Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31427, for Joseph Titus, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Titus, Joseph
S. 31427
CONTENTS

6153 Massachusetts
Joseph Titus
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Pte. in the Company commanded by Captain Bates of the Regt. commanded by Col. Mitchell in the Mass line for 13 months, private " " Sergeant
March 9th
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 18 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 Day of Feb 1833 and stat. Wm. I. L. Bordg. W. Jones of Rep.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1833 $72.50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 24.16
$96.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. D. Adams Clerk, Book D Vol. 3a Page 86
75 Bristol

16,733 Joseph Titus
13 months, Private 1 " Sergeant Adm'd
4333 5. 4533
J. L. Hodges, NR.

16,733  BRIEF in the case of  Joseph Titus  of Bristol Co  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? about  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 73  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     75 augt 1841 3 Substitute private Gen. Capt Knapp  Don't recollect Regimental officers   75 nov 3 private Capt Frazar  ditto - thinks Col Ward   77 apl 3 do ditto   77 Sept to Oct 1 do Capt Hodge  Spencer Exped n   79 augt 1 Sergeant Capt Robinson   80 augt 3 private Capt Bates  Col Michel  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 14 months service  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Springfield, Mass 
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness & traditional evidence 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Right 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W.C. Easton Examining Clerk.
13 Feb 1833
# alone for this month he gives a living witness, who is not stated as credible -

Joseph Titus
16733
L. L. Hodges RR

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss.
At a court of Probate held at Seekonk - In and for said County on the fourth - day of September one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two before the Honorable Zadok Baylis Judge of the Probate Court for said County Personally appeared Joseph Titus formerly of Mansfield but now a resident in Attleborough in said County and Commonwealth aged aged Seventy three years Who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Bankruptcy passed June 7 th 1832 make the following declaration That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here after stated to wit under Capt. Moses Drown & Deborah White Lieutenants both of Mansfield and Benjamin Capron of Attleborough of said County; for the term of three months at Roxbury near Boston At another time he served under Capt. Israel Drown of Norton in said County of Bristol Ebenezer Brintnell of Mansfield Lieutenant for three months at Dorchester near Boston - At another time for three months at Point Judith Rhode Island, under Capt. Israel Drown Isaac White Lieut At another time for 1 month at Pawtucket Ferry under Capt. Isaac Drown  Hodges Jonathan Hodges Lieutenant both of Norton in said County of Bristol At another time at Providence 1 month under Capt. Ezra Varnum of Attleborough Jonathan Pratt of Easton said At another time under Capt. Benjamin Bates of said County Ebenezer Titus of Norton Lieutenant Col. Abial Nichols Regiment
Where and in what year was you born Answers That he was born in Mansfield in said County of Bristol In the year 1759; And that he has a record of his birth made by his Father in a bible which since his Father's decease has been in his Sister's keeping, but he has transcribed it into his own bible.

2 Where were you living when called into Service? Where have you since lived, and where do you now live? States that he always lived in Shrewsbury  Mansfield until about five years ago he took his residence in Athol and now resides there. Said to my adjutant -
B How were you called into the Service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom; says that in his first campaign at Marlbury as above stated he served as a Substitute for Ebenezer Wellman of said Mansfield In the fourth campaign for one month at Providence as above stated he was drafted and In all the other campaigns he was a volunteer
State the names of some of the Regular troops officers who were with the troops when you served; both Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service -
He states that he was in the United States Service three months, commencing in August 1775 under Capt. Moses Knapp, Lieutenant White of Mansfield Lieut. Benjamin Capstan Ensign, the Regimental officers not recollect - was stationed at Marlbury near Boston there was a number of others two in particular from his town viz James Clapp and Ephraim Johnson Thayer but neither of them are now living -
That he served three months under Capt. Isaac Prow of Norton In the County of Bristol Ebenezer Brinsfield Lieutenant Abial Lane Ensign at Dorchester near Boston the field officers not recollect but thinks he was in Col. Ward's Regiment he knows of know are who was with him in this Company Benjamin Skinner who has since removed to Town of Dana  Orange Gardner who is now living - commenced in Nov 1775
That he served three months at Swanton State of Rhode Island under Capt. Isaac White Lieutenant Gammarine In April 1777
That he served one month under Capt. Isaac Hoadley

of Norton Jonathan Hodge's Lieutenant Commissioning in September and ending in October 1777 at Scituate and Scituate and else when near Rhode Island in what was called Spencer's Expedition he does not recollect any one of his acquaintance who was with him who are now living
That he served one month Commissioning in August 1779 under Capt. Enock Robinson of Middleborough Jonathan Pratt of Easton Lieutenant and Noah Robinson orderly Sergeant was stationed and served the term of service at Providence State of Rhode Island he thinks there was a company then from Wintham commanded by Capt. Fisher.
That he served 3 months at Rhode Island Commissioning In August 1780 under Capt. Benjamin Bates of Mansfield Ebenezer Titus Lieutenant the latter part of the time they were stationed at Point Judith.
He states that In all the foregoing campaigns he entered and served as a private except the tour at Providence he was appointed and served as a Sergeant That all the foregoing were Militia Services and under militia officers That he was dismissed at the expiration of the several terms but never received a written discharge
States that the Reverend John Ferguson and Deacon Clapham Esq. are persons to whom he is personally known by his neighborhood and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief at his services as a soldier of the Revolution
And the said Joseph Titus doth further declare he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present share that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of any State
Joseph Titus
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
H. D. Dyer, Judge of Probate
We John Ferguson and Deacon Clapham both of Middleborough in said County of Bristol here by certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Titus who has subscribed and sworn to the above declara- tion that we believe him to be about seventy three years of age
In the other side

ays that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Subscribed the day and year aforesaid John Ferguson Noah Claplin
Sworn to subscribe the day & year aforesaid Joseph D. D. D. H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
And the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as in States And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Ferguson is a Clergyman of the town of Metho- -ugh and Noah Claplin In Said County of Bristol and that Noah Claplin a resident In the Town of Methborough aforesaid who have signed the preceding Certificate are credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to Credit
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
Joseph D. D. D.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss.
I Anselm Bursitt - Register of the Court of Probate
In and for Said County do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Titus of Methborough in Said County for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and and the Seal of the Said Court the day and year first above written Anselm Bursitt

(a commonwealth of Massachusetts)
County of Bristol Is
Atkinsborough August 30 th 1832
I Daniel Richardson of Atkinsborough in the county aforesaid of the age of 67 years and duly engaged according to law do testify and say that Joseph Titus formerly of Mansfield now resident in Milton in said county of Bristol was with me one month in the service of the United States at Providence State of Rhode Island under Col t Enach Walbridge in the August A d 1779 said Titus was a sergeant
Daniel Richardson
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Daniel Richardson before me
Nathan Cushing Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I James Spratt Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Isaac Bliss Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within certificate, is a Justice of the Peace in the County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
J. Spratt
Daniel Mcbride for Joseph Dimes

16. 733 Ineph Titus
J L Hodges NR

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Titus which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, in the reason assigned for his not doing so? [Handwritten line] IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [Handwritten mark] VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service ? Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses ? No only for ONE month
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct ? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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 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 shewn 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

31427 Pay  INVALID.
File No. 31427
Joseph Titus Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 419
[Arrangement of 1870.]