Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,876, James Wood, Continental Mass. R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
continental Mass.
Wood, James
S 11876
R. J.
Carded
CONTENTS

23776 -
Connecticut
James Wood
of Meriden in the State of Conn t who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain of the Reg t commanded by Col. Church in the Conn t time for State Troops for
17 Mo Continental, R.I. & Mass. Records corrected June 19/05.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn t at the rate of $6 - Dollars 66 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Jan y 1833 and sent to B. Andrews Meriden Conn t
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1832 $ 104.99 Sem ant. allowance ending Oct br . 1833 - 48.53 $153.52
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk, Book D Vol. 3 - Page 74

19,401
James Wood's dicta
for a revision -
Copy

County of Bristol ss:
On this fourteenth day of September 1824, personally appeared in open court, being a Court of Record for the County of Bristol, James Wood resident in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the several acts of Congress for the Revolutionary Officers and soldiers. That he the said Wood enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Matthew Allen in the Regiment commanded by Col Thomas Church in General Greene's brigade in the Rhode Island line, in the month of May 1775 and continued in said company, till the last day of December the same year. On the first day of January 1776, he enlisted into a company commanded by Captain Sloan in Colonel Patterson's Regiment for the term of one year, but obtained a discharge about the first of May following in consequence of sickness - that on or about the first day of July, in the same year he enlisted into a company commanded by capt Captain Nathaniel Carpenter in Colonel Crary's Regiment and Brigadier Genl. Fellows Brigade and served in the last mentioned company till December following and was then Honorably discharged, the two last portions of service were in the Massachusetts line on the Continental establishment.
And in pursuance of the act of May 1 st 1820. I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war, passed on the eighth day

day of March 1875; - And that I have not nor has any person for me in trust any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
I am Seventy three years of age. I have a wife who is Seventy three years old. My children being three in number have all grown up and left me. My occupation has been as a farmer, but age and infirmity prevent my performing but very little labour, and I have no farm to work on if I were able. My wife is very infirm and almost unable to perform any labour, and my wife and myself compose my whole family. And I furthermore swear, that in consequence of my indigent circumstances I stand in need of Assistance from my country for support.
James Wood
Sworn to me this the fourteenth day of September, A.D. 1874. before - J. P. Symonds Clerk
An Inventory of all the estate of James Wood of Swansey in the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, necessary clothing bedding excepted, as follows viz
   one round table & one square do. . . . . $1.00   four old charts $2.50 one old bread-trough $0.33 a . . . . . 2.83   four old chairs $1.00 and one old linen chest $0.50 - - - - - 1.50   one old bed stead $0.75 one pail and churn $0.50 - - - - - 1.25   one old meat tub $1.00, one butter tub $0.25 - - - - - 1.25   one wash tub $0.50, two old kegs $0.25 - - - - - 1.00   one keg $0.33, one iron pot $0.50, one spider $0.25 - - - - - 1.08   one kettle $0.25 one bake kettle, $0.83 one tea kettle .33 - - - - - 1.41   one iron basin one Skillet $0.33 one pair of flat irons $0.50 - - - - - .93   Shovel & tongs $0.50 and irons $0.75 iron hooks $0.50 - - - - - 1.75   one ax $0.50 one hoe $0.40 one old scythe and tackling $0.50 - - - - - 1.40   Sundry articles of pewter ware - - - - - 1.50   Sundry articles of tin ware - - - - - 1.00   Sundry articles earthen ware - - - - - .25   knives, forks & spoons - - - - - .20  
James Wood

  one salt mortar 0.50   sumary glass bottles 25   one bible one testament & one hymn book 1.00   one warning gown and trap candle 1.15   two looking glasses 75   one pig 1.50   Three old baskets 75      $23.65 
The above Inventory was taken Sept 24th the 11 th A.D. 1824
James Wood
I do hereby declare, on the fourteenth day of September A.D. 1824,
before J. S. Sprague Clerk.
I James Sprague Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol do hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Twenty three Dollars & Sixty five cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, & affixed the seal of the said Court, on this sixteenth day of October A.D. 1824.
J. S. Sprague Clerk of the Court for the County of Bristol

(4914)  BRIEF in the case of James Wood  of Meriden in the State of Conn  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 81 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     1 May In 1775 8 Gen. Green —   1 Jan y — 1776 4 1/2 Col l Church's Reg t — enlisted   1 July " " 5 Col l J n Patterson " "   December " " 21 Col l Casey's Reg t } "   June 1777 21 Capt n N. Carpenter Co y }   Capt n P. Peck's " Vol m   " " " "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? at Barlean Heights — White Plains —  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Swanzey  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by traditional evidence of two witnesses due a Clergyman — Certificate to be credible — evidence now on file in the Pension Office  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective — not attached according to the regulation 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens Examining Clerk.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832
State of Connecticut } County of New Haven } Probate District of Wallingford
On this 8 day of August AD 1832 Personally appeared before the court of Pro- bate for the District of Wallingford in the County of New Haven in the State aforesaid Samuel Woods a Resident of the Town of Meriden in the County & State aforesaid aged Eighty one years the 3 day of May last past, who being first duly sworn according to the law doth be- on his oath make the following declaration - in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. that he enlisted in the army of the United States at the Town of Swansea, in the County of Bristol, in the State of Massachusetts on the first day of May AD 1775 for the term of eight months , that he was born in & there resided in said Swansea with Captain Mathew Alice and served in Colonel Church Regiment of the Massachusetts line under Lieut- Colonel William T. Miller & marched first under the aforesaid Officers to a place called Samaria Plains near Roxbury in Massachusetts & then marched to Prospect Hill and there continued under the aforesaid officers in the service until the last day of December AD 1775 and was then & there regularly discharged by Colonel Church which discharge I have lost The regiment in which I served whereby belonged to the Brigade comm- =anded by General Greene & served faithfully during said eight months That he again enlisted at said Prospect Hill on the first day of January AD 1776 under Capt. Bruce (as he thinks) in the

Regiment commanded by Colonel John Patterson for the term of one year that he continued at Prospect Hill in the service until the British evacuated Boston the aforesaid Regiment was there ordered to march to Canada That he marched with said Regiment towards Canada being there sick until he was no longer able to do duty and was there discharged by Colonel John Patterson which discharge he has lost That he served at this time four months and one half That he again enlisted on the first day of July AD 1776 at Swansea aforesaid for five months under Captain Nathaniel Carpenter in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Casy in General Fellows Brigade That he marched from Swansea on the fourth day of July AD 1776 for New York through Providence in Rhode Island, Norwich New London New Haven in Connecticut, through Horse Neck to New York where he was stationed three weeks That he was then stationed about two miles out of the city of New York That he then retreated to a place called Harlem Plains That he was in the engagement with the British at Harlem Plains That he marched from Harlem over Kingsbridge to a place called North Castle and from thence to the Plains where he was in another engagement with the British That he there marched to a place near Peekskill below West Point where he was discharged the first day of December AD 1776 by Colonel Casy which discharge he has lost That disinterested proof of the aforesaid service was made before the County Court being a court of Records of the County of Bristol in Massachusetts by vir-

Stresses then living but since deceased in an application made by him for a pension about seven or eight years since the evidence of which was transmitted to the War Department That an answer was returned from said department signed by a Mr. Edwards & that he presumes the evidence aforesaid is still in the aforesaid department. The names of the witnesses by whom the services were in said application proved as aforesaid were Lieut. James Boston Ephraim Cole and Russell Hardy And that in December 1776 he volunteered in an artillery and marched to guard Bristol in Rhode Island and served three weeks under Captain Peleg Prentiss and that in June 1777 he was again called out to guard Howlands Ferry under the same Captain Prentiss and that he there served as one of the militia three weeks —
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in the state of Massachusetts or Connecticut or any other state —
The Applicant Claims for Services
  1 st Tour 8 months   2 nd do 4 1/2 do   3 rd do 5 do   4 th do 3 weeks   5 th do 3 do   Amo st one Year and Seven Months 
The applicant in answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the War department (Rays
Answer to the first Question I was born in Swansey in Bristol County in the state of Massachusetts in the Year 1751

Second Question ~~~~~
Second Answer - I have no knowledge of any second
Third Question ~~~~~
Third Answer - I lived in Swaney as aforesaid when I was called into service, since the re- -volutionary war I have lived in Swaney Thompson and Meriden in the last mentioned place I now live -
Fourth Question ~~~~~
Fourth Answer - I enlisted three times and volunteered the other times -
Fifth Question ~~~~~
Fifth Answer - Colonel Church. Colonel Patt- -erson. Colonel Carey. General Green. General Fellows, General Washington, General Putnam -
Sixth Question ~~~~~
Sixth Answer - I have received three written discharges. one signed by Colonel Church one by Colonel Patterson, the other by Colonel Carey. I have lost these
Seventh Question ~~~~~
Seventh Answer - (William Yale Esqr.)
Rev Russell Jennings -
Sworn and subscribed the 3 rd day of James Wood day and year aforesaid

James Wood
4914.
Detachment
Dup
admit
17 m o private
56.66
to Andrews
Menden
G

We Charles J. Hinsdale a clergyman residing in the town of Meriden in the County of Franklin and William Gale a justice of the peace residing in the same town, hereby certify that that we are well acquainted with James Wood who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration, that we believe him to be eighty-one years of age - that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion sworn to, and subscribed Charles J. Hinsdale Pastor of the the day & year aforesaid Congregational Church in Meriden.
William Gale
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, And the Court further certifies, that Charles J. Hinsdale, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in said town of Meriden, and that William Gale Esq., who has also signed the same, is a resident in said town of Meriden, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Thos D Reynolds Judge of Probate for the District of Wallingford
I Randall Cook Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Wallingford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of James Wood for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said office this 8 th day of August 1832 - Randall Cook Clerk -

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Wood a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1 1775 8 mos Pvt. Matthew Allen Thomas Church R.I.   June 1 1776 4 1/2 " Swain & Bruce John Patterson Mass   July 1 1776 5 " Nathaniel Carpenter Emerson Gary "   Dec 1776 3 weeks Peleq Peck ✓ "   June 1777 3 " Peleq Peck ✓ "  
Battles engaged in, Barlow & White Plains Residence of soldier at enlistment, Swansy Bristol Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Sept. 14, 1824. His claim was al- Residence at date of application, Swansy Mass Age at date of application, born at Swansy Mass. May 2, 1751 Remarks: In 1824 his wife was 73 yrs old and his three children  were grown up, names not stated  In 1832 he was a resident of Meriden, New Haven Co Conn.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

I Richard Smith Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island &c. do hereby certify that Levi Haile Esq r is one of the Justices of the Peace in the Town of Warren in said County of Bristol, duly commissioned, authorised and empowered to do all things by law required by law within said Township of Warren —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court at Bristol aforesaid this Eighth Day of September A.D. 1824.
Rich d Smith.

I Ephraim Cole, of Warren in the County of Bristol & State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, of lawful age & engaged according to law do testify & say that James Ward now of Swansey in the State of Massachusetts, enlisted as a private soldier in a company of Rhode Island troops commanded by Capt. Matthew Allen, attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Church, in the Brigade commanded by General Greene in the year 1775. and that the said James Ward served eight months in said company near Boston and that he was discharged on the last day of December A.D. 1775; and that the said James Ward on the first day of January A.D. 1776 enlisted in the company of Massachusetts troops commanded by Capt. Sloan attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. John Patterson and that he served in said company until about the first of May A.D. 1776 when he was discharged by reason of sickness.
Ephraim Cole
Bristol ss. Warren R.I. September the 4 th A.D. 1824. Personally appeared the above named Ephraim Cole, and after being carefully examined, cautioned and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth

made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed which was reduced to writing by me in presence of the said Deponent.
Levi Haile Jutt. Peace

James Wood - Pens Pens -

I James Horton of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts engaged according to Law do testify and say that in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six I was a Lieutenant in a company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter and attached to Col. Simon Barnaby's Regiment and General Galloway's brigade Stationed at and about New York and that James Wood of Swansea in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was a private Soldier in the company to which I belonged and enlisted the first of July in said year and served until the first day of December in said year and was a faithful good Soldier during said time and belonged to the Massachusetts Line James Horton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. September the 10 th A.D. 1824
Personally appeared the above named James Horton and after being carefully Examined and cautioned and sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition to which he affixed his name in my presence and the said Deposition was reduced to writing by me in the presence of the said Deponent
Thomas Peck Justice of Peace

I Russell Hensley of Bristol in the County of Bristol & State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Engaged according to law do testify & say that James Wood now of Swansea in the State of Massachusetts, enlisted as a private soldier in a company of Rhode Island troops commanded by Capt. Allen, attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Church, and Brigade commanded by General Greene in the A.D. 1775, and that the said James Wood served eight months in said Company near Boston and that he was discharged on the last day of December A.D. 1775. and that the said James Wood enlisted enlisted in a Company of Massachusetts troops commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter, attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Caresy about the first of July A.D. 1776 & that he served six months  in and about New York, having been discharged the first of December A.D. 1776.
his Russell Hensley mark
Bristol ss. Warren R.T. September the 4 th A.D. 1824. Personally appeared the above named Russell Hensley, & after being carefully examined, cautioned and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition.

to which he affixed his mark in my presence, and the said Deposition was reduced to writing by me in presence of the said Deponent.
Levi Haile Just. Peace.

RECORDS.
CHANGES TO BE MADE.
COMPANY, REGIMENT, ETC., SHOULD INVARIABLY BE USED.
CORRECT.
Inv. orig.
" ctf.
orig.
ctf.
Name
James Ward
Service
Continental R.I.
& Mass
Date filing
From
INCORRECT.
Conn
P. O. address:
Connecticut

Rev. 1880
11.876 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11.876
James Wood Bril. R.W. War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 415
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sept. 20/ Wed. to Frank C. Edgerton, Meriden Conn. (mtd.)
Oct. 21-1902 Miss Viola Somers Stanford Conn.
July 25, 1904 visit to James B. Marvin, San Francisco, Cal. 1920 Apr. 24. Visit to Walter A. Wood. Au.

Old war & Mary Sept-
Could you read me the military record of James Wood or Col. of Plaquemine from New Haven County 1832- (Revolutionary War) And also the date of his death & will & other Particulars-
(Miss) Viola Sowers- 49 Rubus Ave -
Stanford Conn.

3776
W
Meriden, Conn, Sep. 1/95.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I greatly desire to obtain all information possible, as regards one James Wood who fought in the War of the Revolution, and am quite sure was one of Putnam's body guards.
I understand that he was a pensioner, and of so
W.H.H.P.

Your records should contain the desired in- formation.
Jan 2 - 33
The main facts desired are - When and Where born date of enlistment and in what company or regiment. I know that he died here in this place.
Trusting that you will be able to give me the information asked for and thanking you in advance I remain
Very truly Yours
Frank C. Edgerton
Meriden, Hart Co., Conn.

John A. Hall, President
Julius H. Appleton, Vice Pres
Henry M. Phillips, Secretary
Incorporated 1851.
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co.
of Springfield, Mass.
San Francisco June 23 - 1904
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
Kindly furnish me with the Military record of my Great Grand Father James Wood who lived and died in Meriden New Haven County Connecticut. He was born in Swaney Mass. May 2 nd 1751. and died in Meriden New Haven County Connecticut May 16 th 1840.
He drew a pension under the Act of 1832 I am informed and so believe
Yours Very Truly James B. Marvin
James B. Marvin General Agent Massachusetts Mutual Life 708 Market St. San Francisco, Cal.
708 Market St San Francisco Cal

Rev 7/15
April 7, 1920.
Commissioner, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Please send all you have of the following if they were Revolutionary War Pensioners.
When and where born. who were their parents, names of children etc if given. All of genealogical value.
see neg.
JONATHAN WOOD lived in Clarendon Vt. in 1794 had wife Rebecca Chadsey. They had daughter Sarah, born 1745? He may have been the Jonathan Wood who lived in Coventry, R.I. in 1774 according to Census and in Attleborough, Mass. in 1784?
JAMES WOOD lived in Meriden, Conn. and died there 1840. He was born 1751 or about that time. He had wife Rebecca Humphrey. Perhaps he was the James Wood living in Danbury, Ct. in 1790 according to the Census.
Yours truly,
Walter L. Wood

4914
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Woods which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 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? — grades not stated VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
state that the evidence is in file in the Pension Office
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? none produced Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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?
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?
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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who 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.