Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5874, for Moses Kent, Vermont

SERVICE
NUMBER
Ut
Kent, Moses
R. 5-874
CONTENTS

State of Vermont } On this 29. day of July in the year 1834. personally County of Bennington } appeared in open court, before the Hon. the Probate Court for the Probate District of Manchester, in the County of Benning- ton & State of Vermont, now sitting, Mose Kent was a Resident of the Town of Dorset in said County of Bennington, aged seventy eighty and who being 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 was born in the Town of Suffield in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, on the 2 nd day of April 1756. — That he understands that he is now knows of no Record whatever being preserved of his age — That in the month of February 1773. as he now believes, he removed with his Father, family, to the said Town of Dorset, where he has ever since resided.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, & served as herein stated.
That in the month of June 1777. as he now believes, he was called upon & turned out in an alarm at said Dorset, to go to Ticonder- oga, on Lake Champlain, in the company of Vermont militia, then commanded by Capt. Abraham Underhill, Lieut. John Gray Pendley Reynolds, in the Regiment commanded, as he believes by Col. Stephen Peak. — That he marched from said Dorset, to said Ticonderoga & re- mained there until it was surrendered to the British force under the Command of Genl. Burgoyne — That he retreated with the American Army from thence to Battle Town in said State of Vermont, & from thence to said Dorset, to Manchester in said State — From thence he marched to Bennington, where he joined the Regiment commanded by Col. Warner where he was engaged in the Battle of Bennington on the 16 th of August 1777. — Wherein he remained for several days after said Battle — Then returned to said Dorset, where he remained subject to be called out at any time on any occasion, when his services might be needed, & was frequently on guard to watch against the incursions of the enemy & the Tories — That he was not regularly discharged from said service, but con- sidered himself released therefrom after the capture of Genl. Burgoyne in October 1777. — That afterwards in the summer of 1778. as he now believes, he enlisted at said Dorset for the term of two months

in the company of Vermont Militia commanded, by capt. Isaac Clark Lieut. Eben? Allen & as he now thinks, Ensign Smith, & as he believes in the same Regiment commanded by Col. Peabody that he marched from Dorset to Pittsfield in said State of Vermont , where he was stationed at the Fort at that place, then under the command of the said Isaac Clark - that they there made Boats, in which they went down, on Otter Creek to a place then called Neshoba, now as he believes in the Town of Brandon, at which two places he was stationed, until the expiration of his said term of two months' enlistment, when he received his regular verbal discharge at said Pittsfield & returned to his said home in said Dorset
That in the summer or fall of the year 1776. as he now believes, he was called out on a large guard at said Dorset, under the command of Sergt. Beman, to take & guard a number of Prisoners to Litchfield in the State of Connecticut - that he performed that service, and which he was absent, as he now believes, at least 10 or days.
That during the course of the revolutionary War, he was at various times, to the amount, as he now believes, of at least, six or seven times, besides those above detailed, called upon in cases of alarm, & did turn out, at said Dorset, & was in the same company of Vermont Militia commanded as above stated, in the first place by capt. Abraham Underhill, & afterwards by capt. John Gray, & in the Regiment as he now believes, commanded by Col. Peabody that he marched to & was stationed at Castleton & Rutland, in said State of Vermont, as he now believes from two to three weeks each time, & he now fully believes, that the time of his service, on those occasions, was on an average in the whole, at least half a month each time - but in consequence of the lapse of time & the loss & decay of his memory, by reason of old age, he is not now able particularly & precisely to state the particular times & all the particular circumstances, attending those services - And for the reasons above, to wit the loss of his memory, occasioned by the infir- mities & infirmitude produced by old age, he is not now able precisely to state the amount of his whole services during the revolutionary War, but believes that he can confidently state, that he was on duty, in the whole, at least six months - that he had procured therefor forwards the Affidavits of the Rev. Dan Kent of Brandon in the County of Rutland in said State of Vermont, & Martin Kent of said Dorset

to prove his said services - Besides whom, he knows of no other living Witness, by whom he is able to prove the same - neither had he any documentary evidence to support his said statements - But is willing to appeal to any of his respectable neighbors & acquaintances as to their general understanding & belief of his said services, & also as to his good standing in Society for integrity & veracity - That the nearest Clergyman to him, to whom he belongs, is the Rev. William Jackson, who is now in an infirm state of health - but he has promised his certificate to the above purport, which he also has with forward - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to any Pension, except the present, & declares, that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency of any State
Moses Kent Sworn to & subscribed the day before mentioned by the foregoing Myron Clark Judge of the Probate Court
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War De- partment, that the above named Applicant was a Soldier of the Rev- olution & served as he states. Certified by me
Myron Clark Judge of the Probate Court
I Reuben H. Blackmer Register of the Probate Court in & for the Probate District of Manchester in the Coun- ty of Bennington State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of the said Moses Kent for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said Probate Court at Manchester aforesaid, this 29 th day of July A.D. 1834. & of the Independence of the United States the fifty ninth
Reuben H. Blackmer Register

I Martin. Heir of Doret in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont aged 64 years being duly sworn do depon testify & say, that I have been personally ac- quainted with M rs Doret of said Doret from my childhood that during the war of the Revolution he made his home along Father's house in Doret's oyster and my present belief is that he the said M rs Doret of turning out in an alarm when called on which was very frequent I recollect that in the spring or summer of the year 1779 he marched to Ticonderoga I believe under the command of Capt. Abraham Underhill and after the capture of that place by the British forces he retired with the American Army to Manchester 6 miles south of Mt. Father where a part of the Army remained a short time and I recollect that the Doret's was subject to the orders of the officer commanding there until after the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne's Army at Saratoga and was as I have recollect engaged in the Battle of Bennington as I have often heard him and his brothers who were with him at the time relate particular occurrences during that engagement. At one time I think in the year 1778 he the Doret was made the command of Capt. Isaac Clark and was absent from him. I believe 2 months and as I understand stationed upon of the time of Pittsfield in the County of Rutland. I do not hesitate to say that Doret to my present recollection & belief he the Doret performed during the war of the Revolution more than six months Military service
State of Vermont Bennington County
I swear & subscribe this 10 th day of July A.D. 1826 before me Gordon B. Southworth Justice Peace
to the best of my knowledge & belief the above is true

State of Vermont Bennington County ss. I Henry Robinson Clerk of Bennington County Court hereby Certify that Gordon B South- worth Esq whose signature ap- pears to the foregoing, is a Justice of the peace in for the County of Bennington, duly qualified by Law, to act as such, & that his Signature I believe is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of our said County Court, at Bennington the 31 st day of July, A.D. 1834 - & of the Independence of the United States, the 59 th
Henry Robinson
Dorset Vt. July 30
12

I, David Kent of Benson, in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 78 years, do testify, declare & say that I have knowledge, and recollection, that previous to the surrender of the Fort at Bennington in the summer of 1777 to the British Army under the command of Gen. Burgoyne, and I should now think, as early as the latter part of June in the same year, my brother, Moses Kent of Dorset, was called upon, and turned out in an alarm, in the company then commanded, as I now believe, by Capt Abraham Venable, and marched from said Dorset to said Bennington, and was there at the time said Fort was surrendered to the British, that he retreated with the American army and returned to said Dorset and to Manchester - that he continued subject to military duty, and military command until the battle at Bennington on the 16 th of August of the same year 1777, in which he was engaged, - that after the said battle he remained at Bennington for a short time and again returned to Dorset, but my full belief is that he was still liable and subject to be called upon to do military duty, tho' not in actual military service, except on guard to watch against the incursions of the enemy, until after the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne's army at Saratoga in October following. - And I further say that I have knowledge & recollection that in the winter of 1777-8 agreeably to my last present recollection, in the said Moses enlisted for the term of two months in the company then commanded by Capt Isaac Clark to go to Pittsford in this State, that he accordingly went and was stationed at said Pittsford and vicinity, and as I fully believe served through the said term of two months. I have also recollection that in the year 1778 as near as I can now remember, in the said Moses turned out in a sergeant, guard as I now believe to take and guard some Tories to Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, in which service he was probably occupied about 10 or 12 days. I have also recollection that at several times during the Revolutionary War, twice certainly, and I should now think as many as four or five times, the said Moses was called upon and turned out in alarms, and went to Castleton and Rutland on military service, and that he was absent on such service about as much as each half month at each of these times. And I further say that from my personal knowledge I am fully confident that the said Moses Kent performed as much or more than six months actual military duty during the Revolutionary war.
David Kent

State of Vermont } Benson July 3. 1834. personally appeared Rutland County } the Rev. Dan Hunt, who has signed the fore- going and made solemn oath that the facts therein stated are true according to his best knowledge and belief. - And I further certify that he is personally known to me, and that his statements are entitled to full credit and belief. - Attest M. W. Smith Just Peace -
State of Vermont } Rutland County }
I Robert Pease Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that Milo W. Smith is a Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and that I believe his signature above to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 2 nd day of August A.D. 1834, R. Pease

December 4, 1925
Mrs. C. A. Anderson 522 West Wabasha St., Winona, Minn.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 5874 it appears that Moses Kent was born April 2, 1756 in Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut.
He moved to Dorset, Bennington County, Vermont in February 1773 and while living there in the summer of fall of 1776 was called out on a sergeant's guard under Sergeant Barnum to take a number of Tories to Litchfield, Connecticut and served ten days.
He enlisted in June 1777, served as private in Captain Abraham Underhill's Company, Colonel Stephen Pearl's Vermont Regiment and was at the battle of Bennington after which he returned home.
He enlisted in the summer of 1778 and served two months as private in Captain Isaac Clark's Company, Colonel Stephen Pearl's Vermont Regiment.
He also stated that he was out on alarms at various

times in Captain Abraham Underhill's and John Gray's Company, Colonel Stephen Pearl's Vermont Regiment, no dates given.
He applied for pension Juny 29, 1832 while living at Dorset, Vermont, but his claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of six months actual military service as required by the pension laws.
It is not stated whether he was ever married.
Respectfully,
Pro. Daw age 76 in 1834
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
R. 5-874
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Summer or fall 1776 10 days Pvt. on a private guard W.   June 1777 William Underhill Stephen Pearl   William Warner   Summer 1778 1 mo. Isaac Clark Pearl   at various times on alarm Abraham Underhill Pearl   John Gray  
Battles engaged in, Pennsylvania Residence of soldier at enlistment, Dorset Vt Date of application for pension, July 29 1834 Residence at date of application, Dorset, Pennsylvania Co. Pa. Age at date of application, at Fairfield Hartford Co Conn. Nov 2 1756
Remarks: The claim was rejected on the ground of no proof of six months actual service in the field or garrison as required by the Act of June 7, 1832 under which soldier applied.
Very respectfully,
brother Daniel Hays old in 1832
Commissioner.

M.B.H.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Rev S Rej 5874
Bureau of Pensions,
Rev War.
Washington, D. C., March 29/1906
Madam
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Moses Kent , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1776 10 days. Private as a Light Guard Vt.   June 1777 Oct 1777 Private Abraham Underhill Warren Vt.   Summer 1778 12 mos Private Isaac Clark - Vt.   During War 2 3/4 mos Private { Abraham Underhill John Gray { Warren - { Vt. Vt.  
Battles engaged in, Bennington.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Dorset, Bennington Co. Vt.
Date of application for pension, July 29, 1834.
Residence at date of application, Dorset, Vt.
Age at date of application, born Apr 2 1756 at Suffield, Hartford Co. Conn.
Remarks: His claim was rejected on the ground of no proof of service actual service. Soldiers brother Dan Kent, 76 years of age in 1834 testified in the claim.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Minnowa Minn
Oct 25 - 25.
Commissioner of Pensions Wash D. C.
Will you kindly send me the record of one Moses Kent who served all different times in the Rev. war.
He was from Dorset Vermont and is buried there.
And oblige
(Mrs C A) Alice A Anderson.
522 W. Wabasha St.

262 Wash St Winona Minn.
March 22, 1906.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.,
Dear Sir:-
At your earliest convenience, can you inform me, in what volume and on what page, the enclosed record of the service of Moses Kent in

the Revolutionary War, can be found.
Thanking you in advance for an early reply, I am, yours truly, Merle Thomas.
P.S. If there is any additional information regarding Moses Kent, I should be pleased to ob- tain that also. M. Thomas.

Copy
"The records of this office show that one Moses Kent, rank not stated, served in Capt. Isaac Clark's company of Vt. militia raised for the defence of the frontier on the and about Lake Champlain Rev. War. He entered service Mch 2 nd 1778, and was discharged May 2/78. The records also show that one Moses Kent, rank not stated, served in Capt. Abraham Underhill's Co., 15 th (Col. Warren's) regiment of Vt. militia, Rev. War. Gideon Armsty was a capt. in

this regiment. The records further show that one Moses Kent rank not stated, served in Capt. Gray's company of Col. Ira Allen's regiment of Ft. Militia, Rev. War. His name appears on the rolls for the period from Oct. 18 to Nov. 8, 1781, which show that he served 11 days. He also appears to have served one day in the same company in 1782.
"This from Record and Pension Office, War Dept., Washington, D. C."

Apr 29-1902 P.S. Aristie, Concord N.H.
REJECTED
5-874
1906 March 20 History to (Mrs?) Merle Thomas. M.B.H. 1913 May 14 Hist. to Mrs. Bertha B. Johnson. Letter in M.F. 2/5/19 Dan Kent 1925 - Dec. 4 - Hist. to Mrs. C.A. Anderson
P.O.
Moses Kent
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P.O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Sam Luff or
Aug 9 1824
Q

Department of War
Quartermaster's Office
August 9 1864
Sir:
The claim of M c Kent has been taken up, examined and suspended
The claimant will be required to conform to the rules upon the subject of a Specification after service; It does not appear that he ever per- formed for more than 26 days service; his being subject to be called out at any time affords no claim whatever; the whole body of the militia were under the same liability. A peremptory claim where the claim is founded upon conjecture is to the service. The papers are placed upon file
Sam l Puff er Esq. Birmingham

COPY.
Pension Office,
September 13, 1834.
Sir:
From a careful re-examination of the papers of Moses Kent, it is evident that six months actual service in the field or garrison, such as alone comes within the Act of 1832 is not specified. He appears to have been called out temporarily on various alarms, but never belonged to any permanent corps. The phrase "was subject to military duty & military command" while he was at home will not bring him within the law.
Belonging to the militia from the commencement to the close of the war gives no claim to a pension except in such terms as is shown to have been spent in actual service. As this was not six months in this case, the claim is rejected.
The papers remain on file.
Samuel Swift, Esq.
Manchester, Vt.

all of 13-14 Sept 13- 14

Aug 9, 1834 Sept 13, 1834

Mr. Kent
Remains
at 6 PM
Free
The Hon. James A. Edwards,
mission of Russia Washington D.C.
at 6 PM

The Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Hon. Sir; I send you herewith the declaration of Edward Kent, for a Pension - it has been deferred for a long time since he first applied to me, from a very great caution on his part, in stating the particulars of his services, from a fear that after so great a lapse of time, & the decay of his retentive faculties, he might inadvertently refer to some facts differently from what took place as to time & circumstances, & the time longer than he actually served. But after conferring with those friends who had any knowledge of those services, he is now prepared to make his application.
He has been induced to make his application, the same caution & fear, had led him to under estimate the amount he received, as it is evident from his own statement which is corroborated & supported by the testimony of his Brothers who are of unimpeachable character, that he actually served a much longer time, than the total amt. at which he has rated it - but in doing so he has taken into the amt. the time from after Pennington Battle to the capture of Burgoyne, when he was not actually with the army, tho' otherwise engaged in military service, which he was afraid might not be allowed - he was also fearful that he
might have omitted some material facts - The traditionary evidence omitted, on the ground that the Affidavits which he had previously forwarded, sufficiently prove the amt. he was entitled to as stated by him, - he was then fore advised, that it was wholly unnecessary, tho' he might easily have added that confirmation if needed. From any of his neighbours, as must be on affidavit from the voluntary certificate of his respectable clergyman, who if he had been in health, & able to attend before the court, would readily have confirmed the same by his Oath.
Very respectfully I am Hon. Sir; with due consideration S. Swift
Manchester Augt. 26th 1836.

I William Jackson minister of the Gospel, residing in Dorset, Co of Bennington & state of Vermont, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Moses Root, who is now about to apply to the national government for a pension - that he has been a reputable member of the congregational church in this town during my ministry here. I have thirty eight years last past, as pastor of the church - that I believe him to be seventy eight years old - that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where resides. To have been a soldier in the revolutionary war, in which opinion fully concurs. William Jackson.
Dorset.

Sept 6.
FREE
The Hon. James S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Manhattan Aug. 30th 1834.
Hon. James S. Edwards,
Hon. Sir, I have at length pro- duced certified Proof of the names of the legal Repre- sentatives of Isaac Farwell deceased, which I have the honor herewith to enclose — It will soon be likely, — doubtless he collected that evidence that would have been exhibited, that one of the Persons named, Gordon Farwell, was the adopted son of the deceased, & the one who, in his lifetime he intended, should receive his pension, if allowed — Of the proper construction of the law in such cases, I am not the proper Judge. —
It is suggested, I believe, in the letter which I have lately recd. in reply to the Application of Colonel Kent for a Pension, that his several terms of service are not sufficiently specified, & that the amount was left to con- jecture — I was not aware that the amount was definite he stated, if I recollect rightly, that he served at least six months in the whole, named the Company & Regiment, & the places where the service was performed, the average rate at each time by which it may appear, that his six months service was complete, without in- cluding the time he was employed on guard duty at home or in the vicinity — These suggestions are made with due deference to the decision of the Department, & I must pursue, with a full understanding of the statement intended to be made, in the Declaration of the Applicant
Very respectfully I am Hon. Sir, Yours &c
S. Swift