Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18462, for Peter Hunt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Privateer
Hunt, Peter
S. 18462
leaded
CONTENTS

6875.
Massachusetts Peter Hunt
of Newbury in the State of Mass who was a Serjt in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col (Bridge) in the Mass line for 21 Days & 20 days 2 - 22 - 1 - & Private
Inscribed on the Rolls of Mass at the rate of 115 Dollars 43 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Jan 1833 and sent David Dana of Groton Hall present Arrears to 4th of Jan 1833 $230.86 Semiant. allowance ending Feb 5th 57.71 $288.57
{ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. H. McBlain Clerk Book D Vol. 22 Page 100.

Declaration Peter Meent
Mean to direct to Sandana by Gorton Ms.
20705

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Writs begun and holden at Concord on the 20th Decr 1832 On the application of Peter Hunt Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
within and for the County of Middlesex day of December A. D. 1832 claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, I was born in Fruitsbury Ms. on the 31 st day of January 1753.
2. Have you any record of your age and where is it?
Answer, I have a family 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? Answer,
When called into service I lived in Fruitsbury now I always have and do 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? Answer,
All my services were voluntary and of my own accord
5. Did you ever receive any written discharges from service? Ans d the never received but one discharge, and that was from the Continental service as stated in the declaration.
6. 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 service? Answer,
I saw Genl Washington at Cambridge, and was with Genl Putnam at Cambridge — I saw Andre executed and was within a few rods, and could hear him speak — I saw Genl Gates when Burgoyne surrendered
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? Answer,
The Rev d Jacob Baggins, Mr Isaac Marshall, Wm B. Main Esq. Mr Josh Bradlee of Lowell, William Rogers Esq. Genl Clark Esq. George Mason Selectmen of Fruitsbury.
Peter Hunt
Sworn to
J. P. May  W. B. Main

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex
ss.
On this
seventeenth
day of
August
1882
Concord
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas , now sitting at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth
aforesaid
Peter H. Hunt of Tewksbury in said County aged seventy nine years
Who being 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. That is to say
 1 That he was a minute man in the town of Tewksbury in 1775 and on the 19 th of March  1775 marched in Col. Tuell's Company in Col. Bridges Regt. he proceeded with his company to the Battle of Concord the 19 th of April  1775 he pursued the Enemy to Cambridge where his company was encamped till some time the first of May when he enlisted for eight months when his company of Capt. Benj. Wallcut in Col. Bridges Regt. in this company he continued and did duty for four months when he was discharged at Woburn  Mass. where he continued to do duty till near the month of March when he was finally discharged from service at Cambridge having served ten months in this campaign.  2 He engaged to New York for three months and enlisted in the company of Capt. John Abbott of Andover in Col. Boylston's Regt. formed in the County of Essex of the Massachusetts forces, he proceeded with his company to White Plains where he encamped and did duty for three months when he was discharged.  3 In 1777 he engaged to go to the Northern frontier three months and enlisted in the company of Capt. Hezekiah Russell of Durdett in a Regt. of Mass. forces commanded by Col. Bellows in this company he was appointed a sergeant and proceeded with them to Saratoga where he served his term of three months .  4 In 1778 he engaged to go to New York for eight months and enlisted in the company of Capt. Asa Lawrence in which he was appointed Orderly Sergeant , his L t was John Hunt , and the company was in Col. Poor's Regt. of the Mass. forces on the 8 th of July he received his sergeant's warrant from Col. Poor and he was in company with his company until he finished his term of eight months and was discharged.  5 In 1779 he entered the Winter  Mass. for a cause of three months , he was commanded by Capt. Peterson of Salem from whence he departed and was gone about three months during which period the captain twice returned into Fort  Mass. again.  6 In the year 1780 he engaged to go into the Continental service for nine months and joined the Army and was ordered into the Lt. Col. Jackson's Regt. of the Mass. Line, in this company he was appointed a sergeant and did sergeant's duty there until he completed his term of nine months when he received his discharge at Winterthur , but which he has since lost, and also his sergeant's warrant by time and accident. 
he enlisted
In November 1776 to go to New Jersey for three months and enlisted in the company of Capt. John Trull of Tewksbury his L t was Amos  Forster , 2 d L t was Holden , and his company was in Col. Thacher's Regiment of Mass. forces, the company was first assembled at the Punch bowl Tavern in Burlington  Mass. and proceeded to the camp in New Jersey and continued with them in New Jersey until he completed his term of three months when he was discharged.
the

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to and
O.P. May Writ
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Peter Hunt
We Jacob Coggin a Clergyman residing in the town of Tewksbury in the county of Middlesex and Jacob Marshall of the same Tewksbury hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Hunt who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed before me Jacob Coggin
Before me Sam Dana justice of the Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth.
Jacob Marshall
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 the Rev. Jacob Coggin who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Tewksbury and
that Peter Hunt is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. H.P. May Clerk of the Court of Middlesex
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application for a pension. Peter Hunt
Seventeenth
day of
August
in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Jacob Coggin
And I further certify that Josiah Browne Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex: and that his signature to the caption on the Deposition of Jonathan Shed, appears to be his proper signature
Jacob Coggin
And I further certify that Samuel Dana Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth and that his signature to the above Certificate of Jacob Coggin and Jacob Marshall is his true signature and also that his signature to the captions on the respective Depositions of Samuel Worcester, and Timothy Hunt are each of them his true and genuine attested signatures And I further certify that William Rogers Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex and that his signature to the caption on the Deposition of Aaron Dexter is his true and genuine signature
Jacob Coggin

Samuel Worcester for Peter Hunt.

I Amos Foster — of Southbury in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty  nine years, do depose and say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as by my Declaration on file in the Pension Office, will appear:
And I do further testify and declare that I well know Peter Hunt of the same Southbury, and know that he
served as a Soldier in that war, that he was a Corporal  private Soldier, in the Company of Capt John Southwick Benj n Walker in Colo. Eben Bridges Regiment, in which Company, I also served. Before the War commenced, we were both minute men in Southbury in AD 1774. In AD 1775 we proceeded to Concord fight and returned. The Company marched to Cambridge and continued about a fortnight when we both enlisted in Capt John Southwick Company, in said Colonel Bridges Reg t for eight months, we were stationed principally in the College, and I was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, the said Peter Hunt had been wounded and was confined by sickness so that he was not required to go into the Battle, I well remember the said Peter Hunt in the Company until we had completed our full term of eight months.
Cambridge December 12: 1832
Amos Foster
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Middlesex to wit December 12. AD 1832
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex, Amos Foster well known to me as a credible witness and deserving full credit and faith and
who subscribe the above deposition and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
William Rogers

Dep t of Amos Forster for Capt. Peter Hunt

I Samuel Worcester of Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 84 years, do depose and say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as by my Declaration on file in the Pension Office, will appear: And I do further testify and declare that Peter Hunt of Dana Tewksbury aforesaid also
Sergeant served as a Soldier in that war, that he was a private Soldier, in the Company of Capt. John Trull in Colo. Thachers Regiment, in which Company, I also served. in AD 1776 The said Peter Hunt and myself in the fall of AD 1776 agreed to enlist for three months, to serve at New Jersey for three months and both enlisted in Capt. Trull's Company the L t was Amos Forster and the Company was in Colo. Thacher Reg t and was formed and met the first time, at the French Creek in Pennsylvania. The said Peter Hunt was appointed a Sergeant and the Company proceeded to New Jersey and with the Regiment were then encamped about eight miles from Elizabethtown, and with this Company the said Peter Hunt continued and did duty until he served three months. I can not state the precise day when our service commenced, but well know it was in the fall and that said Hunt and myself served the full term of three months before we were dismissed and were allowed pay for returning home. Samuel Worcester
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Middlesex to wit December 11 th AD. 1832.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth Samuel Worcester of Tewksbury in said County Bg. well known to me as a person of deserving full faith and credit and who subscribed the above deposition and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief. Sam l Dana

Timothy Hunt for Peter Hunt

I Timothy Hunt of Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy four years, do depose and say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as by my Declaration on file in the Pension Office, will appear. And I do further testify and declare that Peter Hunt of the same Tewksbury also also
Sergeant  that he was a private Soldier , in the Company of Capt. John Trull in Colo. Thackin Regiment, in which Company, I also served. In the fall of the year AD 1776. We both lived in Tewksbury were Brothers and enlisted into the Company of Capt. John Trull for three months we marched by the way of Providence where the Regiment was formed and we proceeded to the Camp in New Jersey. I knew that said Peter Hunt was in the Company full three months in the fall, and I believe in November we departed from Tewksbury and were dismissed in the winter my said Brother & myself arrived at home within one or two days of each other. —
In presence of Samuel Dana
Tim o  his Hunt mark
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. County of Middlesex to wit December 11. th AD. 1832.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth Timothy Hunt whose mark and signature was subscribed to the above Deposition in my presence and who is well known to me as a credible witness, deserving full faith who subscribes the above deposition and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief. Sam l Dana

Peter Hunt 20.706
on Roll Box Section Neg. Sings 1 July 1919 6 Months
21 Mts + 8 days Sings 29 - 20 - 19
Ullrich E 375.23.
Samuel Dana Esq. Gorton Mass.

BRIEF in the case of  Peter Hunt  of Tewksbury in the State of Massachusetts  (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? Seventy Nine  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.     19 April In 1775 10 private Col: Bridges, Hoap: Walker   1775 3 private Col: Bonyall Hoap: Abbott   In 1776 3 Sergeant Col: Heacher Hoap: Trull   1777 3 28 Sergeant Col: Bullard Hoap: Russell   1778 8 18 Sergeant Col: Pown Hoap: Lawrence   1779 about 3 Sailor Capt: Patterson   1780 9 Sergeant Col: Jackson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None named  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Tewksbury, Mass?  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Four living witnesses, Documentary evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correctly authenticated 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.
The Certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shows that Peter Hunt is on the rolls of said Commonwealth

at low 6m out of nearly 22 mths
1842
INVALID.
File No. 1842
Peter Hunt
Dept. New York
Act: June 7 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 426
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Peter Hunt 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? 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? 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?
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.

(Deposition of John G. G. G. on the case of Peter Kent.)

Jonathan Shed of Albany in the County of Oxford and State of Maine being of Law in Page Depose testify and say that Oliver Hunt of Westbrook served in the Army of the Revolution three months in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven at at Bennington, Stillwater and Saratoga in the Company Commanded by Stephen Russell in Col. D. D. D. Regiment of Infantry Jonathan Shed
Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss. Personally appeared the above named Jonathan Shed and made oath to the above Deposition by him subscribed Before me -
Josiah Brown Jr. Clerk

Peter Hunt

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov. 28 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears
vide. Last re vice -
that the name of Peter Hunt is borne on a Muster roll of the Minute company under the command of Capt. John Small in Col. Ebenezer Brn's regiment April 19 th and after 1775." for the space of 8 days from the 19 th of April 1775. Again, his name is borne as a Sergeant , on a Muster roll of Capt. Stephen Russell's company in Col. Samuel Bullard's regiment of the state of Massachusetts Bay of Militia in General Mawes Brigade who were in the service of the United States in the Northern department in the year 1777" for the space of 3 months and 26 days, time to return home included, from the 15 th of August. Discharge dated Nov 30. 1777.
4. Again, the name of Peter Hunt is borne as a Sergeant , on a Pay roll of Genl. Stark's company, in a regiment of New Hampshire Militia commanded by Col. Thomas Poor Esqr, raised to fortify and secure the passes of
(over)

South river, in the State of New York agreeable to a resolve of the General Court passed April 20. 1718" for the space of 6. months and 10. days, term to return home included from the 15. th of June 1778. Discharge dated February 11. th
I further certify that there is no roll of Capt. Asa Lawrence's company in service at New-York, on file in this office.
2. Again, Peter Hunt is borne as a Corporal, on "S. Muster roll of Capt. Benjamin Walker's company in Col. Cleeveser Bridges regiment to the 1 st of August 1775" for the space of 3. months and 11. days from the 1 st of July off. April 6. 1775
I certify that there is no roll of Capt. Benjamin Walker's company in service in A.D. 1775 beyond the 1 st of August.
Edward D. Bangs Secy
N.B. Lieut. Flint commanded the company at New-York, which was to have been commanded by Capt. Asa Lawrence, this was not known to the person who made this Certificate, which accounts for the Certificate "that there is no roll of Capt. Asa Lawrence company"

Peter Hunt Sergeants clear out Loki's Horn
July 3 rd 1778

[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible due to the orientation and fading.]
Dear Sir,
It is a little Commemorative of the life that has been passed on the stage of life. I have been thinking of the past and how things have changed since we were children. It seems like a lifetime ago. I hope you are well and happy. I am, as ever, Your loving friend, John Doe Phila. Pa. Dec 18th 1891

Peter Hunt Seajants Clearant L'Kai' ... July 3 rd 1778
653 The ... for ... to ... to ... top ... to ...
2.9 10.18