Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,060, for Paul Roberts, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 26
Roberts, Paul
S 17060
CONTENTS
Carded

1763 Maine Paul Roberts
Newfield in the State of Maine who was a Private in the Com d commanded by Captain Salton of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Reed in the New Hamp sh line for 19 months and 18 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 61 Dollars 22 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Oct. 1833 and to the H. H. Holt South Berwick
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r $160.55 Semi-annual allowance ending Apr r 1840 32.11 Died Aug. 19. 1840 a. B. $192.66
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. G. C. Stiles
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 3. Page 19 Clerk

224 27
Simeon Tibbets
Na y Na N N

I Simon Tibbetts of Newfield York Co. Pa aged 79 years testify & say that I served in the army the revolution five months in the year 1777 at a place in New Jersey - near Portsmouth, called Fort Washington while at said Fort Washington I formed an acquaintance - with Paul Roberts who served in the same company of Artillery with me, said was commanded by Capt Titus Satter After I served five months in the aforesaid army I enlisted into the Naval Service on board Ship Raleigh and left the above named Pa. Roberts in the above named company, said Roberts now lives in the town of Newfield and in for many years past, Simon Tibbetts
York Co. July 27. 1832 Then the above name Simon Tibbetts made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me James A. Lyon Justice of the Peace I certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Simon Tibbetts (who is a disinterested witness) for more than twenty years, and know him to be a man of truth James A. Lyon

York Jo. July 27. 1832 Then the above name Simon Tibbetts made oath to the truth of the fore- going deposition by him subscribed.
Before me James Ayer Justice of the Peace I certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Simon Tibbetts (who is a disinterested witness) for more than twenty years, and know him to be a man of truth. James Ayer
State of Maine.
YORK, ss.
I, WILLIAM CUTTER ALLEN, Register of Probate, for the County of York, hereby certify that James Ayer is a Justice of the Peace for said County of York, as above stated, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal, this fifteenth day of August , in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Register of Probate.

State of Maine.
YORK, ss.
I, WILLIAM CUTTER ALLEN , Register of Probate, for the County of York, hereby certify that Warren H. Stevens , is a Justice of the Peace for said County of York , as above stated, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal, this fifteenth day of August , in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Wm. Cutter Allen , Register of Probate.

I Simon Roberts of actor in the County of York and State of Maine, aged Seventythree years, of sound mind and memory on oath depose and say that I am well ac- quainted with Paul Roberts of Newfield in said County, who is now living, that said Paul enlisted with me July 1. 1780 into Capt James Carr's Company, and Col Reid's Regiment of the Continental Troops in the Revolutionary war for the term of six months , which term said Roberts served with me at Pehsbury, West- point, and Orange town in the State of New York, said Roberts was in the same mess with me and I used to see him ev- ery day, said Roberts was discharged while at Winter Quarters the last of December 1780 and I have personal knowledge of his service aforesaid. said Paul Roberts and myself lived near neigh- bours in Somersworth N.H. at the time we enlisted, I well know that the above named Roberts is the same person who enlisted with me and served as above
Simon Roberts

York p. August 15. 1832 Then the ab- named Simon Roberts, a credible person, disinterested personally appeared and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me, Hiram H. Hobbs } Justice of Peace
Simon Roberts

494 Paul Roberts Newfield (Me) Private, Militia & continental — Militia 14 mo's Contin 6 mo's 20. mo's
in Roll of enlistments for Somerville For 5 Mo's & 18 days
Print 19 Mo's & 18 days

Paul Roberts
4971

State of Maine.
COUNTY OF YORK, SS.
ON this Fifteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. Wm. A. Haynes, Judge of the Court of Probate for York now sitting at South Berwick in said county Paul Roberts a resident of Newfield in the county of York and State of Maine 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 herein stated.
He enlisted in the year A.D. 1777 as a private in the militia or State troops of New Hampshire, he does not recollect which, for the term of two months , he left home soon after enlisting, and served said term in the company of artillery commanded by Capt. Titus Salter, Lt. Isaac Worthing at Fort Washington, Portsmouth N.H. Harbor, in guarding the Port and Harbor. After the above term of service had expired he enlisted again immediately, without coming home for a further term of twelve months which term he served in the same company under the same officers at said Fort Washington. Simeon Lebbets of Newfield now living can testify to part of the above service, he never had any written discharge from the above service he left the above service in
he does not recollect the names of any other officers there at that time, he resided in Somersworth N.H. when he entered the above service
After the above term had expired he enlisted again July 1. 1780 as a private in the continental line for the term of six months , he left home immediately after enlisting and served said term under the following named officers viz. Capt. James Carr, Lieut. Frost, Col. George Reid of the 2 nd New Hampshire Regiment Lt Col. Gilley and Maj. Morris, the names of the other officers, he does not recollect, he resided in Somersworth aforesaid when he entered the above service, he marched in company with eleven others commanded by Lt. Moody from Somersworth aforesaid to Pehskill N.Y. were seven days in marching there, stayed there a short time, then marched to West Point, where Capt. Carr's company stayed there

seven men commanded by a major Sommersworth aforesaid to Peekskill N.Y. were seven days in marching there. Stayed there a short time, then marched to West Point, where we joined Capt Barr's Company, stayed there 3 or 4 days and then marched to Orange Town where we were stationed until we marched for winter quarters to a place called Soldier's Fortune. After we got into winter quarters, we heard that the enemy was out on White Plains, we marched there, but not finding them, we returned to winter quarters, he was present at the execution of Maj Andre, he was engaged in no battles. He left the service. the last of Decem - 1 - 1780
Winter quarters, he had a written discharge which has been lost, Simon Roberts of Acton, (Me) who is now living served in the same company with him during said term and will testify to the same, that John N. Styles residing in Somersworth N.H. and Simon Roberts of Acton (Maine).
are well acquainted with him and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, he was born in Somersworth Nov 19. A.D. 1760 returned and lived in Somersworth aforesaid after the Revolutionary war about 16 years then moved to Lebanon (Me) where he lived about 6 years, then moved to Acton (Me) then called Shapleigh & lived 3 or 4 years, then moved to said Newfield where he has lived ever since and lives there at the present time, he has no record of his age.

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, or (if any) only on that of the agency
State of Maine
Witness H. H. Hobbs
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Paul his Mark Roberts
Before me, H. H. Hobbs, Judge of said Court
N.H.
We, John H. Styles, a clergyman, residing in the town of Somersworth and Simon Roberts, residing in the town of Acton (Me.), hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Paul Roberts, 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John H. Styles
Before me, H. H. Hobbs, Judge of said Court
Simon Roberts
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that
John H. Styles
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a
clergyman, resident in the town of Somersworth N.H.
and that Simon Roberts
who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Acton Maine
and credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit, that there is no clergyman living in the vicinity of the applicant.
I, Wm. Cutter Allen, Register of Probate of said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of
clerk of the
do hereby certify that the foregoing
Paul Roberts for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifteenth day of August, A.D. 1832.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Register of Probate.

Paul Roberts
Mun
Print 19 Mar & 18 May
673? 58 6421
12844 3211 16055
H. H. Hobbs Esq
L. Benioff Mt.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Aug t 27. 1883
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 subj ced notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These 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, showing the Service of
Paul Roberts
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777-78 1 2 0 Private Capt. Titus Salt newspaper   1780 6 0 Private Lt. Isaac Worth Col. Geo. Head 73 Simeon Tibbetts   2 8 0 Lt. Col. Billey Maj. Morris — Simeon Roberts  
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 _____ of the Court of _____ 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) _____, who has 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 days 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 inquiry 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:
"I solemnly 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 that 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 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.
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.
In rolls of new levies in 1812 for 5 mos & 2 wks

June 8, 1932
BA-J/MLB Ames
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Paul Roberts S. 17060
Mr. C. F. Eisenhuth Millerton, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of May 2, relative to Paul Roberts, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 17060, based upon the military service of Paul Roberts in the Revolutionary War.
He was born November 19, 1760, in Somersworth, New Hampshire.
While living in Somersworth, New Hampshire, he enlisted in 1777, served two months as a private in Captain Titus Salter's company of New Hampshire artillery. At the expiration of that service he again enlisted and served twelve months as private in the same company and under the same officers. He enlisted July 1, 1780, served six months as private in Captain James Carr's company, Colonel George Reid's New Hampshire regiment, and was discharged the last of December, 1780.
After the Revolutionary War he lived in Somersworth, New Hampshire, for about sixteen years, then moved to Lebanon, Maine, where he remained about six years, thence to Acton, York County, Maine, for three or four years, then moved to Newfield, York County, Maine.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1832, while a resident of Newfield, Maine.
Paul Roberts died August 19, 1840.

No reference was made in the claim to wife or children.
In 1832, one Simon Roberts, aged seventy-three years, was a resident of Acton, Maine; relationship to soldier not shown.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file on account of the service of any Samuel Roberts as described by you.
Very truly yours
Date of death on Agency PK.
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

17060 INVALID.
1932 June 8 - Hist. 6 C. J. Esenluth mRB.
File No. 17565
Paul Roberts
B. Nov 24
Act: June 7 th 89
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 324
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May 2, 1932.
CHESTER FREDRIC EISENHUTH MILLERTON, NEW YORK
Dept. of Interior Bureau of Pensions. Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
Would like any info. possible re- garding War record, date of death, place, name date of death, age at death, etc. of my great- great grandfather, Lieut. Samuel Roberts  wife who was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He was born May. 7, 1723 at Somers- worth, N. H. Married Judith Randall. Also if possible would like info. of his son, Paul Roberts of Somersworth, N. H. who also served in Rev. War. He was born Nov. 19, 1760. Would like his War record, date of death & any info. regarding his wife.
Thanking you I am,
Very truly Yours,
C. F. Eisenhuth.