Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,929, for Joseph Mather, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Mather, Joseph
S. 15,929
carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 17712
Joseph Mather.
of Meriden in the State of Conn t who was a Private Sery t in the Conn t commands by Captain Asa Briggs of the ————— commands by ————— in the Conn t Mil a line for 10 mos.
9 D o Sery t . — 45. 1 00 Private. 3.33 48.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 48. Dollars 33. Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Sept r . 1833 and sent to Thomas Lee New Britain P.O. Conn t
Arrears to the 14th of September 1833. 96.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34. 24.17
$ 120.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. H. Palmer Clerk, Book 6 Vol. Three Page 28.

Joseph Nathan
New Britain
P. 6
No 5240

State of Connecticut } Hartford County } S. Berlin August 6 th 1832
On this 6 th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for Berlin District in said county of Hartford  now sitting, Joseph Mathes now a resident of said Berlin, aged 83 years next November 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 th A.D. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st I lived in the place now called Bridgeport, in the County of Fairfield in the year 1776. I belonged to one Capt n Bennets Militia Comp y of Stratford; one ..... Burnis was Lieut nt . I was drafted into the United States service once, and Volun teered twice, in this year, first & went to New York. I served about one month, while in New York. I then enlisted, to go to Lake Champlain, under Capt n David Hawley. This was in August 1776. I went on board the Royal Savage , I was in one engagement on the Lake, we fought at times 12 days, we lost some of our shipping, and General Waterbury was taken - Gen. Benedict Arnold commanded, I received from him signed by Capt David Hawley a Sergeants Warrant, & I served as Sergeant five months, viz, from August 1776 to January 1777. I have got my warrant now, signed by B. Arnold the old traitor!! he was a good officer at this time however. I passed through Albany, Fort Ann, Fort Edward to Schenectady sh my service commenced about a month before the date of my warrant,

Q In the year 1777 I removed back into that part of the town of Farmington which is now Berlin. about the first of May, I was drafted into Capt n Asa Brays company. I served as sergeant I went at this time to Fishkill, in New York. we went by the way of Danbury I saw the chimneys standing of the Houses that were burnt. I served two months at this time
B In the year 1778-79 I was drafted into the Farmington company, of State Troops commanded by Capt n Churchill we went to West Point, I served this time also two months, as sergeant.
Interrogatory 1 st Answer. In Farmington, November 1749
do - 2 nd do - none. do - 3 rd do - Bridgeport since, & now, in Berlin. do - 4 th do - In my declarations do - 5 th do - In my declarations as far as recollects. do - 6 th do - none, that I recollect, if so, they are lost, do - 7 th do - { both Lewis Datsos Samuel Hart & and William Smith Esq d Rev d Jonathan Casmell and Lorenzo P. Lee P.M.
I have no documentary evidence of my service, except the warrant of Sergeant from Brig d Gen Ben t Arnold, signed by Capt n David Howley Sept r 21 st 1776. all my services time were as sergeant.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Joseph Root
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District.

State of Connecticut } Hartford County } } Ft. Berlin August 7 th 1832
We the subscribers residents of Hartsitain Village, in the town of Berlin and neighbors of Joseph Mather, who has signed, and sworn, to the foregoing declarations, Certify, that from our youths we have been well acquainted with said Mather, and believe him to be 83 years of age, and it has always been reported of him, that he was a soldier of the Revolution, and we have no doubt but he served as stated in his several declarations, he is a man of truth and unblemished moral character, and in answer to a question of the court, we say, that we believe, that it is generally believed that Mr. Joseph Mather was a soldier in the Revolution, and that no doubts have ever existed on the subject, by any of his acquaintance, so far as our knowledge extends.
Samuel Hart
Seth Lewis William Smith
State of Connecticut } Hartford County } } Ft. Berlin August 7 th 1832
I Nathaniel Penfield of Berlin in the county of Hartford aforesaid, certify, that I was in the company commanded by Capt Bray in the year 1777 at Fishkill in the state of New York and remember that Joseph Mather who has signed and sworn to the foregoing declarations, was in the same company with me, and he served at that time as his status, viz, two months according to my best recollection. I also remember, that in the year 1778 that Joseph Mather went to West Point in company with Churchill's company, and I believe they were gone at this time about two months. I have always lived or near neighbor to Joseph Mather, and know him to be a man of truth. Nath. W. Penfield
Sworn to, and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District.

State of Connecticut } Hartford County } Is. Berlin 7 th August A.D. 1832
We Jonathan Cagswell a Clergyman residing in the Parish of New Britain, in the town of Berlin, and Lorenzo P. Lee Post Master, residing in said New Britain, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Nathan of said Berlin who has subscribed, and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 83 years old; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that Opinion.
Jonathan Cagswell Lorenzo P. Lee
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District.
And the said Court 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 the Rev d . Jonathan Cagswell who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in said New Britain Parish, in Berlin, and that Lorenzo P. Lee who has also signed the same, is a resident of said Berlin, and Postmaster in New Britain, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court would further certify that Rev d Daniel Poorfield who has signed a certificate is a neighbor of the said Jos h Nathan and an applicant for a pension, and of good moral character and a man of truth and his statement is entitled to credit. — And the Court would further

State that Messrs - Doctor Samuel Hart & Seth Lewis, & William Smith Esq., are well known to the court as neighbors of the said Joseph Mather, and men of truth, and good moral character, one of them a Magistrate, and all of them over 50 years of age, and two of them nearly sixty - Their statement is entitled to credit, and the court would state the age, and impressions, of Mr Mather who is sinking under the complaint of a cancer, has disabused him of being very explicit in his declarations. His mental faculties are more than any other applicant that has come before the court, impaired; he is positive as to length of his service, but as to the year, and month, was in some instances much at a loss - he is a very conscientious man, & often observed, he had rather state the term of service less, than more, than it really was. The Warrant as Sergeant he has mentioned, is inclosed with his application.
Certified by me Thomas Lee.
I George Washington Southworth. Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Berlin, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Mather for a pension. And I also certify that Thomas Lee, who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing, as above, is Judge of Probate for Berlin District. -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 7 th day of August A D 1832.
Geo. W. Southworth Clerk
Time of service of applicant 10 months,
Returns requested to New Britain post office Hartford County Conn

J
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF AUDITOR FOR INTERIOR DEPARTMENT IN REPLYING QUOTE INITIALS
July 7, 1915
The Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of _____ the second instant you are informed that, according to the latest account rendered by the U. S. Pension Agent, at _____ Hartford, Connecticut, the records of this office show last payment to have been made to Joseph Mather, Private, Army Rev. _____, certificate No. _____ 17712 at $ 48.33 _____ per month annum to July 10, 1833, the date of his death. The name of the payee can not be given, as the voucher upon which payment was made can not be located in the files of this office.
Letter herewith returned.
Respectfully,
J. W. Rouse Acting Auditor. M. G.
By
Deputy Auditor.

Joseph Mather. S. F. 15,929.
The enclosed warrant had been mutilated before Claim came to me to be carded.
April 1, 1909.
F. Williams.
A. E. Wilson
Record Division
Apr. 1. 09.
No signature of Benedict Arnold found.

3
15929 INVALID.
1915 July 2. Aud. Int. for last payment of pension aw
File No. 15.121
Joseph Mathew Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 240
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev. War Section Division S. File No. 15929 - Joseph Mather.
AW, Ex'r.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C.,
July 2, 1905
22
SIR:
For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of
Joseph Mather pensioned under the Act June 7, 1832, from Mar. 4, 1831 by certificate No. 17712, issued Sept. 14, 1833, rate $8.33 pr. an. Conn - Agency, showing date of last payment of pension names of persons paid and date of soldier's death
Very respectfully,
E. C. Lienan Acting Commissioner.
THE AUDITOR FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT,
Treasury Department.

Joseph Mathew
4. 5. 10. 11. 12. 16.
adm d
Thomas Lee New Britain P. O. Hartford Co Conn
a.m.d

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Mather 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? No 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? No 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? 16

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? Not the clergyman
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
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?
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?
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.

J. L. Edwards Esquire City of Washington
New Britain March 22 1833
Dear Sir
This letter will accompany the return of the papers of Joseph Mather.
It appears that the objections in the brief particularly No 10-11-12 were made by mistake of the Clerk who examined them - as we are not able to find any incorrect - neps - but are clearly made out as others have been to which no objections were made - No 18 we suppose to refer to the Sargents warrant which was a loose paper and is now attached to the seal of the Clerk - No 4 & 5 - we would state that Mr Mather is unable to be any more explicit that he has stated in his several declarations - he is in a low state of health on side of his face eaten up with a cancer - The court had to be holden at his house and then took his deposition as to the length of his service which accompanies his former application - he submits the case to your Hon and this old needy honest applicant would require for the pittance which is justly due him - lest if not realized soon - will be too late for him! - I would by his request interest you to make an early decision on his claim.
I am Sir very respectfully your obedt Servt
Thomas Lee
P.S. The clerks seal is the same as used in this office from its commencement & has been recognized by the court in Conn. & the Land Office in Washington on all occasions when it was necessary. very plain to be sure lest of any much officing or more officing  on a line J. Lee
March 22 1833

Mr Joseph Nathan Warrant

Sir
To Joseph Mathews
By order of B: Arnold B: General Do hereby appoint you to be as Serqant on board y: Royal Savage on Lake Champlain in Defence of American Liberty are your lawfully and Diligently to discharge your Duty as Serqant by doing all y: business thereunto belonging and for your well doing this shall be your warrant and support Given under my hand on board y: Royal Savage Sept 21 1776 David Root

Joseph Walther Neu Britan in Berlin
To accompany No 5240
ad m d
9 mo Sergh 1 mo. seri
$48.33
241.65
96.66
24.17
120.83
A. m. d

State of Connecticut Hartford County } ss Berlin March 22 1833
On this 22 nd day of March A 1833 personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate for Berlin District in said County of Hartford now sitting. Joseph Mather of said Berlin, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following declaration, as an amendment, and explanation of his former declaration dated August 6 th 1832
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of the Court of Probate for Berlin District. Joseph Mather who being first duly sworn, deposes, 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: 1 For the term of one month I served as a private under Lieutenant Barris in New York in the month of July 1776. 5 For the term of five months afterwards I served as Sergeant on board of the Navy on Lake Champlain 2 For the term of two months in 1777 I served as Sergeant under Capt Asa Bray - at Ticonderoga in New York. 2 For the term of two months I served as Sergeant under Captain Church at West Point in the State of New York. I. E. in the whole one month as a private and nine months as a Sergeant and for such service I claim a pension Joseph Mather
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District
In my former declaration I stated that in the year 1776 I was drafted once, and enlisted that short year - but I did not make out any claim but for 2 terms - the other term was of short duration, and not motivating enough about it. I thought it best to give it up. There was also some time I might claim after my month's service with Lieut. Barris until I received some warrant from

David Haley but I cannot recollect the length of time and let it go - and I have stated only the 3 terms which were all just to my mind. I enlisted under David Haley some time before the date of my Warrant with a promise to station, and I had been to see under Capt Haley previous to this several times, which was the reason of my enlisting under him. I have produced all the best evidence in my power.
John H. Hester
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District
And the said court would state their opinion is the same as formerly expressed. 2 that the applicant is unable to give any further answer to the negation in the brief No 11 & since - No 10 we would state that the clerks seal of office was affixed - the only one ever used in this court, and distinguished from other seals according to the custom of Probate courts in this vicinity, which are an impression print of the name of the District, unseal to probate which in this District is Probate Berlin allowed and recognized by our State & courts; No 11 & 12 we can only say, the Clergyman's certificate was obtained in the exact form of the instructions of the Secretary of War! - No 15 we annex the only paper (the Warrant) to the seal of the clerk, I certify that it is the same paper exhibited in court by the applicant, the name of David Haley is hardly visible, the paper by doubling was separated & the other part missing - but is evidently a genuine document & will corroborate the statement of the applicant.
The applicant being in such a low state of health, the court was adjourned to his house where the applicant made his affidavit which accompanies this document & who the above statement by him subscribed & sworn to, he is unable to produce further proof and submits his honest claim for your decision
Certified by me Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District

George W. Southworth Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Berlin, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joseph Mather for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 22 day of March A 1833
Geo. W. Southworth Clerk