Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,020, for Samuel Mahan, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Mahan, Samuel
S 11,020
carded
CONTENTS

22840 146 22  New York
order to pay Oct. 20. 1836
Samuel Mahan of Cenepa in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Corps commanded by Captain Wilson of the Regt. commanded by Col. Bigelow in the Maples time for 6 mo. & 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 22 Dollars 20 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of June  1833 — and S. Fitch CLK  Cenepa
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 33  $44 40 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 33  11 10  $55 50
Recorded by G. C. Phelps Clerk. E. Vol. 4 Page 67  { Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }

N o 22840 Samuel Mahon Genesee Co - N.Y -
Adm d
Timoth o Fitch Colk Genesee Co - N.Y -

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These 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 Samuel Mahon Genesee County N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     vol Oct 1779 2 private Captain Wilson Field of himself not assisted Great Britannia 73 years Tradition   Cont. Serv Lieut. Col. Col. Washington Old was done   vol July 80 6 ad. Capt. B. d'Arton Off. Army eston ston   Jan'y 81 Smith Reg't Gen. half share to   Lieut. Genl. Br. field hassett   Canada gade Westpoint   Ensign Roberson   Sergt Bravo   Peekskill   Stony Point   in the Genl. Br.   Ch. Ferry  
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 day 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 he 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 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.
John N. Ashton

Land Watan.
On Rolls of Rigelow's Reg t
20 July to 10 Dec r 80
adm d
4 mo. 20 ds. Continental
2 mo. militia
6 mo 20 ds. private -

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
(State of New York) County of Genesee ) ss.
On this 13. day of February 1833 personally appeared in open court before Isaac Wilson Williams Mitchell & James Taggart Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting. Samuel Mahan a resident of the Town of Orangeville in said County of Genesee & State of New York aged seventy three years the 3 d of April next who being first duly sworn according to law do hereby 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 & served as herein stated.
That as near as he can recollect about the last of October 1779 he volunteered at old Worcester Worcester Co. Massachusetts into Capt. Wilson's Comp y of Mass. Militia (does not recollect his first name) of the Town of Holden of the same Co. and marched from said town of Worcester to Great Barrington and from thence the Company & this declarant with them were marched to Albany & from thence marched up the river to near Half moon where he was stationed for some time to guard the frontier & until he was marched to Troy where they joined the Regiment to which his company belonged and was soon after regularly dismissed but rec d no written discharge & from lapse of time and the Regiment not being kept together he cannot recollect the name of the Col. of the Reg t or of any of the field officers. He returned home the last of December or first of January recollects that the snow at the time he arrived home was about three deep. Having been in service at least two months
And this declarant further says that the next season being 1780 The town of Worcester aforesaid had to raise a complement of six months men & that he engaged to serve as one of them by voluntary enlistment & under that engagement about the 1 st of July marched from Worcester aforesaid in a detachment under Lieut John Canadas to Springfield Mass. where he was mustered with other recruits under a regular officer does not recollect his name & was marched by the same officer to West Point, where he was again mustered & put into a company commanded

by Capt Smith. Lieut John Canada, Ensign Sando and attached to Col Timothy Bigelow's Reg. of Mass. troops, Gen. Glover's Brigade, Vols. Regiment Commanded that season by Lieut Col Peters after being mustered & joining the Reg. was marched and was stationed at a place called "Robinson's Farms" from thence marched (he thinks) to Peeks Kill, where they were stationed some time. From thence they were marched & crossed the Hudson at Stoney Point to Orange Lower New Jersey where were stationed for some time. That he was present & witnessed the execution of Majr. Andre. That he marched with his Regt to another station in New Jersey the name of which he does not now rec- ollect, and from thence was marched to West Point to Winter Quarters. And continued in the same Comp'ty Regt. & Brigade until the termination of the period of his engagement. and he then received a regular written discharge which he has since lost but can not tell when or where, not supposing that it would ever be of any consequence to him. That he arrived home in the month of January 1781. having been out something more than six months. and having 6 served at least six months — Having been in the service of the U.S. in the two laws of duty herein set forth at least Eight months for which he claims a pension.
That in answer to the interrogatories of the court as prescribed by the war Department and not already incorporated in the foregoing he says, that he was born at the town of Worcester aforesaid in the year 1760 where he continued to reside thirty three or 34 years. That he removed from said town of Worcester in 1793 or 4 to the town of Union, County of St Law Is of Connecticut where he lived five years and removed back to said town of Worcester where lived one season and removed to the town of Westmoreland, Oneida Co. N.Y. where he lived a few months & removed to the town now called Vernon of the same Co. where he lived about seven years and removed to the town of Argentina same County where he lived one year and removed to the town of Westmoreland again some Co. where lived four years and removed to the town of Franklin Co. N.Y. where he now lives & where he has resided for twenty one years.
2 nd He has no records of his age but supposes his birth was recorded at Worcester aforesaid.
3 rd He was living at Worcester aforesaid when called into service & at other places before set forth.

4. He was called into the service 1 st  Voluntary & served two months — 2 d By Voluntary Enlistment for six months as set forth
5. That the names of some of the officers in the Six months service not already stated were Capt John Pierce two Capt Browns one of whom was paymaster. Majr Ashley Adjutant John Stowe all of whom were of Col. Bigelov's Regt. Gen. Stowe's Brigade, He also saw Gen. Washington Gen. Nixon & his Brigade was present — recollects Col. Sproul and Col. Shepherd of the flying artillery — The general circumstances of his service as before set forth —
6. He received a written discharge from the Six months service as set forth but does not remember now by whom it was signed —
7. That John C Morgan a Clergyman & Dr Charles Jenison are persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood and who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. And that he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whom he can procure who can testify to his services — And he hereby relinquishes every claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the pension and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day 10 th March 1841 and year aforesaid before me in open court
James Taggart Judge of Genesee County Courts
We John C Morgan a Clergyman residing in the Town of Orangeville in the County of Genesee & State of New York and Dr Charles Jenison residing in the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Mahan who has subscribed to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy three years old the 3 d day of April next. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day 10 th March 1841 and year aforesaid before me in open court James Taggart Judge of Charles Jenison Genesee County Courts

And the said Court do hereby certify and 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 John C. Morgan who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in said Town of Orangeville, Genesee Co. N. Y. And that Charles Morrison who has also signed the same is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Sasse Wilson Robert Clarke William Mitchell James Faggart
State of New York County of Genesee
Ss. I Timothy Fitch Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Genesee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Nathan for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this thirteenth day of February 1833.
Timothy Fitch Clerk

Rev. War
11.020
✓ INVALID.
File No. 11.020
Samuel Mahon
Pris. New York
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 238
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Chas. F. Harris Bank Albany Pension Agency October 15. 1836.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Sir,
Samuel Mahan and Noah Morris, Pensioners under the act of June 7. 1832, each claim pay from the 4 March 1835. Be pleased to instruct us whether or not we shall pay them on the enclosed Vouchers -
I am, Sir, very Respectfully Your ob't Serv't.
Thos M c Clusky Pension Agt.