Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29484, for David Strong, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Strong, David
S. 29484
CONTENTS

10.778.
Massachusetts
David Strong
He was in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Murny in the _____ line for 6 Mos 27 Days
Enscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 23 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Sept 1833 and dated at Huntington New Hampshire Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $46.00 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept " 11.50 $57.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk. Book E Vol. 2. Page 77.

92 94 Daniel Strong ms. & cont.

DECLARATION,
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 7TH OF JUNE, 1832
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE. }
ON this fourth day of September 18 32 personally appeared before the Samuel Hinckley Judge of the Court of Probate in said County: David Strong a resident of Northampton in the County of Hampshire, and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy three 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 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1780 , with Capt Sheldon and served in the regiment of the Massachusetts line, under the following named officers: Capt Sheldon Lieut. Gates , the colonel not recollected  was Seth Murray . He entered said service as a private at Northampton to fill up continental vacancies the fore part of July . Marched to Clarenck the place of rendezvous. after remaining there a short time, marched to West Point . Soon after reaching there he went into the barping business under a continental officer. Nathan Strong commanded the boat. Carthy or McCarthy was quarter master general of the garrison & coy. main. Their business was to sail up & down the River on expresses. Were sailing from West Point to Stoney Point when Arnold went on board a British ship. His boat was in sight. He served three months & was discharged at West Point . In 1778 he entered the Massachusetts militia service to go to New London from Northampton . He served two months or more at said New London under Capt Joseph Cook Lieut Jonathan Stearns & Asahel Bingham Col Porters regiment. a private. Place of rendezvous was Windham Conn. In 1777 near the middle of September he entered said service as a volunteer private to go to Stillwater , thither marched & there served about five weeks till about the time that Burgoyne "marched out" in surrender. He served in Capt Oliver Lyman's company. Lieut Seth Hunt & Asahel Pomeroy . He was also out at the Brownington alarm about a fortnight . He does not recollect that he ever received a written discharge & expects to prove each term of service by living witness -
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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. David Strong Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
I, Saml F. Lyman  Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Strong for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Saml F. Lyman Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hampshire ss.
on this second day of April 1833
Personally appeared David Strong above named before Samuel Hinckley above named Judge of Probate & made oath that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below in the following grades. as to the 1 st mentioned period of service above named I served as a private three months & eight days. as to the second term of service I served two months as a private. as to the third term of service I served as a private five weeks. as to the fourth term I served as a private two weeks.
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
I was born at said Northampton in 1759 have never seen a record of my age
Samuel Hinckley
I enlisted as a volunteer & recollect no other
officers except the above named in previous declarations I have no other proof. - David Strong Rev Solomon Williams as to character, reputation, & Jacob Osborn Jacob Osborn residing in Northampton residing in Northampton
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with David Strong who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 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.
Solomon Williams
Jacob Osborn
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Rev. Solomon Williams who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Northampton and that Jacob Osborn who has also signed the same, is a resident in Northampton and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Strong for a pension
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. this Second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Sam F. Lyman
Register.

29 H 84
INVALID.
Rev.
No. 29, H 84
David Strong
Rev. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 th 1897
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 395
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Charles Alvah & Miss Clark Isabel Pomeroy Inland Drive

I: Eleazar Alord of Northampton Massachusetts aged seventy do testify, depose & say that I have known Daniel Strong of Northampton aforesaid from childhood, we having been brought up within five rods of each other. Said Daniel & myself both entered the service of the United States as volunteers in June or July 1778 to go to New London & thither marched & there served two months & eight days at least, in Capt Joseph Cook's Company, Col Porter's Regiment. We were both in the same company. Aug 25 th 1832
Eleazar Alord
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss. Aug 25 th 1832.
Then personally appeared the above named Eleazar a man of truth & veracity & whose above statement is entitled to credit & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me
Chas P. Huntington Justice of the Peace.

I William Clark of Northampton Massachusetts aged sixty eight do testify depose & say that I have known David Strong of Northampton aforesaid from childhood. In 1780 in the month of June or some part of July said David & myself entered the service of the United States to fill continental vacancies. We enlisted at Northampton under Capt Ebenezer Sheldon, Lieut Allen & marched to West Point, in Col Murray's I think regiment. After we got to West Point the soldiers were dispersed into different services. Said Strong went on board a barge to or boat in said service. soon after we reached West Point, & I suppose served 3 months the time for which we enlisted. I did not see him afterwards as I was stationed 12 miles from the Point. I never heard it questioned that he served 3 months, & have no doubt that he did. Aug. 28. 1832.
Wm Clark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hampshire ss. Aug 28. 1832. Then personally appeared the above named William Clark a man of truth & veracity to me known & made oath to the truth of the foregoing instrument - by him subscribed before me Chas. P. Huntington Justice of the Peace.

Asahel Pomeroy of Northampton Hampshire Co. Mass. aged 82 do testify depose & say that I have known David Strong of said Northampton from a boy. He has always been a neighbor to me. Said David in the year 1777 in the month of September very after the middle  the  first part of the month soon after  before the first battle at Bennington Heights entered the service of the United States as a volunteer private to go to Stillwater & thither marched & served five weeks or thereabouts till about the time of the surrender of Burgoyne. He was in the company of Oliver Lyman, Lieut. Col. Hunt & I was the other Lieutenant. We were stationed at Bennington Heights & followed the British army to Saratoga. Colonel Chapman was the Colonel. And further say not - Sept 3 d 1832. Asahel Pomeroy
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hampshire ss. Sept 3 d 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Asahel a man of truth & veracity to me known & made oath to the truth of the foregoing instrument by him subscribed before me Chas P. Huntington Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPSHIRE ss. I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Charles P. Huntington Esquire, before whom the annexed depositions (3) 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 depositions are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fifth day of September A. D. 1832.
Sam l F. Lyman Register of Probate.

9294
David Strong
Paid 6 Mar 27 May
Capt Sheldon's Co. Col Murray's Reg Mass
$ 23-
C. P. Huntington Northampton Mass

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David Strong 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  Geo. I. C. D. ... 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? No  John ... VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? A 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?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No
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?
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?
No to 1. 2. 4. 5. 7
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 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.
†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.

Thomas Smith for David Strong

I Thomas Smith of Hadley in the County of Hampshire, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of Lawfull age do testify and say, that I have personally known from my youth David Strong of Northampton in the same County, that in the year eighteen Hundred fifty, said David Strong served in a Company Militia in Company commanded by Capt Sheldon, in the regiment commanded by Col o Seth Murry, and was ordered to the State of New York, and our head quarters was at least point, and that he served three month after he arrived in Camp, and that I was in said Company, and further the Deponent Smith W th Hadley Augt 31 st 1832 Thomas Smith
Hampshire ss August 31 st 1831 Then and there Thomas Smith Signer to the foregoing declarations personally appeared before me and made solemn Oath to the truth of the same, and I do further certify that I consider said Thomas Smith, a man of Truth and Credibility. Given under My Hand at Hadley the day and year above said. Abel Porter justice of the Peace

V. 1. H. 0. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPSHIRE ss. I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Nathaniel  Porter Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was 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 Sixth day of September A. D. 1832.
S. F. Lyman Register of Probate.