Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30150, for Israel Taft, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Taft, Israel
S. 30150
CONTENTS

21. 374 Massachusetts
Israel Traft
of Worcester in the State of Mass. who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Rees - of the Regt. commanded by Col. Whitney in the War time for 17 Mo. 12 days
56.66      $115.96 1.32          28.99
$57.98  $144.95
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 5 Dollars 98 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Sept. 1833 and to the D. Adams Nylund
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 33 $144.95 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Ma 34 28.99
$173.94
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { dated June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. (Stiles) Clerk, Book E. Vol. 1, Page 85

9441 Israel Taft
78 Plant 17 Mr 10 days
16 06 May 10 (1833) P. 390
Benj Adams Uxbridge Mass

9441  BRIEF in the case of Israel Taft of Worcester Co in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71  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.     77 3 private Gen. Capt Reed Col. Whitney   latter part of summer 77 11 " Capt Sibley Col. Keyes   to about 1 Jan 78 " Capt Whiting Col. Hawes   Summer 78 1 12 " Capt Groggin Col. Tyler   Jan 78 3 " Detached Capt. Col. Smith   Jan 80 6 "   on roll  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 
none mentioned
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Uxbridge
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
4 living Witnesses,
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Papers not properly authenticated
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk:  16 Feb 1833

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester ss. On this twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before Nathl Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
now sitting Israel Safford a resident of Northbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to ob- tain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
He enlisted into the company of Capt. Samuel Read for the term of three months, they marched to the Peek- skill in the State of New York, where they joined Colonel Whitneys regiment for part of the in the year 1777, soon after which, he & the re- -giment marched to Morristown & from thence to Bound- brook, where the regiment was stationed & he remained until the term of his enlistment expired, when he was dismissed. In the latter part of the summer of the same year, 1777, he again enlisted for the term of four months in the company commanded by Capt. Joseph Sibley in the regiment of Col. Hays, he joined said company in the State of Rhode Island & served out the term of his enlistment. General Spencer's expedition was in this time & he was dismissed about the first of January in the year 1778. In the summer of the year 1778 he was called out upon Sullivan's expedition at Rhode Island & served in the company commanded by Capt. Caleb Whiting, in the regiment commanded by Col. Hays,

for the term of six weeks, during which time he went upon the Island of Rhode Island, & was in the skirmish with the British Troops, when the said Island was evacuated by the American troops; after which he marched to Providence with said Company & was there dismissed. About the first of January in the year 1778, he enlisted for the term of three months in the Regiment Company commanded by Capt. Sam l Craggin, in the Regiment in which Nathan Dyer was the Col. or Lt. Colonel he can't say which, the said Company were stationed at North-Kingstown in the State of Rhode Island & guarded the shore, at the end of his enlistment he was dismissed - This was before Sullivan's expedition, the one mentioned the next before this. In the year 1780, orders came to the Selectmen of the town of Uxbridge for eighteen men for the term of six months, to join the Continental Army, which number of Men the said Selectmen hired, of whom he, the said Dyer, was one, he with the other seventeen men went to West-point in the State of New York, & were put into a Company, the Capt. Name he does not remember, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Calvin Smith, & Andrew Peters was either Col. or Major in the same Regiment, he stayed at West-point two or three weeks, & then went with said Regiment into the State of New Jersey at several places the names of which he does not remember. One night night the men were ordered not to undress, but he at ready at a minute's warning to March; the next day the news was spread in the camp that General Arnold had fled to the British, & that a body of rifle-men had marched to West-point - the Regiment to which he belonged  would have been was stationed near where Major Andree was hung - He stayed in said Regiment six months the time he engaged & was dismissed. He was born in the town of Uxbridge aforesaid on the

first day of March in the year 1761 where the record of his birth now remains. He lived in said Uxbridge at the several times he went into the Service as above stated. Soon after the war of the revolution he moved to the town of Northbridge, where he has lived ever since. He never was drafted, but went voluntarily as before stated. He never had a written discharge; but at the end of the time for which he engaged he was discharged. He refers to the gentle- men hereafter named who can testify as to his character for veracity, to wit, the Hon ble Israel Daff, Frederick Daff Esq r & Samuel Read Esq r all of Uxbridge aforesaid, & Col. James Fletcher & De o Thomas Goldthwaite both of Northbridge aforesaid.
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.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid.
Before NATHL GAMES Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
We John Crane a Clergyman residing in Northbridge in said County of Worcester, and James Fletcher residing in the same Northbridge, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Israel Daff who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before NATHL GAMES Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
John Crane James Fletcher Jr
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories propounded by the War & Post- ament that the above mentioned applicant was a revolution war soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them John Crane who signed the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman, residing in Northbridge & that James Fletcher Jr who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Northbridge & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
NATHL GAMES Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester

I, Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Israel Taft for a pension and that Benjamin Adams, before whom the annexed Affidavit was made is a justice of the Peace in & for the County of Worcester aforesaid in full credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Probate Court this 28th day of August A.D. 1832 Theophilus Wheeler Register of the said Probate Court -

I Elisha Brown of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify & say that I served a tour of duty of six months at Rhode Island (the time of Spencer's private expedition so called) in the year 1777- I enlisted & served in the Company commanded by Joseph Sibley in the Regiment commanded by Col. Hovey, I was acquainted with Israel Safford of Northbridge in said County who served in said Company during said tour, we were discharged about the first of January 1778 I am not able to say whether the said Safford was in our said Company all the said six months or not - and further the deponent saith not
Elisha Brown
I further testify & say, I served six weeks in the year 1778, in Sullivan's Expedition at Rhode Island, in the Company commanded by Caleb Whiting, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Hovey, & that the said Israel Safford served with me in the same Company during the said tour of six weeks, during said time we marched to Newport on the Island of Rhode Island & after being there about three weeks, we retreated before the British troops & evacuated the Island, afterwards we were marched to Providence in said State & dismissed, & further saith not
Elisha Brown
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. Uxbridge August 16 - 1832. Then personally appeared Elisha Brown, who signed the above deposition, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. I further certify I am well acquainted with the said deponent & know him to be a person of truth, and a credible witness. Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace
Sworn to Aug. 16 1832

I Noah Crossman of Sutton in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify & & say, I enlisted in Capt. Sawyer's Company, in the Regiment of commanded by Col. Whitney, in the year 1777 for the term of four months, that our Company marched to Pehkkill in the state of New York, after we had been there a short time, Israel Taft man of Northbridge in said County of Worcester, joined our Regiment, the said Taft was in Capt. Samuel Read's Company, from Pehkkill we march to Morristown & from thence to Barnesbrook, where we were stationed till our times were out. Capt. Sawyer's Company & Capt. Read's Company were stationed near together & I saw the said Taft almost daily - and further Deposition saith not Noah Crossman
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. Uxbridge August 11 th 1832. Then personally appeared Noah Crossman, who signed the above Deposition, & made Solemn oath to the truth of the same. I further certify that I am acquainted with the said Noah Crossman the Deposition & believe him to be a credible Witness.
Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace

I John Parsons of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify & say, that, I enlisted into the Company commanded by Capt. Samuel Craggin in the later part of the year 1777 for the term of three months, in the Regiment in which Nathan Dyer was either the Colonel or L t Col., which of them I am not certain, we marched to North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island, I well remember that Israel Dyer of Northbridge in the said County of Worcester enlisted & served the said three months in the same Company with me, our business was to guard the shore as the British forces were then in Newport R. I. not far distant, at the end of the said term of enlistment the said Dyer myself & said Company were dismissed, and further the Deponent saith not.
John Parsons
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. Uxbridge August 11 th 1832. Then personally appeared John Parsons, who signed the above Deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the same. I further certify that I am acquainted with the said John Parsons, the Deponent & that he is a credible witness.
Benjamin Adams Justice of the Peace

I Daniel Carpenter of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Clerk of the said Town of Mendon Uxbridge do testify and say, That I have in keeping the books of the records of the said Town of Uxbridge, in the book in which the records of the town for the year 1720 I find recorded a list of names of persons, whom orders were given to the Soldiers that were in the Six month Service, and the amount of said orders, among which is to Israel Taft an order of thirty pounds - And for the Deponent saith not -
Daniel Carpenter
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. Uxbridge August 16 1832. Then personally appeared Daniel Carpenter, who signed the the above Deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the same. I further certify I am well acquainted with the said Deponent & he is a person of truth & a credible witness.
Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace
944!
Grace Taft
Worcester ss
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify that the Papers now connected by ribbon under the seal of said Court are the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Israel Taft for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court this 29th Day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three. Theophilus Wheeler Reg of said Court
Benj Adams, Uxbridge mass

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Israel Galt a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. File 30150
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Feb 1777 3 mos. Samuel Read Whitney Mass.   1777 to Jan 1778 4 mos. Joseph Sibley Keyes   Jan 1 1778 3 mos. Samuel Croggin Nathaniel Tyler   June 1778 6 mos. Colin Whiting Jawes   1780 6 mos. ✓ Abiah Smith  
of which in Sullivan's Expedition on Rhode Island.
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Tadoussac Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug 20 1832
Residence at date of application, New Bedford Massachusetts
Age at date of application, 71 years old at time of application
Remarks: This claim was allowed. No family data.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

30 150 INVALID. Rev
1912 Apl. 9. Hist. to Miss Ida A. Taft. 4
File No. 30,150
Israel Taft
His Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index: — Vol. 9 , Page 418
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Uxbridge, Massachusetts Apr. 1, 1912.
Gentlemen,
In making out my D. A. R. papers as a descendant of Israel D. 30150 Saft. I fail to find the regiment etc. that he served in.
I have his pension paper of June 7, 1832 and it says that it is recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. Page 88 left

Geo. C. Steles, Clerk.
Would you be willing to take the trouble to send a copy of the record to me
Thanking you for your kindness I remain
Respectfully (Miss) Ida A. Taft Uxbridge Massachusetts

ack. Apr. 6, 1912 PENSION D U. S. APR 2 1912 OFFICE.

9441 Israel Dast
Benj Adams Uxbridge Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Israel Taft which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Y II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Y 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? Y 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? Y VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Y VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Y VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Y IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Y 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? Y

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? No
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.