Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13733, for Elisha Leonard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Leonard Blisha
S 13733
boarded
CONTENTS

Vermont. 18.803
Elisha Leonard
Whitcomb co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Ager of the Regt. commanded by Major Ladd in the Mass. Mil. time for 6 mo. 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 21 Dollars 98 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of October. 1833. and sent to J. D. Farnsworth Charlotte. Vt.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 33. $ 82. 95 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 34 10. 99 $ 93. 94
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. Brown Clerk Book E. Vol. 3. Page 74

Adm.
6 mos 18 8
Send a find out former agent J. D. Farnsworth. Charlotte, N.C.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
18 Aug '33
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 subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those 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, shewing the Service of Elisha Leonard
   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.     In Apr 1775 - - - 14 Private Capt N. Ager 82. Dorchester The Battle of the Ap-   Forced Jan 1776 to - 2 - - 2 Maj S. Ledy Wethersfield placent by the Affir-   June 1776 1 5 10 2 Genl. Washington Wethersfield dent of his Neighbors   In August 1777 - - - 14 2 Lieut C. D. Barton Dorchester Rev'd C. Yale by J. D. Farm-   October 1777 - - 6 10 do. Capt E. D. Allen Dorchester sworth - And from his  
advanced age & infirm state of health now almost blind he is unable to procure other evidence
Elisha Leonard Chittenden County - Vt. Subscribed & sworn to before J. D. Farmworth Justice Peace 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 records, 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 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="2">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:
"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 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 fix 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.
see authentication

1857 Elisha Leonard's Declaration - V. of Charlotte At.
7/215;

State of Vermont, ) Chittenden County, ) On this 15 th day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared before me, John Van Sicklen Junior, one of the Judges of the County Court in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, being a Court of Record, Elisha Leonard, a resident of Charlotte in said County, aged eighty one years, the second day of January last past, 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 the seventh 1832:— That he enlisted entered the service of the United States, first as a volunteer at Worthington in the State of Massachusetts, under the command of Captain Nahum Ager and Lieutenant Alexander Miller to go to Boston in an alarm in April 1775 and went, but found it to be a false alarm and was discharged in about two weeks and returned to Worthington. In January 1776 at Worthington where I still resided, I enlisted under a Capt. Grosvenor immediately after the defeat of General Montgomery at Quebec to go to Canada, my first Lieutenant was Stephen Fitch, the second Stephen Wilson; we were a detachment under the the command of Major Jeremiah Bady; we first marched from Worthington to Albany, and from there by the way of Lake George to Tienderoga, from there by St. Johns to Quebec where our division was

put under the command of General Arnold. — General Wooster soon came on and General Arnold was recalled, the command then devolved on General Wooster. After, General Thomas came on who had the command about four days; after the Army returned and I returned to Massachusetts. I was out during this campaign a little over five months, but on account of the extreme fatigue we under- went we were allowed ten months for the same. The next term of service I performed was as a volunteer in August 1777 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Webster, I marched to Bennington but did not arrive in season to enter into the action but assisted in guarding the prisoners, I was out at this term about a fortnight; In October the same year I went out as a Volunteer under Capt. Ebenezer Webber to Stillwater in the State of New York & was out during this time a little over one week; In the year 1778 the Militia of Massachusetts were called, and I was in a company of twelve, & I hired a man for three years to serve in the Continental Army, which was set to our account on the Militia Rolls as three months service each; In the year 1780, In a company of eighteen I hired a man to serve for three years more who was discharged at the close of the war. I have no documentary evidence and know of no person whose testimony I can procure to show my services.

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.
Elisha Leonard
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 th day of August A.D. 1832.
Before me, John P. Sanbickler { Judge of Chautauqua County Court

John Vanselun Judge of the Interrogatories propounded by the Honorable County Court, for Chittenden County, to Elisha Leonard of Charlotte in said County, under the act of Congress of 7th June, 1832.
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 service.
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.
To the foregoing Interrogatories the said Elisha Leonard, Answers, as follows.
Answer 1 st I was born in the town of Preston in the State of Connecticut January, the 2 d 1757.
2 d There is a record of my age in the town where I was born, but I have none here.
3 d I lived at Worthington in Massachusetts when I entered the service, and since the revolutionary war I have lived about fourteen years in the Susquehannah Country, and at different places, until about fifteen years ago; since which time I have resided in Charlotte where I now live.
4 th I entered the service as above stated.

5 th I have named in my declaration the names of the principal officers under whom I served.
6 th I did not receive a written discharge, but we were discharged by Companies, and an Officer took the discharge
7 th I am known to the Rev. Calvin Gale to Deacon Jas. Root, to Noble Lowry, to Hon. S. D. Farnsworth and to many other citizens of Charlotte who can testify to my character for piety and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.

We the undersigned inhabitants of Charlotte do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Leonard who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration that we believe him to be eighty one years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed this 15 th day of Aug 1832
Calvin Gale
J. D. Turnworth
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 th day of August A.D. 1832
Before me,
John Mandickler } Mayor of Charlotte Calvin Gale

And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that the Applicant by reason of age and bodily infirmity is unable to appear in Court to make his declaration, and further that it appears to me that Calvin Yale who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Charlotte, and that S. D. Farnsworth who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Charlotte aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Van Sutherland { Judge of Chittenden County Court
STATE OF VERMONT. Chittenden County, ss.
I Nathan Rusk as well Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify that, the Hon John Van Sutherland Esqr. before whom the annexed declaration is taken, was at the time thereof, Justice of an Assistant Judge of Chittenden County the Peace, duly qualified, acting under the authority of this State, and that I believe know his name thereto subscribed, to be his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Burlington, this 23 rd day of August A. D. 1832.
Nathan Rusk as well

Elisha Leonard Declaration - St. of Charles St. Ht.
7/21/52
From the personal acquaintance which I have with the applicant in this case And knowing as I do his strict integrity and extreme industry I would hereby recommend his case to the favour- able notice of the War Department August 27 th 1832
Howe Meek

Deohay
13733 INVALID.
File No. 13 733
Elisha Leonard Prim Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 221
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont Elisha Leonard, of Charlotte in said County. Who after being duly sworn Depo th & sayeth that by reason of his advanced age & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the length of his services to a day but according to his best recollection that he served in the month of April 1775 two weeks and from January 1776 to June 1776 he served five months & ten days. That is August 1777. He served two weeks at Bennington - and in October 1777. He served ten days at Stillwater & Saratoga at the capture of Burgoyne making in all six months & 18 days that he served in person. In relation to this fact he thinks he cannot be mistaken that he knows of one contemporary survivor who was with him in the service as he has removed a distance from the place of his residence where the services were performed being now in the 82 nd year of his age he is unable to procure the testimony of any person as to the service above stated for which he claims a pension
Elisha Leonard
Sworn to and subscribed this 12 th April AD 1833 before me.
Joseph D. Farnsworth Justice Peace

Personally appeared Elisha Leonard Before the undersigned, a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont, Who after being duly sworn Deposeth & 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 in the fol- -lowing grades. For one year and a half & fifteen days served as a private soldier, and on account of the loss myself as a substitute as stated in my declaration made before the Hon. John Randall on the 15th August 1832. That for the term of service in 1816. On account of the very great hardships attending it - during the campaign in Canada we were allowed to call it ten months. Counting the time in that manner my services amount to One year four months & fifteen days. And for such service I claim a pension. Elisha Leonard Sworn to and subscribed this 23 d day of January AD 1833. Before me
Joseph D. Farnsworth Justice of the peace
State of Vermont Chittenden County
I Nathan Manswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby certify that Joseph D. Farnsworth Esquire, before whom the foregoing deposition is taken, was at the time thereof a Justice of the peace duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that his name to the subscription is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 27 th day of February AD 1833 Nathan Manswell Clerk