Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 17,135, for Stephen Sweetland, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Sweetland, Stephen
S. 17.135
B.L.W. 33767-160-55
Carded OK
CONTENTS

21.164 Maine Stephen Swattland Simsburyville, in the State of Maine who was a Private in the Corp commanded by Captain Wilmott of the Regt. commanded by Col. Spencer in the Massits time for 7 months and 9 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 24 Dollars 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Oct: 1833 and unto J. Hale Camden
Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 $60.80 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Mar 12.16 $72.96
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by S. S. Stiles Clerk Book E. Vol. 9, Page 55
19746

1740s at least Aug. 2/18.
Stephen Sweetland Private
Pensioner - Marie
1703 16/18
Revolutionary War
Me June 32-21764
W: 1600 July 18/57 B. O. G.
M. H. Goodman
M. H. Goodman Present
Vol. 2-163. ->

Stephen Sweetland's Claim for Bounty Land Act of Nov 3. 1855
197.406
Send Warrant to W H C Godman Washington DC

State of Maine County of Waldo } ss
On this fourteenth day of March A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for said County Stephen Sweetland a resident of Hope in the County and State aforesaid aged ninety-four years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain Bounty Land in virtue of the provisions of the "act of Congress passed March 3 rd 1855.
That he is the identical Stephen Sweetland who was a private in the Army of the Revolution and for the proof of his service he begs leave to refer, to the proofs and records in the Pension Office, by virtue of which he was placed upon the Pension Roll under the act of Congress passed on the 7 th day of June 1832. at the rate of twenty four dollars and thirty two cents per annum and that he has not received Bounty land under the Act of Congress passed on the second day of March 1855 and has made no application therefor.
And I hereby constitute and appoint William H. Godman Esq. now of Washington my Attorney

for me, and in my name to demand and re- ceive from the Secretary of the Interior a war- rant for the quantity of land due me as afore- said and I fully authorize and empower him to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes therein expressed.
Witness Ruth Sweetland
Stephen his Sweetland mark
Charles F. Sweetland
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written, and in my presence ack- nowledged the Power of Attorney thereto sub- joined for the purposes above mentioned.
And I certify that I hereby believe the said Stephen Sweetland to be the person who performed the military service aforesaid and to be of the age above stated, also that I have no interest in the result of the aforesaid claim
Henry Hobbs Justice of the Peace
We Ruth Sweetland aged sixty four years; and Charles F. Sweetland aged fourteen years residents of Hope on oath depose and say that we are well acquainted with Stephen Sweetland and know him to be the person he represents himself, and who signed the foregoing Declaration
Ruth Sweetland
Charles F. Sweetland

State of Maine
County of Waldo ss I Sworn to and subscribed before me, and I certify that the said Ruth Sweetland and Charles F Sweetland are well known to me and entitled to credit. Also that I have no interest in the result of said claim Henry Hobbs Justice of the Peace
State of Maine, County of Waldo ss I Nathaniel Buttsen clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Maine for the County of Waldo certify that Henry Hobbs Esq whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate is a Notary Public at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 14th day of June A.D. 1855 N. Buttsen Clerk
Cont

6370
Stephen Swittland
April 8 th 1833 -
Cby 5
6370.
P. 321
March 7 Mr 9 days
  4864  2357    12.16  99    60.80  2432  
Singl Hall Eng
Camden Mar
Camden Belfast
Ans
E

(6870)
BRIEF in the case of  Stephen Sweellands  of  Lincolnville  in the State of —  Maine  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 yrs  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Augt. In 1777 — — 3 — — As a Gen. Spencer's   July — 1778 — not stated 13 — — Privat Col. Williams Regt Drafted   July 1779 — — 4 29 — Capt M c Wilmots Co' 8 th   July 1780 — — 3 — 14 — Genl Heath's Connecticut   Capt. J c Barneps Co' Vol 3   Col. Drurys Regt   7 9  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated —  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Attleboro' — Mass s  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by the traditional evidence of two witnesses — one a Clergyman — Certified to be credible persons —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

State of Maine } ss. County of Waldo }
On this eighteenth day of August A.D. 1832 Personally appeared in open court before Alfred Johnson Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Belfast within said County, Stephen Sweetland, now resident in Lincolnville in said County aged seventy one 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 C — 125 —
That he was born on the 12 th Dec. 1760 at Attleboro' in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as he has been always informed & verily believes, & supposes that there is a record of his age in that town, but knows of no other: & in the month of August 1777 while living in said town he was drafted into Stephen Richardson's company, Enoch Robertson was Lt. thereof. — He went in the "Company to Silverton State of Rhode Island" we laid around the Island on which Newport is situated, & made several fruitless attempts to take position. Our expedition was called "Spencer's private expedition" from Genl. Spencer, I think Joseph Spencer, & he belonged I was told in Connecticut. Col. Williams was our Colonel — the Lt. Col's name was Lane if I mistake not, & the Majors name was Seaver. After the expiration of three months I returned to Attleboro'. & In July 1778 while I still lived in "town" I was drafted into Capt. Moses

Wilmot's company, of which one Sweet was Lt. & the 2 nd Lt's name was Barrows, I think Aaron, for the term of six weeks, & marched onto the Island of R. Island, & was in Sullivan's expedition about the last of July or first of August, where I was taken sick, three of the company to which I belonged were killed in the engagement when Genl. Sullivan was compelled to retreat from the Island, after which I returned home & remain at home til July 1779 , when an order to Attleboro. & the whole Militia Company were ordered out. I marched to Rhode- Island again, where Genl. Heath had possession of the Island I worked upon the entrenchments a few days & in ten days returned back again home. — In the year 1781 in the month of July I volunteered in Capt. Jobz Barney's company of Re- hoboth, Mass, the 2 nd Lt's name was Everell but I do not recollect the name of the 1 st Lieutenant. — We marched to West Point, & arrived there about the last of July, where Genl. M c Dougal had the command, a Major Genl. I think at West Point I for the first time in my life saw Genl. Washington I remained at West Point, the term of three months , & then spent ten days in coming home, where I arrived after an absence of nearly four months. — At West Point Col Drury (if I have the name accurate) was the Col. of the Regiment I belonged to. The major's name was Carpenter. I had a written discharge but have not seen it for many years & do not where it is if it exists. I have no document

long evidence. I know of no living person who knows to my sorrow aforesaid. I have lived in Gushing & thirty years in Lincolnville since the revolution. I can refer to Micah Hoots, Fergus McLain, Boyce Craine & Ephraim Fletcher Esq of Lincolnville Esqrs. all justices of the Peace in Hope, aforesaid who can testify as to my character - The line between the Towns of Hope & Lincolnville runs thro' the centre of my House, & I am well known in both Towns. —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Stephen Sweetland
Before me Assistant Judge
We Thomas McKenney, a Clergyman residing in the Town of Lincolnville, & Andrew McKenney residing in Lincolnville, that we are well acquainted with Stephen Sweetland who had subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that declaration
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before me Assistant Judge
Thomas McKenney Andrew McKenney

And I the said Judge of Probate do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War-Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that Thomas McKenney who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman residing in said Lincolntown & that Andrew McKenney who has also signed the same is also a resident in the same town & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Alpheus Foster Judge
I Nathaniel McSweeney Clerk of the court of Probate for the County of Waldo do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the Application of Stephen Sweetland for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this eighteenth day of Aug. 1832.
Nathl. M. McSweeney Register of Probate
Stephen Sweetland petitioner
1832
In answer to brief objections to the foregoing statement (No V.) the applicant (Stephen Sweetland) would state, that I served in Stephen Richardson's company as before named three months - In Moses Pilmot's company I served fifteen days, not being able to serve the whole term of six weeks for which I was drafted in consequence of sickness, I served ten days in the militia when ordered to Rhode Island where Genl. Heath commanded.

After I volunteered in Capt. Jabez Barneys company. I marched to West Point & was fourteen days in marching there. & after arriving there, I served three months. Making in all, seven months & nine days - I further state that I served during the whole of said time as a private -
Stephen Sweetland
State of Maine Waldo Co. Sept 10. 1833
Personally appeared Stephen Sweetland, the before named applicant & made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed.
Before me. Joshua Dillingham Justice
I certify that I have for twenty years past been acquainted with Stephen Sweetland (the applicant above named) & that his character for truth & veracity has never been questioned to my knowledge & I fully believe that the foregoing statements by him made are true in all their parts. - Joshua Dillingham, Justice Peace
State of Maine
Waldo County Co. ss. Mr. Looney Register of Probate for said county certifies that Joshua Dillingham is a magistrate as above & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 11th day of September 1833
N. M. Looney Register of Probate Waldo County

[Faint, mirrored text bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
2 9 7
✓
Claughton Belfast

(0370)
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Stephen Sweeney — which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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 ?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
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 ? yes
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? none produced Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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 ?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And if not, which of them is not so answered ?
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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Mon Lew C. S.

State of Maine Waldo County Barn den Sept 12 th 1833
Sir Herewith I return the application of Mr Stephen Sweetland for a pension together with the Brief which accompanied it from the War Department. No 5 in said Brief seems the only question which remained unanswered I think the further statement annexed to his application shall be satisfactory if so and a pension certificate should be granted him please to forward the same to me - Any vouchers as to the credibility of Mr Sweetland can be produced if required I am Respectfully Yr Servt Joseph Hall
Hon Lew Cas Secy War Washington

1930 May 1. Photos mailed to Edw. N. Gould. See Matthew Brewerdge, W. 25 232. G. 10.4.
17135 INVALID.
File No. 17135
Stephen Switland
Dis. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 th 92
Index: — Vol. / , Page 366
[Arrangement of 1870.]

33.767
5 Mrs. Ames

See request in Matthew Beweridge, W.25232.
SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 42563
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
DR
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 139. Please furnish work specified below.
.....April 23,..... 19 30 .
Bureau ordering Pension ..... Deliver to Room No. 5033 .....
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photo static copies of 6 pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of Stephen Sweetland, Mass. Troops, S.17135.
No. of copies 1 of each ..... Shall form be kept standing? ..... days
For further information see Mrs. Finch ..... 5033  541 Room No. Phone No.
Approved:
A. D. Wilkinson Chief Clerk of Bureau. KPR
Margaret M. Finch Chief of Division.
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering .....
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph ..... single or double space? ..... Facsimile signature? .....
Mimeograph ..... one side or both sides? ..... Facsimile signature? .....
Folding ..... once or twice?
Assembling ..... Once? ..... Twice? ..... Side? ..... End? .....
Stapling
Electric typewriter ..... Fill in addresses? ..... Dated? .....
  Addressograph from lists ..... Cards, size .....   Envelopes, size ..... Pay rolls .....   Proof list ..... Corrections .....   Labels (submit sample) ..... Tabulation sheets .....   Fill in letters ..... 
Photostat x Size actual ..... Official use? ..... Repay? Yes $ .90 Blue Print Size ..... Official use? ..... Repay? ..... $ .....
Remarks .....
(OVER)

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.
.....192 . (Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
 Make new addressograph plate  Change present addressograph plate } On list.....  Destroy present addressograph plate 
as follows:
Now reads        1 ..... 2 ..... 3 ..... 4 ..... 5 .....
Should read      1 ..... 2 ..... 3 ..... 4 ..... 5 .....
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made ..... 192 .
Operator .....
MULTIGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Type set by ..... Date .....
Remarks: .....
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Cut by .....
Remarks: .....