Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14902, Elisha Wood, Conn. R. I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. R.I.
Wood, Elisha
S. 14902
carded
CONTENTS

New York 241-25133 Elisha Wood
at New York in the State of New York who was a private in the Continental Army by Captain Windsor of the Regt. - commanded by Col. Brown in the R.H. Schuyler line for 8 Mos.
* R.I. & Conn. W.A.R. Sept. 14. 1908
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Aug. 1832 and per the H. Bennett New Berlin
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 $5 31 32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 1 35 33 $6 66 66
Recorded by { Revolutionary Claim, } Vol. 6 Stiles { let June 7, 1832. } Clerk Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 38

No 25924 Elisha Wood Otsego County New York
Admitted Private & Monthly
Hy Barnett, New Berlin, Chenango County NYork

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 Elisha Wood Otsego County New York
   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.     Entered Nov. 1776 - 3 - privt. Capt Windsor, Col Brown, Lt Cornwall 74 years Gloucester Traditionary evidence, papers correct -   Draft July 1777 - 1 - " Capt Windsor, Rhode Island   Draft July 11 - 1 - " Capt Windsor   Draft Aug. 1778 - 1 - " Capt Windsor, Capt May { Genl Sullivan   Draft Sept. 1780 - 2 - " Capt Dunlop, Capt Gaurden  
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) _____, who has 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 the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry 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.
□ 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Elisha Wood
25924
Pensioner -
New Berlin -
Chenango Co.
N.Y.
H. Bennett.

State of New York Otsego County } S.S.
On this 29 th day of June 1833 personally appeared before me James C. Walworth one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Elisha Wood a resident of the Town of Pittsfield in the County and State aforesaid aged 74 years the 29 th day of January last who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the act of Reangus passed June 7, 1832 concerning Revolutionary Pensioners - to wit:
That he was born in the town of Swansea in the State of Massachusetts the 29 th day of January 1759 and has no record of his birth or age. That when he was 15 years of age in 1774 his Father removed to the town of Gloucester (or Glouster) in the State of Rhode Island where he lived at the time of the commencement of the revolutionary War - That he the said Elisha Wood first entered the service of the United States about the last of October or first of November 1776 at the town of Gloucester aforesaid as a Volunteer and private in the Militia for the term of 3 months under Captain Stephen Windsor , Lieutenant Aaron Arnold in the Regiment commanded by Col. Chad Brown marched to Bristol where they were stationed, & he continued in the service for (3) three months - was in no battle at this time they were stationed so as to watch the British & prevent their landing General Cornwall had the command of the Troops, at the expiration of his time was dismissed - had no written discharge -
That in the winter after thinks in February 1777 he and a few more were drafted out of Capt. Windsor's company & others out of other companies, & placed under the command of Ensign Isaac Ross , &

Marched to Providence where they were stationed as a Guard, & he continued in that service for (1) one month. mouth , was under the same Officers except Ross the object was to watch the enemy & prevent depredations - was dismissed without any written discharge.
That in June or July in the same year 1777 he and others were again drafted from their company Capt. Windsor's & with others drafted from other companies marched to Warwick & were stationed to guard the coast & keep the enemy from landing & plundering - served in this town one month (1) The British came up the river & fired upon the inhabitants - he was under the same officers as during the preceding tour & at the expiration of (1) one month was dismissed & had no written discharge - a part of the Black Regiment was at Warwick at this time -
The next year 1778 he was again drafted out of Capt. Stephen Windsor's company to go onto the Island of Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition was drafted about the first of August & placed in Capt. Benj. Mays Company - Marched to Bristol & crossed over onto the Island at a place called Butts hill marched from thence to the lines a distance of 7 Miles. Was in the battle on the Island after the Battle they were ordered to retreat off the Island, worked all night in silence & all left the Island - Genl. Sullivan had the command served at this time one month, dismissed, had no written discharge -
In the year 1779 The Father of the said Elisha Wood & his family moved from Rhode Island to the

town of Plainfield in the State of Connecticut
2 months. After going to Connecticut the said Wood belonged in the Company of Capt. Joshua  Sunlap . & in the Year 1780 in the month of September the said Wood was drafted from Capt. Sunlap's Company for 2 months as a private to go & guard the coast. was placed in the Company commanded by Capt. James Gauden Lieutenant Andrews Marched to Warwick & Little Rest & at the expiration of his term of 2 months was discharged & went home to Plainfield . That this was the last of his service during the War - that he served as a private at three different times (8) eight months or more
That the said Wood knows of no living witness whose testimony he can procure to prove any part of his service - That George Hunt served with said Wood his first term of service of 3 months as stated in this declaration & knew of his serving that term - & that the said George Hunt came to the said Wood who had not seen him before in 50 years - & said he would make an affidavit of his serving - the said Wood was a witness for said Hunt & proved his serving the 3 months as stated - But that the said Hunt is since dead, & the said Wood does not now know of any person living who knows of any part of his said services -
That the said Wood has an aged wife living and is so poor as not to be able to support himself without assistance - & is in such a feeble

State of health that he was unable to go to Court which was held last week to make his deduction - That there is no clergyman residing in Pittsfield where the said Wood resides, & that the clergyman residing in New Berlin - the next town has been lately settled & does not know the said Wood - But that the said Wood can give the certificate of the most respectable men in the town of Pittsfield of his good character & his being a Reputed Revolutionary Soldier - to wit Harry W. Green, Benjamin Hall Esq. Isaac Beardslee Esq., Col. William G. Hall, Rufus B. Carpenter Esq., James P. Darnipon Esq. Ransom Spafford, & others, who are well acquainted with said Wood - Benjamin Eddy -
1 When & in what year were you Born? In Swansey , Massachusetts in the year 1759. 2 Have you any record of your age & if so when is it? He says he had a record of his age, But it was burnt, & has now no record, states his age from Recollection - But thinks he is certainly right. 3 When were you living when called into service - Where do you now live & when have you lived since the Revolutionary War.?
He says when first called into service he lived in Gloucester in Rhode Island - then in Plainfield Connecticut till the close of the war. about 28 years ago he moved to the town of Hussey in Ulster Co. N.Y. resided there about one year

He then removed to Burlington in Otsego County resided there about 26 years - He then moved to Pittsfield in Otsego County where he has lived ever since & now resides - that he came into the town of Pittsfield about 23 years ago.
4. How were you called into the Service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute? & if a substitute for whom?
He says he volunteered his first term of Service. & was drafted at all the other times, always served as a private - was never a substitute -
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were in the troops when you served. such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recall & the general circumstances of your Service?
Genl. Connell - Genl. Sullivan, Col. Chad Brown Capt. Windsor, Dradip Gourdern, & Mays Col Brown's Regiment the Black Regiment &c. there was only a few troops together on the coast being only for guards - Genl. Spencer, Genl. Arnold, Genl. Green, had seen & others &c
6 Did you ever receive a discharge why where given? or a commission?
He says he never did receive a written discharge or a commission -
7 State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for truth & veracity & their belief of your Services as a bulwark of the Constitution -
He says those named in declaration -

Genl. Welch, Noah Ely Esq. Silas A. Cooksey - Charles Medbury Esq. & almost every man in Pittsfield -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & Elisha Wood year aforesaid Before me - & I certify the statement of the said Wood in my opinion is entitled to full credit. I served to Wadsworth as Judge of Otsego County courts ME
Benjamin Hall Esquire, and Harry W. Green
residing in the town of Pittsfield in the County of Otsego hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Wood who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & that we believe him to be 74 years of age that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion -
Subscribed & sworn before me { Benjamin Hall the day & year aforesaid { Harry W. Green I served to Wadsworth as Judge of Otsego County courts

And I the said James C. Walworth one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Otsego before whom the foregoing declaration certificates & papers have been signed & sworn to hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolution- ary Soldier deemed as he states - And I further certify that it appears to me that Benjamin Hall Esquire and Harry W. Green who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Pittsfield aforesaid & are persons of standing & respectability & that their statement is entitled to full credit - And I further certify that it appears to me that the above named applicant Elisha Wood is unable from bodily infirmity to attend court to make his declaration
James C. Walworth Judge of Otsego County Court
State of New York Otsego County
Clerks Office I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the said County of Otsego do hereby certify that James C. Walworth before whom the foregoing papers purport to have been sworn was at the date thereof one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County & that I am acquainted with his handwriting & fairly believe his name above subscribed to the declaration & certificates in the several places above subscribed one in his own proper handwriting & signature - And I also certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Elisha Wood for a pension witness my hand & seal of office the 2nd day of July 1833. Horace Lathrop Clerk

Rev. War
✓ 14902 INVALID.
File No. 14.902
Elisha Wood
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 446
[Arrangement of 1870.]