Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11269, for Sylvanus Pratt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. P.J.
Pratt, Sylvanus
S 11269
carded
CONTENTS

In Tra. Cir. 2: Oct 34
Transf? to Massachusetts from 4: Sept. 1833 - Oct 10: 1834
Tr. Cir. Dec. 17. 1835.
Transferred to Albany from 4 Sept. 1835 - Dec. 28. 1835 & Not sent to Hon. W. Taylor, H.R.
Letter to Sylvanus Combs. 24 April 1843
Let Genl. Lawrence, c Apr 21/52 at the rate of - $3 - Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
3rd and Apr 7/52
Providence by J.S.
Rev. Mass. State Dept. 21391
Rhode Island
+ Albany
Sylvanus Pratt
of Barnstable in the State of Rhode Island who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain James of the Regt commanded by Col. Elliott in the * R. Island line for Moss  Bravo of Infantry 2nd Bravo of Artillery
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of - $3 - Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Sept 1833 and sent to me by Bangs Under  Secy
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $183.33 Semi-annual allowances ending 4 March 34. 36.67
$220.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by McClellan Clerk, Book E Vol. 30 Page 124
E 2 -
Mass. R.F. Apr. 4/35. Record Comp.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, County of Providence ss
On this 27 th day of July A D 1832 personally was present before me William Aplin one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County being a Court of Record
Sylvanus Pratt a resident of Providence in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island aged 71 years who from bodily infirmity is unable to appear in open Court 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 th , 1832, viz —
That he was born February 23 rd 1761 at Middlebury in Massachusetts which is on record in that town & he lived in Tolharn when he entered the service & since the war has lived in the States of Carolina, Virginia & New York and the applicant further states that he enlisted as a private at Providence in the Spring of 1778 for 12 months in Capt Adams Company & Col Elliotts Regiment of Rhode Island artillery and was stationed at Howlands Ferry & Tiverton and was in the Battle on Rhode Island in August 1778 — and served his time out —
and the applicant further states that he again enlisted as a private in the winter of 1781 for 7 months to go to West Point in Capt Williams Company & Col Lee's Regiment of Continental Troops raised in Massachusetts and during that enlistment went from West Point to Anboy & Brandywine —
all of which he served out and was honorably discharged. He has no documentary evidence nor does he know of any person now living who can testify to his services.
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
before me W. Aplin J. C. Pleas
Sylvanus Pratt

We Charles Williams and Samuel G Arnold residing in Providence hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Sylvanus Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 71 years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me W. Aplin Jr. J.P.
Charles Williams Sam G Arnold
And I the said judge do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that it appears to me that Charles Williams & Samuel G Arnold who have signed the preceding statement are residents of said Providence and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit — and I further certify that the said Sylvanus cannot (from bodily infirmity as aforesaid) attend Court —
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand the 29 th day of July A.D. 1882
W. Aplin Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said county

State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
PROVIDENCE, SC.
I WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the county of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, do hereby certify, that William  Splinn is a Judge of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid, which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the annexed document purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said Splinn ; and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Splinn
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Providence this 14th day of November in the year of our Lord 1832 -
Wm R Watson

12 1/2
12 1/2
Mr. J. L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions Albany

Whitestown April 9th 1843
Mr. J. L. Edwards Com. of pensions. Sir as to the pension of Sylvanus Pratt who was a Revolutionary pensioner and drew ninety six dollars a year I have not heard from him I think in six years the old man was quite helpless as to walking he had lost the use of his legs and was quite old but I do not know his age he left my house in the Month of May 1836 and said he was a going to Otsego Co. as he was of a rather roving man I have not heard from him since that time and his widow lives with my Mother and is very needy and if the old man is not living the old lady stands in need of the pension she is very needy and is the widow of Sylvanus Pratt
Those old People are My grand Parents This old man lived with me about one year and I assisted him in getting his pension removed from Providence to Onondaga Co and there lived with me about one year and left for Otsego Co and I have not heard from him since he left My House Please write Me and direct to Whitesboro Oneida Co
As Respects yours. Sylvanus. Comd to J. L. Edwards. Com

Reorg
11269 INVALID.
File No. 11269
Sylvanus Pratt Pris New War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 203
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sylvanus Pratt or his widow suspended papers
Domineering of Spenser City of Washington D.C.
W.W.

To what time has Sylvanus Poate + , who was a pensioner at the Albany, New York, Recd under the act of June 7, 1832, at the rate of $73:33 per annum been paid? Paid to 4 th March 1838? (P. B.) N. G. V.
Pension Office April 21, 1852.

Sylvanus Pratt N.Y. Albany Oct 7 June when last 20 June '39 S.M.C.
p o to 4 March 1838
2/4

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County S.S.
Be it known that on the twenty second day of September 1834, before me Isaac Stevens Esquire a Justice of the Peace within & for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Sylvanus Pratt of Middleborough in the County & State aforesaid & made oath in due form of law, that he is the identical person named in an original Pension Certificate in his Pension, of which (I certify) the following to be a true copy -
"War Department - Revolutionary Claim.
" I Certify, that in conformity with the Law of the " United States of the 7th June 1832, Sylvanus Pratt " of the State of Rhode Island, who was a Private " in the Army of the Revolution, is entitled to receive " seventy three Dollars & Thirty Three Cents per Annum " during his natural life, commencing on the 4 th of " March 1831 & payable semiannually on the 4 th of March " & 4 th of September in every year -
" Given at the War office of the United States this fourteenth " day of September one thousand eight hundred & thirty " three - Lewis Cass Secretary of War -"
L.S. Examined & Countersigned J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions"
The said Certificate is numbered 21.391 - and appears

by a certificate on the back thereof to be recorded in the Pension office in Book E Vol 2 page 1244
and that the same is payable at Providence in the State of Rhode Island - and the said Pratt further on oath declares that at the time the said Certificate was granted him he resided in Providence in the State of Rhode Island, and that he received the amount due thereon at said Providence up to the the 4 th of September 1833. That afterwards to wit in the month of November 1833 he removed from said Providence to the Town of Middleborough, Plymouth County in the State of Massachusetts & has ever since resided in said Middleborough & intends living there in future - that he applied by Attorney to the agent for paying Pensions in the State of Rhode Island for the semiannual payment due him on the 4 th of March 1834, but was refused it on account of his then living in the State of Massachusetts; and he further on oath declares that he is desirous of having the place of payment transferred from said Providence to Boston in the State of Massachusetts - Subscribed and sworn to the day & year first above written.
Anthony Pratt
Before me Isaac Stevens Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss.
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Sylvanus Pratt who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit, that he has a Pension Certificate now in his possession which is truly copied into his affidavit, that he is the identical person named therein, that he now resides in Middleborough & has resided there for about ten months last past - that I assisted him in making an attempt to draw his Pension by attorney at Providence in March last & that it did not succeed on account of his not living in the State of Rhode Island at that time - Sept. 22, 1834 -
Isaac Stevens Justice of the Peace
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord, Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth, do hereby certify that Isaac Stevens Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his true & genuine sign- atures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1834
Jacob H. Lord

ap 15 '43
no way
James L. Edmunds Esq. Comm'r Pensions War Dept Washington City.

Albany Pension Agency April 11. 1843.
James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions, Sir,
The enclosed letter was opened at this Office, without observing that it was addressed to you - It may be proper to mention that Sylvanus Pratt a Pensioner under the act of June 7. 1832 at $73. 33 was last paid to 4 March 1840, - as appears by our Books.
Very Respectfully Your obed Servt.
Thos M c Clusky Pro Tem Agt

Dec 26 Sylvanus Pratt Memphis
James L. Edwards Esq. Com. d Pension Washington (D.C.)

Commonwealth Bank Boston Dec. 22, 1835.
Sir,
Your letter of 17 th inst. is received.
Sylvanus Pratt a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of 7. June 1832 at $73.33 1/4 has been paid up to 4. Sept. 1835.
I am Sir, Very respectfully Your Mo. obt. Servt.
John D. Sleeper President
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm. Aens.

Sir
Arcade Bank
Providence Oct r 6 th 1834
Your favour of the 2 nd inst o is received Sylvanus Pratt, a Pensioner under the Act of June 7. 1834 at the rate of $73 \frac{33}{100} per. Annum was last paid to the 4 th day of September 1833.
I am very respectfully Your Ob t Servt
H. A. Grinnell President P. A. K. Snow Cashier
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

St. 0 Oct. 1-34
Guadalupe, Tex Sept 27
Free
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.
Applied for Transcript
Front
25.391
Sylvester Pratt
Black & White

Middleborough Mass, Sept 27. 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir, I enclose an application of Sylvanus Pratt for a change of Pension Agency - will thank you to advise me what disposition you make of it - I oblige you very truly Isaac Stevens

FREE PAID
Hon James L Edwards Washington

Watchemoquet Farm (near Providence) Sept 12 th 1833
Hon James L Edwards
Sir
21240 11 July I am requested by some of my very good friends to recommend to your attention two men. One is that of Sylva- nus Pratt now residing in Providence. He served in the R Island State Troops. He is very poor & has the reputation of an honest man The other is Cyril Shumway. He served in the Massachusetts line & has as I understand sent an additional testimony of his service
I am Sir
with high respect
your Obt Servt
William Burges

21240
Sylvanus Pratt R.I.
58. 00 29 33 83 75
146 66 36.67
183 33
OP Private of Inf Army of Potomac
Private of Artillery 13 months
Alma Mater
D. Cowell
Providence
R.I.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Sylvania Pratt 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? yes 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? The Judge has 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?
Certified by two Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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? yes
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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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, 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 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.
A copy of the Rolls alluded to in your Cer- tificate is respectfully requested -
Application should be made to R. D. King Esq - Secy of the State of Mass for evidence of the claimants service in Col Lee's Regt

Rhode Island Districte.
- Clerk's office U S District Court In Providence Nov 37 1832
I certify that a Book containing the names of the officers & soldiers of the Regiment of Artillery commanded by Col Robert Elliott - during the Revolutionary war, which regiment belonged to & was raised by the State of Rhode Island, has been deposited in this office, & I further certify that the name of Sylvanus Pratt is enrolled among the names contained in said Book as a private in said Regiment - The book does not contain the length of service which each individual served but only the wages due at the time of the discharge. and it appears that there was due said Pratt at the time of his discharge the sum of 18 11 10 -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the day & year above mentioned Benja Carroll CLK

Providence August 21. 1833
Sir
In behalf of Mr Pratt, I wrote to the Surg of the State of Massachusetts (E D Bangs Esq) to ascertain if the name of "Sylvanus Pratt" was on the military rolls in his office - agreeably to your request. Since which, I have recd a letter informing me his name cannot be found. The applicant is now confined to his bed with sickness and is wholly unable to make any exertions to obtain further evidence indeed he is so sick as a neighbor has informed me to day as to be unable raise himself up in bed - I have therefore to request in his behalf if you allow a pension for 19 months. The whole time he states he served. to allow him a pension for 12 months, being the time he served in Col. Elliott's Regiment of Artillery -
Agreeably to your particular request I transmitted a certified copy of the Roll of this regiment to you

you a few days ago - which I hope was received, - on this Roll you will find his name, & from the disposition of Mrs Wilkinson he must have served over a year - Please to allow him a pension for this, and as you informed me , not long since, you would examine a claim out of course when there was sufficient reason for it - I do assure you there is such a reason in this case. He is sick poor & entirely helpless & it is merely the hope of this pension that saves him from suffering every kind of privation - I do not wish to exaggerate, but such the fact as I have had it from undoubted authority this day. From his situation it is evident he cannot wait it long - I am respectfully &c.
Mary Cowle
to Mr Edwards Esq

Syracuse N.Y. Feb 28/52
Hon. Comr. of Pension City of Washington
Dr. Sir
Sylvanus Pratt who was placed on the Pension List as a Revolutionary Soldier in the State of Rhode Island & who was pensioned while a resident of that State removed to the town of Elbridge Onondaga County in this State & I applied at your office & got his plan of payment transferred from Rhode Island to N.Y. & he removed from Onondaga County to Otsego County & died there the 13 th of September 1838 in this state - he left a widow who was married to him in about the year 1781 - his widow died in the year 1845
In 1843 papers were made for obtaining a Pension for the widow of Mr. Pratt (whose Christian name was Lydia) & the papers were made by Mr. Prase who then lived in Utica in this state
Mr. Prase is dead & nothing is now known what was done in the matter
The old Lady had but one child living at the time the papers were made by Mr. Prase & she was the daughter of her & her late husband Sylvanus Pratt & her name was Sarah Combs (having married Samuel Combs) - Sarah Combs died Dec 29. 1843 & her husband Samuel Combs died in January 1845 having 8 children

now the heirs desire information in relation to their claims
1 st what was the annual payment granted to Sylvanus Pratt 2 o to what date was he paid 3 o did Mr. Pease forward the papers for a pension for the widow 4 th has the Pension Certificate been forwarded to the Pension office & if so by whom 5 th are the Grandchildren of the old Lady entitled to the Pension she would have been entitled to if the proper proof is sent 6 th can the heirs obtain the arrears of pension due Sylvanus Pratt up to the time of his death unless all unite in the application? or will the proportion be paid to those applying & furnishing the proper proof? & must all unite in application for a pension - your attention to this will make oblige the heirs & give them an opportunity to proceed understandingly in their application
Please direct your answer to me at this place as soon as your convenience will permit. Yours Obedient Servt
Brook Lawrence
7 th P.S. I sent the application of William Smith a soldier in the late war for Bounty lands more than one year ago & got no returns - please let me know if it has been acted upon Brook Lawrence

In the matter of Sylvanus Pratt applying to change the place for drawing his pension from Boston to Nussent State. —
Sylvanus Pratt Maps etc for transfer
10860
Hon. Wm Taylor H.R.
from Mass to N.Y. for 4 Sept. 1835 not to Hon. W. Taylor, H.R.

State of New York
Onondaga County ss.
on this 20 day of November 1835 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for the said County of Onondaga personally appeared Sylvanus Pratt who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Comp- -any commanded by Captain Ebenezer D. Adams in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Robert Elliott in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Rhode Island from whence he removed to the State of Massachusetts in the year 1833 from whence he had lately removed; that he now resides in the State of New York where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable in future. — The following are his reasons for removing from the State of Massachusetts to the State of New York are that he wished to reside with his Grandson Sylvanus Combs & his daughter Sarah Combs who resides with her son the said Sylvanus Combs & is the only child this deponent has now living & they reside in the town of Elbridge County of Onondaga & State of New York & further saith not  Sworn & subscribed to before me this day & year aforesaid  The word "Elbridge" written on an erasure before signing. —
John Lakin Justice of the Peace Sylvanus Pratt

State of New York Onondaga County } Sarah Combs of the town of Elbridge county & state aforesaid being duly sworn deposes & saith that she is the daughter of Sylvanus Pratt who has taken the above oath & knows that he is the identical person described in the aforesaid affidavit & further saith not
The word "Elbridge" written on an erasure before signing. — Sworn and Subscribed } to before me this 20 day } J. A. B. B. 80 M 66 of November 1835. John Lakin Justice of the Peace
State of New York Onondaga County } I certify that Sarah Combs of the town of Elbridge in said county who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit is a person of veracity In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20 day of November 1835 John Lakin Justice of the Peace
State of New York Onondaga County } I Alanson Edwards Clerk of said County do certify that John Lakin before whom the foregoing affidavits of Sylvanus Pratt & Sarah Combs were taken & who has made the foregoing certificate is & was at the time of taking said affidavit & the date of said Certificate a justice of the peace in & for said County duly commissioned & sworn as such. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of the said County this 20 day of November 1835. — Alanson Edwards Clerk

That I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said John Lakin & the signature subscribed to said affidavits by said justice & to said Certificate are his proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said County this 26 th day of November 1835 part of the 9 th & all of the 10 th 11 th & 12 th lines in this certificate read before signing. —
J. Edwards Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Pratt, Sylvester GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4874 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Jan. 26, 1790
To John May
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.