Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6085, for Joseph Laird, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass,
Laird, Joseph
A. 6085
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

150 Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this thirteenth day of May - A. D. 1834. personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting.
Joseph Laird — a resident of the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy eight 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 act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
The said Joseph Laird states, that he was drafted, by Capt. Austin, of the Militia, in the month of April, in the year 1776, for eight months, to go, to the Northwest - That he entered the service, of the United States, in the War of the Revolution, some time, in the month of April, he thinks, soon after he was drafted, the first part of April, in the year 1776 - That he left said service, some time, in the month of December, he thinks, the first part of December, in the year 1776.
The said Joseph Laird states, that he went from said Great Barrington, some time during the month of April 1776, to Albany, in the State of New York, and from said Albany, he went, to Fort Edward, and from Fort Edward, to Lake George, and from Lake George, across the Lake, to, or near, Piconderoga, and where he remained, until, the time, for which he was drafted, eight months, had elapsed. The said Joseph Laird states, that he was not attached, to any particular Company, or Regiment; but that, he performed, said service, of eight months, in the service, of the United States, in the War of the Revolution, under, and in pursuance, of the before mentioned draft, and during the time, before mentioned, in the following manner, & under the following circumstances.
He the said Joseph Laird states, that he was drafted, as before stated, in the month of April 1776, for eight months - His Father was unwilling, that he should go, into the service, at that time, - He wanted his labor, at home, and he felt, unable, indeed it was difficult, to obtain a substitute - He, however,

endeavored, to get him, The said Joseph Laird, excused or released, from said draft; but he could not get him in any way, released or excused from said draft. About that time, a number of teams, were called for, and purchased, or obtained, in Great Barrington, where this applicant, then lived, or in the vicinity thereof, for the Northern Army - and this requisition, for teams, as this applicant, then understood, and now, easily believes, was by, or under the direction, of General Schuyler.
The said Joseph Laird states, that he was fond of driving a team, and was reputed a good teamster. He, also, states, that some arrangement was made, and as he believes, by his Father & Capt. Austin, the Officer, by whom, he was drafted, that he, the said Joseph Laird, should go, and drive one of the teams, so purchased, or obtained, as aforesaid.
The said Joseph Laird here states, as first herein, mentioned, that he went, from said Great Barrington, some time, in the month of April, in the year 1876, under, and in pursuance, of the draft, aforesaid, and was directed, and allowed, to drive, and did drive, one of the teams, aforesaid, from said Great Barrington, to Albany, in the State of New York - That, at said Albany, he was furnished, with a Soldier's blanket, and rations, or provisions - That his team was, there, (at Albany) loaded, with supplies, for the Army - That, as aforesaid, he went, from said Albany, to Fort Edward, and from Thence, to Lake George, and from Thence, across the Lake, to, or near, Siconderoga, and that his team was taken around, by land, and came to him, near where he landed, from the lake. That he, the said Joseph Laird, was thereafter ward, at, and near, Siconderoga, employed, driving said team, drawing timber, to build Boats, and for other purposes, for the Army - There, until the time (as before stated) for which he was drafted, had elapsed.
The said Joseph Laird states, that he performed, the beforementioned service, in

pursuance, and under, the before mentioned draft, and that he, during the time, lived like a Soldier, endured the hardship of a Soldier, was told, that he should receive, the pay, of a Soldier, (Though he did not, receive, any thing, neither did any other person, for him, to his knowledge) that said service was, for the period of eight months, and was in the service, of the United States, in the War of the Revolution, and which service, this applicant believes and is advised comes, fairly, within the spirit, & intention, if not within the letter, of the Act of Congress of the 7. June 1832. and, therefore, he makes this application, for the benefit thereof.
The said Joseph Laird states, that, at the time, he performed said service, several other persons, to wit, one Heath, one Curtis, and one Doud, went with him, and with teams, performed, similar services, to those, which he, the said Laird, performed. The said Joseph Laird states, that he entered, the service, aforesaid, in April in the year 1776 - That he left said service, in the month of December, of the same year - That he resided, in Great Barrington, in the County of Berkshire, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, when he performed said service - That he has no documentary evidence, in relation, to said service - That he does not know, of any person, whose testimony, he can procure, who can testify, to his service - That he has made, diligent search, and inquiry, to procure, direct evidence; but has been, unable, to find any, and he verily believes, that there is not, any person living, who can testify, as to his service. The said Joseph Laird states, that when, he was in the service, Genl. Schuyler was the Commanding Officer - That he said Laird, frequently, saw him, there - There were other Officers. The names of two, this applicant recollects - One by the name of Brown,

and one by the name of Allen - Col. Brown and Mary Allen, according to this applicant's present recollection. The said Joseph Laird states, that he was of the Militia - that he was drafted, and that he had no discharge, from said service. That since the Revolutionary War, he has, constantly, performed resided, in said Great Barrington - That he now resides there, that he was born, in Stafford, in the State of Connecticut, in the year 1756, and that he has a record, of his age, in his Bible.
The said Joseph Laird states, that he has delayed, this application, some time, with the hope, and as he thought, with the reasonable expectation, that he should be able, to procure some direct evidence, in relation to his services ; but he has been unable, to procure, such evidence. He, therefore, relying upon, his own statement, and the traditional evidence, which will ac- company, his application, to prove, his services.
He refers to the Rev. Sylvester Burt, and to John Whiting, James A. Hyde & Isaac L. Farnsworth Moses Hopkins Esquire, being persons, to whom he is known, in his present neighborhood, & who can testify, as to his character, for truth & veracity, & their belief, of his services, as a Revolutionary soldier.

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
Joseph his Laird mark
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
We Sylvester Bust a Clergyman, residing in the town of Great Barrington and James A. Hyde residing in S. Great Barrington hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Laird who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be —78— 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.
Sylvester Bust James A. Hyde
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Sylvester Bust who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that James A. Hyde who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Laird for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this fourteenth day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty one .
Henry W. Bishop Regt.

Nov. 8. / 52
Rel: to claim of Joseph Daird...
Joseph Daird... Washington City D.C.
Recd. Nov. 10 1852

My father was Joseph Laird of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire. I am Joseph Laird his youngest son, he had 5 sons & 2 daughters oldes John 2 d David 3 d Levy 4 th Justin (Jan the 5 th (An. my 4 th Lucinda) after that my mother Died, I think in the year 94, some years after my father married a gain & had one daughter, name Polly, married Miss Turner of Great Berington. John went away & I know not where went of some 40 years ago, David died some years ago & Live also & Justin one of the women Lucinda is dead, & the other I know not where she is. My father has told me that he servid 3 years in the war of the revolution he died in the year 1836, I heard that Turner was a boat getting a Pension, that was due to Joseph Laird I went to him he would give me no information about it only that he had some encouragement that he should get it but it did not concern me for I had no claim to any of it; I shall be thankful to have some information direct from the Pension Office at Washington. Dec Nov. 4 th 1852 Joseph Laird ..

Power of attorney for examining papers Revolutionary case of Mary Tanner daughter of Joseph Laird, Massachusetts
Joseph Laird, or heir Great Barrington Berkshire 6 th Mass
Sep 14-1852 F. C. Hasolin Present.

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.*
STATE OF Massachusetts COUNTY OF Berkshire ss. Jonathan E. Fitch a Justice of the Peace
Be it known that before me
Mary Turner aged fifty years, who being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states that she is the daughter of Joseph Laine who was a revolutionary Soldier — in the State of Massachusetts and that he died on the twelfth day of April — 1830 and that his mother, named Annice Laine died on the eighteenth day of June 1840 and that they were married on the fifth day of March in the year 1795 and that they were residents of New Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts — and that they resided there eleven years, and that she resides in New Berkshire and that furthermore
BY THESE
PRESENTS , constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of substitution, F. E. HASSLER, of Washington city, D. C., as her true and lawful Attorney for her and in her name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the U. S. Government and State officers her rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land that may be due her as her — of Joseph Laine who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law she may be entitled.
In witness whereof, she has on this third day of September 1852, hereunto signed her name, and affixed her seal.
Mary Turner 
Witness: Eunice J. Brewer
Witness: J. F. Fitch
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Mary Turner has always by the community been known as the daughter of Joseph Laine
Dated on this third day of September 1852
J. E. Fitch J.P. Jonathan E. Fitch
Commonwealth of Massachusetts COUNTY of Berkshire ss.
to wit: Jonathan E. Fitch
I hereby certify, That
Esq.,
before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of Berkshire County Court, this third day of September one thousand eight hundred and fiftytwo
Chas. Sedgwick Clerk.
* If a Widow applies, state "the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband." † State under what act pensioned, or when pension commenced, if a pensioner—and amount of pension.

Joseph Laird of Massachusetts Set June 7 1858 Suspending

POWER OF ATTORNEY—Revolutionary Pension Claims.
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Joseph Laine of Tyringham in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts
hereby constitute and appoint Erving Linton of Hartford State of New York my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of Joseph Laine my father for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said Claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to myself as the son of the said Joseph Laine and the only surviving child
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my Hand and Seal this Sixteenth day of January
A. D. 1854.
Joseph Laine
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
Franklin Sturgis B. H. Bosworth
STATE OF Massachusetts COUNTY OF Berkshire } ss.
On this Sixteenth day of January A. D. 1854 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared above named Joseph Laine and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, the day and year aforesaid.
Franklin Sturgis Justice Peace.

CLAIM OF Joseph Laird dec d ACT OF June 1832
STATE OF Massachusetts COUNTY OF Berkshire } ss.
Be it Known, That on this Sixteenth day of January A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty Four before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Joseph Laird a resident of Wyringham in said County, and made oath according to law, that he is the son and only surviving child of the S t Joseph Laird dec d
who was a Revolutionary Pensioner  Seamster and served in the Revolutionary war both as Soldier and Seamster at the rate of a  Allowed Dollars per annum; that I has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased ; that he is directly interested as a Claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said Claim.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me, Franklin H. Gage Jus. Peace.
Joseph Laird
I, Franklin H. Gage Justice of the Peace in and for said County, do hereby certify that Joseph Laird who executed the foregoing paper, is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said Claim as therein set forth. And I further certify, that I have no interest whatever in said Claim, or the prosecution thereof.
Franklin H. Gage Justice Peace.
I, Clerk of the Court in the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed is signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal, this day of A. D. 185
Clerk.

STATE OF COUNTY OF
} ss.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me.
that States at the rate of $ day of leaving surviving
was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United per annum, and that died on the eighteen hundred and
and that
the only surviving child of the aforesaid.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this day of one thousand eight hundred and fifty-

J.E. Hapler Feby 7 1853
Joseph Lourd Apr 18. 1853

Joseph Laird Mass. act 1832
See letter Feb. 3. 1835 7
Hon G. H. Briggs & E. D.
Bangs. do. to Hon. G. H. B.
March 2 d 1835
Set then for Bangs 28 th Feb y
" " " " 3 d May
Set C. Stanley, May 2 d (Oxony)

Sept 25-1852
Revolutionary
Joseph Laird
Suspended
Kirby
Sep 25/52
Filed 25 Sept 1852
P. E. Harris.

Washington City, D.C.
September 25 th 1852
Honorable J. E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir.
As attorney of Her in behalf of the heirs of Joseph Laird who served during the Revolution under Capt. Austin - Col Brann: Major Allen as a teamster from Great Barrington Mass. I respectfully request that a reexamination of his

claim for a Pension may be made - and a certificate issue for a Pension
I am respectfully
F. E. Hassler

Joseph Laid
ap 30.
maps
J L Edwards Esq. N. Bruges H. R. Present

29 April 1836
Dear Sir
I have recd. the enclosed letter on the subject of Mrs. Leina's application for a pension, with a request as you will be so kind as to call on the Secy of War & request by the Compt. that you have the goodness to cause the same very possible give the old man a cut at the surplus
Yours truly
G. R. Prigg

4 Feb, 1885.
Mr. Lee
I understood you distinctly when I took an appeal for you-decision in the case of Louis there you quoted his claim in the second place (he saw) as a knave I stated to you at the time that the so- no reason of a knave testimony of his deceit beyond his own statement but there was and very strong you implied that there was not to difficultly you did not question that he saw him. But by his own story he served as a knave . Having no doubt of the truth of his story - & having testified to the best of what he confessed . I hope he may succeed in his efforts to pass like his fellow soldiers.
Yours respectfully G. A. Briggs

So
War Dept
P.O.
April 28 th 1885
In reply to the inquiries in your letter of the 23 rd inst I have the honor to state that the that portion of the claim of Lewis Nelson the which was not allowed was his service in the Rhode Island Brigade which not being verified by the rolls of that corps in this office not supported by the testimony required by the regulations could not be allowed as was stated to you in my letter of the 9 th January last and his certificate (in the allowance to which his unadjusted service entitled him) was issued in accordance with the request in your letter of the 3 rd Feb y last last
As has been heretofore stated to you Joseph Laird does not appear to be  upon the facts hereon is not entitled to a certificate. Besides the original objection that he was a teamster and not a soldier which was overruled a more conclusive one exists as to the duration of his service. He claims to have been drafted in April & to have served until the fall of 1876. On recourse to the abstract of the Massachusetts -sett

- sells residues in this offin  no it appears that the militia was ordered out in April. The four regiments which marched to the northward that year were ordered out by resolve of the 25 June to serve until the 1 st Dec r . If Mr Laid was in military service that year it was under this order and could not have been  served for six months  as his claim is not being provided for by law it must be rejected. The papers remain on file
Hon G. A. Kings 28 th April 1836 A.
Hon G. A. Kings Sauerboro Mass

map. Oct. 27 McAllen
San Benito, Tex April 20th } free
Mr. S. P. Bragg me
Rev J. L. Garza Camp Poinier Washington

Yarmouth Ms 23 April 1835
Dr Sir
Before I left Washington I took a certificate for Lewis McLoth of Christian in this County for $29 per year which is far much less than his claim - He desires me to ask on what ground his claim for the interest of the interest which he states that he informed was rejected - I have not yet recd the certificate for Mrs Laird -
For Laird's sake I hope you will give the old man a certificate -
Hon J L Edwards Yours & G N Briggs

REJECTED
6085
P. O.
Joseph Laird
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

May 29 44
Dear Sir,
I have the honor to be Sir, I have the honor to be Commr of Pensions Washington City
May 30. 1844
of Hark

Great Barrington Mass. 27 th May 1844
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
W. P. Russell Sir
The Widow of Joseph Burd late of this town deceased says that her late hus- band in the year 1834 employed James A. Hyde, also of this town, to procure a pension, that Esq. Hyde promised what he supposed were the necessary papers for that purpose, that the papers were sent to the pension office, and subsequently were returned, that Esq. Hyde died very suddenly on the 4 th of July in that year and no information on the subject can be found among his papers, or in any other way. I will thank you to inform me if the case has ever been acted upon and whether the papers are in the office.
Eleanor Olds formerly Wife of ... Harmon a Soldier in the Revolution Army, requests me to enquire of the department whether her case has been acted upon. The papers were sent in December or January last. With respect your Obedient Servt Galel Stanley

I Phineas Atwood, of Great Barrington, in the County of Berkshire, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty six years, testify and say, that I am, personally, well acquainted, with Mr. Joseph Laird, of Great Barrington, aforesaid, that I have lived, within less than two miles, of him, for more than Forty years - That said Laird is a person, intitled to full credit, as a man of truth and veracity - and that he is reputed, and believed, in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a revolutionary soldier. Indeed I never have heard any person express a doubt about the matter.
Phineas Atwood
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire County To. Great Barrington May 9 th 1834 - Then the aforesaid Phineas Atwood, to me well known, and whom, I certify, to be a credible person, personally, appeared, and made solemn oath, to the truth of the facts contained, in the foregoing Deposition, by him subscribed, in my presence.
Before, James A. Hyde. Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that James A. Hyde Esquire, before whom the annexed depositions were taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of May
A. D. 1834
Henry W. Bishop Register Probate

I William Ray, of Great Barrington, in the County of Berkshire, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged, Fifty two years, testify, and say, that, I am, personally, well acquainted, with Mr. Joseph Laird, of said Great Barrington - That I have lived, within one mile, of said Laird, from my earliest recollections, to the present time - That I now live, within one half of a mile, of said Laird - That he is a person entitled, to full credit, as a man of truth, and veracity - and that he is reputed, and believed, in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been, a Revolutionary soldier - Indeed, I have about never heard, any person express, any doubt, the matter. —
William Ray
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire County ss. Great Barrington, May 9 th 1834. Then tho, aforesaid, William Ray, to me well known, and whom I certify, to be, a credible person, personally, appeared, and made solemn oath, to the truth, of the facts, contained, in the foregoing Deposition, by him, subscribed, in my presence. —
Before, James A. Hyde, Justice of the Peace.

I Isaac L. Van Deusen, of Great Barrington, in the County of Berkshire, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Forty six years, testify, and say - That I am, personally, well acquainted, with Mr. Joseph Laird, of said Great Barrington - That I have lived, in the same town, and within about four miles, of said Laird, ever since my earliest recollections - That said Laird is a person, intitled, to full credit, as a man of truth, and veracity, and that he is reputed, and believed, in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a Revolutionary soldier - Indeed, I never heard any person express, any doubt, about the matter. —
Isaac L. Van Deusen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire County ss. Great Barrington May 13 th 1834.
Then the aforesaid, Isaac L. Van Deusen, to me, well known, whom I certify, to be a credible person, personally, appeared, and made solemn oath, to the truth, of the facts, contained, in the foregoing Deposition, by him subscribed, in my presence. —
Before, James A. Hyde. Justice of the Peace.

Got Laird
31185 Joseph Laird Maps
The allowance below merely revised the objection that he was a Teamster under civil contract.
G.W.C.
Allowance
Lila
By virtue of the 25th of July, 1905, 5000 acres to a school site, 1000 acres to a cemetery, 1000 acres to a cemetery, 1000 acres to a cemetery, 1000
6085
H. W. Bishop Esq. Lenox Mass
been for

I Moses Hopkins, of Great Barrington, in the County, of Berkshire, & Commonwealth of Mas- =achusetts, aged Eighty Three, years, testify & say, that I am, personally, well acquainted, with Mr Joseph Laird, of said Great Barrington, -that I have lived, in the same town, & within about four miles, of the said Laird, more than more than fifty years, now last past of my life - That in the time, the whole period of my life - That in the time, of the revolutionary War, he was a trust-worthy, young man - That I have heard it mentioned, both many years ago, and recently, that said Laird had been, in the service, of the United States, in the Revolutionary War - although, it is gone, from me, now, if I had, ever, any per- =sonal knowledge, of the service, he performed. And I further testify, & say, that S. Joseph Laird is a person, entitled, to be re credit, as a man, of truth, and that he is reputed, and believed, in my town where he resided, to have been, a Soldier of the Revolution, and I have never heard any Vinton express a doubt in regard to the matter. Moses Hopkins.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire County To. Great Barrington May 12th 1834. Then, the aforesaid Moses Hopkins, to me well known, and whom I certify, to be, a credible person, personally, appeared, and made solemn oath, to the truth, of the facts, contained, in the foregoing Deposition, by him subscribed, in my presence.
Before. James A. Hyde. Justice of the Peace.