Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11405, for Prince Skiff, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Skiff Prince
S. 11405
CONTENTS
carded

New York 20.10
Prince Ship
of Madison in the State of N. York who was a Captain in the Army commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. Chapin in the War ★ time for 8 mos Cap
8 Pri } 2016 3 Mass. Line Records corrected, &
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 55 Dollars 93 3/4 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Aug. 1833 and to the E. Hecker New York
Arrears to the 14th of March $111 1.88 Semestral allowance ending 4th of " 27.87 $139.75
Recorded by { Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. } Clerk. Book 6. Vol. B. Page 19.

of June 1839.
round 800.00 8 mo. pri. 16 mo.
W. J. H. C.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of New York, Madison County ss: On this twenty sixth day of December in the year of our Lord 1832 personally appeared before me James B. Bedredge first Judge of Madison County Prince Skiff lately a resident of Madison, in the said county of Madison, now kept at the Poor House of the same county, aged eighty six 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, that is to say. He enlisted in the year 1776 in Martha's Vineyard under Capt. Benjamin Smith, and Ensign Matthiah Davis in Col. Norton's Regiment for one year , which term he served on the said Vineyard guarding the shores, and at the end of this term he was discharged verbally by the same officers under whom he enlisted.
That he moved from Martha's Vineyard in June 1777 to Williamsburgh in Massachusetts and that soon after this, in the same month of June he went as a volunteer against Col. Baum near Bennington and was actually in the battle called Bennington battle, and that from this place he was marched immediately to Saratoga immediately to meet Burgoyne's army and continued there until Burgoyne surrendered. That at the time of the capture of Burgoyne he was so near with his officers that his Lieutenant received a musket ball, which was shot through his shoulder. In this service at Bennington battle and at Saratoga Samuel Fairfield was his Captain, and Col. Israel Chapin his Colonel. He was dis-

Charged soon after Burgoyne surrendered by Col - Chapin verbally, and according to his best recollection This term of service was not less than four Months
He has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can tes- tify to his service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
He was born January 7 th 1746 at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. He has no record of his age but supposes there is one in the town clerk's book in the town where he was born. When he was called into the service he was living at the several places by him above stated where he en tered the service as he has men- tioned above. That since the revolutionary war he has lived in Williamburgh Massachusetts as much as ten years he then moved into Cambridge Washington County New York, where he lived about twelve years he then moved into Madison County where he has since resided.
And that he is now maintained at the Poor House of the county of Madison aforesaid, that he has stated above how he was called into the service of the United States. The names of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where he served he cannot state more fully than he has above stated them. He never received any discharge other than as above by him mentioned and that all (except) about eight months on the Vineyard he served as corporal his services were performed as a common soldier, and for the above mentioned terms of service he claims a pension.
He further states that the four last years last past he has lived at and been supported at the Poor House of the aforesaid county of Madison. That in this situation he

He has lived at and been supported at the Poor House of the aforesaid county of Madison. That in this situation he
has become acquainted with no clergyman except those who attend occasionally on the Sabbath to preach to the paupers there, and of course is unable to procure the certificate required by the instructions from the War Department, and has therefore procured the certificate and affidavit of the Keeper of the said Poor House and Charles W. Hall
And he further states that in the town of Madison where he has lately resided Gils Pukham Oliver Pukham George Simmons Thomas Simmons and many others
are acquainted with him and can testify to his character and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Sworn to and subscribed The 26 th day of December 1832 Before me J. B. Eldredge First Judge Mers Co.
Prince Skiff
State of New York - Madison County ss: I, Ichabod Amidon, keeper of the Poor House of the county aforesaid which is in Eaton in the said county, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Prince Skiff, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that he has been kept and maintained at the said Poor House the last four years, all of which time I have

... and been keeper of said House, That I believe him to be eighty six years of age and that he is reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and I concur in that opinion, and I Charles W. Hull of Eaton aforesaid hereby Certify that for four years last past I have been a Physician to the aforesaid Poor-House and in that character have at- tended upon the paupers maintained there, and thus have be- come acquainted with the above named Prince Skiff. That I believe him to be eighty six years of age and that he is re- puted & believed to have been a soldier of the revolution and I concur in that opinion, and I believe him to be a man of truth and veracity - Subscribed and sworn to } Ishak L. Smith The 21 st day of December 1832 } Chas. W. Hull before me James B. Eldridge first judge Mawd. T. T.
State of New York - Madison County ss. I, James B. Eldridge first Judge of the County Courts of the County of Madison in the State of New York hereby certify that by request made to me in behalf of Prince Skiff above named, I personally attend- ed at the Poor-House in the town of Eaton in the County afore- said, where the said Prince is now kept and maintained and that on the twenty, fifth day of December 1832 the said Prince Skiff made subscribed and swore to the above declaration before me. That infirmity of body of the said Prince Skiff was the reason why I attended upon him to take his said declaration, and that from his personal appearance, and his statement on oath in relation to said information it satisfactorily appears to me that he is unable to appear in open Court
And I further certify that I propounded to him the interrogatories directed by the War Department

11 And I further certify that I propounded to him the interrogatories directed by the War Department and that his answers are contained in his said declaration; and I further certify that in my opinion the foregoing statements of the said Prince Skiff are true and that he was a revolutionary soldier and served as he has above in his declaration stated.
And I further certify that the above named Ichabod Amiden and Charles W. Hull who signed the certificate above are known to me to be of good reputation standing in society and of good character for truth and veracity.
James B Eldridge first Judge March 1832
State of New-York Madison County Clerk's Office } ss: I Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that James B. Eldridge, before whom the two preceding Affidavits purport to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to the preceding Certificate, was, at the date of the same, the first Judge of the County Courts in and for the said County - And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name, subscribed to the said Affidavits and Certificate, to be his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and seal of Office this 27 th day of December 1832 - A. S. Sloan CLK

21420 Prince Skiff. De- claration to obtain a pension
Ebenezer Holmes Morrisville Madison Co. New York Agent.

State of New York, Madison County ss: On this Seventh day of June in the year of our Lord 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the peace of the town of Eaton in the said County of Madison, Prince Skiff, at the poor-house of the said county, who being duly sworn deposes and says 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 that according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades. For one year I served pursuant to my first enlistment mentioned in my declaration to which this is annexed under the officers named in said declaration and under whom I there state that I enlisted and served, four months of which term I served as a private and eight months as a corporal which services were performed on Martha's Vineyard, in the said company of Capt. Smith in Col. Norton's Regiment an embodied corps, principally in guarding the shores, and that during the said term of one year I was not employed in any civil pursuit. I believed at the time of said service the said corps was called into service of competent authority, but by what authority I cannot now tell. For four months I served as a private in Captain Samuel Fairfield's company in Col. Israel Chapin's Regiment, the second term of service mentioned in my said declaration and that I during this term served in the Bennington Battle and Saratoga battle at the places where those battles were fought and that I served in the said Regiment which was an embodied corps at other places through which the said Regiment marched to and from the said battles but the particular places I cannot now recollect by name. That the said Regiment was called into the service by competent authority as I then supposed but by what particular authority I cannot now state. That during the said term I

was not employed in any civil pursuit and for such services I claim a pension.
I cannot state the particular day when I first enlisted, nor the particular day when I entered the service the last time mentioned in my said declaration.
Prisoner
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 7 th day June 1833 by the said Prisoner
Robert Henry Austin Peace
State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office I, Andrew J. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Robert Henry before whom the foregoing Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, One of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County - And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 8 th day of June 1833. A. J. Sloan Clk.
ad 8 mo. fri. 16 mo.

The certificate in this case may be returned (if granted) to Epenetus Holmes Morrisville, Madison county N. York June 8-1833
21420
Prince Shipp Madison county New York
Adams
366 8 2923 5 1062 5594
E. Holmes Morrisville New York

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 Prince Skiff, Madison co. 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.     Enlisted 1776 Vol. 1777 1 4 Private Serjeant Capt Smith Capt Fairfield Colonel Gustin Bernington Saratoga guarding the stores Bernington Saratoga 86 Martha's Vineyard tradition  
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 } ss.
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 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."
[f] 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.
[g] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[h] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[i] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[j] 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.

11405
Bureau of Pensions.
Prince Skiff
Dec 26, 1832 Madison Co. N.Y. - 86
76. Martha's Vineyard Mass Capt. Benj. Smith Col - Norton 1770 Dist.
Williamstown Mass. June 77 Serjt. Danfield Col. Israel Chapin 4th Corp.
Barnesville 8 years
Born at Martha's Vineyard Dec 27, 1746, moved to Westport in 77 - then to Cambridge Mass. where he joined Army

..... Div.
..... Ex'r.
..... No.
.....
.....
Co. .... , Reg't .....
.....
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., ..... , 189.....
In reply to your inquiry relative to the pension claim above entitled, you

Sioux Falls, Iowa 5 17. 1900
To the Pension Bureau,
I desire to obtain information about Prince Skiff who was a soldier in the Rev. War. I find in Pension Roll pub. Page 340 & P 12 1885 that Prince Skiff of Madison Co N.Y. Corporal, received $55.95 yearly, & was placed on roll Aug 8. 1883.
Will you kindly answer as fully as you can from your records the following questions.
1. Did Prince Skiff move from Madison Co. before death? 2. When did he die? 3. Did his widow draw a pension? If so, what was her name and when did she die? 4 When did Prince Skiff serve and when, and in whose company & regiment? 5 Is there record or are there files of pensioners' applications giving proof of service &c? If so can information be obtained from these.
I am anxious to learn what I can of Prince & have no other source but through your kindness.
Very truly yours.
R.F. Skiff.

may 3-1900 - Hist. to R.A. Skiff Green Falls, Va.
Rev. War
11405 INVALID.
File No. 11405
Prince Skiff Capt. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1882
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 843
[Arrangement of 1870.]