Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14635, for Jonathan Sweet, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Sweet, Jonathan
S 14635
carded
CONTENTS

New York 28. 517
Jonathan Sweet
of Monroe Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stoddard of the Reg't commanded by Col. Burrill in the New York Militia line for 12 Mo. Private
Conn. ★
Feb 27/07. Records corrected
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 40 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of April 1834 and sent to Peter Price Esq
Bears to the 4th of March 1834 $ 120.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep 14 '34 20.00
$140.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam H. Page Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 123
Alby Penn Agent May 4, 1837. do. to same May 13. 1837

Jonathan Swift 14406
old paper
a, d, e, i
Admitted Paroled 12 mo
4 mo rejected for want of qualification
Peter Price Rush New York
Sam l F. Whittelsey Rochester New York
Commissioner of Pensions.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Nov 23, '33
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, shewing the Service of Jonathan Swift
   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.     1776 Feb 1 — — Priv Capt Burill 82 years   1777 — 1 — do Capt Stoddard Connecti   1778 — 3 — do Capt Gibbs Cut   — — — do   — — — Old papers   1 4 —   — 4 neglected   1 0 —  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 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
If cannot be admitted that the service in question is insusceptible of proof,

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 inquiry 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 [i] 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. 

in the Matter of Jonathan Swift a Lunacy
14405
No action

State of New York Monroe County
On the sixth day of September in the year of our Lord 1832 Inasmuch as appeared before me Felix Price one of the judges of the County Court for Monroe County Jonathan Sweet Now President in the place of Wheat- land in the County and State aforesaid Age Eighty Two years the Twenty fifth day of December last was who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration That he Resides Sixteen Miles from the seat of Justice in the Genesee County of Monroe and in consequence of Infirmary and age can not attend a Court of Record he in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th day of June 1832. Then his oath aforesaid make the following Declaration
That in the year of our Lord 1776 in the month of February at the Town of Goshen in the County of Sullivan in the State of Connecticut enlisted for the term of one year under Captain Luther Hodges of Salisbury in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Brereton & Lieutenant Colonel Brice and that he served to the end of his enlistment and was discharged at Mount Independence but he has lost the discharge during the Service he March to and Returned from Quebec & has Now in the War Office on a former application and on file as he is informed & believes Two Affidavits of his Messmates who Messed with him during this Service, said Application Rejected because of propter
2 nd in the year of our Lord 1777 in the fall of the year he served one Month under Captain Gibbs The Regiment not Recruited and was in the engagement at Saratoga and Taking of Burgoyne
3 rd in the year of our Lord 1778 at Manchester in the County of Suffolk in the State of Connecticut Little part of April or for part of May he

enlisted for three months under Captain Gibbs in the Regiment he does not recollect and served at the White Plains, was there at the time of the Monmouth Battle and was discharged at that place That during all this time he was Second Sergeant in the Company that he held that office during his whole service he has no other witnesses to prove his service now living as he knows of (Excepting such as are now in the War office
he hereby relinquishes all Claims to a pension or annuity Except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn and subscribed Jonathan his X Sweet mark This 6 th day of September 1832 before me Peter Price { Judge of the County Court for Monroe County
We Clark Hall and James Gibson residing in the Town of Wheatland hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Sweet who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that he believes him to be Eighty Two years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn and subscribed Clark Hall before us this 6 th day of September James Gibson AD 1832
Peter Price { Judge of the County Court for Monroe County

Where and in what year were you born ans One thousand seven hundred and forty Nine has a Record or Memorandum in a Bible Said where he states at the time of his enlistment was called into service by enlisting once Volun- teering as he states
he Resists General Gates Commanding at Saratoga
he Received a written discharge which he has Lost and that was for the year Service & Signed by General Gates
he is well acquainted with Clark Hall & James Gibson Deacon Clark Hall & James Gibson both Reside in Wheathill but No Clergyman near both whom I am acquainted
And I Peter Price one of the Judges of the County Court for Warren County do hereby declare my Opinion after the investigation of the Matter and after putting the Interrogatories presented by the War Department that the Above Named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and I further Certify that I am well acquainted with the said Clark Hall & James Gibson Who signed the preceding Certificate Reside in the Town of Wheatland are Creditable persons and their  the said  their Statement entitled to Credit, & in consequence of infirmities, can not attend Court of Record
Peter Price } Judge of the County Court for Warren County
State of New York Warren County ss
I Leonard Adams Clerk of the court of common pleas in and for said County of Warren do hereby cer- tify that Peter Price Esquire was at the date of the foregoing proceeding one of the judges of the said court of common pleas duly commissioned and sworn and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verify believe that his signature is the o

State of New York } County of } I Leonard Adams clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas of the said Court of Common Pleas of said county of Monroe do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of Peter Price Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the matter of the application of Jonathan Sweet for a pension as appears from the signature of the said Peter Price to the said proceedings - and I fur- ther certify that the said Peter Price was at the date of the said proceedings one of the Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas duly commissioned and sworn and that I am well acquainted with his hand wri- ting, and that I verily believe that his name sub- scribed to the said proceedings is his proper hand writing and signature -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15 th day of October 1832 L. Adams Clerk

Jon a Sweet. Act '32. Albany
To what time last paid —
6 th Sep 1835
9H
[Signature]

Rehman
✓ 14635 INVALID.
File No. 14. 635
Jonathan Sweet Brn. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 266
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Phebe Sweet - Wife to the aforesaid John Sweet of Tyringham aforesaid do also Depose and say that I am well acquainted with Jonathan Sweet - that I frequently visited his Wife - while the s d Jonathan was absent with the Army in Canada and was knowing to her receiving letters from him while he was lying before Quebec - and further the Affirmant saith not Phebe Sweet
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss Jan y 20 th 1834
Then the above named Phebe Sweet Came personally before me and made Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the s d Phebe Sweet and that implicit Confidence may be placed in her Declaration.
Ezra Heath Justice of the Peace

Mark & Farnie's Bank Albany Pension Agency May 2 d 1837.
James L. Edwards Esquire, Commis n of Pensions,
Sir,
Jonathan Dimes, a Pensioner under the act of June 7. 1832, claims pay from the 4 th April 1835, to the 4 th March 1837 -
Be pleased to instruct us whether or not we shall pay him on the enclosed Vouchers -
Very respectfully
Your obed t Serv t
Thos M c Clusky Pres t & Pay r

I John Sweet of the Town of Tyringham County of Berkshire State of Massachusetts of lawful age do depose and say - That I was present when Jonathan Sweet in the Year 1776 in the Town of Goshen in the State of Connecticut enlisted into the Army under Capt. Stadard of the Town of Salisbury State aforesaid. To serve for the term of one year - That he marched to join the expe- -dition to Canada - that his Wife was in our Father Family much of the time during his absence and that We received letters from him which he was lying before Quebec and that he remained in service during the term of enlistment - I also know that he was at other times in service but cannot correctly designate time or place - And further the Affiant saith not John Sweet
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss Jan'y 20 th 1834
Then the above named John Sweet came personally before me and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed
And I further certify that I am well acquainted with John Sweet and that implicit Confidence may be placed in his declarations
Ezra Heath Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County. do Certify that Ezra Heath Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County. and that the signatures to the foregoing & following affidavits purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Lewiston this sixth day of February A.D. 1834.
Chas. Sedgwick Clerk.