Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31440, Jabez Turner, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
born.
Turner, Jake
NUMBER S-31440
CONTENTS

2607. Illinois Massachusetts
Sabez Turner of Berkshires in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Wilmot of the regt commanded by Col. Hart in the Mass line for 9 Mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 30 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of Dec 1832 and sent to Bishop Service Mass
Arrears to 14th of Sep 1832 $25-- Semizant. allowance ending 21 Dec 33 15--
$40--
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. 93 Clerk, B. k D - Vol. 257 Page 86.
Let. L. Senkins, Sept 17 1835 See cit. Trn - Oct. 20: 1835 Transf. to Albany from 4th Sep 1834 - Nov. 2: 1835
Letter to Pensions. 17 Feb 1841.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 March 1839 from 4 March 1840. Age notified 25 March 1841.
Rev to Pen Agt 23 April 1841.
To Illinois from 4th March 1840. 30th April 1841. Notification to Pensioner Alton Illinois
Paid as above from 4 March to 4th Sep 1840. Age notified 2 Oct 1841.

Jabez Turner Application for pension Great Barrington Ms Augt 15 1832
2607

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this Fifteenth day of August A. D. 1832. personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER , Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting. Sabir Turner a resident of the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy six , 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. In the month of May 1775,
(the precise day of the month not being remembered). he enlisted at New Haven in the State of Connecticut, in a company of Connecticut State troops commanded by Capt Samuel Wilmot, the Lieut. was William Munson, the Ensign's name was Parmelee. - his enlistment was for the term of six months, - the names of his field officers he does not precisely recollect, the Colonel's name was either Durd or Hart, - He marched from New Haven to Hornneck through Derby, Milford and Danbury - From Hornneck to New York - the tents were pitched in the Bowery. - Staid there a short time, then went to work getting off Cannon from the Grand battery, so called - the British fired upon them while thus employed, from their Man of war called the Asia - A British boat during this time with some British officers & seamen or marines came ashore & were made prisoners - From New York we went to Harlem plains and Staid there according to his best recollection about half a month, - News came that the British with two ships were at Block Island - he

Embarked in a Sloop, and sailed to a place called Oyster pond, at the East end of Long Island & then landed and encamped for a very short time, - thence went to Oyster Pond point, so called - thence over on to Plum Island & took off all the the cattle, sheep & hogs that could be found & brought them over in Market boats to Long Island. The British vessels were in sight of his party. The British small craft fired, but did no injury - From thence he sailed to Montauk point, the East end of Long Island, staid there awhile (cannot tell precisely how long) then returned back to the Oyster Pond to the old encampment. From thence he with his Regt. went back to Harlem Plains, - thence went to Hudson River & immediately embarked in sloops & proceeded to Albany - went into the Kings barracks, so called which were then empty, in a few hours however the troops (in consequence of some one having recently died there of the small pox) were ordered to Greenbush, - marched next day from Greenbush, - went to Fort Miller, - thence to Fort Edward, thence to Fort George - on his route he crossed the Mohawk river at a place called at that time Kings Ferry - Staid at Fort George a very few days, - got on board an Old float called the Old hollow hollow shoe with 60 others having on board, flour and other provisions, - sailed up Lake George until night, when they run their craft up into a small cove - landed & encamped in the woods during the night - next day went on board again and at night arrived at Ticonderoga - encamped that night on ground whereon it was said many were slain in the French war, - here the party was joined by the rest of the Regt. - All got on board batteries & went to Crown Point, - thence to the Islands on the west side of Lake Champlain & encamped. - Here he heard the firing of cannon

at St. Johns - Col Watbury's Regt, was at or near St Johns having preceded them - General Montgomery was then at or near St Johns He staid at P. Island one night, - Thence to a bay just below St Johns where there was a fortifi- =cation - staid there a few hours - was ordered to cross over to the East side of the lake where there was another fortification - staid there a short time - from thence marched in a Northerly direction through a swamp, around to the Lake again, then crossed over to the west side of the Lake, Genl Wooster being with them, - marched about 100 rods into the wood the ground being swampy, - cut down bushes & pitched tents - All staid here one night, except about 400, (himself being of the 400) who marched on in a Southerly direction to a point about West from St Johns with their tools & went to work making a fortification, - worked this was Saturday - & in October The parties worked all night, & each day & night following until Wednesday towards night, when a large party of troops came down to us with cannon, & relieved him - his party then marched back to said tents - The British were then at St Johns, - soon after they surrendered, - He was then at P. tents, and Gen Wooster was also there, - About 700 British surrendered, - It was said there were some Indians with the British at St Johns but they escaped, - The night after the British surrendered they were taken over to an Island East of St Johns & he was one who guarded them that night - - He went next morning back to St Johns

was then ordered with his Regt & all the troops except enough to garrison St Johns, to march for Montreal, with Generals Montgomery and Wooster - Marched through swamps, encoun- tering many difficulties, to a place where we lay the first night in a barn - next day arrived at La Prairie & staid there over night - next day crossed over to Montreal - Staid in its vicinity until the day following when the Americans took possession of Montreal without any battle, - this was in the month of November 1775, between the first & the eighteenth of the month - On the eighteenth day of November his time of service having expired, he was discharged at Montreal, - Started for his home via New Haven & arrived there on the 18 th day of December having been precisely one month on his journey - The company in which he did the above service was raised at said New Haven through the instrumentality of Gen. Wooster -
In the fore part of August 1776, according to his best recollection, the precise day being forgot he was drafted at New Haven in the company of militia commanded by Capt Caleb Allen - The other company officers were Lieut John Warner & Ensign Osborn, - he believes his Col's name was Thompson - from New Haven went on board some shipping & sailed to New York - Staid at New York according to his

best recollection about a fortnight - was then sent in a detachment commanded by Major Humphrey to Long Island, - went to Fort Green & remained there until Long Island was abandoned by the Americans He then went back with other troops to New York & remained there until the British took it. from Thence marched to Harlem Heights when they built booths & he staid then a few days. Being a Carpenter he was detached to go to Kingsbridge to assist in the building of barracks there - Capt Pollard commanded the artificers in this service - staid at Kingsbridge awhile. then retreated to Saw pits - when he was dismissed from the service in the month of September, the exact day of the month he cannot tell - he was in this service all of six weeks - Genl Putnam was in the same service, and he frequently saw him at Harlem, - He also knew a Capt Mansfield who he believes was in the regular service -
In the month of December 1776. the day of the month does not remember, he volunteered to serve in the company commanded by Capt Peter Johnson, & marched from New Haven to a place called Bell's neck, in the state of New York - his Lieut's name was Burnham - his company was at said Bell's neck alone - remained there all of three weeks & was dismissed

Pills Neck is below New Rochelle -
When the affair at Danbury happened, he volunteered in the month of April 1777. (the precise day forgot) in the company commanded by Capt Caleb Mix, the Lt. was John Warner - marched from New Haven to Reading and was there when Danbury was burnt, - When Gen. Wooster was wounded at Redfield, said Turner was at a place, called Kampo Heights, - Gen Arnold commanded & there was a skirmish at P. Heights, which he thinks the P. Turner was in, - These heights are he thinks about ten miles from Danbury - He was in this service ten days.
In the fore part of Oct. 1777 he volunteered in a Company under Capt. James Hillhouse - the names of his Lt. & Ensign he has forgot, - marched from New Haven to Danbury - thence to Fishkill - thence to Peekskill - thence to Gallow's Hill, - thence to the red Mills at place called Krum Pond, - In this service he was frequently engaged in scouts, - He knew a Major Leaveworth, & was often under his command, - at Krum Pond he was dismissed, having been in this service two weeks -
He was born in Bristol in the state of Pennsylvania, - His parents when he was a day, months old, moved to New Haven

He was born in Bristol in the state of Pennsylvania - His parents, when he was a few months old moved to New Haven in the county of New Haven & state of Connecticut, - And he resided at New Haven until thirty seven years ago last spring when he moved to Laid Great Barrington and has lived there ever since - Has no record of his age except one made by himself -
He believes he rec d a written discharge at Montreal but lost it - He is generally known in Great Barrington, he refers particularly to Rev d Silvester Hunt, Moses Hopkins Esq. Ezra Kellogg Esq. Isaac L. Van Dusen Esq & Ralph Taylor Esq. & Scott Alvan Wheeler Esq. - He knows of no person living by whom he can prove his services -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
5.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Jabez Turner
William P. Walker Judge of Probate
We Sylvester Burt a Clergyman, residing in the town of Great Barrington and Moses Hopkins & Isaac L. Van Deusen residing in Great Barrington hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jabez Turner who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about 64 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. - he is a man of truth & veracity -
Sylvester Burt
Moses Hopkins
Isaac L. Van Deusen
6.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
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 Sylvester Burt who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Moses Hopkins & Isaac L. Van Deusen who have also signed the same, are residents in the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the Jabez Turner contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this fifteenth day of August the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

Isabel Turner
Mass. to Albany
Please address to the care of L. J. Perkins Albany -
State of New York County of Albany

State of New York Albany County
ss. on this 15 th day of October 1835 before me the subscriber a Commissioner of Deeds in & for the said County of Albany, personally appeared Jacob Turner who, on his oath, declared that he is, the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Capt. Gilbert in the Regiment commanded by Col. Ward, of the Militia of the State of Connecticut in the service of the United States; that he served as a private in said Company; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts, from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the Town of Kinder- hook, in the County of Columbia & State of New York - where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be payable in future at the Albany Pension Agency - The following are his names for removing to said Town of Kinderhook viz. that he has a son residing there who has invited him to reside in his family, and with whom this deponent intends to reside, probably for the remainder of his life -
Sworn & subscribed to before me, Jacob Turner
the day & year aforesaid. He was "commanded"
J. Van Rensselaer Commissioner of Deeds -
Certificate dated 3 rd Dec r 1832 - Numbered 2607.

State of New York
Albany County } ss. Thomas Turner of Kinderhook in the County of Columbia being duly sworn says he is well acquainted with the within named John Turner and knows him to be the same person described in such subscribed the within affidavit -
Sworn & subscribed before (Kinney) Brewer me this 15 th day of October
1835 L. for King Com d of Deds
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Timothy Turner & that he is a credible witness.
L. for King Com d of Deds
City and County of Albany Clerk's Office }
I Howard A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the City and County aforesaid do hereby certify that Samuel Jenkins was on the day of the date of the above and within affidavits a Commissioner of Deds in and for the City and County of Albany duly commissioned and sworn and that his signature to the above and within affidavits is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County this 15 th day of October A. D. 1835 -
C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk

N o 2407
Isabell Turner of Great Barrington Ms
paper. Not properly
acknowledged
May 1837
H. W. Bishop Lenox Barrington Mass.

BRIEF in the case of Iabez Turner of the County of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7 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? 76 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.   Years, Months, Days.     1775 May — 6 — Private Col. E. Ward, Capt. Sam d Wilmot   1776 Aug. — 1 15 Drafted Col. Thompson, Capt. Caleb Allen   1776 Dec. — — 22 Volunteer Capt. Peter Johnson   1777 Apr. — — 10 ditto Capt. Caleb Mix   1777 Oct. — — 15 do Capt. James Hillhouse   7 62  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? at the surrender of St. John, Canada  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Haven Ct.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? nothing, the opinion of the Court and Certificate of a Collyman & an other neighbour - lost in charge -  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Regular
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bell Examining Clerk.

In reply to your request of _____, received (only one) for a statement of the military history of Jabez Turner 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.
S. file 31,440
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 75 6 mos. Pri. Samuel Wilmot Ward. Conn.   Aug 76 6 wks. Caleb Allen Thompson   Dec. 76 3 wks. Peter Johnson ✓   Apl. 77 10 days. Caleb Mox ✓   Oct 77 2 wks. James Stillhouse ✓  
Expedition to St. Johns & Montreal.
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Haven Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 15, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Great Barrington Mass.
Age at date of application, 76 yrs. born at Bristol, Penn.
Remarks: His claim was all. In 1835 he resided at Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N.Y. it is not stated where he resided and in 1841 he resided at Alton, Madison Co., Ill., with his son Timothy Turner.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

31440
Ray INVALID.
File No. 31,440
Jabez Turner Pri Rev Mar
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 424
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1893, May 2. Data as to birth and service furnished Mrs. McKeelle. B. H. R. W.S.
1912 May 21. To Lillian M. Turner. C

Godfrey Ill.
May. 1 st 1912.
Commissioner of Pensions: Washington D. C.
Will you kindly assist me in obtaining the military record of my great-grandfather, Jabez Turner. He was a Captain in the Revolutionary War.
I am not sure but think he probably enlisted from Mass. Conn. or New York.
Any information you can send me will be greatly appreciated.
Yours very truly
Lillian M. Turner Godfrey, Madison Co Ill

J. K. Simpson
Oct 26: '35
Saber Turner
Washington (S.E.)
James L. Edwards Esq. Com. at Court
Mr. Brum Oct 30.

Commonwealth Bank
Boston October 26. th 1835.
Sir,
Isaac Turner a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of 7. June 1832 at $30. pr. annum has been paid up to 4 Sept. th 1834.
I am sir, Very respectfully Your mo. obt. servt.
John D. Simpson
President.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner Pensions

2407
Jaber Turner Omaha
9 mo
adm
$30-
H. W. Bishop Esq
Lenox Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Isaac Turner which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes. V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes. VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes.

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes  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? yes yes, they are all dead -  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?  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? yes  No  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes. 
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____ ; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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.
† QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates 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 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.

Apr 29. 1841.
Miss Evans
Samuel Edwards Esq. Court of Pensions War Dept Washington City

MECHANICS' & FARMERS' BANK,
Albany Pension Agency,
April 26 th 1841
JAMES L. EDWARDS, Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 23 rd inst. I have to state, that Jabez Turner a Pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832 — at Thirty Dollars per annum was last paid to the 4 day of March 1840, at the Treasury.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,
Thos. M. Olcott
PRES'T AND PENSION AGENT. for
L. Jenkins

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 19 th 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Jabez Tutner , — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Thirty — Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1839, to the 4 th March 1840,
Respectfully yours,
M c Wood
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Aug. 6 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Iaber Turner a Pensioner on the Roll of the Illinois Agency, at the rate of — 30 — Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March to the 21 st Sept. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William E. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Monday Apr 20 1841
FREE
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of pensions Washington City D.C.

Application for a transfer { State of Illinois County of Madison ss.
On this 25 th day of March 1841 - before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for the said County of Madison - personally appeared Jabez Turner. who on his oath declares th- at he is the same person who formerly belo- nged to the company commanded by Capt- ain Wilmott in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Ward and Genl. Worcester. in the service of the United States that his na- me was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts. from there he mo- ved to the State of New York. from whence he has lately removed . That he now resid- es in the State of Illinois where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be th- ere payable in future. The following are his reasons for removing from New- York State to Illinois. he lives with his son Timothy Turner and his son has moved to St. Charles County, Illinois and he has moved with him
Jabez Turner
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written Hail Mason J.P.

State of Illinois } Madison County } ss We it remembered that this day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Timothy Turner a man of veracity who being duly sworn depones and saith that John Turner whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit is the identical person described in said affidavit Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25 th day of March 1841. Hail Mason Justice of the Peace for Madison County.
Timothy Turner
State of Illinois } Madison County } ss I Wm. Sylv. Brown Clerk of the County Commissioners Court, in and for the County of Madison aforesaid, certify that Hail Mason Esquire is now and was on the 25 th day of March A.D. 1841 an acting Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesaid duly elected, commissioned and qualified and that to his acts and attestations, as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of court; that the foregoing cer- tificate is in due form and by the proper Officer and that his signature thereto is genuine In Testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Edwardsville this fifteenth day of April A.D. 1841 Wm. Sylv. Brown Clerk