Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,236, for Ezra Putnam, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Putnam, Ezra
NUMBER
S.14236
carded
CONTENTS

18-824
Vermont Cyrus Putnam
Windham Co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Bolster of the Regt commanded by Col Larned in the Mass? mili time for 9 mos. 14 ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 31 Dollars 54 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of October 1833 and sent to J. Converse - Bethel
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1833 $78.83 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1st March 34. 15.79 $94.62
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 84

Ezra Putnam's affidavit

State of Vermont } Personally appeared before me the undersigned. Windsor County } a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Windsor, Exra Putnam 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 time length of time of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served more life than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades.
That on the nineteenth day of April 1775, he, having heard that the British had come out of Boston in considerable numbers, marched immediately to oppose the British, under the command of Capt. Andrew Elliot, Lieut. Isaac Dolester, Ensign, John Hazleton. That they marched from Sutton, Massachusetts where he then lived, and where he had stood as a minute man (so called) for sometime previous to this time. That the Company to which he belonged marched all of the first night after starting from said Sutton and arrived at Roxbury on the second day after they started from said Sutton. That the Lexington Battle was fought on the said 19th day of April, the day on which he started from said Sutton, of which battle he heard the next day after starting from home. That the British retired immediately
to Boston after the Battle at Lexington. That the Company to which he belonged was stationed at said Roxbury, and after staying there from two to three weeks (the precise time he cannot from loss of memory now definitely state) he enlisted into the State Troops of Massachusetts sets for the term of Eight months, as a soldier, under Capt. Isaac Dolester, who was now promoted to the rank of Captain, Lieut. John Hazleton, Ensign, Howland. The Regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Col. Ebenezer Learned, Lieut. Col. Hays, Maj. Jonathan Holman. That he was stationed

during all the time of this enlistment as said Roxbury when he did duty as a soldier all the time except when he was sick. That on the 17th day of June 1775 there was a battle fought at Breed's Hill (called the Bunker Hill battle) but that he was not in said battle as he was at that time confined by sickness. That he was discharged at said Roxbury according to the best of his recollection on the 27th day of November 1775 by a written discharge signed by General Ward but that he has lost said discharge That he was discharged a short time before the expiration of his said Eight months on account of ill health. That the entire term of this service was seven months. That during all this time he served with an embodied Corps called into service by Competent authority, and for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit, nor was he in any battles.
That on the last of November A.D. 1776, at said Sutton he volunteered as a soldier. and marched immediately for Providence, Rhode Island, where he served as a soldier for one month under Capt. Elijah Durbank. but from old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot now tell the names of any other of the Company officers. That the Regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Col. Heath Nathaniel Holman, and that he now thinks there was no other field officers in that Regiment during that time. That he was in no battles during this time, at the end of which time the one half of the Company to which he belonged was dismissed, and the other half of said Company was retained. That he was among the number of those dismissed, that he received no written discharge. That he was in no battles during this month, nor were there any battles in their vicinity during this time.
That in the month of July 1780 there was an alarm sent to Sutton where he still resided and a request for soldiers to turn out immediately, and that he volunteered and marched immedi-

ately to Liverton, Rhode Island: where he served as a soldier for the term of two weeks, when the alarm being over the Company to which he belonged were all dismissed and returned again to Sutton. That the Company officers under which he served, were Capt. Abijah Burbank, and Ensign Asa Goodall, according to the best of his recollection there was no Lieutenant. The field officers under which he served were Col. Jacob Davis, Lieut. Col. Bartamey Woodbury, and Majr. Healy. That he knows that this term of service was two weeks, as he very well recollects that he was mustered Saturday night, was ordered, and according- ly did march from said Sutton on Sunday morning, and returned to said Sutton (after being dismissed as aforesaid) the second succeeding Saturday night, and that he knows it was in July as it was in the midst of the haying season. — That for all the time he served as hereinbefore set forth, he served in an organized Corps called into service by Competent authority, and that for all the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. That he has heretofore made his de- claration which he intends to return to the department with this affidavit. That he knows of no person living who knows that he was in the service except Daniel Dike, whose affidavit he intends to add as a company this paper. —
Ezra Putnam
Sworn to before me this 5th day day of September A.D. 1883.
Jonathan Marsh Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the said Ezra Putnam above named has long been personally known to me, and for many years he has been a deacon of the Congregational Church in this town, and has ever and still does sustain an irreproachable character and is a credible witness.
Jonathan Marsh Justice of the Peace

Patel Nathan's Affidavit
State of Vermont } Windsor County ss. }
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby Certify that Jonathan Marsh is a Justice of the Peace within y s for said County duly Commissioned and qualified, and that his Signatures within written I believe to be genuine —
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said County Court at Woodstock in said County this seventh day of September A.D. 1833 —
Benj Swan Clerk

Ezra Putnam
9.
No 2606-
Ezra Putnam

STATE OF VERMONT, } WINDSOR COUNTY, ss. }
On this Seventh day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Dartford District now sitting, Ezra Putnam a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged Eighty one 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That on the alarm of the British com- ing out of Boston and the Battle of Lexington I im- mediately started from Sutton Massachusetts where I then resided with his arms on his shoulders and arrived at Roxbury Massachusetts soon after the Lexington Battle - While at Roxbury he enlisted for eight months in the State Troops of that State and which was im- mediately after the Lexington Battle and which battle was on the 19th day of April 1775 into the company commanded by Capt Isaac Bolster, Lieut. John Hard- tine, Ensign Howland - That the Field Officers of the Regt. were Col. Larned, Lt Col. Keyes, Maj. Jonathan Holman - That he was stationed during the term of his enlistment at Roxbury - That during the time of his enlistment (viz June 17th 1775) the Battle of Bunker Hill so called was fought - That not long after this battle (he thinks the fore part of July) Genl Washington came there and resumed the command of the army having previously been appointed Commander in chief - That he received his discharge at Roxbury the last of November or forepart of December 1775 which was a few days before the expiration of the eight months on account of being sick and unable to do duty - I received a written discharge but have lost it - That in the latter part of November 1776 he volunteered to go to Providence Rhode Island to guard the Coast - marched immediately to Provi- dence - That the names of the Company Officers under whom he served was Capt Burbank, the names of the others not recollected - That he served under Col Holman who was the only field officer he recollects -

That he was stationed while out this time at Providence That he was in no battle and was discharged in about one month - That in July 1780 he again volunteered and marched to Liverton so called near Newport Rhode Island on an alarm under the same Capt Burbank - The Colonels name was Jacob Davis - and he served this time about two weeks and was then discharged - That he was born in Sutton in the State of Massachusetts November 2 d 1751 - and have lived in Vermont forty five years past. -
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. }
Ezra Putnam
L. Marsh, Register
We, Washington Granger a Clergyman residing in Bethel and Miss Mary residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Ezra Putnam who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one 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, }
Washington Granger Miss Mary
L. Marsh, Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the mat- ter, 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 Washington Granger who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Bethel Vermont and that Miss Mary who has also signed the same, is a resident in Bethel aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Lyndon Marsh Register of the Court of Probate of the Dis- trict of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ezra Putnam for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of August A. D. 1832
L. Marsh, Register

W.S.
October 7, 1925
Mrs. Minnie M. Northrop 217 North Cullen St. Rensselaer, Ind.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14236, it appears that EZRA PUTNAM was born November 2, 1751, in Sutton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On April 19, 1775, he left Sutton, where he then resided, and marched under Captain Andrew Elliot to Roxbury, Massachusetts. After remaining there two or three weeks he enlisted as private in Captain Isaac Bolster's Company, Colonel Ebenezer Learned's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged November 27, 1775. He enlisted late in November, 1776, in Captain Abijah Burbank's Company, Colonel Jonathan Holman's Massachusetts Regiment, and served about one month. He enlisted in July, 1780, in Captain Abijah Burbank's Company, Colonel Jacob Davis' Massachusetts Regiment, and served two weeks.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Bethel, Windsor County, Vermont.
There is no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

Putnam, Ezra Mass. 514236
Span

Pittsfield Vt. Sept. 13, 1833
Dear P. P. Edwards
I enclose the application of several individuals of the town for pensions in accordance to your directions. I hope you will find them satisfactory and forward them their certificates. There can be no doubt of the merit of the claims altho' most of them can make no proof but their own oaths of their services as their associates in arms are all dead or live at a remote distance. In behalf of the old gentlemen whose applications I enclose forward you I request you to examine the papers and let me know the result as soon as consistent. If the papers are defective please mark the defects and return them and greatly oblige the old
Veterans of 76 to gether with yours
Yours Sincerely
Oliver Converse
P.S. The application of Stephen Cleveland Esq. of this town has long been before the Department but the decision in his case has never been made known. The papers were not found but the old pay roll alleged in his declaration was said to be lost. I hope you will hear of it and act as early as possible. I think it is a just case. Will you inform me of the decision in his case.
Yours &c.
O. Converse

pt uto
Sept 21
Rev. J. V. Thomas
Commissioner of Passengers Wharf City
Putnam, Ezra Mass S14236

Feb. 4, 1905 Stat. to Mrs. M. J. Knott Antigo, Miss.
1925 Oct. 9. Heubner Mrs. Minnie M. Woethrup
1926 Jan. 15 - Military record to Paul J. Wilson - See letter in Iowa Hindus W. 19780207
Revman
14236 INVALID.
File No. 14236 Putnam Eliza Putnam Miss Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 304
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Daniel Slike Affidavit

I Daniel Dike of Bridgewater in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont of lawful age do testify and say that I was knowing of Ezra Putnam who lived in Sutton in the county of Worcester in the state of Massachusetts now living in South in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont that the said Putnam went into the Revolutionary Service in the year 1775 that he went to Roxbury and that he was gone from Sutton about eight months. Daniel Dike
State of Vermont } Attest August 10th 1832 Personally appeared Daniel Dike Windsor County ss } My signs above Affidavit and made the solemn oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth Before me — Jonathan Marsh Justice Peace
I hereby certify that the above subscribed Daniel Dike is a person of credibility Jonathan Marsh Justice Peace
State of Vermont } Woodstock County Clerk's Office 14th August 1832. I Benjamin Windsor County ss } Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court. So hereby certify that Jonathan Marsh is one of the Justices of the Peace within your said County, and that the above are his Signatures — In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name the day & year last above —
Benj. Swan

Claim of Ezra Pitman
Bethel Vt
Claimant
Admit
Jan 14 th 30.54
31.54 63.08
15.77
78.85
Converse Esq
Bethel

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 8 th
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, showing the Service of
   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.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Ezra Putnam
Bethel gt

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , 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 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 [i] 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.

O. March 4/18824
R
Antigo, Wis., Jan. 20, 1905. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.:
Will you kindly send me whatever record you may have of Ezra Putnam who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He formerly lived at Sutton, Mass., but later moved to Bethel Windsor Co., Vt. and while living at the latter place was granted a pension I believe. I wish to obtain the time of service if possible. Thanking you in advance for your favor,
Respectfully yours, Mrs. W. J. Knott, 811 Clermont St., Antigo, Wis.

Revolutionary Records Division Pension Office Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
Mrs. Minnie M. Northrop 217 North Cullen St. Rensselaer, Indiana has requested me to secure for her the a copy of the

Pension record of her ancestor —
Ezra Putnam
b Nov. 2-1757 at Sutton, Mass, and d. July 1-1841 at Bethel - Vermont.
married Rebecca Dike or Dyke of Sutton. Names of their

children were Daniel, Charlotte, Lucinda, Ezra, Willard and Simeon
Kindly send a copy of his pension record to Mrs. Northrop
217 N. Cullen St Rensselaer, Indiana
and accept my thanks
Very truly —
Selia D Enright 1767 P. St. N.W. C.

From the papers in the pension claim, S. 14236, it appears that Ezra Putnam was born November 2, 1751 at Sutton, Massachusetts.
He was a Minute Man in 1775 and at the alarm at the battle of Lexington, marched in Captain Andrew Elliot's Company to Roxbury, Massachusetts. After remaining there two or three weeks, he enlisted and served as a private in Captain Isaac Bolster's Company, Colonel Ebenezer Learned's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged November 27, 1775.
He enlisted in November 1776 and served one month as private in Captain Abijah Burbank's Company, Colo- nel Jonathan Holman's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in July 1780 and served two weeks in Captain Abijah Burbank's Company, Colonel Jacob Davis' Massachusetts Regiment.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
Field out record only to Paul F Wilson, American Legion camp. Bellel-Vt Old Mrs Wilson