Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18482, for John Kidder, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Kidder, John
S 18482
CONTENTS
Carded
11
✓

18-488 Vermont.
John Huddler of Middlesex in the State of Vermont who was a private in the _____ command by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col Townsend in the Mass. Mil. line for Ohio.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Sept 1833 and sent to Alpheus Grafton 02
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. $ 50.00 Semianl. allowance ending Sept 34 - 10.00
$ 60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams, Clerk Book L Vol. 9 Page 73

Mr John Kidder Grafton Windham Co VT
Admitted 6 months

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
19 April
183 3
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 subjjoined 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, showing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Edw Kidder

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) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 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.

State of Vermont County of Windham
On this nineteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court within and for the District of Newton instid in the county of Windham and State of Vermont now sitting John Hiddon a resident of the town of Grafton in said county and State aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he was born at Billerica Middlesex County Mass the 8 th November 1761.
That he enlisted as a volunteer in the service of the United States in the Mass militia at Leominster Mass in 1777 and in the month of April as he believes he served as a waiter to Col Abijah Stearns. — Jones was the Lieut Col Samuel Kimball assistant Samuel Seabury quarter master and White was his captain. The name of the other waiter to the Col was Benjamin Johnson of Lansingburgh, the waters of the Lieut Col were Stitson and Townsend. Deponent enlisted for the term of three months. The town of Leominster having been required to furnish a quota of men, the Deponent and the others who enlisted marched towards Boston, the Col took up his quarters in Roxbury, the forces then went on to Dorchester Point, the Col afterwards took up his quarters on Castle Island  Dorchester Point . The Deponent served out the full term of his enlistment in the vicinity of Boston and was dismissed some time in the month of July as he believes, no written discharge being given.

That he again enlisted in the U.S. Service as a volunteer in the summer of 1860 at Westminster Md., (said Westminster having been required to furnish with a certain number of men) under Timothy Boutwell Captain and - Still Lieutenant. The Dep. place of rendezvous was Bladensburg Md. The Dep. and others marched down South river - to West Point at which place - the Deponent and others were drafted to go out near or at Nine Partners for chopping wood for the army - they were engaged in that business nearly a month, when orders came to march - they marched down the river to Fishkill where they remained, and the Deponent there concluded the full term of his enlistment which was three months, when they were dismissed, Deponent does not recollect having had a discharge. - At this time recollects no
recollected having had a conversation The Deponent at this time recollects no further particulars than those above stated The Deponent further declares, that he has no
The Deponent further declares, that he has no record of his age - that he was living, when called into the service at said Gloucester the place of enlistment - that he has no documentary evidence - That 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 any State or the agency thereof - That he moved from Biloxi as he was told to Gloucester about the year 1780 where he lived 18 years, thence to Winchendon and then  then when he has ever resided - That he recollects no regular forces nor officers at the place of his service other than the following viz at Watrous he saw Artillery troops at Dorchester Point Boston Independent Company commanded by Col. Hechburn were at the point and recruit - Second and assembled to an the same day and year John H. Sheldon Mark  Deponent

Personally appeared in open court Jonathan Priest a credible person aged sixty  one years and on his oath deposeth and saith, that he is well acquainted with the said John Kidder and was fifty years since, that twenty years since and he believes nearly thirty years - he often heard a brother of his the said Priest, mention serving in the same company with said Kidder in the Rev War under Capt Timothy Boutwell for the term of 3 months. Said Brothers name was Asa Priest and he has not heard of him for twenty years or more
Jonathan Priest Sworn and subscribed to me the same day and year aforesaid Peter M. Lapp - Judge
I Sarah Doleyn, formerly Sarah Kidder testify that I lived in Westminster Massachii- etts during the whole of the revolutionary war - that John Kidder, my brother, lived at the same place during said period - that I perfectly recollect that said John Kidder served in the army, for three months, as a private soldier, under col. Abijah Stearns our uncle. I think it was in the year 1777 - When he went away he went towards Boston
I recollect also that he afterwards went into service, but how long he served I cannot say - I think it was at least three  two months I have no other means of fixing the time than the recollection that while he was absent we heard that Arnold had attempted to give up Westpoint, & we felt much alarm for my brothers safety. I am almost sixty eight years of age
Sarah Doleyn
Cheshire J. Aug. 5. 1832
Subscribed sworn to before me - And I further certify that though I am not

I Sarah Doshyn, formerly Sarah Kidder testify that I lived in Westminster Massachu- setts during the whole of the revolutionary war - that John Kidder, my brother, lived at the same place during said period - that I perfectly recollect that said John Kidder served in the army, for three months, as a private soldier, under col. Abijah Stearns our uncle. I think it was in the year 1777 - When he went away he went towards Boston
I recollect also that he afterwards went into service, but how long he served I cannot say - I think it was at least three months I have no other means of fixing the time than the recollection that while he was ab- sent we heard that Arnold had attempted to give up Westpoint, & we felt much alarm for my brother's safety. I am almost sixty eight years of age
Sarah Doshyn
Cheshire J. Aug. 5. 1832
Subscribed sworn to before me - And I further certify that though I am not personally acquainted with Mrs. Doshyn, she living in Surrey, yet I have not the least doubt that she is a person of truth & veracity
S. Hale, J. Pease
Cheshire J. Aug 5. 1832
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in said county certify that Salma Hale is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, & that the foregoing official signatures are in his (my) own hand writing. In testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of our Superior Court S. Hale, Clerk

We David I Putnam and Bartholomew Fuller the former lately, the latter now a resident of said Grafton hereby certify that we are well aware with the D John Fiddler who has subscri- bed the above declaration that we believe him to be a man of truth and veracity & that he is reputed in his neighbourhood to have been a soldier in the Revolution - that we believe he is of the age of seventy David I Putnam sworn and subscribed to on Bartholomew Fuller the same day and year last aforesaid Peter M. Safford Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogations presented by the said deponent that the above applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that David I Putnam who has signed the foregoing Certificate resides in Marlborough in said District that Bartholomew Fuller who has also signed the above certificate resides in Grafton in said County an respectable person & that the statement is entitled to credit & the being no Clergyman in the vicinity is the reason for substituting an other person Peter M. Safford - Judge

I
18482
INVALID.
am
File No. 18482
John Kidder
Bi Rev Mr
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 208
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Bidwell Pension application
Letter of Explanation to J. L. Edwards

Rockingham Vermont Saxtons River June 22 1833
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Sir Herewith are returned the papers in the case of John Piddler. Every requisition will be found answered somewhere in the original or last declaration - The clergyman's certificate was marked in the brace in the instructions, That is answered in the old declaration by a certificate of two individuals as by instructions required when (as in this case) no clergyman resided in town, There is a clergy- man now in Grafton but they has not been there a sufficient time to become acquainted with pension applicants - It appeared from the court certificate in the first declaration that there was no clergyman residing in Grafton, which was the case at that time
Two Depositions were forwarded to the department in this case - One def to each term of service, Or I handed them to Gen D Bellows (who forwarded the papers) to be forwarded, one of those only was returned with the papers - The other is of course in possession of me the Department - Please make return to J. L. Edwards Esq David L. Putnam Atty for Piddler

John Gideon with the claim of John Kidder.
The Hon. Lewis Cass
Secy War U.S.

Rockingham Vermont
Sept. 7. 1832.
The Hon. Swinburne
Secy of War of the U.S.
Sir I have the honor to transmit to you the affidavit of Elizabeth Haughton, to be attached to the application of John Walker for a pension and whose papers were transmitted some time since —
I have the honor to be very respectfully your obtd. Servt.
Daniel Stearns

Elizabeth Houghton affidavit

The affiant of Elijah Houghton of Putney in the County of Windham and State of Vermont aged sixty eight years who testifies and says that in the year 1780 he was acquainted with John Pierce then of Leominster in the State of Massachusetts now of Grafton Vermont that after the battle of Bunker Hill of that year 1780, the said John Pierce & the deponent enlisted in the army of the Revolutionary war were left Timothy Bauld since John Dill been three months was received at Westminster Chap by Col. Reed and marched to Gloucester, New York, there to West Pownal & Vinefortress and then to Fickett and the said Bauld served in the same company with the deponent and served until the full term of three months & were discharged without a return discharge
Putney August 17, 1832 Elijah Houghton
State of Vermont Windham County } Subscribed and sworn this 17th day of August 1832
Before me Ezra Dyer Justice of the peace
I certify that Elijah Houghton who has subscribed the above affidavit & made oath to the same is a man of truth and credibility to whom testimony full faith & credit ought to be given
Ezra Dyer Justice of the peace
For further & better certificate see Charles Fuller etc -

State of Vermont County of Windham } ss }
On this tenth day of June A.D. 1833 Personally appeared before me David Chandler a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windham, duly qualified according to law. John Riddler of Grafton in said County of lawful age who being first duly sworn according to law on his oath deposeth and saith in addition to his former declaration for obtaining a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, That he served the two terms of three months each & six months in all as a private and as a volunteer and at the time of said enlistment he was regularly enrolled in the mass militia. That he was all the time during said terms regularly under the command of his officers and not engaged in any civil pursuit or any other business otherwise than as mentioned in said original declaration in obtaining and wood for the army under the command service his officers. He thinks the Colonel's name in the last named term of service was - Rand. That the troops with which he was engaged were said to be called into service by the State authority. That the troops were regularly embodied and served at the places named in his original declaration. The reason of the deponent's not having obtained a clergyman's certificate is that there was no clergyman residing then in Grafton. Sworn & subscribed to on the John Riddler same day and year aforesaid mark Before me David Chandler Justice Peace

The aforesaid John Hiddon represents himself to be seventy one years of age at this time and & I hereby certify that I believe the said person -intended to and is - and that is his true age & that I believe him to be a man of truth and veracity - though I am not intimately acquainted with the Defendant living more than six miles from his residence & being only partially acquainted with him David Chandler Justice Peace
State of Vermont. Windham County Court Clerks Office, New Haven, June 19. A. D. 1833.
I certify that David Chandler Esquire is one of the Justices of the Peace with- in and for the County of Windham a- foresaid, and that the foregoing (on this Sheet) appear to me to be his signature. Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court.
James Elliott, Clerk.
A addition as Declaration in Cause vs. John Hiddon.