Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2730, for Thomas Martin, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Martin, Thomas
S. 2730
CONTENTS
carded

19883 Ohio Pittsburgh
Thomas Martin of Asht 2 Lee in the State of Ohio who was a private in the com d company by Captain Wills of the reg t commanded by Col. Daze in the com d line for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsburgh at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Sept r 1833 and Robert Harper Hampersfield
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1833
Semi-ant. allowance ending 1833
$129.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 8 Page 119

The State of Ohio Ashtabula County ss B
On this 4 th day of February, A D 1888 personally before me Jonathan Gregory one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Ashtabula State of Ohio Thomas Martin a Resident of the town of Horsfall in the County of Ashtabula State of Ohio aged eighty years in November last. who being first duly sworn according to law. doth on his oath. make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 - 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, or (Colonies) some time the first part of May Seventeen hundred Seventy five (the day not recollecting), under Captain Levi Wells of Colchester in Connecticut. That he enlisted or volunteered for Seven months in Sara Company. Lieut. Champion & Ransom were the other officers in said Company & that they marched to Roxbury near Boston & then joined the American army. That part of the army where I was stationed was under the command of General Morse. but Genl Washington was the Commanding Genl after he came to Camp, there was another Genl, I think Genl Lee. there was frequent fighting between the American Army the British, who were then in Boston & at different places in its neighborhood. in the latter part of December of that year I was discharged by my Captain after my term of 7 months for which I engaged was out, & returned home to Lebanon Windham County, when I lived in Connecticut, the regiment which my company belonged to, I think was commanded by Col. Wadsworth. I had no written discharge but was discharged when my time was out. And in May the next year or 1776. I enlisted at Lebanon Connecticut for six months. under Capt James Clark. & Lieut. West & Bassworth. And went to New York, belonging to Col. Sages Regiment, Connecticut Troops, & to Genl Wadsworth's Brigade We marched to New York. When Genl Washington, was and several other American Genls, I was in New York some time I was then stationed on Governors Island & remained there till after Genl Sullivan's Battle on Long Island which was I think in August of that year & when the American Army left Long Island we returned to New

York & not long after I believe in September the American Army left New York we retreated. And I was Stationed afterwards with my Company at Harlem Heights where I remained till I was discharged in October or first part of November after having served six months. I was discharged by my Captain but had no written discharge. The American Army was attacked by a part of the British force as we was marching from New York to Kingsbridge. After I was discharged I went to Lebanon Windham County Connecticut where I then I have no documentary evidence of my service or discharge & I know of no person whose testimony I can procure that was in the service with me but Daniel Pomeroy who was with me at New York, & whose deposition I have with me. I then by relinquish every claim 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 Martin
I mean to subscribe the way I have
affectionately Jonathan Leslie
Jonathan Lefils Mr. Perry Pratt. A Clergyman residing in the Town of, Geneva, Hartford Co. Connecticut County & Robert Harper of the same County & Town of Hartfordfield, I place here my certify that we are well acquainted with Deacon Thomas Morton who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & that we believe him to be eighty years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbor- hood to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion & that he is a man of good character & entitled to credit
Sworn Subscriber to The day Year aforesaid
Jonathan Lusk. Clergyman.
Instead by the Image
When & in what year was you born
I was born in the Town of Lebanon in on the 16 day of November 1752. as I suppose - Norwich 6 o Connecticut
2 Have you any record of your age & if so when is it Mrs. Shaw now in my possession
3 When were you living when called in to service & when have you been since the Revolutionary War and where do you know live - Answer None when I went into the service in Lebanon Windham County, Connecticut

of the matter. And after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier. Knows as he states, and I as further certify, that I know Jonathan Leprie  Rev. Pratt who has signed the foregoing certificate to be a Clergyman & that he resides in the Town of Geneva  Harpersfield in this County. And that Robert Harper who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and that they are credible persons & their statements is entitled to credit. And I further certify, that I am personally acquainted with Thomas Martin who has signed the foregoing declaration before me at this time. And that He is to inform at occupier, by age & infirmities to be able to attend in open Court or to travel to the same. And that on that account I have at his request called at his house in said Harpersfield where he has recd his papers. And that I have been personally acquainted with him for many years & am in the opinion that he was a Soldier of the Revolution & that his statement is entitled to full credit.
Jonathan Gregory Associate Judge
Thomas Martin 23606
The State of Ohio Ashtabula Co. } ss
I Samuel Hendry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Ashtabula do here by certify that the foregoing contains the originals proceeding had before the Honorable Jonathan Gregory, one of the Associate Judges in & for the County aforesaid in the matter of the application of Thomas Martin for a pension and that the said Gregory is at this time one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Ashtabula & as such full faith & credit is due to all his official acts & further that said Court is a Court of Record. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 11 th day of February A.D. 1893 at Jefferson in said County.
Sam Hendry Clerk D. T. V.

title after the close of the war. I after moved to Washington in Massachusetts where I lived till AD 1810 when I removed to Harperfield Ohio where I now reside
4 How were you called in to the Service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute; Answer
I volunteered or enlisted (as it was called then) once for 7 months & once for 6 months
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, also the generals commanding of your division. Answer while I was at Roxbury in 1775 Genl Ward commanded that part of the Army that I was in Genl Washington was Commander in Chief & was there and there was an other Genl I think his main was Lee, who commanded at an other place not far off on the left of the American Army. Some time in the summer or fall there was some General come then I think from Virginia Commanded by Genl or Genl Morgan and a good many other regiments that I don't recollect & when I was at New York the next season Genl Washington was there and Commanded & there was Genl Sullivan who was on my left & Genl Mowatt commanded a Brigade that I belonged to
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so who gave it & what has become of it Answer I have no written discharge when my time was out my Captain dismissed me to give liberty to go home which is all the discharge I ever had
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
Ans, I am known to the Reverend Perry Pratt & Robert Harper Esq. both of this town with whom I have been acquainted for many years who have stated as to my character and their belief as to my having been a soldier of the Revolution
Since I Jonathan Gregory one of the Associate Judges in the County of Ashtabula State of Ohio as aforesaid do here by declare my opinion after the investigation

23606
Thomas Martin
Ashtabula Co.
Ohio
Return of
from 1775 private 13 months.
$43 \frac{33}{100}
Robt Sparre Acct Ashland County Harperfield Ohio.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
19 April 1833
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 subjined 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, shewing the Service of Thomas Martin Ashtabula Ohio
   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 1775 as a boy 7 Private Col Brims Gen Gen Washington Col M'Intosh 80 Middletown Col. Conn. Traditionary   Enlisted 1776 6 Col Clark Col Speer Col Hays Gen Washington Deane & Pomeroy  
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 , 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 [j] 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.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AWF/HMM
January 6, 1930.
Mr. A. C. Freed 156 Grant Street Conneaut Ohio.
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 2730, it appears that Thomas Martin was born November 16, 1752 in Lebanon, Windham County, Connecticut.
While residing in said Lebanon he enlisted and served with the Connecticut Troops as follows:
From May 1775 seven months in Captain Levi Wells' Company; ✓ from May 1776 six months in Captain James Clark's Company, Colonel Sage's Regiment and was in the retreat from New York.
After the Revolution he moved to Washington, Massachusetts where he lived until 1810 and then moved to Harpersfield, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 4, 1833 at which time he was living in Harpersfield, Ohio.
There are no data as to family.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.
I did not use Colonel Wadsworth's Reg. as he said - See Conn book Page 45.

Conneaut-O. October 31, 1929
Pension Board Washington D.C.
Dear Messrs.
My Great-Grand Father, Thomas Martin who was born in Massachusetts 1753 served in the Revolution from Mass. moved to Unionville Lake Co. O. in 1808 & his pension must have been sent to this place.
He died May 8, 1847
He was married to Hephzibah Willard April 25, 1779.
When did he enlist & in what regiment? When discharged?
For what service did he receive a pension? Please answer at your earliest convenience.
Yours & oblige
A. C. Freed
156 Grant St - Conneaut -
O.

Rev War
2730 INVALID.
File No. 2730
Thomas Martin Musician Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 235-
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930-Jan. 6 - Hish. L. G.C. Freed cases.

David Pomeroy separation

The State of Ohio } Geauga County } B
Personally appeared before me Daniel
Pomeroy of the Town of Thompson in said County of Geauga State of Ohio and after having been duly sworn according to Law. Am on oath States that he was personally acquainted with Thomas Martin in 1776 that said Martin was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war in that year Stationed in New York belonging to Capt Black's Company. Col Sages Regiment & Genl Madswoths Brigade I will recollect that Capt Black was out of health & went to Norwalk & Thomas Martin went with him or near the time but that he was in New York at the time the British drove us out he continued in the Service at that time I think six months was regularly discharged or otherwise at the end of his enlistment the Company was what was called then new levy six months term. Martin & myself resided in the same town which at home to wit in Lebanon in the State of Connecticut. I have been acquainted with Thomas Martin ever since we were in New York in 1776. he is a credible person & his statement is entitled to full credit further this deponent saith not
Sworn to the foregoing before me this 21 st day of June AD 1833 Charles Goodrich Justice of the peace
The State of Ohio } Geauga County } B
And I Charles Goodrich a Justice of the peace in & for the Town of Thompson Geauga County State of Ohio do further certify that I am personally acquainted with Daniel Pomeroy who has signed the above foregoing deposition & that he is a credible person & a man of good character & that his statement is entitled to full credit etc. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal this 21 st day of June AD 1833 at Thompson Ohio
Charles Goodrich Justice of the peace

The State of Ohio } Guadalupe County, ss }
I, D. Aiken, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County, do hereby certify that Charles Goodrich Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit or Deposition of Daniel Poinroy, appears to have been taken, on the 24th day of June A.D. 1833, and whose signature in his own proper hand writing, is annexed to the certif- icate thereof, and also to the following certificate of the character of the said Daniel Poinroy, was at that time and still is a justice of the peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, according to law. — In Testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court, at Chardon this 25th day of June A.D. 1833
D. Aiken, Clerk.

Harpersfield August 3-1833
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
} I herewith return the application of Thomas Martin of Harpersfield Ashtabula Co Ohio for his pension under the Law of last year with the with in deposition. Samuel Pomeroy, he is the only person a live with in Martins knowledge who was in the army with Pomeroy is a Pensioner and a very respectable man so is Thomas Martin when the result is appointed please direct to me at this place
I am Respectfully Yours R. Harper

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Martin, Thomas GRADE Drummer LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4692 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Mar. 25, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.