Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18495, for Bille Mann, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Mann, Bille
S. 18495
Carded
CONTENTS

N. 18167 Vermont
Bille Mann
of Windham Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Boyd of the Regt, commanded by Col. Graton in the Mass. Militia time for 16 months & 28 days for Inf. 56.44 6 " 2 " "Artil. 25.27
Mass ts Continental $81.71
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 81 Dollars 71 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 d day of Sept r . 1833 and sent to Phineas White Putney Vt
Emears to the 1 st of March 1833 162.42 Pension-allowance ending to Sep r . 1833 40.85 $203.27
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, k E. Vol. 3 Page 77
Jan 25 1852 (CAB)

No. 19. Windham County Vermont.
Bille Mann.
Decr. for Pension.
30. July 1832.
3758
Please to make return to P. White. Putney Vt.

STATE OF VERMONT.
Probate District of Marlboro' At a Probate Court within and for said District, being a Court of Record to be held by the Justices of the state having a Clerk or Register.
Present Hon. Marshall Miller Esquire, Judge of said Court -
On this 30th
day of July
A.D. 1832 - Personally appeared in open Court, Billy Mann
(At New Haven)
Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District now sitting - Billy Mann a resident of Stratton in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged Seventy five 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 7, 1832 - That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He the said Billy Mann declares and says that he first entered the army of the Revolution as a private soldier in the month of April in the year 1775, and enlisted at Roxbury in the County of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts for the term of eight months, and joined the American Army at said Roxbury in the Company commanded by Capt. John Boyd in the Regiment commanded by Col. John Grafton of the Massachusetts line. The Regiment lay at Roxbury at the time of Bunkerhill Battle, the evening after marched to Cambridge thence to Prospect Hill and assisted in throwing up fortifications there - whilst the British were there they shot & bombs around and among them and faithfully served out said term of eight months and at the request of the officers staid a short time longer, does not precisely recollect the number of weeks or days - when he first went out he staid about three weeks before he enlisted into the eight months service - and was dismissed at Roxbury without a written discharge - Afterwards volunteered and went to Providence Rhode Island, in the company of Capt. John Fairbanks, and went to New Bedford and served there one month or more, according to his best recollection - afterwards went out in the month of June under Capt. Elijah Wane, went to Bristol and staid there till dismissed, about one month - and afterwards enlisted for one month under Capt. John Fairbanks in the Regiment of Col. Benjamin Haves and was stationed at Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island and served out said term and was dismissed at Little Compton - and returned home, and immediately after enlisted under Capt. John Fairbanks for the term of three months and does not recollect when discharged.
name, married at Sandwich in Connecticut, where sergeant Samuel Metcalf and were marched under him to Pelskill, and joined the Company about the first of December 1776 - came to Trenton - from thence up the River and crossed to Pelskill. There were attached to a place called Troytown in the State of New Jersey where the said Billy Mann and his brother Elisha Mann Jr. engaged one John Chapman to serve for them during the War and took his engagement in writing part of his evidence. and soon after leaving Troytown, and staid about three weeks in the woods, were marched to Morristown in N.J. where there Gen. Washington's head quarters. and was discharged there about the last of March or first of April - but had no written discharge - and returned home to Wrentham - And that after recollects, if he rightly recollects, about the last of December 1777 he again enlisted for the term of three months in the Company commanded by Capt. Atlee and was marched to North Kingston, and was stationed there to guard the coast - And during his stay there, an American vessel, the Liberty Bell, was burnt by the British - and after serving out said term of three months was regularly discharged, but not in writing at said North Kingston - And afterwards about the last of June or first of July in the year 1780 he again enlisted for the term of six months, and joined the Regiment of Col. Hovey at Boston, in the Company commanded by Capt. Lillard in the Regiment commanded by Col. Crane and Gen. Knox's Brigade - were marched from Boston to Westpoint - and at the time Arnold's traitorous was with the Artillery before Westpoint - And in May, before afterwards retreated - and after regularly serving out said term of six months, was discharged down the River from Westpoint in the State of New Jersey - received a written discharge signed by Lieut. Col. G. Allen - Which said discharge is lost - he or nobody does not recollect - And he further states that he has no evidence to prove the most of his said services - that all his terms of service were in the Massachusetts Militia except the last six months which was in an continental establishment.
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.
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:
Signed & Sealed anew, May 10.
1. Wrentham in the town of Wrentham now Franklin Mass. in 1756
2. Has no record of his age in possession only one made by himself
1833. James Elliot
3. He lived in the town of Wrentham - generally it is supposed since Franklin Mass - lived there till he came to Stratton more than forty years ago - where he now lives -
Probate Register
4. He volunteered & enlisted
5. Does not particularly recollect the names of many officers other than those already named - -

Signed & sealed anew, May 10.
2. Has no record of his age in pension only one made by himself.
1833. James Elliot
Probate Register
3. He lived in this town of Stratton  Franklin since Franklin  then  there till he came to Stratton  more than forty years ago - where he now lives -
4. He volunteered & enlisted
5. Does not particularly recollect the names of many officers other than those already named --
6. He received no written discharge except at the close of the last term of service as before stated --
7. He names Parley Fairbank Esq. & Abel Groot Esq. -- his neighbors - respectable citizens Bille Mann
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
We Parley Fairbank Esq. residing in the town of Wardsborough in said District and Abel Groot Esq. of Stratton in said District hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Bille Mann, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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. Parley Fairbank Abel Groot
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
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 Parley Fairbank, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident resident in the said town of Wardsborough and that Abel Groot, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stratton in said county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I James Elliot, Register the District of Marlborough Court in the matter of the application of Bille Mann
of the Probate Court, within and for aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 30th
day of July, -
A. D. 1832.
James Elliot, Prob. Register

December 5, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. R. E. Dale Nebraska Historical Library Station A Lincoln, Nebraska
BILLE MANN S. 18495 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
You are furnished herein the record of Bille Mann, as obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 18495, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Bille Mann was born in 1756 in that part of Wrentham which was later Franklin, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in said Wrentham, Massachusetts, he enlisted in April, 1775, and served eight months as private in Captain John Boyd's company, Colonel John Greaton's Massachusetts regiment. He afterwards volunteered and served a month or more as private in Captain Asa Fairbanks' Massachusetts company; in June was sent out and served one month as private in Captain Elijah Vose's Massachusetts company; he next enlisted and served one month as private in Captain Asa Fairbanks' company, Colonel Benjamin Hawes' Massachusetts regiment, on a secret expedition to Rhode Island and was stationed at Little Compton. He immediately reenlisted and served three months as private in Captain Asa Fairbanks' Massachusetts company. He enlisted about the last of December, 1777, and served three months as private in Captain Thomas Pettee's Massachusetts company on an expedition to Rhode Island and was stationed at North Kingston guarding the coast. He enlisted the last of June or first of July, 1780, and served six months two days as private in Captain Seward's company, Colonel Crane's regiment of artillery.
The soldier moved from Wrentham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, about 1792, to Stratton, Windham County, Vermont. He was elected and served several terms in the State Legislature of Vermont from that town, was also magistrate for Windham County, Vermont, at one time.

Bille Mann was allowed pension on his application executed July 30, 1832, while a resident of Stratton, Windham County, Vermont.
He died January 20, 1852.
No reference was made in the claim to wife or children.
In 1832, reference was made to soldier's brother, Elisha Mann, Junior, but his place of residence was not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

February 18
1777
in Morris County in the New Jersey
This is to certify that I engage
to James Clark Lobdell man in and Hillsboro during the present War with Britain in the Continental
Army there are no restrictions
officers of the military and
Political and Community in
Committee of Correspondence of the
the Town of Morristown
Signed in present witness my hand of us George man John & Chapman Samuel Bates

I Elias Ware of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do depose and say that Bille Mann formerly of Wrentham now Franklin, in the State Massachusetts, But now living in the town of Stratton in the County of Windham in the State of Vermont I did duly as a Serjeant in the eight Months service ind. Copt John Boyde's Company in Col. Graton's Regt at Cambridge in the Year Seventeen hundred & Seventy five, and furthermore the above named Bille Mann, was an enlisted Soldier, in said Company and Regt. in the said Eight Months service, and further your deponent saith not. Elias Ware July 16. 1832.
Norfolk, ss July 16 th 1832. Then the above named Elias Ware made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed before me Calvin Fishes Justice of Peace
July 16 th 1832. The above named Elias Ware in my opinion, is a Man of undoubted truth and veracity. Calvin Fishes
We Moses Craig and Elias Ware both of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do depose and say that Bille Mann, formerly of Wrentham now Franklin, in the State of Massachusetts, But now lives in the town of Stratton in the County of Windham, in the State of Vermont, did in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven, enlist into the service, under Capt. Thomas Pette and did serve the full term of three Months, and was stationed at North Kingston in the State of Rhode-Island. Wrentham July 16. 1832
Moses Craig Elias Ware
Norfolk, ss. July 16 th 1832. Then the above named Moses Craig & Elias Ware made solemn Oath, to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by them subscribed before me Calvin Fishes Justice of the Peace
July 16. 1832.
Moses Craig and Elias Ware I have known from my youth, and do consider them, men of undoubted truth and veracity. Calvin Fishes

I Elias Ware of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do depose and say that Bill Mann of Wrentham now Franklin, in the State of Massachusetts, but now living in the town of Stratton in the County of Windham in the State of Vermont, did enlist in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, into the Moulton's service under Capt Asa Fairbanks, in Col. Benj. Hawes. Regt. Stationed at Little Compton Rhode Island, being called and known by the name of the Secret expedition to Rhode Island. Elias Ware. July 16 th 1882.
Norfolk, ss. July 16 th 1882. Then the above named Elias Ware made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him Subscribed before me Calvin Fisher Just of peace
July 16 th 1882. The above named Elias Ware in my opinion, is a Man of undoubted truth and veracity. Calvin Fisher

I, Amasa Richardson of Franklin, formerly Wrentham, county of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do depose & say, that Bille Mann, formerly of Wrentham, now of Stratton, county of Windham & State of Vermont, did, in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty-seven, enlist for the Secret Expedition to Rhode Island for one month, under Capt. Asa Fairbanks, & did actually serve the full term of one month, & was stationed at Little Compton Rhode Island.
I also depose & say that the said Bille Mann, did, afterwards in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty enlist into the service for six months, in Capt. Seward's company, Col. Green's Regiment & Genl. Knox's Brigade, & did serve the full term of six months; & was stationed first at West Point, & afterwards at different places in the Jerseys.
Franklin, July 17. 1892. Amasa Richardson

Norfolk ss. July 17. 1832. Then the above named Amasa Richardson made solemn oath, that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true.
Before me, W m Makepeace Jun r . Justice of the Peace
Franklin July 17. 1832.
Mr. Amasa Richardson I have known for many years, & consider him a man of truth & veracity. W m Makepeace Jun r .
I, Samuel Guild, of Wrentham, formerly Wrentham, County of Norfolk, & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do depose & say, that Bille Mann, formerly of Wrentham, now of Stratton, in the County of Windham & State of Vermont, did enlist into the Service of his country, for six months, in Capt. Swards Company, Col. Crane's Regiment, & Genl. Knox's Brigade; & did serve the full term of six months. He was stationed first at West Point after at different places in the Jerseys.
Franklin July 17. 1832. Samuel Guild
Norfolk ss. July 17. 1832. Then the above named Samuel Guild, made solemn oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true.
Before me,
W m Makepeace Jun r . Justice of the Peace
July 17. 1832.
I hereby certify, that I have been acquainted with Dea. Samuel Guild for a number of years & consider him a man of undoubted truth & veracity.
W m Makepeace, Jun r .

Deposition in favor of Billie
Deposition M rs Mary X. and Miss Mary S. and Martha
Norfolk ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I James Ware Clerk of the Judicial Court in and for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that Calvin Fisher Esquire before whom the within depositions purport to have been taken was at the time of the taking thereof, and now is a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly appointed commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office; and that his signature within six times written , are genuine and true, being well ac- quainted therewith. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of the Superior Judicial Court of said Commonwealth at Dedham this twentieth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
James Ware 3
M rs Mary X. and Miss Mary S. and Martha James Ware

Samuel Guild Deposition 60 Months
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I James Ware Clerk of the Judicial Court in and for the County of Norfolk do hereby certify that William Makepeace James before whom the within Deposition purport to have been taken, was at the time of the taking thereof, and now is, a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly appointed commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office, and that his signatures within four times written are genuine & true.
In witness whereof I have subscribed my name, and hereunto affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth at Dedham, this twentieth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
James Ware
Deposition in favor of Biddle Mann -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, July 5. th 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Billa Mann is found on a Pay Roll for the service of the Six months men, belonging to the Town of Franklin, who were employed in the Continental service in the Year 1780, at 40s. per month, & where he served under Lt. Jackson of the Artillery being mustered at Springfield after marching from Franklin, on the 3 rd of July, to December 23 d , 1780, where he was paid for Six months & two Days.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

The affidavit of Rev d James Tufts, of Wardsboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont aged sixty seven years and of Doct r . Paul Wheeler of the same Wardsboro aged sixty one years Who testify and say that for more than thirty years, more last part, they have been well acquainted with Bille Mann Esq. of the adjoining town of Stratton, as a worthy good citizens, always sustaining a character, for undoubted truth and veracity. — That he has within the last twenty years, has been several times elected and has represented his town in the State Legislature. — and has held the appointment of Magistrate within and for the County of Windham aforesaid. — And they further testify that they have heard his Declaration and Statement of his Revolutionary services, and can freely say, that they do not entertain the least doubt of his having performed the several services as by him particularly narrated.
James Tufts Paul Wheeler
State of Vermont
Windham County ss } July 30 th 1832. Subscribed & sworn to Before me Phineas White Justice of Peace
I do hereby certify that the Rev d . Mr. Tufts and Doct r . Wheeler are highly distinguished citizens in their respective professions and of undoubted truth & veracity.
Phineas White J. P.
State of Vermont Windham County ss } District of Westminster } The Probate Court in and for said District of Westminster do hereby certify that Phineas White who has certified the administration of the estate of ... was on the 30 th day of July 1832 a legal justice of the peace in & for the County of Windham and that his signature to said certificate is his genuine signature. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Probate Court this 14 th day of May 1833
Hezekiah D o

The affidavit of Rev. Mr. Joseph Dorr Wheeler in favor of Belle Mann Esq.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
23 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 subjoined 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
   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.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Billy Mann

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 thirty or forty months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent the paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Have not on Grand rolls in this office. If he served as stated the certificate of the Secretary of War will prove it.

1934 Dec 5-Heet to W.E. Hale (See Btr in clm 77-2337 of Ezekiel Durham) mfr B.
1849.5 INVALID.
File No. 1849.5
Bille Mann
Pr. Rev. 1849
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]

December 5, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. R. E. Dale Nebraska Historical Library Station A Lincoln, Nebraska
Bille Mann, S. 18495 Ezekiel Perham, W. 2337 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Bille Mann (Man, Munn) and Ezekiel Perham, both of whom served from Massachusetts and received pensions in Vermont.
Their records are furnished herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Mann, Daniel GRADE Private LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11503 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED March 11, 1791 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.