Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29251, for John Hunt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Hunt, John
NUMBER
S. 29251
CONTENTS

21.080 all War Services
John Hunt
of Mumfords in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hubbard of the Regt commanded by Col. Whitney in the Mass. a line for 12 months .
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. a at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Aug 1833 and sent John Hunt Palmer Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $ 81.00 Semi-ann. allowances ending Sept 1833 , 20.00 $100.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by K. A. Atkinson Clerk, Book E Vol. 20 Page 34

"John Hunt son of Jeremiah Hunt & Hannah his wife was born Feb. 25 th 1760." The foregoing is a true extract from the records of the town of Concord in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Attest. Abiel Heywood, Town Clerk.

1025953
John Hunt Hampden County Massachusetts
Private 12 Months
Palmer John Hunt. Palmer Massach.

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 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. 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, showing the Service of John Hunt Hampden County Massachusetts
   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.     Draft Apr 1777 - 2 - privt. Capt Hubbard, Col Whitney 73 years Concord Traditionary evidence Your living witness certificate in the   Sub, " " - 3 - " - Massachusetts papers correct.   Enlisted Spring 1778 - 3 - " Capt Barnett, Col Reed,   Discharged " " - 3 - " Serg Skindall,   Sub Fall 1779 - 3 - " Lieut Andrews, Col Dana Col Buttrick  
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, oath, 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. B. 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 (a) 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 inquiry 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 here or there 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.
[1] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[2] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[3] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[4] 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.
[1] 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.
[2] The notes from [a] to [4], are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [1] applies to continental troops only.
[3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[5] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Massachusetts)
Harrison County, } S.S.
Harrison County } S.S. At a Probate Court begun and held at Monson Saturday
On the Eleventh day of June 1803 personally appear
and Lincoln Circuit before the Hon. the Hon. B. Morris Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said County the same being a Court of Record.
John Hunt a resident of Palmer in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts aged Seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
In the Spring of 1777 soon after the British and American troops had a battle at or near Newport in the State of Rhode Island I was then residing in Concord in Middlesex County and was drafted for two months as a soldier by Capt Thomas Hubbard of Concord who then commanded our Company in the month of April of the same year and was marched to Cambridge in Mass. in the latter part of May next  and was marched to Monmouth on the 28th of June  where we remained until the 26th of July  when we Capt Wymans  in the  army
It was soon discovered that the war was over Captain Lt Amos Osmer was a Lieutenant in the same Company and from them we marched across the country by the nearest route to Providence in Rhode Island and were stationed in the College for about six weeks, at the expiration of our last term we were ordered to Point Judith in the same state and were there employed in guarding the sea shore until the term for which I was drafted had expired. Colo. - Whiting of Harvard (Mass) was our Colonel We drew our provisions at Point Judith which was Indian bread The latter was preserved by salt & flaxseed. Only one Company was stationed for the time at Point Judith

When my time expired I was dismissed & returned to Concord. I did not receive any written discharge nor so far as I know did my fellow soldiers.
Soon after my return to said Concord I was hired as a soldier of my father as a substitute for one Asa Osmer to guard the Military stores deposited at said Concord for the term of three months which stores were kept in a Patent building & another building erected for that purpose. The Patent building was filled with salt fish - the guard was mostly a Sargents guard and we were commanded by Sargant - Kendall of Townsend in the State of Mass. The guard was mostly made up of men advanced in life & many one half of them were unfit for a march to any considerable distance - I drew my provisions of Capt Jonas Howard of said Concord who was employed to put up provisions for the soldiers - I served out my term of three months in said guard duty at Concord aforesaid and was dismissed without a written discharge.
In the after Spring (April) 1778 I enlisted as a soldier in Capt Thomas Barretts company of said Concord  St - Harrington of the same company and we marched from said Concord in April of the same year to Cambridge in Mass and guarded the British troops which were captained with Genl Burgoyne for the term of three months (which was the term of my enlistment) upon Prospect Hill  Hicks and Cambridge. The Regular troops came upon Winter Hill. I served for the whole term of my enlistment (three months) and was dismissed - I did not receive any written discharge from said service. Col. Reed of Littleton (Mass) was our Colonel.

Soon after my return to Concord aforesaid from said last service in Cambridge my father engaged or enlisted me as a soldier for the term of three months and for that term I served under Sergeant Kendall in guarding the Military stores at said Concord.
Having understood that said Kendall had received orders to help up the guard of said stores, I served the said three months agreeably to my enlistment. I drew my provisions of 60¢ per month. During a part of said term one John Rose of said Concord served with me & who is the only person of that Guard that I can find alive - I was at the expiration of the said three months discharged without any written discharge.
On the Fall of 1779 (I believe the last of Oct or 18 th of Nov) The Selectmen of Concord aforesaid hired me of my father as a soldier for the term of three months. Immediately after I was hired as aforesaid we marched under the command of Lieut - Andrews intending to go to Claverick in the State of N.York - we marched over the Country through the towns of Westfield, Springfield to Great Barrington in Mass and there halted and we were ordered to turn our course to Albany (N.Y.) a part of our Regiment were in Albany - we were ordered & marched up the Hudson about 12 miles to a place which I suppose is now called Watervliet we remained at Watervliet more than two weeks when the Regiment was ordered to assemble at Troy (N.Y.) where we were discharged without a written discharge. We drew our mileage from Concord to Claverick aforesaid & remained in the service for the term of one month - Col. - Dana & Lt Col John Buttrick commanded the Regiment.
Where I entered the service aforesaid I resided at said aforesaid. I was in no engagement or battle during any part of my service. I was born in said Concord February 25 1760 my age is recorded in the town books of said Concord as appears

by the accompanying Certificate of the Town Clerk I lived in said Concord from my birth until I were twenty two years of age. I then removed to Northborough in the County Worcester I lived there almost twenty four years and from which last mentioned place I removed to Palmer in the County of Hampshire (then County of Hamp- shire) and State of Mass. where I have ever since resided. That I have no documentary evidence except the foregoing certificate & the affidavit of John Rose of Concord aforesaid taken before Nathan Brooks Esq. and that I know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify my services except John Rose aforesaid - and that the Revd Samuel Barlow and James Robbins both of Palmer aforesaid are persons to whom I am known in my present neigh- borhood and who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. John Hunt
We Samuel Barlow a Congregational minister residing in the town of Palmer aforesaid and James H. Robbins, residing in the same town of Palmer hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Hunt of said Palmer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sam l Barlow James Robbins

The said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories proposed by the War Department, that the abovenamed Applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Backus who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clagymann resident in the said Town of Palmer & that James Stebbins who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town of Palmer and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Hampshire do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Hunt for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this eleventh day of June A D 1833
Justin Willard

29 251 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29,251
John Hunt
His Rev. Mrs
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 197
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6.
See also Cass
See J. Wan M. P.
Washington
Person Office

Palmer June 11 th 1833
Sir
Enclosed are the Pension papers of John Hunt the subscriber. The Certificate I wish sent to me & that the money may be paid over at the branch bank of the U. States at Boston.
Yours Respectfully John Hunt

Mr. John Hunt
Palmer Hampden Co.
Ms

I John Vose of Concord in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do testify and say, that John Hunt, now of Palmer in the County of Hampshire, but formerly of said Concord, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, that he served as a private soldier, in the Spring of the year 1778, for the term of three months, at Cambridge in Company commanded by Capt Barrett & Lieut Harrington in guarding the troops taken with Gen. Burgoyne - That he served for the term of one month, at least, in an expedition to the North River, in Lieut. Andrews' Company, Col. Dancie and Lieut Col. John Patrick's Regiment - I served with said Hunt during each of the above terms of service - That said Hunt served in guarding the public Stores in said Concord for the

term of one month. & payable more - In this last service I was with said Hunt for one month. He had been in the service prior to the time I engaged John Vose
Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Middlesex ss. February 14 th A.D. 1833 Then the above named John Vose, well known to me to be en- titled to full credit, personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me Nathan Brooks Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Elias Thurney Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county of Middle- sex, do certify that Nathan Brooks Esquire is a Justice of the Peace, within & for said County of Middlesex, and that his name set to the above going certificate is his own hand & signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the 26 th day of February 1833 -
E. Thurney.