Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14905, Jesse Wright, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Wright, Jesse
S. 14905-
CONTENTS
carded

New York 20398.
Lettr J. B. Meloon 16 Sep 1851
Depe Wright of Otsego in the State of N. Y. who was a priv: in the Company commanded by Captain Black of the Regt commanded by Col Hale in the State Troops line for
9 months.
* Mass Service W.H. Sept 24 1908.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30. Dollars 00 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4. day of Sept. 1833. and sent to L. Crippen, Worcester - Otsego N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1835. 75. 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 15. 00
$ 90. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by P. Francioni Clerk. Book E. Vol. 4. Page 39.

State of New York County of Otsego
On this sixteenth the day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Otsego now sitting. Depr Wright a resident of the Town of Milford in the County of Otsego said State of New York aged Seventy two 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 here in stated.
The said Depr Wright declarand states that he resided in the Town of Chester in the County of Hampshire, Massachusetts in the year 1777, and about the first of May of that year he was drafted as a Militiaman in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt James Black of said Town of Chester and in which Company a man by the name of Winchel was Lieutenant, who resides in Westfield in said County. That he marched from Chester aforesaid under said Officers in the month of May 1777 to Albany in the State of New York, from Albany to Lake George, and to Ticonderoga, and from thence crossed Lake and went to Mount Independence, and was there stationed with said Company. Capt Black's Company joined a Regiment at Fort Independence commanded by Lieut Col Hale, also Adjut White of Hampshire County belonged to the same Regiment. And he the said Depr Wright remained at Fort Independence in said Company and Regiment in Actual Service as a Private Soldier for the period of two Months, and was then dismissed by his Officers and returned home to his residence in the Town of Chester aforesaid.
And the said Depr Wright further declares that some time the forepart of August in the year 1779 he volunteered in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt Childs of the Town of Blandford Hampshire County Massachusetts, and marched in said Company to New London for the purpose of guarding that place, and continued in the service at that place in Capt Childs Company for the period of one month and was then dismissed and returned again to Chester his place of residence.
And the said Depr Wright further declares that some time in June 1780 he enlisted into the Continental Service at Springfield Massachusetts and marched from that place under Capt Noble to West Point in the State of New York, at which place he was attached to a Company commanded by Capt Woodbridge and Lieut Miller in the third Regiment of Massachusetts Continental Troops. That he enlisted for the period of six months, and remained in the service of said Company and Regiment until the full expiration of his six months enlistment, and was then honorably discharged in writing signed by some officer of the Regiment, but who it was he cannot now recollect and his said discharge has been lost for

a great number of years - The Regiment above mentioned was Commanded by Col. Smith - and during the said six months service marched from West Point down the Hudson River and went into the State of New Jersey, and back again to West Point at which place he was discharged on the eleventh day of January 1781 and returned home to Chester his place of residence -
Also he further declares that he was not engaged in any Battle while he was in the service as above stated - and that his place of residence at each time he was called into the service, and during the whole period of the Revolution was in the Town of Chester in the County of Hampshire Massachusetts - That he was born in the year 1760 in the Town of Spencer in Worcester County Massachusetts - and has in his possession a Record of his age in his own family Bible which he copied from the Record which his father kept of the ages of his family - That after the revolution he continued to reside in the Town of Chester above mentioned until the year 1798 according to his present recollection, when he removed from that place to the Town of Worcester in the County of Otsego and State of New York, and ever since has resided in that part of the Town of Worcester, which in the division of the said Town was called Westford and where he now resides - That he did not ever receive any written discharge from his service in the Militia as above stated - and that he has no documentary evidence to prove said service and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to the services above stated - And the said Jesse Wright further states that he is known to Deacon Jonas Babcock John Mansring Charles Mason Newcomb Wood Edward Wright & Mason Mansring residing in his present neighbourhood and who can testify to his character for truth and veracity and to their belief of his services as a soldier in the Revolution - Also that there is not at this time any Clergyman residing in his neighbourhood or vicinity, wherefore he is not able to procure the Certificate of a Clergyman as recommended in the instructions from the War Department - 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 & subscribed, the 11th day of January aforesaid
Thomas Lathrop Clerk.
Jesse Wright

In the Matter of Leper Wright a Revolutionary Soldier —

My We Edward Wright and Mason Manning both residing in the Town of Westford in the County of Otsego and State of New York Certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Wright who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; That we believe him to be seventy two 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 - And that he is a man who sustains a fair Character for truth and veracity -
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Horace Lathrop, Clerk
Edward Wright Mason Manning
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 Edward Wright and Mason Manning both residents in the Town of Westford in the County of Otsego and in the neighborhood of the said applicant are credible persons and their statements are entitled to credit -
J. O. Mason } Judges Seth Chase } S. Page - }
State of New York, } Otsego County } I, Horace Lathrop, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Elisha Wright, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of Office this 18 th day of October, 1832.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk.

N o 16066
Depe Wright N.Y.
i.
I expect an immediate decision on this case S. Grifin
Admitted
Private quarters
Schuyler Grifin agent
Worcester Otsego co
New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jesse Wright of Otsego County New York
   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.     Drafted 1777 2 Private Capt James Black Lieut Michael Lieut Colo Hale To Albany Lake George Saratoga Mount Independence Hampshire County, Massachusetts aged 42 Revolutionary & Accidental   Vol. 1779 1 Capt Childs To New London   Enlisted 1780 6 Capt Webb Woodbridge Lieut Miller Colo Smith To West Point Down the Hudson to New Jersey - returned to West Point  
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 }
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 do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , 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.
Completed with
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.

Lesse Wright Rev Pensioner State N York mtn act 1852
see papers
Dec 14-1852
Prof Keely

Know all men by these presents that I Lucinda Tuttle of the County of Genesee & State of New York & one of the children & legal Representatives of Jesse Wright a Revolutionary Soldier & Elizabeth his wife, who is now deceased, do hereby irrevocably cons- titute & appoint John T. Keech Esq of Washington D.C. my true & lawful attorney, for me & in my name to examine into & prosecute any claims that may be due or found to be due the children & legal Repres- sentatives of the said Jesse Wright in virtue of said Jesse Wright's service in the Revolutionary war & the several acts of Congress relative thereto & that might have accrued to either of the said parties & not drawn during their life time & now due to their legal Representatives. I hereby confirm whatsoever my said attorney may do or cause to be legally done in the prosecution of said claims
Witness
Alabama Gen. Co N.Y. July 23 rd 1852.
J. B. Wilcox Levi Tuttle
Lucinda Tuttle

In the matter of Asse Might
18088
L. Griffin
On Rolls 6 mo in 1780

I Charles Mason being duly sworn testify that Jesse Wright of the town of Westford and county of Otsego hath repeatedly told me that he had served as a military soldier in the revolution- ary war in the united states of America for the term of nine months and that without expecting a pension from the union, and long before the enactment of pension laws
Sworn and subscribed before me This 15 th day of Oct 1892:
John Mason J. P.

Oct 1832.
Isaac Wright, July 30 for annuity. Albany N.Y. roll, (Olsey (C.) To what time last paid?
Person Office Col.
I do not appear from our Roll, that Mr. Wright has received any payment on the New York Roll. May I beg you perhaps he is in some other Agency B.B.

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Sarah Beekman O. 43 H.W. 7579

14905 INVALID.
Rev. Wm
Rev.
File No. 14.905
Jesse Wright. Brn. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1932
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 417
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Genesee Co. N.Y. Alabama Nov. 21. 1850
To the Commission of Pensions
Dear Sir
In Chap. XXXV. of the Pension Laws I find the following -
"In case of the death of any Pensioner, whether male or female, leaving children, the amount of Pension may be paid to any one or each of them, as they may prefer, without the inter- vention of an administrator."
Jesse Wright, a pensioner, died at Westford in this State on the 28 th day of Aug. 1833, leaving several children but no Widow. One of those children lives in this place and is desirous to know what amount she is intitled to, and how she can obtain it. Her father had drawn no part of his pension at the time of his death. She does not know the amount that was due to her father when he died, not knowing under what law he was entered on the pension roll, or at what time. She supposes, however, that the facts referred to are on file in your office, and knows no better way than respectfully to solicit information from the Commissioner of Pensions. She wishes to know what course it is necessary to pursue, and whether she can draw her share independently of the other heirs, who are in three different States.
Very Sincerely Yours &c J. B. Wilcox for Lucinda Tuttle

P.S. I have sent to your office applications from the following persons viz - Wm Stoddard, Wm Johnson, Jesse Pettibone, Asahel Smith, Charles Mitchell, Daniel Davis Elijah Rose Jr. The first of which was sent in the month of Aug. last - I have as yet recd no communication from your office - I am anxious to know whether the papers were in order before I send others - Yours & J. B. Wilcox -