Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19117, for Abel Taft, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn. St.
Left, Abel
S. 19117
Carded
CONTENTS

Vermont 18.705-
Abel Laph
Rutland co in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Smith of the Reg t commanded by Col. Mead in the Conn. Ma. line for 2 years, V. H.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept r 1833, and sent to A. Temple Rutland Vt
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 33 $280.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar. 34 40.00
$ 320.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Elmer Munn , Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 94

Steel Past
26 No.
21391
[Faint handwritten text, possibly "R. ..."]
[Faint handwritten text, possibly "Tulipid"]

STATE OF VERMONT, RUTLAND COUNTY, ss. }
On this 22 nd day of November A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Proteale Court of Rutland  the now sitting, Abel Traft a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 72 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. In 1777 he lived at Fairfield, Conn. and in June he volunteered & served four months in Capt Rogers' company, Col. Eno, Genl. Shepherd, at Horn Neck, where he was discharged at the end of his time in October. In the Spring of 1778 he enlisted for six months & served under Col. Moad, Capt. Smith, Lt. Holcomb at Horn Neck, where he was discharged in the fall after serving over his 6 months. About the latter part of 1780 he engaged as a substitute for one Williams whose Christian name he has forgotten, & served 8 months in Capt Chapman's company Lt. Gabriel, Col. Babineau marched to Horn Neck, Croton, Westpoint & back to Horn Neck, where he was discharged about the 1 st of Jan'y. 1781 - he was at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason & capture of Maj. Andre - & saw Genl. Washington when he came to West Point afterwards. He then came to Vermont, & in the Spring of 1781, about the middle of April he thinks, he enlisted for six months in Col. Fletcher's Reg't & marched to Castleton where he served under Lt. Cofrain, worked on the Fort, & scouted much of the time on the borders of Lake Champlain & was discharged in Oct. at Castleton. Soon after this, he volunteered & served 2 months under Capt Safford at Pitsford. His memory is impaired from age & he has forgotten the names of most of the officers under whom & with whom he served, & he may have mistaken dates, but he has no doubt of his having served more than two years in the whole. He never received a written discharge, & has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. He knew Genl. Washington, Putnam, Shepherd, Col. Wells, Allen, & Warner, & many others whose names he has forgotten, but does not remember so as to distinguish their Regiments. He was here at Fairfield Dec. 6. 1759 his age is recorded there as he understands - Since the

residence he has lived in Bristol, Aldersley, Middlesex & Hulebarston where he now lives - There is no clergyman in the vicinity, but he is known to most of the inhabitants.
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 aforesaid.
Abel Taft
Abel Taft
We Samuel Brown a Clergyman residing in Hulebarston and William Nichols residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abel Taft who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid.
Abel Taft
Samuel Brown William Nichols
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 Samuel Brown who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Hulebarston and that William Nichols who has also signed the same, is a resident in Hulebarston and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Rodney C. Royce Regt.
Clerk of the Court of Pike County
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abel Taft for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22 nd day of Nov. A. D. 1832
Abel Taft

Abel Toft Rutland 6 o Vermont
proof of service notified
Testimony on a bond R. Temple
Admit 2 years Ag to ,
R Temple Rutland V t

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. 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 Abel Taft
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     June 1777 4 Private Capt Rogers Capt Nov 1 72 years Testimony   Spring 1778 6 " Capt Smith Genl Nov 1 72 years   May 1780 8 " Capt Chapman Genl Nov 1 72 years   Spring 1781 6 " Capt Chapman Genl Nov 1 72 years   " soon after this" 2 " Capt Dofford Genl Nov 1 72 years  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Some proof of service should be offered in support of claims of this extent

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 day 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 to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he 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 enquiry 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; 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 _____; 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 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.

P 1911 4
INVALID.
File No. _____
Abel Taft
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 n 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 388
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Vermont Rutland p - 3
On the 24 th day of May 1833, personally came before the undersigned authority, Deborah Hunt of said County, aged 74 years & a credible witness, who being duly sworn doth depose & say, That he served as a soldier in 1781 in Capt. Perkins company, Col. Allen; Regt. Vermont Troops, commencing in April, six months and that whilst he was in service as aforesaid? Abiel Taft, who is now present, was a soldier in Col. Fletcher's Regt. and was stationed at the Fort at Castleton, & served as the deponent verily believes six months. The deponent has seen said Abiel frequently since the war, & knows him, but has not seen him until yesterday, for five or six years past - been before me the day of my deposition?
Robt. Brattle Jus. Peace
State of Vermont Rutland p - 3
On the 3 rd day of June 1833 personally came before the undersigned authority, Zopher White, aged 69, & a credible witness, who being duly sworn, doth depose & say, That during the Revolutionary war he lived at Fairfield, Connecticut, & was well acquainted with Abiel Taft, who then lived in Fairfield, now of Hubbardston, who was 4 or 5 years older than the deponent. The deponent being too young, did not go into the army, but he knows that said Abiel Taft was in

service several times, & went to Horn Neck, which was about 30 miles from where they lived, & was gone several months at a time, from the year 1777 to 1780 - & the deponent un- =derstands that said P t was a soldier during his abode, most of the time at Horn Neck, & he recollects when he returned home in the winter of 1781, hearing P t relating the story of Arnold's treason, which made a great noise at the time, & that he was at West Point when it took place, & saw Genl. Washington when he came on there - & that he then belonged to Col. Buckner's Reg t - he also understood P t had served in Col. Mead's & Col. Gurn's Reg t - and although the deponent cannot bear partially to the services stated by said P t in his declara- =tion of the 22. Nov. 1832, which he has heard read, yet he has no doubt they were performed as stated.
Zopher White
Subscribed & sworn before me this day & year aforesaid. R. Temple Jr. Pres.
And on the same 3 d day of June 1833, personally came the said Zopher P t , & made known unto me that he has made diligent search & inquiry, & has not been able to find any other proof of his services than what is contained in the preceding affidavits of Zopher White & Zebulon Bullard - sworn before me this day & year aforesaid.
R. Temple Jr. Pres. P. Comm.

State of Vermont
I Robert Rippon, Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify that Robert Temple before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken, is a justice of Peace, duly commissioned - and that his name thereunto is in his own hand writing.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 3 rd day of June 1833 -
R Rippon