
P. B. Prindle Norwich Chenango County New York

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
January 11, 1928
Mrs. C. A. Reynolds 2939 Stratford Ave Lincoln, Nebr.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 11732, it appears that Theophilus White was born April 10, 1755 at Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massa- chusetts.
While residing at said Dartmouth, he en- listed and served as a private with the Massa- chusetts Troops, as follows-
From March 20, 1776, one year in Captain Benjamin Willocox's Company, Colonel Hathaway's Regiment; and three weeks later enlisted and served one year in Captain Simmons' Company, Colonel Hath- away's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application ex- ecuted October 9, 1832, while a resident of Guilford, Chenango County, New York.
There are no data as to family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
See mass Soldiers' Records for Theophilus White as Benjamin Willocox- Whitman gives father's name as Col. Mass Mil. Hathaway

Reborn
11.732 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11.732
Theophilus White
Briv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1932
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 404
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1932 - Jan 11 - Hark to work a new era

MRS. C. AMEREL REYNOLDS 2939 STRATFORD AVE. LINCOLN, NEBR.
Jan 5 1928.
Washington Bureau of Pensions. South
Dear Sir.
I wrote you four
months ago. about a
Theophilus White. B. April 10 1755. who was alive June 1st 1840 living with his son Jeremiah White also of Guilford N.Y. Theophilus White was listed in the 1840 Pension book. He was my G.G. Grandfather and I am anxious to find out where. Theophilus enlisted at He seemed to be in Albany N.Y. in the 1790 Census book. He married a Mary. He served in the Rev. War as I have a sword cane of his that he picked up on the battle field with some trunks of his crew.
Thanking you for an ans in the near future.
Yours Most Sincerely.
Mrs. C. A. Reynolds.

MRS. C. AMEREL REYNOLDS 2939 STRATFORD AVE. LINCOLN, NEBR.
Sept 28, 1927.
Pension Dept. Washington D.C.
Dear Sir.
I am trying to get the ancestry and war record of my g. great grandfather Theophilus White of Guilford N.Y. Chenango Co. his son Jeremiah White also lived in Guilford N.Y.
Theophilus White was born in 1754. Jeremiah White was born in 1790 They are both buried in Guilford N.Y. Could you tell me where Theophilus enlisted and anything of his history or wives name.
I found a Theophilus White in the 1790 census of Albany N.Y. and

MRS. C. AMEREL REYNOLDS 2939 STRATFORD AVE. LINCOLN, NEBR.
also listed as a Pensioner in the list published in 1840 June 1. He was 86 yrs old June 1 1840 and was living with his son Jeremiah White in Guilford at that time.
Hoping to hear from you soon And assuring you that I am very grateful for your time
I am Yours Sincerely Mrs. C. A. Reynolds.