Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13577, for William Jones, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Jones, William
S. 13577
carded
CONTENTS
Born Jan. 8, 1764 in Stonington, New London Co. Conn. & res there at end.
After Rev. res in Vt.
in 1833 res. Madison Co. N.Y. Died Jan. 19, 1835 (see A.B.)

20.875 New York William Jones
Discharged in the State of New York, who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Nathan of the Regt. commanded by Col. McLean in the Cont. line for 1 Year
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Oct 1833 and to the Widow Catharine
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 100 Per diem allowance ending Apr 34 20 $ 120
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Job Steele Book E , Vol. 4 , Page 6 63

22880
William Jones Madison Co. N. York
J. Admitted Private 12 months
Thomas Barlow Lenox Madison Co. N. York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 31 1833
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 show 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 William Jones Madison County New York
   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.     Roll. July 1781 1 for Capt. Wm. Lath. am - Col. Mc Larren Connect. 69 Stonington Vt. Comte Traditionary  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
It cannot be readily admitted that the above allegations of service are insusceptible of proof and claimants are required by the regulations to produce the best evidence in their power

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 as 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.
[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 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.
R. Newman  clerk

Declaration. In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New York
Madison County ss
On this 7 th day of February A.D. 1833. Personally appeared in open court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Madison now sitting William Jones
a resident of the town of Lenox in said County of Madison aged Sixty Nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, hath on his oath made 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 & served as herein stated, that is to say. That he was born in the year One thousand eight hundred & six, on the eighteenth day of January, in the town, then called Stonington & County of New London, a State of Connecticut - That he has no record of his age, but his birth is recorded in the bible kept by his mother who resided in Connecticut. That he resided in the said town of Stonington when he went into the service, that he returned from the service to Stonington where he resided about two years, from thence he removed to the town of Preston in Connecticut, from thence to the town of Hartland County of Windsor State of Vermont, from thence to Addison, County of Vergennes & State of Vermont - from thence to Petersburg, County of Rensselaer a State of New York, - from thence to Lampsonville, in the County of Cayuga a State of New York, from thence to the town of Seneca - from thence to the town of Martins County of Onondaga a State of New York - from thence to Sullivan in the County of Madison a State of New York - from thence to the town of Lenox in said County of Madison where he now resides.
Answers to Interrogatories
1 st
2 nd
3 rd

4 th
That he went into the Service as a Volunteer - that he enlisted under a recruiting officer whilst he resided in the said town of Stonington, in the month of July, seventeen hundred & eighty one - that the recruiting officer's name was Henry Mane of Stonington - that he enlisted for one year - received his bounty of the said recruiting officer, of fifteen dollars Continental money - that immediately after enlisting he went to Fort Griswold & joined the Connecticut Troops stationed there - that several of the young men of Stonington, acquaintances & associates of different enlisted & went to the same fort at the same time, some of their names he recollects - George Babcock , Sylvus Brown , Dudley Holdridge , Henry Barnes , David Avery , but whether any of them are now living or not he does not know that he has not heard from them or any of them in a great number of years - that he was stationed at said Fort in Groton in the County of New London State of Connecticut through the year - that Colonel Samuel McLean commanded the troops, Captain William Lathan commanded the company to which different belonged, & the following officers belonged to his company as near as he can recollect - Lieut. David Perkins , Orderly Sergeant William Darrow , Sergt. Isaac Berditt , Sergt. Sanford Dodge & the said recruiting officer Sergt. Henry Mane - that he recollects Remington Sears was a drummer, & Reuben Mifflin was a piper in his company - that he was not in any
5 th

6 th
7 th
battle - there were frequent alarms but no engagement at that place whilst he was there - that he remained stationed there at Fort Griswold until July seven- teen hundred & eighty two when he was discharged by Col. Samuel McLarren by a written discharge . that several of his acquaintances above named received similar written discharges at the same time & they returned back to Stonington together. That he kept his written dis- charge until he removed into the said town of Hartford & whilst he resided there his house was burned down & all his house hold furniture & his said discharge which was kept in a till of a chest among other of his papers of reserve. - that the following named persons are residing in his neighbor- hood who can testify to his character for truth & belief of scripture. Stephen W. Palmer  Palmer Isaac J. Forbes. Silas Sailer. Sylvester Beecher. Stephen Palmer. Asher Palmer. Elisha Palmer. Jesse Palmer. John House. Barn Boyer. Parson Barnard. Joseph Bruce. - that he does not know of any person living that can testify to his services. that he has no document- ary evidence of his services - that he has served as above stated in the Military Service of the United States as one of the Connecticut troops for the full term of  one year - and 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. Subscribed & sworn to day before me. A. S. Noyes in open court. A. S. Noyes Clerk

Madison County Town of Lenoir
We Nicholas Bort a clergyman, & the subscribers residing in the said town of Lenoir & in the neighborhood of William Jones do certify that we are well acquainted with the said Jones who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age - that he is re- puted & believed in the town where he lives to have been in the service as a soldier in the revolution & that we concur in that belief, & that the declaration above made by him is entitled to credit
Subscribed & sworn this 4 th day of Feby 1833 before me, Stephen J.P.
Nicholas Bort William Perkins H. Mitchell
Subscribed & sworn before me the 5 th Feby 1833 Reuben Perkins & Samuel H. Mitchell D. Foster S.P.
And I the said justice of the peace do further certify that the said Reuben Perkins & Samuel Mitchell who have signed the said Certificate are to me personally known to be persons of good credit, & of good character for truth & veracity.
D. Foster S.P. Stephen Chapman J.P.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after 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 the States. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Nicholas Best who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Lenoir in the County of Madison and that Reuben Perkins and Samuel Hitchcock who have also signed the same are residents of the said town of Lenoir and are credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7th day of Feb y affixed the seal of said County this 7th day of February 1833.
A. S. Sloan Clk.
State of New-York County of Madison
I, S. Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that Stephen Chapman and Simon Dancforth before whom the within affidavits purport to have been sworn were at the date of the same Justices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with their hand writing
and justly believe their names subscribed to the said affidavits and certificates to be their proper hand writing and signatures.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 28th day of June of February 1833. A. S. Sloan Clk.
Thos. Barber Attorney for Applicant Lenox Madison County N.Y.

Madison County ss; Patsy Wardan of Troy in State of New York ss; the County of Rensselaer & State of New York, being duly sworn says that she is personally acquainted with William Jones the above mentioned applicant for a pension, that she has been acquainted with him from her childhood, that deponent & said William were born & brought up in the same town of Stur- rington & in the same neighborhood, that this deponent was also well acquainted with Henry Stone of the said town of Sturington under whom the said William has declared & sworn he enlisted; that she very well remembers, that about the year nineteen hundred & eighty one the said William left the said town of Sturington with the said Henry Stone & several others of the young men of Sturington to go into the military service of the United States, that he was absent at that time as she believes one year - that she remembers the time he returned home - that she remembers of hearing his parents talk & tell about receiving letters from him the said William whilst he was absent as aforesaid - that it was generally reported & understood in the neighborhood whilst he was thus absent that he was in the military service, that he has always been reported in the said town of Sturington as long as deponent re- sided there, to have been a soldier in the revolution; that she remembers that Syms Barnum, George Babcock & the said William Jones went away, as aforesaid (all reported & considered) into the military service

that deponent does not know of any of those who went with said William as above said now living; that deponent was then fifteen years old, & from the above facts & circumstances deponent has ever, and has more believe & consider that the said William Jones to have been a soldier in the Service of the United States during the revolution for the term of one year - and further says not.
Subscribed & sworn this 12. day of June A.D. 1833 before
her Polly & Warden mark
And I certify that the said Polly Warden was by good witnesses made known to me, & I believe her to be a credible witness I do hereby certify of the town of Seneca & County of Madison aforesaid
William Jones Canastota Co Madison Co New York
Bartholomew Coffey Canastota Co Madison Co New York

Chas
13.577 INVALID.
File No. 13. 577
William Jones David R. Jones
Act: June 5th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 127
[Arrangement of 1870.]