Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8911, for John Osgood, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 56
Osgood John
S 8911
banded
CONTENTS

Application 3897 of John Osgood for a Pension
George Minot Gilmanton Iron Works, N.Y. Agent for S r Osgood

Application of John Osgood for a Pension
Application of John Osgood for a Pension

Application of John Osgood for a Pension
Application of John Osgood for a Pension

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New-Hampshire, } ss. County of Strafford
At a Court of Probate held at Gilmanton in said County
On this tenth day of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting, John Osgood a resident of Gilmanton in the County of Strafford and State of N. H. aged 71 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - viz. In the early part of the summer of 1776 he, the said Osgood, then living in Epping in the County of Rockingham & State of N.H. entered the service of the United States & served the term of three months on Great Island (now New Castle Mt.) under David Gilman Col. (or Lt. Col.) - Mosey Maj. - Nathan Brown Capt. - Aikens Lieut. - & Thos. Gordon Ensign - that this service was performed under the name of his brother Enoch Osgood of Epping who had enlisted for eight months in pursuance of an agreement between said brothers that an enlistment should be made in the name of one of them & that one half of the term should be performed by each - that therefore he has no documentary proof of this service - that his brother Enoch is now dead - & that he knows of no person who can testify to his service, except David Robinson, whose affidavit is forwarded herewith -
2nd. About July 1777 he, living in same Epping, again enlisted for the term of Six months & marched first to Portsmouth N.H. - from thence to Providence R.I. - thence to Warwick R.I. - that he served 3 d term under one Centre Col. - Simon Martin Capt. - Abbot Lieut. - & James Martin Ensign. - was discharged in January or February 1778
3rd. Again in the summer of 1778 he (if same Epping) marched, as a volunteer, with the militia called to Rhode Island, to the assistance of General Sullivan under Moses Dyer Col. (he acknowledges that Nathan Brown was the Capt. at the commencement of the term) that he remained in the service at that time about two months - was discharged about the first of Sept r - soon after Sullivan made his retreat -
4th. In the summer of 1780 living in same Epping, he again enlisted for the term of three months & marched with Daniel Gordon Capt. - Robert Clark Lieut. - and Abram Brown Ensign - to West Point N. York - where Lieut. Clark took the command of the Company - that he there served until the expiration of said term under Thomas Bartlett Colonel - all the above enlistments were into the militia
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.
14 months in all
Sworn to and subscribed, the 10th. of September 1832. John Osgood in Court
We, Charles G. Safford residing in Gilmanton Gilmanton and George Minot residing in same Gilmanton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Osgood, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71 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 10 th Sept r 1832 in Court Charles G. Safford George Minot
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 certifies, that it appears thereby that Charles G. Safford who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the said Gilmanton and that George Minot, who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Gilmanton and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Daniel G. Atkinson Judge of Probate I, James Bartlett Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Osgood for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 10 th day of September A.D. 1832
James Bartlett Regt

N o 13. 897.
John Osgood.
Paid 14 M s 6 d s
George W. Gilmanton New Hampshire.
18 th Feb. 1833.

BRIEF in the case of  John Osgood  of Strafford County, in the State of New Hampshire  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71. Years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     1776 3 — privat. Gen. Cap. Nathan Brown, Col. D. Gilman   1777 — in service of summer 6 — do. Cap. Simon Martin, Col. Centre.   1778 — about 2. — do. Cap. Moses Dutton   1780 — — 3. — do. Cap. David Gideon, Col. Battell   Total — 14 months.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? —  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rockingham County, N. Hampshire  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence — each of the above towns is proven by a living witness who served with the declarant —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
No.
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
R. H. Pleasants Examining Clerk.

10.692 Mr. Humphreize John Osgood who was a Private in the State of N.H. was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Brown of the Regt commanded by Col. Gilman in the New Hampshire for 4 months & 6 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mr. Humphreize at the rate of 47 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of April 1832 and issued to Minot Gilman
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $94.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 Sept 25.67 $118.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by the Adkins Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 109

Rev. Osgood
8911
INVALID.
File No. 8911
John Osgood Rev. Rev. War
Act: June 1 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 102 , Page 281
[Arrangement of 1870.]

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS.
GREETING.
KNOW YE, THAT Jonathan Cram, and Samuel D. Weston are Justices of the Peace in and for our County of Strafford and that Nathaniel White is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Rockingham and that Philip Brown is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Merrimack - (all of whom names, in their own sign manual are hereunto attached)
in the said STATE, duly Constituted and Sworn, and that to their ACTS and ATTESTATIONS, as such, full FAITH and CREDIT are and ought to be given, in and out of COURT, within and out of the STATE.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND, at CONCORD, this twenty seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two , and in the fifty- seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America.
BY THE GOVERNOR.
Samuel Dinsmore Joseph Robinson Deputy Secretary of State.

I Thomas Mathes of Deerfield in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire of the age of seventy one testify and say, that in the year 1777 or 1778 I served in the Revolutionary War at Rhode-Island for the term of six months in Captain Simon Marston's Company and Colonel Center's Regiment of New Hampshire Militia;
I further testify and say, that John Osgood then of Epping in the county and state aforesaid, but now of Gilmanton in the county of Strafford and state aforesaid served as a private in said Marston's Company in the same Regiment during the same term of time with myself it being six months.
August 10. 1832.
Thomas Mathes
{ State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss August 10 1832 The above named Thomas Mathes appeared and made oath that the affidavit by him subscribed is just and true.
Before me
Nath l White Justice of the Peace

Affidavit of Thomas Mathes

I Samuel Clifford of London in the county of Herrimack and State of New Hampshire of the age of sixty nine testify and say, that in the year 1779 or 1780 I served in the Revolutionary War at West Point for the term of three months in Captain Daniel Gordon's Com- pany and Colonel Thomas Bartlett's Regiment of New- Hampshire Militia; and I further testify and say, that John Osgood then of Epping in the county of Rockingham and State aforesaid, but now of Gilmanston in the county of Stafford and State aforesaid, served as a private in said Gordon's Company, in the same Regiment during the same term of time with myself, it being three months. Aug. 9. 1832
Sam Clifford
State of New Hampshire, Herrimack ss. August 9 th 1832. The above named Samuel Clifford appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true.
Before me.
Philip Brown J Justice of the Peace

Affidavit of Samuel Clifford

Deposition of Jonathan Gilley

I Jonathan Calley of Sandbornton in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire of the age of seventy six do depose and say that in the year 1777 or in 1778 I was out in the Revolutionary war about three months in the State of Rhode Island under the command of General Sullivan and Capt Moses Dutton of the town of Epping in the County of Rockingham and State aforesaid and I know that John B. Osgood of Epping County and state aforesaid served as a Volunteer in the same Regiment under the same Captain Moses Dutton for about the term of three months as a Volunteer on said I stand Jonathan Calley
Augt 2nd 1832
State of New Hampshire I do hereby certify that on August 2nd 1832 the above named Jonathan Calley appeared and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is just and true before me
Samuel Dutton Justice of the Peace

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Osgood 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? a/10. 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? Yes 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?
yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
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? yes
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? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
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? yes
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
all
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.

Affidavit of David Robinson

I David Robinson of Meredith in the county of Strafford & State of New Hampshire depose & say that during the summer of 1776 I was in the U.S. Service & served on Great Island now Newcastle N.H. in the company of N.H. Militia commanded by Capt. Nathan Brown - & Enoch Osgood of Epping N.H. was also a private in the same company - I further say that John Osgood then of P. Epping now of Belmont & who now applies for a pension - did serve in the same the Company part of the term for which his brother Enoch had enlisted - but I cannot recollect how many months said John Osgood served David Robinson
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss. September 18 th 1852 The above named David Robinson personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just & true - Before me Jonathan P. Brown Justice of the Peace