Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14656, for William Taft, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Taft, William
S. 14656
CONTENTS
buried

Vermont. 18.80.6
William Taft.
of Windham co in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Comp y commands by Captain Knapp of the Regt. comm da by Col. Reed. — in the * Mass. Ma line for 2 years.
★ Continental Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont.
at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Oct r 1833 and sent to P. White. Pittney. VT
  Arrears to the 14th of Sep r '33  $ 200.00    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. '34  40.00    Died Sep r 32, 1832  $ 240.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Net June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ele Brown Clerk Book E Vol. 3 Page 94

Windham County VT Wm Luff, Dea for Pension Augt. 7 th 1832
No 5799.
Please to make return to P. White - P.O. 778

County of Windham ss. District of Westminster
STATE OF VERMONT.
At Westminster in and for said District on the day of August A.D. 1832
Presiding Hon. Peter A. Yeates Judge
On this seventh day of August A.D. 1832—Personally appeared in open Court, At Westminster in said District
Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District now sitting— William Tuft a resident of Westminster in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged seventy five 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 7, 1832—That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he first enlisted as a soldier in the War of the Revolution in the spring of 1775 by enlisting into the right company of the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Reed and went to Roxbury near Boston and joined the Army and regularly served out said term when he again enlisted said Roxbury, for the term of one year in the company commanded by Capt. Moses Knapp in the same Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Reed and regularly served out said term of one year and was discharged at Peekskill in the State of New York about the last of December 1776 but received no written discharge both these terms of service were in the Massachusetts line and supposed to be on the continental establishment. And that afterwards in the winter of seventeen hundred & seventy eight or about the first day of January he enlisted at Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts for the term of three months and went to the State of Rhode Island and was stationed at North Kingstown to guard the coast in the company of Capt. Samuel Gage—he recollects that Lieut. Col. Gage was in the command in the vicinity of North Kingstown. Company was stationed detached from the Regiment and that he was dismissed at North Kingstown about the first of April in the same year—and afterwards in the latter part of the summer of the same year 1778 he went as a volunteer to Rhode Island in the company commanded by Capt. John Gage and was on the Island at the time of the battle between Sullivan's and the enemy. 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 the agency of any State.
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:
 1. born in Mendon Mass in the year 1757  2. has no record of his age - supposed his age is recorded in - Mendon  3. at the time of entering into service he lived in said Mendon & moved from Mendon to Uxbridge the day of the battle of the Brandywine when he was hired to carry them  4. has answered already 
6. has already answered
William Tuft
7. He names Anthony Mason Esq of Mendon & James Gray of Westminster his neighbors - & respectable citizens -
Witnesses C. H. Tuft

7. See names Anthony Mason Esq of Brooklyn & James Gray of Townshend his neighbors - & respectable citizens - Written C. H. Hays
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William ... Peter M. Tuft - Judge
We Anthony Mason a clergyman , residing in the town of Brooklyn in said District and James Gray of Townshend in said District hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Tuft who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Anthony Mason James Gray
Peter M. Tuft - Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after uttering 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 Anthony Mason who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman , resident in the said town of Brooklyn and that James Gray who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Townshend in said county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Peter M. Tuft - Judge
I Isaac Pease Clerk & Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Winsted aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Tuft for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Seventh day of August A. D. 1832.
Isaac Pease

March 8, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
RA-J/MEL
Benjamin Murdock- $18995 William Taft - $14656
Mrs. Clara L. Weatherbee Holliston Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of February 28, in which you request the records of five Revolutionary War pensioners.
The demand for Revolutionary War data is very great and the clerical force available for furnishing such information is limited, therefore it has not been possible to comply with each request which requires so great an amount of time and research.
It is regretted that your full request cannot be granted. The records of two pensioners named on your list are given below as found in the respective claims for pension based upon their service in the Revolutionary War.
Benjamin Murdock $18995
The date and place of birth of Benjamin Murdock are not stated. His father was living during the Revolutionary War: the names of soldier's parents are not given.
While residing at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served as a private with the Massachusetts Troops as follows: from the spring of 1775, eight months in Captain Edward Seagrave's Company, Colonel Joseph Read's Regiment and was at Boston: from January 1, 1776, one year in same company and regiment: from sometime late in the winter of 1777, two or five months in Captain Joseph Elliot's Company and went to Rhode Island and was stationed at North Kingston to guard the coast: from August, 1777, three and

one-half months in Captain Job Knapp's Company, Colonel Cushing's Regiment, was in the last battle of Stillwater and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne: from January 1, 1778, three months in Captain Samuel Craggin's Company, and again went to Rhode Island to guard the coast: from May, 1778, about nine months in the wagon service under Wagon Master Smith, and did hauling for the artillery.
About six or seven years after the close of the Revolution, Benjamin Murdock moved to Townshend, Vermont, where he was living when he was allowed pension on his application executed July 29, 1832 and aged seventy-four years. He was referred to as Major Benjamin Murdock: no explanation of the title was given.
In 1820, the soldier referred to his wife as being then in her seventy-sixth year but did not give her name or the date of their marriage and there is no reference to children.
In 1832, soldier's brother, Jesse Murdock, was aged sixty-nine years and resided in Townshend, Vermont.
There are no further data as to soldier's family.
* * * * *
William Taft S.14686
William Taft was born in 1757, in Mendon, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served as a private with the Massachusetts Troops as follows: from the spring of 1775, eight months in Captain Edward Seagrave's Company, Colonel Joseph Read's Regiment; from immediately after the termination of this service, one year in Captain Moses Knapp's Company, Colonel Joseph Read's Regiment; from about January 1, 1778, three months in Captain Samuel Craggin's Company, Colonel Hawes' Regiment; from sometime in the summer of 1778, six weeks or two months in Captain Caleb Whiting's Company, and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition.
Soldier in Mass book - Verified all officers

About the close of the Revolutionary War, William Taft moved to Townshend, Vermont.
Pension was allowed on his application executed August 7, 1832, while residing in said Townshend.
He died September 22, 1832.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
In 1832, Peter M. Taft was the presiding judge of the court of Windham County, Vermont: no relationship to the soldier was stated.
* * * * *
Very truly yours
A. D. HILDER Assistant to Administrator.

5199
Wm Taps
Admir 2 years $80
P. White Putney TVs

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Daff which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 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? Also See para 5 last clause VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
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?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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, deposeh 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 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.
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.
Declarant should amend his declaration in a legible hand

Joshua Norris affidavit in 1000 gms soft

The affidavit of Joshua Wood of Cornwall in the county of Windham & State of Vermont aged seventy four years, testifies & says that he has been acquainted with William Traft former- ly of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts, & State of Cornwall, County of Windham & State of Vermont, that on or about the first day of January of 1778, the said William Traft enlisted with me at Uxbridge as a soldier in the revolutionary War, for the term of three months & joined Capt Craggins Compa- ny, and marched to North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island, & was stationed there to guard the coast, and at the end of the term of three months was discharged with the said William Traft, at North Kingston, about the first of April following
State of Vermont Windham County
Joshua Wood
I do hereby certify that the above named Joshua Wood is well known to me, & that he is a man of undeputed truth & veracity, whose testimony may be fully relied on
Dana Bailey justice of the Peace State of Vermont Windham County
Subscribed August 7 th 1833 Then personally appeared before me the above named Joshua Wood the signer of the above written affi- davit and made solemn oath that the above written affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth & nothing but the truth
Before me Dana Bailey justice Peace

State of Vermont. Windham County Court Clerk's Office New Haven August 9. A.D. 1833.
I certify that Dana Bailey Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Wind- ham aforesaid, and that the with- in are his signatures. Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court.
James Elliot Clerk.

Benj. Murdock's Affidavit in favor of W m East.---

The affidavit of Benjamin Murdock of Townshend in said County of Windham and state of Vermont aged seventy four years, who testifies and says, that he has been acquainted with William Taft of Townshend in the County of Windham and state of Vermont, from his childhood - and that the said Taft served with him as a soldier in the Revolutionary War in the first eight months, at Roxbury near Boston - and also in the great service so called - commencing on or about the first of Spring 1776 and ending on or about the first of January 1777 - during the eight months served with him in the same company commanded by Capt. Edward Lequeux - and during both terms in the same Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Read of the Massachusetts line - and that afterwards on the first day of January 1778 the said Taft enlisted with him at Uxbridge and joined Capt. Craggin's company for the term of three months and marched to North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island, and were stationed there to guard the coast - and at the end of said term of three months was discharged with the said Taft at North Kingston, about the first of April - and he further testifies, that during all the aforesaid terms of service the said Taft bore the reputation of a good and faithful soldier - And the Deponent further testifies that he recollects that when he returned from the service in the winter of 1778 he heard the said Taft and others at Uxbridge often speak of the said Taft's conduct in the fall of 1778 on Rhode Island at the time of Sullivan's battle with enemy - and his retreat from the Island - and that he has not the least doubt of said Taft's serving two months at that time.  Benja. Murdock
State of Vermont
Windham County ss. July 27 th 1832 Subscribed & sworn to.
Before Phineas White justice of the Peace
I do hereby certify that the above named Benjamin Murdock is a man of undoubted truth and veracity, to whose testimony full faith and credence ought to be given.  Phineas White justice of the Peace
I the undersigned Clerk & Registrar of the Probate Court said for the district of Windham in the state of Vermont do hereby certify that Phineas White whom none is allowed to the oaths of office and qualification on the day of the date thereof a justice of the peace in and for the County of Windham of said & duly qualified that the oaths in his genuineness.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & the seal of said Probate Court this 10th day of July A.D. 1832.  Asa Folsom

I Elisha Murdock of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy Seven Years, Testify & Say, that I was acquainted with William Saff formerly of said Uxbridge, but late of Taunton in the County of Bristol & State of Vermont, that the said William Saff & myself served the term of Eight months together at Roxbury near Boston in said State in the same mess together, in the Company commanded by Captain Edward Bragdon in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Read the said Eight Months ended on the first of January 1776. I also testify that I was out the term of Six weeks during which time I was on the Island of Rhode Island, on Sullivan's Expedition, so called, & that the said William Saff served with me during the said Six weeks in the Company commanded by Caleb Whitney in the Regiment of Col. Hawes. This service was in the last part of the summer of the year 1778. These services were in the Revolutionary war and further the deponent saith not. Elisha Murdock
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss August 1 st 1833 Personally appeared
Elisha Murdock & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed -
I also certify that I am well acquainted with the said Elisha Murdock, that he is a credible witness, & that full credit may be given to his testimony
Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace

I Seth White of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy seven years, testify & say, that I was well acquainted with William Safft formerly of said Uxbridge but now late of Taunton in the County of Bristol & State of Vermont, that the said Safft & myself served the term of eight months in the revolutionary war at Roxbury near Boston in said Commonwealth, in the year 1775 in the Company commanded by Edward Seagrave & in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Read -
I also testify & say I was out the term of six weeks during which time I went on to the Island of Rhode Island, on Sullivan's Expedition so called, & that the said William Safft served the same term of time with me in the Company commanded by Edward Seagrave  Col. Whiting & in the Regiment commanded by Col. Hawes, this service was in the year 1778 -
I also testify that I was knowing to the said Safft in testing for the term of one year, after the eight months service aforesaid expired, that I served in the year 1776 the term of five months in the State of New York, that during the said five months I saw the said William Safft frequently, that he served in the Company of Capt. Mose Knapp in the Regiment of Col. Joseph Read which Regiment was stationed near to the one I served in - I have no doubt but the said Safft served out said year & further the deponent saith not. Seth White
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester ss August 7 th 1833 Personally appeared Seth White and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed - I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Seth White, that he is a credible witness & full credit may be given to his testimony. Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Benjamin Adams, Esquire, before whom the two preceding Depositions, contained on this sheet, were sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and that his signature to the certificates of the oaths of the deponents to said Depositions, is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the County Seal, at Worcester, this first day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Joseph G. Kendall Clerk

1933-Mar 8-Christ n Mrs Clara L. Teather Letter in case Benj. Murdock S-18995-Ed
Revman
✓ 14656 INVALID.
File No. 14 656
William Taft Prim Row war
Act: June 7th 1882
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 370
[Arrangement of 1870.]