Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31153, for John Hunt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Hunt, John
S. 31153
CONTENTS

5749. Massachusetts John Hunt
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Adams of the Regt commanded by Col Elliot in the War line for 9 mos 12 days 15 - " " " " "
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 8 Dollars 50 Cents per annum; to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Feb'y 1863 and June 1864. J. L. Hodge of Bristol
Amounts to date of 1862 $13 25 Semi-annual allowance ending June 1863 23 50
$ 500
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by S. C. H. Clerk, Book D - Vol. 277 Page 99.
Dead. See letter to A. Bapett Sept. 2 o 1837 Order to pay heirs & let. to W. A. Bapett Oct. 27, 1837

John Hunt 3991. of Troy Bristol Co.
May.
9 Mths Private of Artillery 15 " " of Infantry 24 " " " Alma de Pueblo
587.50--
1-1977
A Ballett of Bristol Co Penns.

say  BRIEF in the case of  John Hunt  of Bristol  Co in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 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.     In 17 76 - 1 - - Privt Captains Gail & Gifford   77 - - 13 - on 16 - Thomas   78 - - 9 - Artillery Adams. Col. Elber  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Capture of Genl. Prescott & Aide de Camp Quaker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Portsmouth  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses Traditional Evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective since not defined 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. H. [Signature] Examining Clerk.

John Hunt
9.8.12.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ) BRISTOL, ss. )
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Lighton ————— in and for said County on the Thirty first day of August — one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODIAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared John Hunt a resident of Troy in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration. That he entered the service of the United States under Capt. David Goff Capt. John Earl, in Col. Pardon Greys regiment of Militia, again under Capt. Alexander Thomas Col. Pardon Greys again in a regiment of Militia, again under Capt. John Adams, in Col. Robert Elliots regiment of Artillery; the other officers he does not remember; and that he served as herein after stated in his reply to the fifth interrogatory hereinafter contained;
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Portsmouth  Newport , in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight
Aug. 4 2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I do not know of any record of my age.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I lived in Portsmouth in the State of R. I. and when called into service; since the war I have lived in said Portsmouth and in Swansea & Taunton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for the last six years I have lived in Troy in said County of Bristol where I 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?
I always voluntarily enlisted.

when I 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?
I always voluntarily enlisted.
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. Under Capt. Earl I entered early in the year Seventeen hundred Seventy six and served in his Company, a part of the time on Rhode Island, and afterwards at Tiverton near Howland's Ferry guarding the coast against any attacks of the enemy. I served in this Company about one year; Under Capt. Thomas I entered early in the year Seventeen hundred Seventy seven, and served therein thirteen or fourteen months in said Tiverton on the same service as last aforesaid; while stationed in said Tiverton I was one of forty seven who volunteered to go with Major Barton on an expedition to R. Island where we captured Gen: Prescott, taking him & his aid de camp in the night and bringing them off prisoners, carried them to Warwick in R. Island State; that I served in Capt. Thomas's Company the term aforesaid, and again in the spring of Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight I entered under Capt. [?], this was in a regiment of R. Island State Troops; that this Company was stationed at Howland's Ferry aforesaid employed in building forts and standing guard there, and on Sullivan's expedition we went on the Island and took part in the Battle of Quaker Hill; our Company being stationed on Butts's Hill; I served in this Company nine months; I refer to the annexed affidavits for proof of my services in these two last mentioned Companies; for the first I rely on my own word and character.

I Thomas Miller of Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island aged seventy four years, do testify and say that I am well acquainted with John Hunt of Troy in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts & have been acquainted with him for about sixty years last past - That previous to & during the Revolutionary War, the said Hunt resided within three or four miles of me - The Towns of Troy & Tiverton aforesaid adjoin each other - That during the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven I was stationed & served as a guard in Tiverton aforesaid in a Company commanded by Capt. Isaac Cook; and frequently saw the said John Hunt and know that he was also stationed and served as a guard there in the Company commanded by Capt. Alexander Thomas, but in Shaw Regiment I do not recollect - That to the best of my recollections & belief the said Hunt served in said Thomas' Company more than one year guarding the coast - During this service said Hunt, myself, & fifty five others went on the Island of Rhode Island in the night time, and assisted in taking General the British General Prescott and his Aid-de-camp Prisoners, and conveying them to the Main at Warwick neck - Major Barton commanded this expedition -
I further testify and say that some time in the Spring of the year Seventeen hundred and seventy eight, I served as a soldier in a Company commanded of Artillery commanded by Captain John Adams, in Col. Elliott's Regiment, which was

Stationed at Howland's Ferry in Tiverton in the state of Rhode Island & that said Hunt belonged to and served in said company with me for and during the time of nine months, the time for which we enlisted. The company to which we were attached were employed in building forts & standing guards & — we were in the battle at Quaker Hill so called, then stationed on Quaker Hill —
I further say that during the first campaign above mentioned said Hunt & myself quarreled at the same time — Thomas O'Willcox
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. Brighton August 31. 1832. Thomas Miller made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed —
Before me A Basset Just. of the Peace
Bristol ss. Easton January 18. 1832 I certify that that Thomas Miller who signed the above affidavit is a disinterested and like Witness — A Basset Just. of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I Anselin Basset Register of the Court of Probate in for the County of Bristol do hereby certify that I am a Justice of the Peace in for said County of Bristol & duly qualified, administered oaths and that my signature is affixed to each of the above certificates — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the fifteenth day of January A.D. 1833 —
Anselin Basset

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if 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? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
I was a Soldier & never had a written discharge except on two occasions where I lost overboard from a boat at Howland Ferry.
7. State the names of the 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 clergyman whom I attend is blind and I therefore did not ask him to come to Court. I refer to Thomas Willcox of Pierson a Town adjoining Troy, & Thomas Willcox Jr. of said Troy.
And the said John Hunt doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Hunt H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
WE Thomas Willcox residing in Pierson adjoining the Town of Troy aforesaid and Thomas Willcox Jr. residing in the same Troy hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Hunt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four 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.
Thomas Willcox Thomas Willcox Jr. H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.

above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy four 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.
Thomas Wilcox
Thomas Wilcox Jr
H. Baylies
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 abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Thomas Wilcox — who has signed the preceding certificate is a — — — — — resident in the Town of Tiverton R.I.  adjoining Troy in said County of Bristol, and that Thomas Wilcox Jr who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is  they are a credible person, and that their — statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies
Judge of Probate.
Register of Probate.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } BRISTOL, ss. }
I Anselm Bassett — Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Hunt — of Troy — in said County, for a Pension.
testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Bassett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss.
At a Court of Probate held at Dighton in and for said County of Bristol, by the Hon. Nodifate Daylies, Judge of said Court of Probate on the tenth day of May Eighteen hun- dred and thirty three.
It has this day, in open Court, been satisfactorily proved to the Judge of said Court of Probate, that John Hunt late of Traz in said County of Bristol, deceased, a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of Congress of the United States of June 7 th 1832, died on the 7 th day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty two, leaving no widow, but leaving the following named Children viz. Nathan Hunt, and Isaac Hunt both of Traz aforesaid, Sarah Eddy wife of Zerethide Eddy of Taunton in said County of Bristol, Burden Short of Boston in the County of Suffolk in said Commonwealth, Susanna Allen wife of Benjamin Allen of Newport in the State of Rhode Island, and Elizabeth Pullen wife of William Pullen of Providence in said State of Rhode Island who are now living.
In Testimony whereof I Anselm Basset Register of said Court of Probate have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Basset
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss.
Be it known that before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the

County aforesaid, personally appeared Nathan Hunt, Isaac Hunt, Sarah Eddy, Burden Hunt, Susanna Allen and Elizabeth Pullen and made oath in due form of law that they are the identical persons named in a Certificate signed by Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate, which Certificate is written on the other side of this paper, they all testified that they were of lawful age.
Nathan Hunt
Isaac Hunt
Sarah Eddy
Burden Hunt
Susanna Allen
Elizabeth Pullen
Sworn and Subscribed by Nathan Hunt, Isaac Hunt Susanna Allen, and Elizabeth Pullen, on the fifth day of August 1837 at Fall River and by Burden Hunt and Sarah Eddy at Taunton August Ninth 1837. Before me
Abia Thos. White
Justice of the Peace.
I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that me Nathan Hunt and Isaac Hunt both of Fall River (formerly Troy) in the County of Bristol in the state of Massachusetts, Sarah Eddy, of Taunton in said County of Bristol, Burden Hunt (formerly of Boston, but now) of said Taunton, Susanna Allen of Newport in the State of Rhode Island and Elizabeth Pullen of Providence in said State of Rhode Island, do hereby constitute and appoint Jonathan Dodge our true and lawful Attorney
for us and in our names to receive from the Agent for paying pensions in Boston Massachusetts in the state of Massachusetts, the pension of the United States of the United States, from the fourth day of March 1831 to the seventh day of October 1832, the last date

being the day of the said Pensioners death. Witness Our hands and Seals this fifth and ninth day of August 1837.
Nathan Hunt Isaac Hunt Sarah Eddy Burden Hunt Susanna Allen Elizabeth Pullen
Signed Sealed and delivered in presence of us.
Abiather White - by all.
Now Know Ye that By Nathan and Isaac Hunt, in full power. Susanna Allen, & Elizabeth Pullen Set the Brels. By Burden Hunt and Sarah Eddy.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss.
Be it known that on the fifth day of August 1837 before me the subscribers a justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol, appeared (at Fall River) Nathan Hunt, Isaac Hunt, Susanna Allen and Elizabeth Pullen, and on the 9th day of August 1837. appeared (at Law- ton) Burden Hunt and Sarah Eddy all above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be their free act and deed. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above written.
Abiather White, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that the statement of the Power of Attorney Commenced by another hand, was done before this

This are has commenced, and that the agreement at the head Elizabeth was made before she signed the power of Attorney, and that the youngest person named in this power of Attorney is at least twenty eight years of age, old.
Abiather White Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol. B. J.
Be it known that on the ninth day of August 1837 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Jonathan Hodges the Attorney named in the foregoing power of Attorney and made oath in due form of law that the same was not made given him by reason of any sale transfer or mortgage of the Pension or arrears of Pension authorized to be received by him.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above written. John Hodges.
Before me Abiather White Justice of the Peace.

31153 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31153
John Hunt Rev War
Act: June 1 st 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 198
[Arrangement of 1870.]

See let. to Pension Agent, ordinary payment to heirs & let. to S. Bassett, Oct. 27, 1897.

Taunton Aug. 31 st 1837.
Sir
Isaac Hunt did not sign the power of Attorney to obtain the arrears of pension of his late Father John Hunt, late deceased. I am satisfied that not more than two of the six children of John Hunt dec d signed the power of Atty. Not more than two of them took the oaths of identity as Certified to by Me ssrs . There are no such persons within the County as Aaron Hunt, John Jones and Seth Bliss whose names were affixed as witnesses to said power.
Very Respectfully Yours &c A. Bassett
J. S. Edmonds Esq d Commissioner of Pensions Washington

The original paper of which the enclosed are copies, was sent to John Miller, Esq. U.S. Dist. Attorney, Boston, Mass. Sept. 5. 1837. J. D. Wilim
John Hunt, Esq. Mass. Case out June? 1830.
See letter to Mr. Mills Esq. Sept. 5. 1837

Power of atty to Jm a Woodger dated 5 Aug 1837 Case John Hunt -
letter from A. Bapsett dated Aug 28, 1837 do " " 31 "
J 2910.

John Hunt 3991
11
7.
Abasseto

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 Stuart of Bristol Co. 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? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes  No And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? No
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 the 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.
*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 authenticated 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 end 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.
14. Certificate -

J. Edwards Esq. cur r of Pennine Washington —

Taunton Oct. 23. 1857
Sir,
Please direct the arrears of Pension due the heirs at law of John Hunt late deceased, to be paid upon the within Power —
Very Respectfully
Yours Oct. 23rd.
H. Edward Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Taunton Mass.
Aug 28 th 1837.
Geo. W. Crump Esqre.
Bristol County.
Sir,
Your communication of the 17 th  inst with the documents relating to the Arrears of Pension, due the Children of John Hunt, late deceased, as prepared by Abiather White Esquire were received on the 21 st . I immediately addressed Nathan Hunt and Isaac Hunt who reside at Hale River in this County, on the subject. I also addressed Burder Hunt and Sarah Eddy of Taunton respecting the same.
On the 25 th Nathan C. Hunt, one of the Children of the said John Hunt dec d . who has been called Nathan Hunt, in the documents forwarded you by said White, called on me, and stated what is stated in his Certificate hereto annexed. He also further states informed me, that his Sister Susanna Allen resides at Middletown, near Newport, R.I. and that his Sister Sarah Eddy wife of Nathaniel Eddy resides in that part of Boston, called South Boston, and that probably she had not been in Taunton for some time past. That while Eddy and his wife resided in Taunton they resided in the immediate vicinity of Nathan P. Shaw and Elkanah Woodward, two respectable men, with whom I had been some acquainted. I then called upon said Shaw and Woodward and learned from them, that Eddy and wife removed from Taunton to South Boston, in the County of Suffolk last November, and that neither of them had been in Taunton, to their knowledge since that time. That if either

1. A. has been in Taunton within said time, they should, in questionably have known it. I have wife and the same. I have and his wife and Woodward, also informed that they knew of no such persons as persons Aaron Hunt, John Jones or Seth Bliss.
I then made the necessary enquiry of James Woodward who has been deputy Sheriff for this County for more than 19 years now last past, and a Constable of the town for more than 15 years last past, and of divers other respectable persons in the town, and not one of whom ever knew Aaron Hunt, John Jones or Seth Bliss. James Bliss of Rehoboth an adjoining town and a respectable person aged about 45 yrs has just informed me that he does not know Aaron Hunt, John Jones or Seth Bliss. Elisha M Smith a respectable man who resides in Highton in the vicinity of Millville, and he never knew Aaron Hunt, John Jones, or Seth Bliss.
Therefore, upon what information I have been able to obtain, by inspections and enquiry, it would seem
1 st That the signatures Burden Hunt and Susanna Allen to the power of Attorney and to the identity were written by one and the same person, and not by Burden Hunt and Susanna Allen. 2 nd That Sarah Eddy wife of Nehemiah Eddy has not been within the County of Bristol Mass since last November. 3 rd That Aaron Hunt, John Jones and Seth Bliss witnesses to said power, were written by one and the same person, at or about the same time. 4 th That there are no such persons, as Aaron

Hunt, John Jones, and Seth Bliss And if such are the facts, then 5 th Abiather White, did not see Burden Hunt Susanna Allen or Sarah Eddy sign said power of Attorney at Taunton or Fall River as stated in his Certificate. And 6 th What can be said of his Certificate of the Acts of identity.
Herewith I return you the power of Attorney to enable you again to inspect the proceedings in reference to the facts here stated and supposed to be true. This document I should like to have preserved in your Depart- -ment or forwarded to me again, to be kept for the benefit of whomsoever it may concern.
In procuring the Arrears of Pension of John Hunt dec d I shall begin anew.
It ought to have been suggested above that there is good reason to believe that Burden Hunt did not sign the power of Attorney.
I have written to Fall River to a respect- -able Magistrate, to call upon Isaac Hunt and ascertain where he executed the power of Attorney and also where Sarah Hunt John Jones and Seth Bliss the witnesses resided. His answer will be communicated soon as received.
Very Respectfully Your Obed t Serv t A. Bapst
Geo. M. Crump Esq r Acting Clerk of Pension Washington

To whomsoever it may Concern.
This Certifies that when I executed the power of Attorney purporting to bear date the fifth and ninth day of August 1837. And authorising Jonathan Hodges to obtain the arrears of the Pension of John Hunt late deceased. I was in the Street at Fall River and no other person was with me, except the Magistrate who took the acknowledgement of, and witnessed said power.
I further certify that Aaron Hunt and John Jones were not present when I executed said power, and that I do not know any such person or persons as Aaron Hunt or John Jones.
Witness
Nathan C. Hunt
Alfred Williams
I further certify that in a few days after I executed the power of Attorney matter over-mentioned, I received a letter from Nathaniel White requesting me to obtain my Sister Susannah Allen's name to said letter and return the same to him to enable him to know that it was her signature. In a few days after this my Sister came to my house in Fall River & she subscribed her name in said letter. I then forwarded the letter to said White. I do not know that said White ever saw my said Sister. I further certify that I have seen the power of Attorney purporting to be signed by Susannah Allen, and in my opinion she did not write what purports to be her signature thereto.
Nathan C. Hunt
Witness
A. Basset
The Certificate of N. C. Hunt was prepared and signed Aug 28. 1837.