Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,667, for Joseph Purinton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Purinton Joseph or Purrinton
S 30,667
CONTENTS

15.582
Massachusetts
Joseph Harrington
of Colerain in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Woods of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cotton in the Mass line for 19 months service
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of June 1833 and sent to E. Alvord Greenfield Mass
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 1833 $124. 66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 31. 67 $ 158 33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. L. L. B. Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 64
Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 2 p. 64

Joseph Purrinton Columbia 22292
Joseph Purrinton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY SS.
ON THIS first day of September A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before me  Richard E. Newcomb Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the  Probate  said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin, Joseph Burinboro a resident of Coloooin in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Sightly 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 an 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. at the town of Middleborough in the county of Plymouth as
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as stated. at the town of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth aforesaid whereat then lived, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five the last of April or first of May I listed under the command of Capt. Isaac Hood and Regiment of Col. Cotton and Marched immediately by Bridgewater and Braintree to Roxbury where we joined the Regiment there and commanded by General Thomas. The main army was state there was a battle on Bunkerhill the 17th of June. Some time in June I received and took command of the Army. The term of service for was Eight Months my time expired on the last of June or first of July I volunteered under the said Middleborough in the same year the last of June or first of July I volunteered under and Ensign John Mawcomb for the term of five Months we Marched Crossed Connecticut River at Haddam marched to New Haven we belonged to the Regiment of Col. Cary and the Brigade in the City about ten days then Marched a few miles to a the fifteenth day of September, the British at the same time on the sixteenth I believe there was some fighting between a guard until the fight at White Plains. we made several stands between at north Castle to assist in taking care of the sick and wounded where I was at said Middleborough in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight or first of July that I enlisted. Capt. Washburns Company was raised in the County of Hampshire marched into Boston the remainder of the Regiment I understand were taken on to Castle William to guard that Island. Capt. Merit. and
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. R. E. Mearnsdale                      Judge of Probate                      Joseph P. Mearnsdale
WE, Arthus Loonis a clergyman and Charles Thompson a justice of the peace both
residing in said Colerain  Joseph Purinton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty six 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. Abel Root
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. H. E. M c andrew Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare his 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 Nicolas Leome's signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in said Columbia Charles Thompson Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in said and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit said Judge also certifies that the said Joseph Purinton is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend in court and that he therefore proceeded in the place of said applicant's residence and there took his said declar- examination under oath as aforesaid N. E. Spence — Judge of Probate I, ELIJAH ALVORD, Clerk of the said Court, 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 affixed the Seal of the said Court, this _____ day of _____ in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and thirty
Clerk.
I believe about one brigade stationed at Roxbury near Cambridge and commanded by General Ward In the latter part of June General Washington was dismissed I believe the first day of January, 1776 The Command Capt. Nathaniel Wood Lieut. John Miller By the way of Providence through Connecticut from New Haven we went by water to New York was commanded by General Fellows we were stationed place called Chetsey we retreated from Chetsey landed. we made a stand at Harlem heights of our troops and some of the British. on our arrival at company and I was called on to do that duty which I did Harlem and White Plains after the battle. I went into the Hospital continued until the expiration of my term when I was dismissed and returned home. enlisted under Capt. Thram Washburn for six months. it was the last of June Plymouth, collected at Bridgewater and marched to Boston Major Good in with three were stationed at Cambridge but soon soon after we arrived at Boston. I with eleven others Lieut. Eder then residing in Boston had the command of the Castle and often visited it the guards were put under my immediate care. The Capt. returned the force there but I left and there there was an addition of six men the latter part of the season I joined the company at Boston and the last of December was sent to guard some Prisoners to Providence where I was dismissed about the first of January, 1779. Each of the above enlistments were in the Massachusetts State Troops. I never had any written discharges. nor have I any documentary proof of my services.
I Elijah Alvord Register of the Court of Probate for the Court of Probate for county of Franklin do hereby certify that Richard E. Newcomb Esq. before whom the foregoing proceedings purport to have been had is the Judge of Probate for the said county, that he personally delivered the said proceedings to me and in my presence attested the same by his own proper signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court of Probate at Greenfield on the first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. E. Alvord Reg. Probate

7. Warrington
22. 292
Print 19 Mr
E. Almond Esq Greenfield M.P.

BRIEF in the case of Joseph Purrington of Cohrane in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Not stated  3. How old is he? Eighty six years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     May 1775 8 private Col: Cotton Heaps: Wood   July 1776 5 private private Col: Gary Heaps: Wood   1778 6 private Capt: Washburn  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None named  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Middleborough, Ms  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Three living witnesses and traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correctly authenticated 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

February 20, 1937
Joseph Purinton S. 30667 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. H. H. Murray 204 Lippincott Avenue Riverton, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Joseph Purrington or Purinton, and Joshua Hotchkiss.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land, which have been made to the United States, based upon service in that war.
A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of Joshua Hotchkiss; the surname was searched under similar spellings.
The Revolutionary War record of Joseph Purinton which follows was obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 30667, based upon his service in that war. This is the record of the only Joseph Purinton found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office; the surname was searched under similar spellings.
The date and place of birth of this soldier were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
While residing in Middleborough, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, Joseph Purinton (as his signature is shown) enlisted the latter part of April or first of May, 1775, served eight months

as private in Captain Isaac Wood's company, Colonel Cotton's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted sometime in June or July, 1776, served as private and orderly sergeant in Captain Nathaniel Wood's company, Colonel Cary's Massachusetts regiment, was in a skirmish at Harlem Heights and in the battle of White Plains. He enlisted sometime in June or July, 1778, served six months in Captain Abram Washburn's company.
The soldier, Joseph Purinton, was allowed pension on his application executed, September 1, 1832, at which time he was eighty-six years old and a resident of Colrain, Franklin County, Massachusetts.
The papers in this claim contain no reference to family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and give the following-
Joseph Purrinton (as he was pensioned) Certificate # 15582 Issued June 25, 1833 Rate $63.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

30667 Rev INVALID.
1937. Feb 20 - list to Mrs H.H. Murray and
File No. 30667
Joseph Lirinton Rev Rev Val
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 229
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Furington which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced; is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeh and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

For Powerglow Madison Wisconsin Puff
5 4 11

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
I Jonathan Peterson of Colerain, Franklin County, Massachusetts do hereby before I say, that, sometime in December of 1775, being called out among the militia, our company stopped at Burgoyne's Roxbury Mass. & being without conveniences, I went into Joseph Purinton  Purington's barrack & spent the night. He was then a soldier in Capt Blood's company in Col Cotton's regiment.
I also before I say, that, about the first of July 1776 I enlisted into Capt Nathaniel Blood's company, & that near the same time Joseph Purinton enlisted into the same company for five months service. Soon after our enlistment we marched to New Haven, & thence sailed to the City of New York. We did duty together till after the battle at White Plains, when he was ordered to do duty in the hospital. Though I saw him not afterwards with the army, I fully believe he served out his full time.
Jonathan Peterson
I subscribe for Sepheric less 1 st 1832 Then Jonathan Peterson personally appeared and made oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true Before me Charles Thompson Justice of the peace
I certify that I have been acquainted with Jonathan Peterson for about twenty years and he has ever sustained a good and Moral character Charles Thompson Justice of the peace

Look to Paterson Dept for Dr. Paterson

I Stoddard Totman of Colerain Franklin County Massachusetts do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the fact that Joseph Harrington was in the Massachusetts State Troops during the summer of 1835 during the term of eight months. I first saw him at Roxbury in the forepart of May of that year. We both belonged to Col. Cattoon's regiment. I was in Capt. Bradburn's company. He was in Capt. Root's company. We both continued at Roxbury till the expiration of the eight months, during which time I very frequently saw him. Sometime during the summer his lieutenant Townsend was accidentally shot.
Stoddard Totman
Franklin County ss. On the first day of September 1832 Mr. Stoddard Totman, with whom I am well acquainted & whom I believe to be a man of undoubted veracity, appeared personally before me & made oath to the above certificate deposition.
Before me Charles Thompson Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss I Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Charles Thompson Esq. before whom the three annexed affidavits purport to have been taken and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace for the said county. And that his name to the same severally sub- scribed appears to me to be his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court at Greenfield on the first day of September A.D. 1832. E. Alvord Clerk

Joseph Purinton aft
Joshua Perkins Dep for Dr. Purinton

I Joshua Perkins of Calais in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that in last of June or for part of July A.D. 1778 I enlisted into the Massachusetts State Service and performed my period of duty, I was at this time in Plympton in the County of Plymouth and marched to Boston and then to Nantasket. I know Joseph Purinton of Middlebury adjoining Plympton enlisted for the same term that I did into the Massachusetts State Service and did duty as a soldier of the revolution. I and the said Joseph Purinton marched together in the same company under the command of Captain Washburn. When I went to Nantasket I left the said Joseph Purinton at Boston and do not know how long said Purinton served; but I have always understood that he served six months at this time and I have no doubt of it. Said Purinton now resides at Calais aforesaid and is present while I give this my deposition. I have long been acquainted with the said Purinton and believe that whatever declaration said Purinton shall make for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of June 7th of June A.D. 1832 will be entitled to full belief and credit.  Joshua Perkins
Franklin ss.
In this first day of September A.D. 1832 Personally appeared Joshua Perkins subscriber of the above deposition and made solemn oath that the facts above stated in said deposition are true according to his best recollection & belief.
Before me
Charles Thompson Justice of the peace
Heby certify that Joshua Perkins is generally known to me and that he is a credible person & entitled to full belief.
Charles Thompson Justice of the peace

204 Lippincott Ave. Riverton, N.J. Feb. 4, 1937
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen ;
Have you any record of the following men who served in the American Revolution? Joseph Purrington, He only served from Conn. The name is often spelled Purington and Purinton. Joshua Hotchkiss who served from Conn. His wife was Mary Punderson.
Very truly ( Mrs.H.H. ) Georgiana G. Murray
Mrs.H.H. Murray Riverton N.J.
Georgiana G. Murray