Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9365, for Silas Keyes, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Keyes, Silas
S. 9365-
N. 16.
carded
CONTENTS

10.709. New Hampshire
Silas Keryes
of Hillebrn in the State of N H who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain of the Reg't commanded by Col Dana in the * N H line for 8 Mo 5 Days
★ Mass. & N.H. Dec. 19, 1844. Records completed.
Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 37 Dollars 21 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Apr 1833 and sent to Parker Amherst N H
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 1833 $74.12 Semest. allowance ending 11 Sept " 1860
$93.02
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by S H McBlain Clerk, Book R, Vol. 1, Page 98.

No. 28 13.613
Silas Keyes.
Militia
Sent to D. Parker Winchester

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
County of Hillsborough, ss.
On this Twenty seventh day of August A.D. 1832.
Silas personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate, now sitting at Amherst within and for the County of Hillsborough, in the State aforesaid,
Silas Keyes of Temple in said county of Hillsborough aged 75 years
Who being 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 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under
1st. the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say, That he lived in Northborough county of Worcester and state of Massachusetts, that in Sept. 1776. He enlisted for two months under Capt David Sherman of Grafton, in a Regt. of militia commanded by Col. Dana, and marched to Fairfield Connecticut, tarrying there about a week from thence marched to Tarrytown N.Y. there served out the term and was discharged by verbal orders.
2nd And that in the fore part of December of the same year, he again enlisted for three months under Capt Rann Kimball, and marched to Danbury Connecticut, where we joined a Regt. of militia under Col Sparrowhawk, from thence we marched to Peekskill N.York, from thence marched through Morris-town to Boundbrook in the state of New Jersey and there served out the term and was again discharged by verbal orders.
3rd In the year 1777. He moved to Wilton N.H. and on the last of June or first of July of the same year, Upon an alarm, he turned out as volunteer to go to Tienderoga, and returned to Peterborough, when he was ordered to return, in this tour he spent only fourteen days.
4th And that on the 26th day of the same July, he again enlisted for two months in the company commanded by Capt S. Goss of Hollis N.H. and marched to Fort. New Hampshire in Concord, where he guarded public stores with a company commanded by Capt. Wilson and served out the term.
5th And that in August 1778. he turned out with the New Hampshire Volunteers to go to Rhode Island and was in a company commanded by Capt Mann of Mason N.H. in the Regt. commanded by Col. Nichols served three weeks and was discharged.
And that the whole time he served was eight and one fourth months.
And further that the Clergyman, who was for a long time settled in the ministry in Temple, has lately deceased,

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, Silas Keyes Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Edmund Parker, Judge of Probate. -
We Daniel Searle a Clergyman residing in the town of in the county of Hillsborough aforesaid and Nathan Wheeler residing in Temple aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Silas Keyes who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be 75 - years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Daniel Searle Nathan Wheeler Edmund Parker, Judge of Probate -
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Daniel Searle who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the town of Temple - and that Nathan Wheeler who has signed the same, is a resident in the town of Temple - and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edmund Parker } Judge of Probate for said } County of Hillsborough.
I CHARLES H. ATHERTON, Register of the court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court, this twenty seven day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
C. H. Atherton
Register of Probate, for said county of Hillsborough.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
County of Hillsborough, ss.
At the Court aforesaid, On the application aforesaid, the following interrogatories were propounded to the said Silas Hovey  on oath and the following answers given, to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, I was born in Shrewsbury Mass. August 7. 1757.
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, Have none except what I took from my parents, and that is in a book in my house.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, In Northborough Mass. and in Wilton N.H. Since the war I removed to Princeton Mass. from there to Northborough, and in 1819. to Temple N.H. where I now reside.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? Answer, I volunteered.
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 service?
Answer, When at Rhode Island, Gen. Sullivan commanded, and once had orders from Lord Sterling.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Answer, Always discharged by verbal orders. -
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?
Answer, David Searle Esq. David Stiles Esq. Nathan Wheeler Esq. of Temple, Lewis Smith Esq. of Wilton.
Certified by
C. Hutchinson
Register.

Reuben
9365 INVALID.
File No. 9365
Silas Kezer Prim Row. War
Act: June 7 th 1882
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 203
[Arrangement of 1870.]

13613
Miss May
Rate 8 Mts 5 day
$37.21
10.709.
Edmund Parker Amherst N H
As I Chandle N H

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Wilas Hays 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 ?  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 ?  XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no - but two out of 3 Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes  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 ? Yes  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? Yes  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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
†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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
2 14 2 21 55

I Reuben Babcock of Northborough in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 77 years on oath depose and say - That Elias Dyer of Temple in the County of Hillsborough, & State of New Hampshire, & formerly of said Northborough - enlisted into the service of the United States in the revolutionary war about the middle of September 1776 and served for the term of two months in the same company with myself - which company had the following named Officers Capt. David Sherman - 1st Lt. Seth Morse, 2d Lt. Amos Rice. - a Reg't of which one Denny was Col. = Tyler Lt. Col. & Daniel Clapp Maj: - we marched from said Northborough to Haverfield (Con.) continued there about one week - thence we marched to Ferry Farm - near New York city - & our principal service was at Ferry Farm - At the expiration of said two months the said Dyer was honorably discharged by verbal order - During said term I not only served in the same company but marched with said Dyer - -
I further depose & say, That immediately after the said Dyer returned to Northborough after the above mentioned discharge, he again enlisted into the said service for the term of three months, that he left Northborough immediately after said enlistment for the purpose of entering the service - and that at the expiration of said term he returned to said Northborough -
Reuben Babcock
Worcester ss. Aug. 15. 1832. Then the above named Reuben Babcock made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed - And I certify that the said deposition is well known to me & is a credible witness -
Marshall L. Stone
Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester ss. I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial court, holding within and for the county of Worcester, do hereby certify that Martin L. Stow, Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Prentiss Babcock was made and sworn to, and that Nathaniel Houghton, Esquire before whom the following Affidavit of Ephraim Wilson, was made and sworn to, are Justices of the Peace, within and for the county of Worcester, and that their signatures there to appear to me to be in their own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County Seal, this seventeenth day of August A. D. 1832.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.

I Ephraim Wilson of Bangor in the County of Worcester and State of Massachu- setts aged seventy years old testified say that in the year 1776 same time in the fore part of December of that year Silas Keyes then of Northborough in said County and now of Temple in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and at said North- borough in said year and month enlisted into the company of Capt Kimball, and the Regiment of Col Spencer and marched to Pumbat and Hartford and from there to Petershill, and Hamilton and served in the same company with myself for the term of three months at which time he was dismissed and he returned to said Northborough with myself I did not know until this day that the said Keyes was now living - said company was stationed at Bound brook in the State of New Jersey -
Ephraim Wilson
Worcester County ss August 16 1832 Then personally appeared Ephraim Wilson above named and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me Nathaniel Houghton Justice of the Peace

I certify that full faith and credit is in my opinion to be given to the testimony of the witness named Ephraim Wilson
Nathl Baughman Jur Paris

I Henry Lovejoy of Wilton in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire aged 73 years do testify and say that July 1777 I with Mr Silas Keyes and Others enlisted at Wilton aforesaid to go to Charleston N. H. the place of our Rendezvous. We marched through Temple, Peterborough, and Keene to that place. Mr Keyes and two or three were left at that place (Charleston) to guard some Stores.
We with Others marched to Manchester over the Green Mountains with Capt Goff of Hollis. Joined the regiment commanded by Col. Nichols, from Manchester we marched to Bennington where we served during the time of our Enlistment, which was two Months. I further Depose and say that I was well acquainted with the above named Mr Keyes and knowing him to be a Man of Truth, and have not the least doubt of his serving his time out, as he since told me, I did not see him after I left Charleston till we returned home.
And I further depose and say that in the latter end of August 1779, I with Mr Silas Keyes turned out with New Hampshire Volunteers to go to Rhode Island where I served three weeks under Capt Man of Mason returned home part of the way together.
Wilton August 20 th 1832
Henry Lovejoy
Hillsborough ss. August 20 th 1832 Then personally appeared me above named Henry Lovejoy and made oath that the above Affidavit by him subscribed is true according to best of his remembrance before me Lewis Smith Justice of the Peace.
I Andrew Wallace, clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that Lewis Smith above named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough, and duly empowered to administer oaths, and that the above signature, purporting as it is, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord, 1832.
A. Wallace Clerk

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. March 15 th 1833
I certify that I am acquainted with Henry Lorson who signed and sworn to the within Affidavit before me and that he is a creditable witness and his statement is entitled to full confidence. Lewis Smith, Justice Peace
I Andrew Wallace Clerk of the Superior Court of Jurisdiction for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that Lewis Smith is a Justice of the Peace for said County as above and that the above signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this twenty first day of March in the year of our Lord, 1833.
A. Wallace Clerk