Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8534, for Edward Putnam, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Putnam Edward
R 8534
CONTENTS

State of Vermont } County of Windham } ss
On this twenty ninth day of August A one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the Probate Court within and for the District of Westminster in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, now sitting Edward Putnam a resident of Grafton in said Central County and State aged seventy seven 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 th 1832
That he entered the militia service of the the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated
He was drafted, or in other words he believes his father was drafted and he went and served as a substitute for his father for the term of five months under Col. Holman and Capt Benjamin Gates - in the State troops does not recollect any other of his officers That he entered said service sometime in June or July of 1776 as he believes, the Deponent and others marched to Newhaven, sailed thence in a sloop to New York, after remaining a short time at New York they were ordered on towards the White Plains, when the battle was fought in which Deponent was engaged recollects distinctly being placed behind  in front a rail fence two deep on the left wing, the enemy came over in a skulk and gave fire upon them, they at first gave way but came on again, and drove us, we retreated through the woods, out of their way - It was said the enemy kept scent the number of them slain - Deponent concluded the full term of enlistment in that vicinity and was discharged no written discharge being given

Deponent entered in the aforesaid term of service at Winchendon Mass in the Mass state Troops as he believes
Deponent again entered the service of the U.S. in the Mass militia, But he does not now recollect any of his officers. He entered by enlistment - as he believes at said Winchendon Mass for the term of six months, marched to and was stationed at Albany N.Y. The Deponent with others were sent out to chop wood up near Half Moon, after being there a short time the soldiers began to have the smallpox, and were many of them carried away, Deponent was sick, broke out and was said to have the smallpox but he refused to go to the Hospital, and the sergeant who commanded, excused him after becoming better, he worked some more but at length, returned to Albany, where he concluded the full term of his enlistment and believes that he served one month over making seven months but does not swear positively as to the one month over He was dismissed at said Albany does not recollect having a written discharge
Deponent again entered the U.S. service in the Mass militia sometime in the summer of 1875 in the place of his brother Aaron, eight months man, named Aaron at Cambridge Mass said Aaron being sick He went from Winchendon Deponent he believes served two months, but swears positively only of one months service at this term from which he was dismissed at said Cambridge, does not recollect no written discharge being given He is not certain but he served 3 or 4 months in this term 1. Deponent has no documentary evidence

He knows of no other direct evidence he can procure of his services other than what he has produced. Nor does he recollect any other officers or troops which he served with but such as he has mentioned. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the present roll of the agency of any state (He was a volunteer) That he was born at Middleton Mass August 20 1755. He believes his father kept a family record but does not know what has become of it - That he was living at Winchendon Mass each time when called into the service - That he has lived at Winchendon Mass - Roxbury Mass & Grafton VA his present residence since the Revolution. He mentions Asker Putnam David Shedd Alexander Smith persons in his neighbourhood who he believes will testify of his truth and veracity and their belief of his services in the Revolution. That there is no clergyman now settled in Grafton whom he can procure to certify. Edward Putnam. Subscribed and sworn to on the and year aforesaid Peter M Lapp Judge.
Personally appeared in open court Asker Putnam a credible person who being duly sworn deponeth and saith, that he is of the age of thirty three and is a nephew of the said Edward Putnam. That twenty years ago, and often since, he has often heard the above declarant mention most of the incidents contained in the above declaration (having been personally well acquainted with him from childhood) Has heard him mention in particular 20 years ago and often since his being in the battle at White Plains, & being placed near a fence and firing at the enemy (Berdan on next page)

as they came over a wall - His being in the U.S. service at Albany N.Y. and being sick then and serving as a substitute in Cambridge Mass for his brother and several other incidents not mentioned in the above declaration and further that the said Edward Putnam is a man of truth and veracity - a reputed member of the Congregational church in said Grafton standing and he believes that his affidavit on the subject of his Revolutionary services may be insufficiently acted on - and that no one who knows him doubts his services.  Edward Putnam Sworn and subscribed to the same day and year aforesaid  Peter M. Taft - Judge
9623  We the subscribers Benjamin Dwinell Justice Peace John Barrett Hymen Barge S. Spring hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Edward Putnam the declarant and have been for more than twenty years - that he is a reputed member of the Congregational church in said town, that he is a man of truth and veracity and they believe that his affidavit on the subject of his Revolutionary services may be insufficiently relied on in his neighborhood and that he is reputed to have been a Rev. soldier.  Sworn and subscribed to Benjamin Dwinell Justice Peace John Barrett Hymen Barge S. Spring on the same day and year aforesaid  Peter M. Taft - Judge
Personally appeared David Shield of Samuel Spring of said Grafton credible persons and being duly sworn depose and say that they are well acquainted with the said Edward Putnam and have been for more than forty years and at that time and often since, they have heard him mention his Revolutionary services & most of the incidents mentioned in the above declaration - particularly - his being sick at the small pox at

him mention his Revolutionary & most of the incidents mentioned in
the above declaration - particularly - his being sick at the small post at Albany while there in the US service and concerning the battle at White Plains in which he was engaged & that he is a man of truth Forest Springs Sworn and subscribed on David Shaw the same day and year
Peter M. Leff - Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogation submitted by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Warrior and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the Rev. Dr. Samuel John Barron  Spring who have signed the foregoing certificate are residents in said Grafton and are credible persons & their statement is entitled to credit that there is no other clergyman in said Forest Springs Peter M. Leff - Judge
I the undersigned Clerk of the Am- erican Court for the District of Columbia do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Edward Putnam for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court the 29th day of August A.D. 1852
John Mayas 2 d

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
P. 5 H P. O. Edw. Putnam
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____ REJECTED _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Sellin to Hon Apr. 8, 1836
Hilana Hall

9623
Edward Putnam Dumont
Disbanded
Letter 17 July 1834
D. L. Putnam -
Same July 22 nd
let Secy War 22 Janz 1835 let to Mr. S t Cl air ... Aug 27. 1835
let to Hon. Th. Hovey Sept 17 1835 " " Hon. B. Merrill May 1836

9623
74
8534
Suspended
Let to Hon. H. Hall
Sept 30 th 1821
Let to Hon. J. Matlocks
H.R. Feb 11. 1842.
C. G. Nourse May 2 nd 1842
D. L. Putnam Aug 19. 1842
E. W. Andrews, Apr. 18 th 41,
act 7. June 52

Remains of the had returned home so soon:
List of S. Putnam describing Edw. and Putnam claim separated from the part relative to B. Chapman's claim filed with his wife R.E.

War Department Pension Office
November 25 th 1834 -
Sir
I have examined the additional testimony exhibited in the case of Benjamin Chapman but as it does not come within the rules of evidence adopted for the execution of the Act of June of 1832 it cannot be received
I refer you to my letter of the 2 d of August last upon this subject. The papers are filed on file
No further action has been had on the claim of Edward Putnam nor can there be any, until direct testimony as to his service is produced. His papers remain on file
I am Respectfully
Your O bt Servant
J. L. Edmonds
D. L. Putnam Esq Grafton Vt
Grafton Vermont January 1835
His Excellency Lewis Cass Sec y at War
Sir - I take leave in the above cases to ask your special consideration. In looking at the papers in Edward Putnam's case you will find, that he claims for twelve months or more service. Five months and three weeks of that claim are supported by the affidavits of living witnesses, asking

the department to take his own declaration for only one week to make out, at least, a quarter pension, to which add the strong presumption by his witness having left him in the service, of his having served considerably more than the week which is wanting. Under these circumstances it seems to me that, his case as to six months service is carried beyond a reasonable doubt.
You will perceive that the remainder of his service depends upon his own statement, while he is not able to give the names of his officers, nor many other particulars; but that statement is supported to a degree seldom finding precedent, by the affidavits of his neighbors, of his having invariably, from early times, told one story about his revolutionary services, and of his irreproachable character for truth and veracity.
If the evidence does not come up to the rules of the department, as respects his not giving the names of his officers, permit me to say that I had not supposed that the department designed, in such a wide diverse and varied field as the pension business, which  in some instances, to establish any rules which should not be made to yield to the convictions of the justice & truth of the claimant's right.
For not even in courts of justice are living witnesses always considered the best evidence; but sometimes circumstantial evidence, will place a matter beyond a single doubt.

whereas a living witness may, can. For courts of justice to say that in some instances they will require evidence tantamount to one living witness, is highly proper; but not so, to say, in any case, that they will require a living witness direct to the fact in issue, and least of all on trials of civil matters used in courts of equity.
But even in criminal matters, where the strictest rules of evidence are observed, circumstances which cannot be so as not reasonably reconciled only by supposing the fact, attempted to be proved to be true, are deemed conclusive proof of the fact.
But I had supposed the pension business to be a matter of conscience and equity, and that every declaration would be treated in the nature of a bill in equity, to be fairly weighed in all its bearings and to be decided upon the plain equity. Does the evidence produce in the mind a balance of conviction in favour of the applicant?
— For it is only in criminal cases that the proof required is required to be evinced "beyond a reasonable doubt" but on trials at law in civil cases, they are to find a verdict on the side on which the balance of evidence lies, And the pension law requires proof only to the satisfaction of the Sec at War
Now in applying some of the above principles, is it possible to suppose that Edward Putnam could have been in the habit for forty years of telling the same story of his Revolutionary services, and telling it at a time when the evidence

of its truth or falsehood, must have abundantly existed, most of his contemporaries early acquaintance being then living, and knowing as he must that scrutiny into the facts was perfectly natural and easy, and at a time so near the era of the Revolution, that the public mind was awake on the subject, and to have served in that struggle was honorable, and not to have served was dishonorable, could he have done this when in truth he did not so serve and not have been convicted of falsehood, If he had been a man of that loose character, could he in the nature of things have sustained such a character for truth and veracity Having succeeded so so well in the deception, if deception it had been, to a man of loose nature, would not the temptation have been irresistible to have added some remarkable incidents instead of describing that term as a quiet one? Would he not in the nature of things, have soon run into other false stories, by which he would have lost his character for truth and veracity, Truth is a principle, that once violated in an important matter soon leads to other violations, and loss of character for truth and veracity follows.
This being a quiet paper term, and not battle, is the reason why he does not recollect the names of his officers and other particulars as in the other terms, added to which is

the fact that in the others, he had his own neighbours and friends for officers and fellow soldiers
It seems to me that upon careful examination it will satisfactorily appear, that this statement now has was one which forty years since was often repeated, but more recently has been so little thought of, as to erase particularly from his mind, and what evidence there is of his story seems to prove a general conviction in his community at that period of its truth, and such a conviction at such a period, when every thing was fresh, is evidence of a most weighty character, Evidence of the general report after a long lapse of time, in some instances is good evidence even in a court of justice, and of what aged people have been heard to say. Indeed what evidence have we of the truth of the most authentic history, besides the bare statement of the historian, except that he wrote in a period so near the time of the transactions he relates that men then lived who knew as to its truth or falsehood, so that his character as an authentic historian thus uncontradicted is deemed proof of the truth of what he relates, and this too, when the want of the art of printing very much limited the circulation of their works and consequently the chance of contradiction. I allude to cases of primary historians, not of those who extract from the works of others.

But a word further in regard to the terms proved by living witness, And is it possible that the witness who testifies of the 3 weeks, being an acquaintance would not have known if it had been the applicant's intention, when he left him not to remain an- other week; (which only on a letter now would be required to make out a quarter pension) Must not the witness have known if he had returned home so soon? And is it not hard that his own declaration cannot be taken for a single week when so many have been allowed a full pension, on their own testimony solely?
Letter of S. Putnam respecting Edgerton's Putnam claim separated from the joint relative to B. Chapman's claim filed with his papers R.E.

July 7. 45
10
J. L. Edwards Esq Commr Pensions Washington D.C. C.W. Hartmann Esq
Copy of letter to C. J. Nomine of 2 nd May 1842 Sent to Ad. Lymn July 8 1845

Warsaw N.Y. July 1. 1848
J. L. Edwards Esq
It is Sir I have been since Edward Putnam then of the State of Vermont applied for a Pension on a/c of Services rendered in the war of the revolution. he being at the time of such service a resident of the state of Massachusetts. Mr P failed of obtaining the pension asked. Will You do me the favor of Copies of the correspondence in the case
Respectfully Yours A. L. Lynde

Edw. Putnam 21 June 80. due
5 Jan 78
let Alden
III. II
On Rolls or above
15
July
21
D. D. 7 bu to in work

(Copy of a letter from the War Dept)
Department of War Pension Office July 1 st 1834
Sir
Before a definite decision be had on the claim of Edward Putnam, the Department would advise the applicant to apply to E. D. Bangs of Boston Secy of State for such evidence of his services, as the rolls of his office may furnish. The papers will remain on file until further advised.
I am Respectfully your Cbt Servt.
J. L. Edwards
D. L. Putnam Esq
Grafton H
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir
In answer to the above I would inform you, that the application to E. D. Bangs above directed, was made prior to sending to returning you the papers the last time (in Edward Putnam's case) and no evidence of his services could be  was found in the office of said Bangs.
Grafton H July 12 th 1834
Respectfully your Cbt Servt
D. L. Putnam

War Dept Pension Office July 24 1870
Free
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
App. White Church of Christ Baltimore Md
A. R. White Church
" "
K. White
5 years 75
Rev. William M. White

Boston H. S. Lee Aug 13
Aug 19 1892 Hon J. P. Edwards Chairman of Pensions Washington
C. Patricia
D.C.

Grafton Vermont 13 Aug 1842
Sir
About 5 July 1841 I mailed you a letter on the subject of the application of Edward Putnam of this town for a pension under the act of June 7. 1832. to which I rec d no answer Will you please write me whether you rec d - and answered it — Very Respectfully Yours Ob ly Sub t D. L. Putnam
Hon ble L d Edwards Comm r of Pensions

9623
Edward Putnam
Ht.
at 7 June '32

Washington March 30. 1836
Dr Sir
I return the paper of Edward Putnam & beg leave to offer a few suggestions in support of the opinion I have formed that the applicant is entitled to at least a six months pension.
It appears from the report of the Com te of Pensions to the Leg te at War of July 22. 1835, that 5 months service in Col. Holman's Reg t . is considered as proved, & I apprehend there is no doubt that the proof is ample on that point.
The applicant claims for two other terms of service, one at Albany & the other at Cambridge Mass. As the service at Albany is not supported by other evidence than that of the applicant I forbear to comment on it - But the applicant claims to have served, & swears positively that he did serve more than one month

at Cambridge in 1775 as a substitute for his brother Aaron. His brother Aaron's name is found on the muster roll, & Nath l Bixby swears to his service for three weeks, & that at the end of the three weeks he left him in service.
Asker Putnam, John Barrett, Agner Burgess & S. Spring testify Benj m Dwinell & David Shedd give evidence of a strong traditional character in confirmation of the testimony of the applicant. I am personally well acquainted with Asker Putnam & John Barrett, & know all the others by reputation. They are some of the most respectable men in the town in which the applicant resides, & I believe their statements entitled to the fullest credit.
I beg leave to add that in October last being in the neighborhood of the applicant, I called on him at the request of some of his friends. He has the appearance of a very old man, & his mind was evidently somewhat

impaired. He gave me an account of his services substantially the same as that in his declaration, and from the simple & artless manner of his telling his story I left him with the most perfect conviction of its truth. He sustains an unproachable character, & having no doubt whatever that he served a much longer time than six months, I cannot avoid expressing the hope that the evidence confirmatory of his declaration, will be deemed sufficient to entitle him to a pension for very respectfully
Yr Obs. Servt Hiland Hall
Genl S. L. Edwards

July 12 1854
Philadelphia
free
Mr. Edward
J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions Washington
D 6
J. W. Lewis

Grafton Vermont 5 July 1841
Sir
Edward Putnam of this town filed his declaration in your office for a pension under the act of June 1832, in 1833, for 3 terms of service in all of over a year, and being unfavorably considered by you, in the spring of 1840 he petitioned Congress, and the committee of that session reported in favor of six months.
Supposing the facts of claim now over, and that you are more at leisure, and owing to the distance of prospects, of the final action of Congress on the subject. I propose to ask you to re-examine the case, and then form to Congress what steps I must take, whether the papers are now in your files &c, and as I wish to make some extra preparation by way at least of submitting some remarks on the subject, I have submitted some inquiries to which I hope for your answer so far as may be proper. And if the papers are in your files, as I infer there is a misapprehension of fact in your last letter, I wish from the certificate of the Secy of State of Mass. of the service of Aaron Putnam in the files, a minute of the time of beginning and ending of that service. I have submitted a copy of your letter

July 22 1834 to wit
Sir
I have again taken up the papers of Edward Putnam but from the fact of his not being able to give the names of his officers in his alleged six months term, there is a difficulty in tracing his name on the rolls.
The name of Edward Putnam is found upon the rolls in this office. In order therefore (as this is a very common name) to prove his identity he will be required to give the name of his Col Capt and the year of his enlistment. This he may probably be able to do by going to Newbern and give a detailed account of his service and such events of the war as occurred during that time as far as he can. The papers are still on file. I am Sir &c.
The names of the officers have not been furnished as the War Dept could not recollect or obtain them. They resided at Newbern N.C. at the time of their discharge.
I wish to inquire whether the residence of Edward Putnam as found on the rolls as stated in the above letter appears on the rolls, and if so the name of the town.
Secondly As to the nature of the difficulty of tracing his name on the rolls as mentioned in said letter. — Thirdly Whether and where there are rolls of service known to have been at Albany in existence.

To answer some of these inquiries may be either improper according to your practice or over and above your duty. In that respect at this late day I hope all the indulgence which may be consistent as I am well satisfied that the applicant is the identical person whose name appears on the roll in question.
Very Respectfully
Your obed Servt D. L. Putnam
P.S. Whether you reorganize the case or not I hope my inquiries may be answered if proper &c for the same defect with reference to the action of Congress &c or rather the committee.
D. L. Putnam
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions

12 Grafton St. } free August 22 }
Aug. J. L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions
U.S. War Dept. } Washington Pension Office } D.C.

(Copy)
War Department Pension Office July 29 th 1834
Sir
I have again taken up the paper of Edward Putnam but from the fact of his not being able to give the names of his officers in his alleged six months term, there is a difficulty in tracing his name on the rolls.
The name of Edward Putnam is found upon the Mass Rolls in this office.
In order therefore (as this is a very common name) to prove his identity he will be required to give the name of his col & Capt, and the year of his enlisting, this he may probably be able to do by going to Winchester, let him give a detailed account of his service and such events of the war as occurred during that time as far as he can.
The papers are still on file.
I am Respectfully your Clk Int
D L Putnam Esq Grafton Vermont
S. L. Edwards

Grafton Vermont July 30 th 1834
Sir
I have conversed with Edward Putnam upon the above communication, relative to his six months term. He cannot give any further particulars of the war, with certainty, during that period, thinks nothing remarkable occurred during the time. Thinks nothing can be obtained on the subject at Winchester, as he entered the service as he thinks with only two or three  a few others from that place, and of course it was not an event of so great notoriety, as the calling out a large portion of the military of the town, besides he and the others marched some distance, he thinks, to join his Regt. he cannot tell when, He thinks the service was in the summer or fall of 1777 - if not in that year it must have been in 1778 -
There are only one or two persons now living in his knowledge who resided in Winchester at the time he entered the service, of them inquiry has been made but without success, as they recollect nothing in particular -
He cannot be certain but that he entered that term as a substitute for his father whose name was Miles Putnam but thinks he did not
He cannot recollect his officers, in fact great effort has been made in this case to obtain fuller evidence without success.
I think it no way singular that the old gentleman recollects no better about it, as this was a quiet term of service mostly regarding the maneuvers at Albany, and no battle or other event occurring to fix the attention as in

case of one of the other terms, of the hard fought battle at White Plains, where the bullets as he describes it whistled like hail about his head, and his officers and many of his fellow soldiers were his own neighbours in that term and, probably were strangers in the one in question.
The old gentleman wishes me to state that he is needy and feeble and is now obliged to labour although he is unable so to do, that he needs for his subsistence far more than the most he can expect, by way of pension, and this is true enough, I believe.
If the Dept can send me a list of all the Colo and Capt &c who were stationed at Albany at the time that is 1777 or 1778, which are in the Dept upon hearing them he may be able to remember. Or if the Dept will inform me that that the nature of the rolls admits of taking such a list I will send to the Secy of War.
From the examination of the Mass rolls before it appeared that no such roll as that described in Edward Putnam's five months term was in the Secy's Office at Boston. The name of Aaron Dutton as serving in 1775 was found - But for want of names of officers &c nothing could be found relation to the six months term -
Respectfully yours O. S. D.
D. L. Putnam
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Edw d Putnam - for 3 terms only
75. Substitute of his brother Aaron. Ser. cred. d to Aaron
76. Cap t Gates Col l Holman parol proof of self. No.
— Cens at Albany period nor names of officers given
G. J. C.
Cape 40
papers sent to Hon. H. Hall -

J. L. Edwards Report on the claims of Ed d Putnam & Ben y Chapman for pensions
Jan y 22 d 1835
Copy

Copies
War Department Pension Office January 22 1835
Sir
I have the honour to report in view of the argument of D. L. Putnam Esq transmitted to you by the Hon Mr. Hall and referred to this office, that the only service of Edward Putnam established by his papers is a term of five months in 6 th Holmans Regiment in 1776
He claims to have served from July 1775 to the end of the eight months service of that year and one witness testifies that he knew him to be in service three weeks during that year -
But as the rolls in the office of the secretary of of State of Massachusetts show the individuals engaged in that service, and the claimants name is not shown to be borne on them - this service cannot be recognized under the regulations unless supported by two credible witnesses -
He also states that he performed seven months service more, but neither gives the year nor designates the officers under whom he served - This service of course can neither be traced nor recognized. Upon the evidence adduced on the general principles on which all claims are required to be examined under the act of

7 th June 1832 as laid down in the regulations only the five months service in 1776 can be considered as supported by proof -
- It is not deemed necessary to make a detailed reply to the various points laboured in the argument of Mr Putnam. It is sufficient to say that claims cannot be allowed upon con- -jecture. Not the slightest evidence in favour of the seven months service has been produced - either from the memory of the claimant or of any other person, and no basis whatever is furnished for the allowance claimed. As it does not appear that Edward Putnam was in actual service six months within the law, no alternative remains but the rejection of the claim.
In relation to the claim of Benjamin Chap- man who alleges that he served eight months in Col Gillys Regiment in 1777-8 - the rolls of which are in this office on which his name is not borne
Mr Putnam has been repeatedly apprised of the long established regulation that a claim under such circumstances must be proved by two credible witnesses, who can state the time of entering and the time and manner of leaving the service as well as the company Regiment & line in which the claim- ant served. - The depositions of three persons expressed in general terms are produced, but neither of them contain the facts required by the regulations -
- The original muster rolls of Capt Scotts Company have been examined as well as the rolls of payment

It does not appear from them that Chapman was mustered into that company during the year 1877 - A careful examination of all the evidence bearing upon this case has been made, and the result is, unless the regulations are departed from, for which no reason is given, the claim in its present situation - cannot be admitted - The papers of both these cases - remain on our files
The letter of the Hon Mr Hall to you is herewith returned
I have the honor to be very respectfully Your Obedt Servt J. L. Edwards
To the Hon Secretary of War
War Department March 2 d 1885
Sir I have the honor to enclose herewith a report of the Commissioner of Pensions in regard to the claims of Putnam & Chapman, and to state that I concur in the views taken by that officer
Very Respectfully y r Mo st obed servt Lew. Clegg -
Hon H. Hall House of Rep s
Hon H. Hall.
Sir - the preceding are copies of the original communications now in my possession Respectfully
D. L. Putnam
Hon H. Hall

D L Putnam to Hon H Hall

Grafton St March 16 th 1840
Dear Sir
Enclosed herewith I send you the petition of Edward Putnam for a pension which, if you please, I desire you to present to the House.
It seems to me that there is some chance for him, as a term of five months is established beyond controversy, and another term, three weeks, of which, with strong presumption that it was more was made out by an affidavit, though this term has been technically overruled by the commissioner of Pensions.
In addition to which the circumstance of his having been engaged in the five months term in one of the pitched battles of that period strongly recommends his claim in an equitable point of view to favourable consideration — ~ —
I have no news of importance — Your friends here are as usual except Mr Davis who continues to decline, and probably will not long survive — ~ —
I shall be much obliged to you if you will answer this and soon and inform me if you present the petition.
You will observe that his claim is established as above named as to two terms independent of his declaration on oath, i.e. by other evidence and the five months term has been allowed

by the Department, There is also as you will see by the petition other service, and and that is supported by his declaration only. —
In a letter of the Commissioner of Pensions dated July 22 1834 he writes — Sir —
I have again taken up the papers of Edward Putnam but from the fact of his not being able to give the names of his officers in the alleged six months term, there is a difficulty in tracing his service upon the rolls —
The name of Edward Putnam is found upon the Mass rolls in this office, (in order therefore (as this is a very common name) to prove his identity he will be required to give the names of his Col o and Capt, and the year of his enlistment This he may probably be able to do by going to Winchester, let him give a detailed account of his service and such events of the war as occurred during that time as far as he can —
The papers are still on file
I am very Respectfully
The several letters have been received (two at least tho not all directed to me) still I give you the copy of this to shew you that the probabil- ity is that his service the six or seven months term is proved by the rolls; but as the Depart- ment have not disclosed the names of the officers as shown on the roll in question to aid his memory, (and I suppose will not do it) he cannot recollect, and going to Winchester

will do no good as only two or three besides himself went from that town, and they are dead - His officers even strangers to him and this is - the reason he cannot recollect their names - which was not the case in the 5 th regt. I write these particulars, that if you should present the petition you might if you saw fit ask the Commission of Pensions for a view of the roll which shows his name as mentioned in the com rs letter. Though I would hardly venture to ask him after the full examinations stated in his two last letters again to review the case yet as in those letters he makes no allusion to the circumstance of the name being found on the roll, I cannot but think it possible that he had not that circumstance in view when he made those examinations, it being some time after the date of the letter in which it is mentioned
I ought further to add that in obedience to the department inquiry was made at Winchester does without success
I think that if the names of the officers on the roll in question could be furnished to Col d Putnam by the Department it would perhaps lead to such recollections & information as to obviate all difficulties without petitioning - The Department has never been asked to do it
Very Respectfully Yr Affe te Sub t D r L t Putnam
Hon ble H h Hall M.C.

Pulnam
Office taken -
Han
H Wall

Pension Office
May, 8th: 1840
Sir,
I have the honor to return you the petition of Edward Putnam of Vermont and to inform you that he has no papers now on file in this Office. They were withdrawn on 7th. ultimo by Hon. H. Hall. It appears by the correspondence that he asserted three terms of service. 1 ly . first, as a substitute for his brother during a part of the eight months service in 1775 which by the rolls is credited to his brother and therefore disallowed to him; second for five months in Colonel Holmans Regiment in New York in 1776. which has been allowed; and third for a term of service at Albany in 1777 or 1778 which has not been adjudicated as he has never been able to furnish the names of the Officers under whom it was rendered. It is believed that the rolls of the Massachusetts service at that period are full and complete, and that they will verify any service actually rendered.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your mo. Obt. servant J. L. Edwards
Hon. E. Davis House of Representatives

Feb 4 - 1842.
L Edw. Paton and N.Y.
Schwartz
Henry James Matthews H. J. M.
Persunoffno

Concord Hall 3 d Febry 1842
Sir
In 1840 Edward Putnam of Grafton VA had his Pension papers before the House on his petition, a bill was reported in his favor but not acted upon. I find by the Clerks Minutes that the papers have since been sent back to your office. I now now want to see them before the committee of the House will you please send them to me for that purpose
respectfully your obedt Servt
John Matthews

Feb 10 1842
Dear Rev. Putnam
Johnson City
Pension Office
H. M. Matthews H. Q.
Washington

Concord Hall of V. July 1842
Sir
Some days since I wrote you requesting you to send me the pension paper of Samuel Putnam of Grafton Vermont which in 1840 had been taken the committee of pensions & which it appears by Minutes in the Clerk's office have been returned to the pension office - as they are now wanted to be used upon his petition, will you have the goodness to send the papers or say whether I can have them if I call in person I can see with respect your obed Servt
John Metcalf

Warsaw 267 April 12/66 from Jos H Bennett
Sir - I am requested to enquire the condition of the case of Edward Putnam who made a claim for a Revolutionary Pension, through his son one Luke Putnam some 12 years since. The said Claim was made by the said Luke Putnam through one A. L. Lynde of this place, said Lynde was deceased. Edward Putnam enlisted from the State of Massachusetts & died at Grafton Vermont in 1842. The papers are on file in the Pension Department - Mr Luke Putnam requests me to call them up. Will you give me the necessary information - Truly Yours -
E. W. Amherst
Ex: P. Ms. 32. 1201