Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,422, Daniel Wild, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Wild, Daniel
S. 6,422
CONTENTS
carded

15539 Massachusetts
Daniel M c D
of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a claptrap in the Army commanded by Captain Crafts of the Reg t commanded by Col. M c Key in the H t  line for 8 months
★
Mass s Continental.
S Middlen
Date of death not on AB
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 33- Dollars 33- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of June 1833 and sent James Allen Boston Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 116.67 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 16.66
$133.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Adams Clerk, Book ( Vol. 2 Page 93)

M 1157 Daniel Wilder Massachusetts
Matr. of Arts 81 M.A.
James Allen Boston Mass

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 subjóined 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
Daniel Child Madison County State of Mass
   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.     Enlisted 1775 8 Matross Capt Crafts Col Gridley 79 years Boston Mass Documentary Evidence  
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 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 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 [j] 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.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 7 th 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Daniel Wild is borne on the Muster-Roll of Capt. Edward Craft's Company, in Col. Gridley's Regiment of the Train of Artillery, as a Matross, from May 13. to August 1, 1775, - where he is allowed eleven weeks and three days' service.
The above is the only Muster-Roll of Capt. Craft's Company to be found in this office.
Edward D. Bangs Secy

Dear Will
24457

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two three , personally appeared in open Court, before the Honourable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, Darius Wild a resident of Cambridge in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy 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 7, A. D. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: He enlisted in the Massachusetts Militia as a Matross in the Company of Artillery commanded by Capt Edward Crafts in Col. Gritley's Regiment on the thirteenth day of May 1775 for the term of eight months, and was discharged at the expiration of the term of his enlistment. He did duty with his company at Cambridge until the 17 th of June, on which day the company was marched to Charlestown Neck, and arrived there, about the close of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Company remained on the ground two or three days, and then was stationed on Prospect Hill, during the remainder of the term of his service. He has no documentary evidence to prove his service nor is there to his knowledge any person living who knows any thing about it. He thinks there was a Major in the Regiment of the name of Mason.
He was born in the year 1754. Feb. 25 th in the town of Braintree near Boston. Has no record of his age, but presumes the town records contain the time of his birth. After the age of seven years he lived in Boston until about sixteen years ago, when he moved to Cambridge where he now lives. He enlisted. He does not recollect receiving any discharge. He does not recollect much about the militia regiments at that time in service - but recollects several general officers such as Washington Putnam Ward & others. He has not been the habit of talking about his services.

vice in the army of the revolution. I do not know how long he lived for the last sixteen years in much retirement. It is not probably known among his neighbors, that he ever was in service, nor does he know of any persons living, who was in the same company - He belongs to the religious society of the Rev Bela Jacobs in Cambridge. It is well known to him the captain Barnard Bignall. As to many other citizens of Cambridge & Boston -
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 any state,
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid J. P. Fay Wm. L. Wild
We, Bela Jacobs a clergyman, residing in the town of Cambridge and Barnard Bignall residing in Cambridge hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Daniel Wild who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is known to us as a man of truth & worthy of belief reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, that we believe him to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, as he has stated above but we do not know of his being reputed & believed among his neighbors to have been a soldier of the revolution. - Bela Jacobs. Barnard Bignall Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. P. Fay Wm. L. Wild
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 certify, that it appears to them that Bela Jacobs who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Cambridge and that Barnard Bignall who has also signed the same, is a resident in Cambridge and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. Fay
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Daniel Wild for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Isaac Fiske Reg of Probate

January 11, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEL Daniel Wild-S.6422
Mrs. M. Frances Wild Box 883 Carmel, California
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Stephen Wilson, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and Daniel Wild, who was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers of that war.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of such claims having been made on account of the services of a Stephen Wilson or Willson. The record of Daniel Wild has been found and is furnished herein the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in his claim for pension, S.6422, based upon his military service in the Revolutionary War.
Daniel Wild was born February 25, 1754, in Braintree, near Boston, where he lived until he was seven years of age, after that in Boston.
While a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, he enlisted May 13, 1775, served as a matross in Captain Edward Crafts Company, Colonel Gridley's Regiment of Artillery: length of service eight months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 19, 1833, while residing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where, he stated, he had then resided for sixteen years.
A son is referred to: his name is not shown nor is the name of soldier's wife given.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Daniel Wild(S.6422), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following data:
Daniel Wild, Certificate No. 15539, issued June 22, 1833, rate $33. 33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

25 8.33 1/2 33 3/4
FREE
Hon: Lewis Cass — Secretary of War Washington.
msf:
Q
24657
V the

Boston March 20 th 1833-
Sir,
There is in this case an unavoidable alteration in the affidavit signed by Messrs Jacobs and Bignall from the prescribed form. Mr Wild is a man of a peculiarly reserved cast of mind, and endeavours to keep as far as he can all his concerns to himself. As there is no one living who knows of his actual service, so there is no one who has ever heard him mention the circumstances till the passage of the Act of last June. Although within a few years last past, I resided for some time under the same roof with him, and had conversations with him at various times, and on a great variety of subjects, yet no hint of any kind ever dropped from him on this point; and from his age and residence I have often made enquiries of him concerning the events of the revolutionary war. I should never have known from him that he had held an office in the Boston Regiment; it is however within my personal knowledge, from having seen him in the office of Major of Artillery. Another striking instance of this trait of his character happened within a few days, his son came into my office and saw his father's declaration and

immediately exclaimed this is the first time I ever knew his age; he had previously told me, in answer to my enquiries, that he had never heard of his being in service in the revolutionary war before last Summer. I hope that what I now state, together with the reasons, embodied in his declaration will prevent the slightest deviation from the prescribed form to operate to the prejudice of his present application. It also explains the reason of my making an informal application for him last July, to which I now acknowledge the receipt of an answer from the War Department of the 1 st of Dec. Mr Welch was so much disappointed by that answer, that he has not been able, till this time, to make up his mind to renew his claim.
Respectfully
Your humble servant
Hon. Lewis Cass. Secretary of War.
James Allen
N. B. If any doubt should arise from this cause I earnestly request, that before a final decision is had, it may be actually submitted for the decision of the Secretary of War.

1934 - Jan 11 - Hist. to Mrs. M. Frances Wild. Est.
Revised
6422
✓ INVALID.
File No. 6422
Daniel Wild
Heirship. BW War
Act: June 7 th 1837.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 408
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Box 883 Carmel Calif
December 30 th 1933
Veterans Bureau Revolutionary Division Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
Several months ago you were able to send me some valuable information regarding the military service of Abijah Badley
I am now asking for data regarding two more families which I hope you can furnish. C 2
1. Daniel Wild , born Pervintre Mass 1762 Two brothers have military record Capt. John & Jonathan. Is this the same person which is referred to in Muster Rolls Vol. XVI p 286 who is the Daniel Wild mentioned in 3 items in Vol 17 p. 328. Sold. & Sail. of Rev. A Daniel Wild jun. was of Walpole 1826 lived in Boston in 1828 where he had married Eliza Plimpton Wilson 2. Stephen Wilson , who married Rachel Mansfield at Westford Mass, 13 March 1791 I understand he was of Chelmsford. was he the Stephen Wilson who marched with Gen. Lincoln from Chelmsford in 1787 to put down Shays Rebellion. Was Stephen, son of William & Hannah of Concord Mass. Thanking you for your co-operation Sincerely (Mrs.) M. Francis Wild