Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 41227, for Artemas Taft, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Left, Artemas
S. 41227
CONTENTS

Vermont. 1779
Artemas Taft, Windso co y in the state of Vermont, was a Corporal in the regiment commanded by Colonel Reed, of the Massach ts line, for the term of one year 1776.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont, at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 22, of April, 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15. of Sept. 1820, and sent to Edward Evans, ag t Enfield, New-Hampshire
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1820. $: 131. 46. Semi-ann. all ce ending 4. March 48 " 16 mo s . \frac{13}{30} 1821 $: 179. 46.
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued

Sub Notification Jany 29. 1821 to Benjamin Swan, Woodstock R.I.

Artemas Taft Original Claim Windsor Vt.
Benj n Swan Agt. Woodstock, Vt.
Rec d 25 Jan: 1821
17.679
Sept 20

Original Claim
State of Vermont } At a County Court began & holden at Wood- Windsor County } stock within for the County of Windsor by Adjournment on the Third Tuesday in Novem- ber Anno Domini Eighteen Hundred & Twenty
On this twenty first day of November A D 1820 being the first day of said Term, personally appeared in open Court, the same being a Court of Record agreeably to the Laws of this State, having the power of fine & imprisonment &c. Artemas Graft aged sixty eight years, resident in Woodstock in said County of Windsor, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the Act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818, and the first of May 1820, - That he the said Artemas Graft enlisted for the term of one year on or about the first day of January 1776, at Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts, in the Company commanded by Capt. Samuel Payson, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Reed in the line of the State of Massachusetts, on the Continental Establishment, that he continued to serve in said Corps until about the first of January 1777, being the full Term of his enlistment, when he was discharged from said Service near White Plains in the State of New York - That previous to said Service he enlisted for the Term of Eight Months at Cambridge aforesaid in April 1775, in the Company commanded by Capt. Andrew Peters in the Regiment commanded by the same Col. Joseph Reed aforesaid, and served during the full term of his last mentioned enlistment. - That he was in several Skirmishes, and in the Battle at White Plains, - and that he has no other Evidence in his power, of his Service except the Affidavit of Benjamin Walker Esq. transmitted herewith. -
This Deponent further Declares, that on the 22 nd day of April A D 1819, he made a Declaration of his Services for the purpose of obtaining the provision made by the Act of Congress of March the 18 th 1818, before the Hon. Elihu Luce, one of the Judges of Windsor County Court, and that said Declaration together with other evidence of his Service was transmitted to the Hon. Secretary of War, that this Deponent has never received any return from the same, but is informed, that the same was lost in their conveyance to the seat of Government, by the Robbery of the Mail.

And in pursuence of the Act of the 18th of May 1820. I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the 18th of March 1818, and that I have not since that time, by Gift, Sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled 'An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818', and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. — vis —
  One Cow, one yearling & one Calf. . . . .  21.-     Cherry Table 3- Common Table 1- 5 old Chains .75 . . .  4.75     Chest of Drawers 1.50 - 4 Cast Iron Plates .20 . . .  1.70     Tea Cups & Saucers .40 - 2 Bowls .12 . . . . .  " 52     Knives Forks, 10 St. Bottle, 8 - 2 Tin Basins .12 . . .  " 30     1 piece pot, 50. Kettle & tea kettle, 75 - 2 Piggs. 3.20  4.45     A Note given to this Deponent by T. Taft 175.  32.72     $47 of which is the property of S. Taft. .47-  128.-   
The Deponent is indebted in the following sum $160.72    To Mr. A. Gallup 10.70 - Doct. Frost 14. .  24.70     To Saml. Taft. 43.50 - Maj. Swan 8. .  51.50     To Doct. John D. Brown . . . . .  40.64      $116.84   
This Deponent's Family consists of himself, his wife Abigail Taft aged 63 years of a feeble Constitution, and one Daughter Mary Taft aged 23 years, who is in a feeble state of health —
Benjamin Taft. —
Sworn to, and declared on the 21 st day of November A D 1820 - before said Court. — Attest Benj m Swan Clerk
State of Vermont } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windsor, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court - And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is One Hundred & Sixty Dollars & seventy two Cents In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court at Woodstock this Tenth day of December A D 1820. — Benj m Swan Clerk of the County Court

The Affidavit of the Hon. Elisha Luce taken in Open Court —
I Elisha Luce Chief Judge of the County Court within & for the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont. Do Testify & say that in the month of April 1819 Ebenezer Graft the signer of the Declaration & schedule hereto annexed appeared before me, and made his original Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Provisions of the act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818 that I enclosed the said Declaration & the necessary Certificate to the Hon. Secretary of War soon after the same was made, that I was informed by the Hon. Wm Strong Member of Congress from this State, that he had enquired for the case at the Secretary's Office, and was informed there were no papers relating to the same in the Office —
Elisha Luce —
Sworn to in open Court this 22 day of November A D 1820 — Attest Benj Swan Clerk
The above is a true copy of the original Affidavit & Certificate of the Graft on file — Attest Benj Swan Clerk

I Benjamin Walker of Hare in the County of Washington and State of Vermont of lawful Age do testify and say that I was born in Mendon in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that about the first of May 1775 I enlisted as an Officer's Sergeant in Capt. Andrew Peters Company in Col. Joseph Preade Regiment in the late Revolutionary war with great resolution for the term of Eight months and did serve as an Officer's Serjt during said term and that Artimus Latt at the time of the above said Mendon enlisted as a Soldier about the first of June 1775 in the same Company and Regiment with myself and did faithfully serve as a Soldier during said Eight months or until the first of January 1776 at the first of January 1776 I was promoted to that of an Ensign and served as such until the first of January 1777 in the same Company and Regiment and laid in the Continental Encampment and further more do testify and declare that the above said Artimus Latt enlisted as a Soldier about the first of January 1776 in Capt. Lancel Parsons Company for the term of one year in the same Regiment with myself and did faithfully serve as a Corporal until the first of January 1777 at which time he was honorably discharged being a neighbor to him at Mendon before the war and in the same Company the first Eight months was well acquainted with him during the whole of the first two Campaigns and further your Deponent saith not  Hare August 31-1819 Benjamin Walker
State of Vermont } At Hare August 31-1819 then Washington County } Personally appeared Benjamin Walker his Eyes and Mind Solemnly Oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed contained the truth and nothing but the truth before Gardner Wheeler pres of Review I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Benjamin Walker Esq. the above Deponent for more than thirty years and that he has always been considered as a man of Truth and veracity attest Gardner Wheeler pres of Review

State of Vermont, } I Joshua W. Vail Clerk Washington County. } of the County Court within & for the County aforesaid
do hereby certify that Gardner Wheeler is a Justice of the Peace within for the County of Washington duly qual- ified & acting under the authority of this State that his name subscribed to the within is his own proper handwriting. —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court this 15 th day of Sept. A.D. 1819. —
Joshua W. Vail Clerk
Antinous Sept 15

The pencil notation "Also furnished Artemus Taft, Ctf. 224 -In lieu of b. land," should have been written: Also furnished Artemus Taft, Ctf. 224- In lieu of bounty land, War of 1812.
October 30, 1936.
Christine Blake 112315-8
BA-J/ILL Artemas Taft S. 41227 Eleazer Taft S. 29495
Also furnished Artemus Taft Ctf 224 - In lieu of b. land
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information regarding Artemas Taft, died 1817, U.S. Army, recorded Fair Haven, Vermont, Eleazer Taft, born 1759 and died 1833/34, Amsterdam, New York, and Samuel Taft, of Whitehall, New York, or Fair Haven, Vermont.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Samuel Taft. The record has been found of only one Artemas Taft, also, the record of an Eleazer Taft, born in 1759, who applied for pension while a resident of New York State. The records of these two soldiers are furnished herein as found in pension claims based upon their service in the Revolutionary War, as this data may aid you in your research.
ARTHEMAS TAFT-S. 41227.
Artemas Taft, while a resident of Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts, enlisted in April 1775, and served eight months as a private in Captain Andrew Peter's company, Colonel Joseph Read's Massachusetts regiment, re-enlisted January 1, 1776, and served one year as corporal in Captain Samuel Payson's company, Colonel Joseph Read's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged near White Plains, New York. During the period of his service, he was in several skirmishes and in the battle of White Plains.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 22, 1819, at which time he resided in Woodstock, Windsor County, Vermont, where

October 30, 1936.
Miss Grace Ellis Taft The Carteret, 435 Central Avenue Orange, New Jersey.
BA-J/ILL Artemas Taft S. 41227 Eleazer Taft S. 29495
Also furnished Artemas Taft S. 41227 - Ind. lin. of F. Land
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information regarding Artemas Taft, died 1817, U.S. Army, recorded Fair Haven, Vermont, Eleazer Taft, born 1759 and died 1833/34, Amsterdam, New York, and Samuel Taft, of Whitehall, New York, or Fair Haven, Vermont.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Samuel Taft. The record has been found of only one Artemas Taft, also, the record of an Eleazer Taft, born in 1759, who applied for pension while a resident of New York State. The records of these two soldiers are furnished herein as found in pension claims based upon their service in the Revolutionary War, as this data may aid you in your research.
ARTEMAS TAFT-S. 41227.
Artemas Taft, while a resident of Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts, enlisted in April 1775, and served eight months as a private in Captain Andrew Peter's company, Colonel Joseph Read's Massachusetts regiment, re-enlisted January 1, 1776, and served one year as corporal in Captain Samuel Payson's company, Colonel Joseph Read's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged near White Plains, New York. During the period of his service, he was in several skirmishes and in the battle of White Plains.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 22, 1819, at which time he resided in Woodstock, Windsor County, Vermont, where

he had resided for more than thirteen years.
In 1820, Artemas Taft was aged sixty-eight years; the date and place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given. His family living at home then consisted of his wife, Abigail, aged sixty-three years, and one daughter, Mary, aged twenty-three years. The maiden name of his wife and date of their marriage were not given, and no reference was made to other children.
The soldier referred in 1820 to Samuel Taft and T. Taft, but no relationship between him and said persons was stated. -----
ELEAZER TAFT-S. 29495
Eleazer Taft was born March 22, 1759 in Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts; the names of his parents were not stated. However, his father died when he was quite young, survived by Eleazer's mother.
While a resident of New Salem, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Eleazer Taft enlisted and served as private in the Massachusetts troops at different times, given as follows: from February 1, 1776, two months in Captain Elisha Aldridge's company; later in 1776, two months in Captain Richardson's company, near White Plains; from January 1777, three months in Captain Crocker's company, Colonel Pomeroy's regiment; from May 1777, three months under Colonel Whitney, engaged in Providence, Rhode Island; from September, 1777, three months, part of the time in Captain Peter Penniman's company, Colonel Job Cushing's regiment, and also under Colonel Woodbridge, during which service he was listed in taking prisoners, and was at Bemis Heights, then guarded prisoners after Burgoyne's defeat. In the spring of 1780, the soldier moved to Orange County, Vermont. He enlisted in July 1780, and served three months as private in Captain Wheeler's company, Colonel Nichols' New Hampshire regiment.
The soldier resided in Berkshire, Orange County, Vermont, and about 1803, moved to Montgomery County, New York.
Eleazer Taft applied for pension September 19, 1832, at which time

he resided in Johnstown, Montgomery County, New York. The claim was allowed.
Eleaser Taft died January 4, 1836. It was stated that he had been unable to move from his bed for several years, unless assisted. No reference was made to wife, or children.
In order to obtain the name of the person to whom the last payment of pension was made, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following: Eleaser Taft, certificate $30441, issued February 25, 1836, rate $31.32 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILIER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

41 227 INVALID.
Rev
File No.
11.227 Athanas Taft Bapt Rev
Act:
18 m March 18 m
Index:—Vol.
8
, Page
500
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1936-Oct. 30. Hist. to Miss Green Ellis Taft - see letter in Eleazer Taft. Rev. 8. 29 495-122.

Benj Walker Affidavit

I Benjamin Walker of Barn in the County of Washington and state of Vermont of lawful age do testify and say that I formerly lived in Mendon in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts that about the first of May 1775 I enlisted as a serjeant in Capt. Andrew Peters Company in Col. Joseph Moad Regiment in the Massachusetts line of Troops in the late Revolutionary war with Great Britain and that Artemas Dabb of said Mendon Mendon Engaged in the same Company with myself and served as a Soldier in said Company for the term of Eight months or until the first of January 1776 - at which time was promoted to that of an Ensign in Capt. Andrew Peters Company in Col. Joseph Moad Regiment in the Continental Establishment in the Massachusetts line of Troops and that Artemas Dabb then of said Mendon but now of Woodstock in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont did Enlist as a Corporal in Capt. Samuel Pajons Company in said Col. Joseph Moad Regiment and that I frequently saw said Dabb and according to my best recollection that said Dabb faithfully served as a Corporal in said Pajons Company from the first of January 1776 for one year or until the first of January 1777

That I was acquainted with said Saft or Shied a neighbour to him at that time — and further your deponent saith not
Benjamin Walker
Barre Dec 27 th 1820.
State of Vermont Washington County ss } I, David Smith, Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Washington do hereby certify that David Smith the above signed personally appeared before me and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him signed contains the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
David Smith Justice of Peace
State of Vermont Washington County ss. } I, Joshua Y. Vail Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Washington do hereby certify that David Smith is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Washington aforesaid duly qualified and acting under the authority of this State & as to faith & credit is & ought to be given to his official acts as such, & that his signature above written is his own proper hand writing — In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court this 20 th day of December A. D. 1820. —
Joshua Y. Vail Clerk

I am well acquainted with Benjamin Walker of Barre in the County of Washington and State of Vermont the signer of the foregoing affidavit and consider him a man of reputation and well entitled to credit as a credit ref.
State of Vermont Washington County Isd Barre December 22 d 1880
Denison Smith Justice of Peace

Artemus Taft Col Reed Map line 1776-1785
Com. 22 d ap r 1819
The Hon Secretary for the Department admitted of bear Washington City
[Faint, illegible text]

State of Vermont On this twentysecond day of April A.D. 1819 before me the undersigned, Subcribe one of the Judges of the County Court within and for said Windsor County, personally appeared Artemas Foss, aged fifty five years resident in Windsor in said Windsor County and for more than fourteen years past has been an inhabitant thereof, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" that he the said Artemas Foss, was entitled in May 1775 for eight months in the company commanded by Col. Andrew Porter and Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Root and served accordingly until within a few days of the expiration of said term when he enlisted for one year in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Payson and Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Root aforesaid, which he served accordingly as a corporal until after the expiration of said year when he was honorably discharged in the State of New York not far from White Plains - which was in the Massachusetts line! but he received no written discharge. That he was in the battle of White Plains. That he has no other evidence now in his power of his said service. And that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Deborah Luce Miss Judge of Vermont County Court
Sworn to and declared before me this day and year first above written.
I, Deborah Luce, Judge of the County Court within and for said Windsor County as aforesaid, do certify that in all respects it is true that the said Artemas Foss did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the foregoing declaration against the common enemy - and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. And I now transmit the foregoing and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the department of War - pursuant to the directions of the above mentioned act of Congress.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this
Deborah Luce Miss Judge of Windsor County Court

State of Vermont, I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the County Windsor County ss Court within for the County of Wind- sor Do certify that Elmer Luce is Chief Judge of said County Court, and that the within signatures are his hand writing —
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said County Court & subscribe my name this fourteenth day of May A D 1819 —
Benj Swan