Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6235, for Eliphas Thayer, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
• Thayer, Eliphas
S. 6235
CONTENTS
carded

15.771 Massachusetts
Eliphalet Shayer of Norfolk in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Newcomb of the 1st Regt commanded by Col. Shayer in the Mass. line for 18 months & 13 days
13 Miles
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 10 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of July 1836 and sent to Leland D. Duryee Mass. Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 $122.88 Remain. allowance ending 4th March 1836 30.72 $153.60
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. D. Duryee Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 20 Page 84
See letter to Hon. J. Q. Adams Nov. 29. 1833 - do. to Hon. L. Cags. Pa. W. Apr. 25. 1834.
73 Norfolk.
Jan 8. 1838

No 26.111
Eliphas Thayer Norfolk County Massachusetts
Print 18 March 13 day
\frac{13}{12} 149
6000
E. S. Leland Roxbury Massachusetts

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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. These 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 Eliphael Thayer  Norfolk County Massachusetts
   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.     Enlisted & Served from 1 Dec. 1776 to 1 March 1777 — 3 — priv. Capt Peaseman 71 years Braintree Mass. Traditionary evidence, & two witnesses verified credible & one piece documentary evidence papers correctly attached   Enlisted and served from 1 Aug. 1777 to 1 July 1779 — 6 — " Capt Peaseman   Sub. 1 apt 1777 to 1 June 1777 — 2 19 " Capt Ward   Enlisted & Served from 1 Mar. 1778 to 1 Dec. 1778 — 9 26 " Major Goodwin, Capt Bealy   Served from the 17 July 1780 to 17 Oct. 1780 — 3 — " Capt Newcomb, Col Thayer,   13  
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 record, 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) 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 of 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 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 term, 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 affix 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 in note [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.

Eliphos M...
No. 111

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this twelfth  second day of October  April in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two  three , personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Probate Court now sitting at Dedham in and for said County, Deacon Eliphas May a resident of Braintree in said County, aged seventy six 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 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Braintree aforesaid
on the fourteenth day of March A. D. 1762, and that there is a
record of his birth in town records : that he was in the United States service from
the first day of Dec. A. D. 1776, to the first day of March A. D. 1777
as a private in the State Troops : that he was
residing at Braintree
when he entered the service ; that he enlisted for three months
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Stephen Penniman
and was stationed the whole time at Dorchester Heights near
Boston : that he marched from
, from to from to
: that he served at Dorchester with
none, within his knowledge, of the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge : that since the Revolutionary war he
has resided at Braintree and has no documentary evidence
other than what is hereto annexed.
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from
the first day of Jan A. D. 1779, to the first day of July A. D. 1779
as a private in the State Troops or Militia : that he was
residing at Braintree
when he entered the service ; that he enlisted for six months
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Stephen Penniman
was stationed the whole term at Dorchester Heights near Boston and did
duty in the company the whole term except when he was detached as waiter to the
Deputy Commissary Thomas Durand at Boston : that he marched from
, from to from to
: that he served at said place with
none, as he recollects, of the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge, and has no documentary
or other evidence to prove said service or any other evidence.
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from
the first day of June A. D. 1779, to the first day of June A. D. 1779
as a private in the State Troops : that he was
residing at Braintree
when he entered the service ; that he entered as the substitute of one Jacob Turner
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Samuel Ward and
entered the service Turner had served one month joined the company at Dorchester
and remained therein at least  one  two months thereafter : that he marched from
Boston , from to from to
: that he served at Dorchester
Heights with none, as he recollects, of the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge, and has no documentary
evidence than what is hereto annexed of this service.

I Elisha Bates of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Deacon Eliphas Thayer of Braintree in the County of Norfolk aforesaid, that I am knowing to said Thayer having entered as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War for the nine months service, commenced acting in March 1778 & ending in December 1778 - That we served in the same company and were discharged together in Dec 1778. Elisha Bates
Norfolk ss. Jan 18. 1833 Subscribed and sworn to before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Norfolk and I further certify that the above named Elisha Bates is a competent witness and his statement entitled to full credit.
Libber A. Kingsbury Jur. pac.
I Joseph Nash of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution in the State troops and enlisted in the Spring of 1777 and served for the period of three months under Capt. Samuel Ward; that I will recollect one Jacob Turner and one Eliphas Thayer to have served with one

in the same company but how long or what portion of the said three months the said Turner or the said Thayer served each I am unable to say precisely, but am positive that each of those persons served in said company as soldiers a part of said term. I further say that I will recollect the service to have been performed in the year 1777 for I was born on the 18 June 1761 and my service commenced in March 1777 prior to my arriving to the age of sixteen years which would be in June 1777. and I further say that I will recollect said service to have been in the year 1777 from the fact of its being the first military service in which I was engaged in the revolutionary war. And I further say that the first part of the term of service was performed in Boston and the latter part on Dorchester heights Joseph Nash
Norfolk Jp. Feb. 8. 1833 Subscribed and sworn to before me the subscriber one of the justices of the peace in & for the County of Norfolk, and I further certify that the deponent Joseph Nash is a competent witness & his statement entitled to full credit —
Frederick A. Kingsbury jus. pac.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Oct. 27 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Elishaz Dyer is borne upon a Regimental muster roll of Col Dike's Reg t in Capt Stephen Penniman's Company for the period of three months commencing December first 1776 — The name of Elishaz Dyer is also borne upon the Pay roll of Capt Thomas Newcomb's Company in Col Eben Dyer's Reg t for the period of three months commencing July twenty second 1780 — Also, that the name of Jacob Dyer is borne upon a pay roll of Capt Samuel Ward's Company in Col Symmes Detachment of Guards under the command of Major Nathaniel Green. Heath & is therein stated to have served for the period of one month & nineteen days commencing March ninth 1778 — I further certify that no other rolls of Stephen Penniman can be found for the year 1779 — & also that there are no rolls of Col Samuel Ward's Company in Col Symmes detachment for the year 1778 except the one above mentioned. There is one for the year 1778 in Col

Coy's well's Reg't for the period of three two or three months after Oct 1 st
Edward D Bangs. Leg
I further certify that the name of Eliphaug Dreyer is borne upon a Pay Roll of Capt Benjamin Beal's Company in Col Jacob Garrison Dreyer's & is therein stated to have served (as a private) for the period of four months or twenty four days commencing July twentith 1778
Edward D Bangs Leg

That he was also in the United States service from the first day of March to the first day of December 1778 as a private in the State Troops; that he was residing at Braintree, when he entered the service; that he enlisted for nine months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Joseph Wild; that Lieut. Joseph Wild & Maj. Goodwin was a field officer; that he was stationed at Boston, the whole time and his duty was to mount guard either on shore or on board of the prison ship called as he believes the Rising Empire, the prisoners were then taken in the State Ship Somerset and away at Lapsided; that he served in said place but did not receive any regular troops being present, and did not know any regular officer; that he was in no battle; and at the end of his service received no written discharge; and for no documentary evidence to prove his service. That he also was in the United States Service from the twentieth day of July to the twentieth day of October 1780 as a private in the State Troops; that he was residing at Braintree when he entered the service; that he enlisted for three months and served for the period aforesaid under Capt. Moses Mearns in Col. E. Thayer's Regt.; that he marched from Braintree (now called Quincy) on the twenty fifth day of July and arrived at West Point on the eighth of August; was detached with several others and returned from thence to West Point and joined the company; that he served at said place with a portion of the regular troops and no regular officer; that he served at said place with a portion of the regular troops and no regular officer; that he was in no battle; and at the end of his service received no written discharge. 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 and year first aforesaid. Eliphalet Thayer
We Jonas Perkins a clergyman, residing in the town of Braintree aforesaid and Levi Wild residing in said Braintree hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Deacon Eliphalet Thayer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier in the war of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid. Jonas Perkins  Levi Wild
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 certify that it appears to them that Rev. Jonas Perkins , who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Braintree; and that Levi Wild who has also signed the same is a resident in Braintree and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit. The court further certify that further testimony is not necessary in the premises. Sherman Lee and Judge of Probate
I Samuel Hovey , Register of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Eliphalet Thayer for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid. Samuel Hovey

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Eliphas Thayer a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. J. G. 235
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1 1776 Mch 1 1777 Pvt. Stephen Penniman Dike Mass   Apr 1 1777 June 1 1777 " Samuel Ward " "   Mch 1 1778 Dec 1 1778 " Benjamin Beals Jacob Fernald "   Jan 1 1779 July 1 1779 " Stephen Penniman " "   July 17 1780 3 mos " Thomas Newcomb Ebenezer Thayer "  
Battles engaged in, None stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Braintree, Norfolk Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Apr 2 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Braintree, Mass.
Age at date of application, Now Mch 14 1862 at Braintree, Mass
Remarks: There is no family data on file
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Nov 20 '99 Stephen J Spear Greencastle Kas.
Dec 3-1902 A. P. Hunt, E. Braintree Mass Descendants not entitled.
1914. Apr 14 - Hist. to Mr. Stephen J Spear. M.B.H. 1925 July 6. History to Miss Minnie F. Dean. P.
Reuben
6235
INVALID.
File No. 6235
Eliphas Thayer
Pri. Rev. War
Act: June 14 1832
Index: Vol. M , Page 373
[Arrangement of 1870.]

M 1 Revoc
50 W. State St., Athens, Ohio, June 25.
Commissioner of Pensions, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me the Revolutionary War record of one Eliphaug Thayer, who was born at Braintree, Mass., and who received a pension in 1831. Any data

you may be able to give me concerning the Thayer family will be much appreciated.
Respectfully (Miss) Minnie F. Dean

1500 East 6 th St Topeka Kansas April 1 st 1914.
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D. C.
Sir. Can you give me the Official Record of the Service in The Revolutionary War of late  Eliphaz Thayer . he was my Maternal grandfather. He was drawing a pension as a Soldier of the Revolutionary War at the time of his death Dec 31 st 1848. He was born March 14 th 1762.
I would like the Official Record to complete my Record In the Society of The Sons of The American Revolution.
My Paternal great grandfather William Spear . (I believe was a Revolutionary War Soldier.) He was born Aug 22 nd 1739. (can not give the date of his death) he may have died before the Act of Congress pensioning Revolutionary Soldiers became a law. If you can give me the information please direct to Stephen J. Spear . 1500 East 6 th Street Topeka Kansas.
Respectfully
Stephen J. Spear.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 6235.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
November 20, 1899.
Sir:-
In reply to that portion of your recent communication wherein you request information concerning Eliphaz Thayer you are advised that one Elipas Thayer made an application for pension on April 2nd, 1818, at which time he was 71 years of age and residing at Braintree, Mass., and his pension was allowed for eighteen months and thirteen days' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war. He first enlisted at Braintree, Mass., December 1st, 1776, and was discharged from his last service October 17, 1780. He served under Capt. Newcomb and Col. Thayer.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Stephen J. Specor,
Burlingame, Kansas.