Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,176, for Laban Ripley, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Ripley, Laban
S 18176
Carded.
CONTENTS

10603 New Hampshire
Satan Ripley
of Whearing in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Jackson of the Regt commanded by Colonel  Wade in the State time for 11 months  18 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 36 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of April 1833 and Sept  1833 Parker Tappan  W.B.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $73.34 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept.  18.33 $91.67
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By W.H. Groom Clerk, Book 5 Vol. 15 Page 115

Sarah Dippley & Hampshire
Power 11 Months
12 5 11
Isa. Parker
Laffey
M. H.

BRIEF in the case of  Saban Ripley  in the State of  N.H. Co. of Cheshire  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? John Grant  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75  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. As a Gen.     June In 1799 entered 5 Private   June 1798. 11 6 Capt Jackson Col Wade  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle on Brimfield  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Worcester Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Ayer
Examining Clerk.

Declaration of Sahan Ripley of Jaffrey Cheshire Co. N.H.
12.521.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, ss.
On this fifth day of September 1832 , personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Aaron Watson , Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Cheshire aforesaid now sitting, Sabarn Ripley a resident of Goffrey in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged 73 years last Nov r -- 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st That in June of 1777, as he thinks, he enlisted as a private soldier, and was sent to Brookfield Mass. to guard stores which were deposited there — that he remained there in this duty five months, but he does not know that he ever belonged to any particular company as there was but very few men there, not more he thinks than a corporals or a sergeants guard, and a part of these was sent to Springfield sometime before he left — that he was at Brookfield on this duty when Gen. Burgoyne's army or a part of it passed through that town on their way to Cambridge — that he was dismissed and returned home about the last of November after serving five months — 2 d — That he enlisted in Capt. Jackson's Company and Col. Wades Regiment of Mass. Militia in June 1778, — was Mustered at Rutland in said State and marched to Providence — was stationed in and near Providence till about the first of August, then went upon the Island and served there till Gen. Sullivan retreated — That he was one of the rear guard, and was in the battle or skirmish before leaving the Island — afterwards was stationed at Fall River — that he served six months and was discharged about the last of December 1778 — that some time before he was dismissed he was transferred to Capt. Edgell's Company and Col. Jacob's Regt. —
Was born in Woodstock Connecticut — in the year 1758. Has no record of his age, but supposes there is one at

said Waatsstock, — Was living at Barre County of Worcester and State of Mass when called into the service, and has lived since the war at said Barre and Gill Mass. and Jaffrey aforesaid, and now resides at said Jaffrey — enlisted each time — At Brookfield he has before stated there was very few troops there — and he recollects only Gen. Sullivan at Rhode Island — Never received any written discharge — The Rev. Saban Ainsworth and Deacon David Gillmore live near me in said Jaffrey and can testify as to my character for veracity and belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he 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.
Saban Ripley Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
We, Saban Ainsworth a Clergy man residing in Jaffrey aforesaid and Daniel Gillmore residing in the same town do
hereby certify, that we are acquainted with Saban Ripley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three 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.
Saban Ainsworth Daniel Gillmore
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
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 Saban Ainsworth who has signed the preceding affidavit is the town of Jaffrey and that Daniel Gillmore who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Jaffrey and is a respectable person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Saban Ripley for a pension.
testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of September A.D. 1832
Asa Parker Register of said Court of Probate

I Noah Ripley of Concord, in the County of Middle- sex, Commonwealth of Mass. formerly of Barre, in the County of Worcester, Mass. of lawful age, do tes- tify & say, that my brother Saban Ripley, then living with me in my father's family, did in- list, as a soldier in the service of the United States, for a term not less than five months, - that he went to Brookfield to guard stores, which were there deposited, - that he tarried the term of his enlistment & was regularly discharged, - that this was in the year 1776, or 1777. - I do also further testify & say, that my said brother Saban Ripley, did again in- list as a soldier into the said service, for the term of six months, as near as I can recollect, in the year 1778, - that he was ordered to Rhode Is- land, - that he tarried in the said service until regularly discharged - and further saith not.
Noah Ripley
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Aug. 17 th 1832
Then personally appeared Noah Ripley above named, who is well known to me and in whom statement full credit may be given and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me John Hayes Just. of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Isaac Peske, clerk or Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex, do certify that John Reyes is a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Middlesex & his name subscribed to the within certificate is in his own hand writing and his proper signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fourteen th day of August - in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Isaac Peske
Nath. Pillsbury
Appointee
for S. Pillsbury
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

18176 INVALID.
File No. 18176
Laban Ripley
Dr Rev Mar
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 442
[Arrangement of 1870.]

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Saban Ripley 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? 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? no 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? 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.

Phillips Sweetser. Deposition
for Ethan Ripley

I Phillips Sweetser of Markborough in the County of Cheshire and State of New- Hampshire, aged seventy two years last April, depose and say - That in June 1778 I went to Rhode Island and served as a private in Captain Jackson's Company of Massachusetts Militia in Colonel Wades Regiment - That Susan Ripley who then lived in Barry in the County of Worcester in said Massa- -chusetts, served with me in said Jacksons Company - That said Ripley and myself were mustered at Rutland Mass and marched to Providence, and were stationed in that vicinity till about the first of August, then went upon the Island; were there till Gen Sullivan retreated, but were not called into the battle - were then stationed at Fall River which I think is in Mass - said Ripley and myself served six months and were discharged about the last of December 1778 -
I further say that after the retreat from Rhode Island said Ripley and my self were transferred to Captain

Edgell, & Company and Col. Jacobs Regt. and that said Ripley now lives in Jef- frey Cheshire County New Hampshire Phillips Sweetser
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County Is—
On this eleventh day of August 1832. Before me Asa Parker a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared the before named Phillips Sweet- ser and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth. and I hereby certify that the said James Stearns is well known to me and is a credible witness —
Sworn and subscribed Before me Asa Parker Justice of the Peace
Cheshire. Aug 10. 1832
I Salma Hale clerk of the Superior Court in and for said county certify that Asa Parker is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. — and that the foregoing is his signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale, Clerk