Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,871, for Samuel Mather, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Mather, Samuel
S. 13,871
CONTENTS
carded

see letter to Nov. 10. 1836 Rev. J. Loomis
Con. ticut 1900
Samuel Walker of Hartford in the State of Conn. who was a Private in the Conn. comm. by Captain Woodruff of the Regt. comm. of Col. _____ in the Conn. line for / G.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn. at the rate of 10 Dollars _____ Cents per ann to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of June 1833. and due to S. Chard to East Windsor.
  Arrears to the 4th of Mar: '33  $ 80    Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep: '33  20         $ 100  
Recorded by Go. C. Miles Revolutionary & Pensions Book _____ Vol. 3 Page _____

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832
State of Connecticut } Is East Windsor Hartford County }
On this 10 th day of May 1833 Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of East Windsor in sd Hartford County Samuel Meather a Resident of Windsor in Hartford County aged 73 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 7 th 1832
That he was Born in Windsor in Hartford County and State aforesaid on the 12 th day of February 1760, the Record of his age is in the Family Bible where he has lived ever since he was Born and where he now lives in sd Windsor That in the Month of March 1778 he enlisted into a company of Guards which was enlisted in said Windsor by Capt James Hooker under the direction of Col Roger Newberry of said Windsor for the purpose of Guarding the Hospital Stores in said Windsor which Stores belonged to the United States we stood Sentry by turns day & night over a number of buildings which contained said Stores with arms in

our hands we drew our rations, had barracks provided for us, were under the command of the Sergeant Benslow and the first the first part of the time, and the last part of the time under the command of Ensign David Hayden.
I continued in this service from the time of my enlistment in March 1778 until on or about the 12 th day of March 1779 when I received an Honorable discharge but do not recollect whether I had a written discharge if I had it is lost. I have no documentary evidence except the certificate from the Controller showing the origin and nature of the service.
He served in the said company of Guards in the revolutionary War, as a private and for a term not less than twelve months and for this service he claims a Pension. And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State. He is known to Rev d Henry Rowland Chapman of said Windsor and by Elias Clark of the same town who can testify to my character and true belief of my service.
Samuel Nathan
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above stated
Edgar Bissell Clerk

Samuel Mathers Declaration

And in reply to certain interrogatories prescribed by the War Department and propounded by the court the deponent further declares
1 st That he was born at Windsor in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut on the 12 th day of February A D 1760
2 nd That the day and year of his birth was recorded in the family Bible
3 rd That when he was called into service he resided in the town herein before stated and served in the manner set forth in the preceding declaration
4 th That the general circumstances of his service are detailed in the preceding declaration and also such officers as he distinctly recollects
5 th That he received no written discharge from the service as he recollects if he had one it is lost
6 th That he is personally known to Rev d Henry A Rowland and Elias Clark both Deodants of said Windsor who are respectable persons in the neighborhood where he now resides who can testify to his character for veracity and also their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution
And the said Samuel Mathew 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
Samuel Mathew
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Edgar Bissell Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare true and correct after the investigation in the matter and after calling the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named deponent was a Revolutionary soldier and served as a state soldier. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Henry A Rowland who has signed the certificate hereto annexed is a legitimate resident of said town of Windsor and that Elias Clark who has also signed the same is a resident of said town and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit. And that the said Henry A Rowland and Elias Clark reside at a considerable distance from the court and in the immediate vicinity of the applicant and are not affixed in court without the applicant's knowledge and permission.
I Edgar Bissell Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of East Windsor do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Mathew for a pension

In testimony whereof - I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 10 th day of May A.D. 1888 Edgar Bissell Clerk
Samuel Matthews Prosecutor

We Henry A Rowland a clergyman residing in the town of Windsor in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut and Elias Clark - Residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Nathan a resident of said Windsor who is an applicant for a pension under the act passed June 7-1832 That we believe him to be seventy three years of age That he is generally respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he now resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and that he sustains a fair moral character
Henry A Rowland, Clergyman Elias Clark
State of Connecticut } Windsor May 6-1833 County of Hartford } On this 6 th day of May 1833 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the county of Litchfield personally appeared Rev- Henry A Rowland who is a clergyman residing in said town of Windsor and Elias Clark who is a credible person residing in said town and made oath that the preceding certificate by them subscribed is true and further certify that their statement is entitled to credit
James Loomis Just. of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Hartford
ss East Windsor May 10 th A 1853
I Edgar Bissell Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of East Windsor do hereby certify and make known That James Loomis Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Rev d Henry A. Rowland and others was taken and at the time of said affidavit was at Inland of the several within and for the County of Hartford and said State having full power and authority by the laws of said State to administer oaths to witnesses and to take affidavits and depositions out of court and to give certificates thereof I hereby believe the within signed and subscribed to be his in presence and that full credence is due to his official acts and attributions In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid
Edgar Bissell Clerk
Henry A. Rowland Rev d

I Frederick Chapman of Windsor in the State of Vermont now in the Seventy third year of my age depose and say that I was in the service of the United States doing duty at the Guard Station at Windsor to protect the Hospital and other stores deposited there and recollect that Samuel Mathew of said Windsor who I have known from a playmate intend that service about the 12 of March 1878 and continued in service there for the space of one year
Dated at Windsor May 4. 1883
Frederik Chapman
State of Vermont (County of Rutland) Windsor May 4. 1883
Personally appeared Frederick Chapman of said Windsor aged about Seventy two years to me personally known Subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein contained Before me
Jamies Loomis Justo of Peace
State of Vermont (County of Rutland) Windsor May 4 1883
I certify that the deponent Frederick Chapman is a resident of said Windsor is well known to me is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Jamies Loomis Justo of Peace

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford }
ss East Windsor May 10 th A D 1833
I Edgar Bissell Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of East Windsor do hereby certify and make known That James Loomis Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Frederick Chapman was taken is and at the time of said caption was a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Hartford in said State having full power and authority by the Laws of said State to administer oaths to witnesses and to take affidavits and depositions out of court and to give certificates thereof That I verily believe that within signature purporting to be his is genuine and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid
Edgar Bissell Clerk

Samuel Mathew
25338

I Roswell Miller of Windsor in the State of Connecticut now in the Seventy fourth year of my age and say that I was in the service of the United States doing duty in the Guard Station at Windsor to protect the Hospital and other stores deposited there and recollect that Samuel Matthew of said Windsor who I have known from a long time came into the room about the 12 of March 1778 that he continued in the room and performed duty in said Guard for the term of one year
Dated at Windsor May 4 - 1833
Roswell Miller
State of Connecticut } County of Hartford } } Windsor May 4 - 1833 —
Personally appeared Roswell Miller of said Windsor aged about Seventy three years to me personally known subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein contained Before me James Loomis Just. of Peace
State of Connecticut } County of Hartford } Windsor May 4 - 1833 —
I certify that the deponent Roswell Miller is a Resident of said Windsor is well known to me is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit James Loomis Just. of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Hartford
East Windsor May 10 th A.D. 1883
I Edgar Bissell Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of East Windsor do hereby certify and make known That James Loomis Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit of Roswell Miller was taken is and at the time of said caption was a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Hartford in said State having full power and authority by the laws of said State to administer oaths to witnesses and to take affidavits and depositions out of court and to give certificates thereof That I verily believe the within signature purporting to be his is genuine and that full credence is due to his official acts and instructions.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid
Edgar Bissell Clerk.

No 25338.
Samuel Mather Hartford County Connecticut
Admiral Nov 12 months,
Jesse Charlton East Windsor Conn.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement,  showing the Service of Samuel Atcher Hartford County Connecticut
   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 1778 1 — — private Capt Hooker, Col. Newbury 73 years Hartford County Connecticut Traditional evidence & two witnesses papers correctly attached  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same), 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

1892 Feb 10 - Issue to H Enright PS. Hartford Conn.
Revman
13841 INVALID.
File No. 13,871
Samuel Weather Briv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1932
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 239
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Windsor Ct Nov 23
FULL
Nov 7
Miss Edwards
J. G. Edwards Esq. Commission of peace Washington D.C.

Windsor Conn Nov 3. 1836
Sir
Please answer and direct to Samuel O Loomis of Windsor Conn if agreeable to your rules who has time in will some time and unable to write
Respectfully
Samuel Loomis For L O Loomis

Revolutionary War
Mather
Hartford Conn 11, 20, 91
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send records concerning Sam l Mather from New England Conn - "Pension in 1832" of Revolutionary War He was a Capt & Surgeon - Would like to know dates of such service and other facts relative to him during that period. Also of Sam l Mather of Hartford County a pension at the above date.
And greatly Oblig
Yorace E. Mather
Genealogist of the M. Family
41 Summer St