Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33781, for James Taylor, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
NH
Taylor, James
S. 33781.
CONTENTS

Letter to J. Mills Esq 1832
20.3
Massachusetts.
James Taylor
of Hampden Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Fry of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Dearborn in the N. Hampshire line, for the term of three years , from May 1780 to 1781.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 4 day of January 1832
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 of January 1832 and sent to Genl. J. C. Bates. P. Refr.
Arrears to 4th of March 1832 $ 16.25 Semi-ann. all'ce ending
$ 16.25
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
Rec. Book D. Vol. 2. fol. 85.

Massachusetts 20,381
James Taylor
of Hampden Co. in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Fry of the Regt. commanded by Colonel Deacon in the N. Hampshire line, for the term of 3 years from May 1780 to — 1780
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 18 th day of March 1830 —
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of August 1836 and sent to Hon. W. B. Calhoun, Springfield, Mass.
Arrears to 4th of Semizant. all ce ending
To be filed with papers act 18 March 1818 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act March 18, 1818. May 1, 1820. March 1, 1823. June 28. 1836 }
Recorded Book I, vol. 2 page 77 by D. Brown, clerk
See letter Sept. 8. 1838 to the Pension do. to same, Aug. 9. 1839 — same Apr. 2. 1840. do. to same Oct. 28 th 1842 —

James Taylor
Dec. 23-1833
Ref d to Com e on Rev. Pensions
Jan. 16. 1834
Com e to disch d — to be
April 1-1834
Recommitted to Com e on Rev. Pensions
Dec. 11. 1834
Ref d to Com e on Rev. Pensions
Jan. 20. 1835
Bill reported No. 657
January 5. 1836.
Ref d to Com e on Rev. Pensions
Jan. 20-1836 Bill No. 188.
Calhoun 80. Rev Pa
Bates 2. Rev Pa
Resolutions
Resolutions
Boston Mass 93. Rev. Pa

To the Senate and House of Represen- tatives in Congress assembled.
The petition of the subscriber respect- fully represents. That he was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution. That he is in infirm health, poor and destitute and has been so for many years. That soon after the passing of the law of 1818. He made application for a pension, but his claim was then rejected for want of the requisite evidence. The further pro- secution of his claim was suspended for want of funds and assistance till the autumn of 1829, when he made a second application, but the papers were returned for informality. The defect was corrected and the papers forwar- ded, the succeeding winter to H. Bales, member of Congress from this District. Owing to some mistake or to causes entirely unknown to your petitioner, the papers were not received at the War Department till the 4 th of Jan. 1832, and the payment under the certificate then granted in his favor commenced on that day. He immediately applied for an alteration

of the certificate, but was informed by the officers of the Department that it could not be done. Your petitioner further represents that, for three or four years previous to his application in 1818, and since that time till the 4 th January 1832, he was dependent upon his son, James B Taylor for his support. That soon after his application in 1829 he incurred debts for some additional necessaries and conveniences, to nearly the amount of what he should have received if his certificate had commenced in 1829. That he obtained this credit solely on the expectation that he should be able to discharge the debts when the certificate was received. His pension since January 1832 has been barely sufficient for his support. His son, James B. Taylor with whom he lived and was supported as aforesaid is an industrious man of small property and a large family of children. The sum of eight dollars a month from his first application to the date of his certificate may not be necessary for the support of your petitioner the few remaining months or days of his life But he prays that Congress will grant him that sum, believing as he does, that he is fairly entitled to it

under the provisions of the act of 1818, and as it will give him the means of discharging the legal and moral obligations he is under for his support the last fifteen years.
Southwick Ms. Dec. 16. 1833
James Taylor
State of Massachusetts.
Hampden County ss. Dec. 16. 1833
Then James Taylor above named, personally appearing made oath that he is the same James Taylor to whom was granted a Pension certificate, bearing date January 4 1832.
Before John Mills Justice of the Peace
The facts stated in relation to the mistake on this & it was on my part wholly. If material I will state it to the Com tee how it occurred. J. C. Bates M. C.
Dec 21. 1833 -

James Taylors Petition for a pension
Copy
office
on the Final settlement Account Certificate Vol 1 Page 206 20438
H. D. Bales 4 Jan. 1882

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Court of Common Pleas.
County of Hampden ss.
On this sixteenth day of March 1830 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, James Taylor of Southwick in said County and resident therein, aged seventy one years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 and the first of May 1820; that he the said James Taylor enlisted for the term of three years, in the month of April or May in the year 1780 at Amherst in New Hampshire under Lieut. Barzillai Howe, and continued with him as his waiter untill March 1781, when they joined the army at Saratoga in the Company commanded by Capt. Fry in the Regiment commanded by Col. Henry Dearborn in the line of the State of New Hampshire on the Continental establishment - that he continued to serve in the said corps untill the expiration of his period of enlistment in April or May 1783, when he was discharged from the service at a place then called Rattlesnake hill, West of Newburgh in the State of New York - that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present; that his name is not on the roll of any State, except New Hampshire, - and that the following are the reasons, why he did not pursue his application for a pension which he made in May 1818, that he at that time made his declaration before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for this County which was transmitted to the War department - that he was afterwards informed that the evidence of his service was insufficient and that his pension was not granted - that as he had removed to a great distance from the place of his enlistment, there were no persons living near him by whom he could prove his enlistment or service. That as he could then, by dint of hard labor and prudence furnish himself with the necessaries of life, he thought it would be more honorable to direct his earnings to that purpose, than to expend them in search, which might prove fruitless, for his old companions in arms That since that time, the infirmities of age have crept upon him, so as in a very great degree to incapacitate him for labor, and he also suffers much inconvenience from a wound by a musket ball in his right leg by which he received from the enemy in June 1781 at Wood creek, while on a scouting party under Lieut. Howe

And in pursuance of the act of first of May, 1820, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, dispose of any property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18 th day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. That I have been a farmer by occupation, but am now unable to pursue it except occasionally, and in those branches which require no activity and little exertion - That I have no family, but live with my son who is possessed of very little property, and is not able to contribute to my support, and that no changes have been made in my property, since the 18 th of March 1818.
James Taylor
Sworn to and declared on the sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1830 before the Court of Common Pleas
Schedule of the property of James Taylor referred to in the foregoing declaration -
   40 acres of poor pine plain land, for which I paid one hundred and seventeen dollars, which is now worth $ 250,00   one old square table - - - - - 33   one old case of drawers - - - - - 1,00   two lace chests - - - - - 83   Dish Kettle - - - - - 75   Spider - - - - - 25   Frying pan - - - - - 50   Nice & tongs - - - - - 50   4 kitchen chairs - - - - - 1 00   $ 255,16  
James Taylor
I certify that in my opinion the foregoing statement of the Petitioner's property to which he has made oath before me is true
D. Cummings for C. Read.

We the subscribers inhabitants of Southwick in the county of Hampden testify and say, that we are well acquainted with the land of Mr. James Sayler of said Southwick and that in our opinion it is not worth more than the sum mentioned in the foregoing schedule, and that the annual income of said land would not exceed the sum of Twelve dollars
Gideon Stiles Jos. M. Forwarc Neman Laflin Robert Forwarc John Mills L.W. Humphrey Saul Facer Calvin Toole William Hasmer
I John Ingersoll Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said James Sayler did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the proceeding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of said Court, and we further certify that it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Two hundred & fifty five dollars and sixteen cents In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this eighteenth day of March 1830
John Ingersoll Clerk

24th CONGRESS, 1st Session.
H. R. 188.
Priv 134
JANUARY 20, 1836.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. LAY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
An. Vol
A BILL
For the relief of James Taylor.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 3 there be paid, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 4 appropriated, to James Taylor, of Massachusetts, a revolutionary 5 soldier, a pension from the eighteenth day of March, one thousand 6 eight hundred and thirty, at the rate of eight dollars a month, 7 to the fourth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and 8 thirty-two.
Approved 25th June 1836
A true copy compared with the Roll in this office
(Dept. of State } June 30th 1836 }
Adams District Chief Clerk

I culture of many Weston now of 60 years but at the time of the Revolutionary War an inhabitant of the Town of Amherst in the County of Hillsboro, and State of New Hampshire do hereby say that we were well acquainted with James Taylor of Amherst and were knowing to his entering into the Continent- al Army for the term of three years under Lieut Bazela Howe at that time a Continental Officer that the said Taylor went from Amherst with Howe and I expect stayed out his term and then returned to Amherst
Atkins June 22 d 1829
Sister with Weston Mary Weston
Atkins June 22 d 1829
Then the above named Sallie & Mary Weston made solemn Oath that the above deposition by them subscribed is just and true before me
James Hopkins Justice Peace
I hereby certify the above named Westons are persons of undoubted veracity
James Hopkins Jus Peace

P. 396 3 Aug 30 Aug 7 Aug 6. 1839
Wadsworth Place
PRB Martin Van Buren Esq. Washington City
Mr. Taylor 1819 J. H. 1831

Mr President I think hard that I receive no recompence for back pay that I sent in application at the last Session made out by J. M. Townsend Esq with a recommend accompanying the petition signed by the most principal men in town that I should wish to be informed what the reason is that I am not entitled to my back pay as well as those that did not serve one half the time according to my certificate which came out on the act of 1833 as others have received back pay I feel not satisfied as I think I am entitled to the same as the rest I should be glad to be informed in what way I must provide to receive my honors due as I think I am entitled to some recompence as well as others as I served as long at least as most any as I spent my best days in the service of my country and underwent as many hardships as most any other be said being wounded and as I have not received no information from congress as what has bin their minds on said petition so I remain your well wisher
James P. Dyer
Southwick - Massachusetts 1839

H.R. 188.
James Taylor.
Com: on Pensions
Hon W.B. Calhoun Springfield Mass.

Payable on the 4th March and 4th September, of
every year, by the President of the U.S. Branch Bank, according to the alterations at Boston, in this certificate. Send it to Hon. W. B. Calhoun, Springfield Mass.
Direct the Agent to pay him.
Send the letter after your copy it to Recorded by John Allison the Agent. —
Clerk, in Book D Vol. 2 Page 85
pen: to Cow: 18 th March 1830.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I Certify, That, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, and June 28. 1836
James Saylor late a Private
in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight 18 3/4 dollars per month, to commence on the fourth  mark day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty two ,
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14  19 th day of January  August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two , six.
Secy of War Secretary of War.
Examined and countersigned,
Sam L. Hovey

Hon. Isaac C. Bates
Member of Congress
Washington D.C.
Smith Nov. 4 Jan'y 1872
fr

West Springfield May 22. 1880-
My dear Sir,
James Taylor of Southwick has made application for a Pension - the papers have been at the Pension office & returned as insufficient as to the proof of service - The applicant, as is usual in such cases, is dissatisfied with the decision, and wishes me to enclose the papers to you, in the expectation that you can produce a decision in his favour - He enlisted in the State of New Hampshire - has been there to seek for some of his old companions in arms, but they have all deceased, or removed to some part of the country, where he cannot find them - He cannot procure the testimony which the Department requires "that of two witnesses to his enlistment, of his continuance in the service, & of the time & manner of his leaving" - It would be impossible for almost any one of them, at this period, to obtain such evidence - The only persons whom Taylor could find, who knew any thing of his enlistment, were those whose testimony he has procured -
There is no certificate that the Justice who took the Deposition was qualified to act as such - It used formerly to be the practice to receive the certificate of a member of Congress to that fact - and it is probable that the member from New Hampshire, from the neighborhood of Antioch, may know the fact & be willing to certify -
If you can do any thing to aid Mr. Taylor in the accomplishment of his wishes, I know that you will cheerfully do it - He is one of that class, to whom a pension will be a benefit - as he is a steady, worthy man - & I have no doubt of the merits of his claim -
I am very respectfully
your friend
Sam Lathrop
Rev. J. C. Baty -

July 2 nd
J. A. Taylor Sp. act.
L. Edwards Pension Office Washington City.
Calhoun A.N.

Ho: J. R.
July 1. 1896.
Sir,
I will thank you to let me have such papers as may be necessary, if any, to let us James Taylor have an allowance of a grant to him under a Resolution, which has passed in his favor this session.
The grant to Taylor is for arrears of pension.
Yours Respectfully
Yours S er vice
J. L. Edwards Esq.
W. B. Balcomb.

Southwick Mass Oct 17. 1842
James Taylor
For pay due for services in a powder mill at that place.
T. 255. Rec Oct 20 1842
Order of the Pension Office.
This appears to be an application for a pension - The writer says he was at work in a Powder mill when the act of 1818 was passed - The writer is a pensioner of the Revolution & resides at Southwick Mass.
James Taylor Mass. Oct 1842

Mr President I take this liberty to write to you & I should be glad to be informed why I am debared my Just due for services rendered in the Defense of my countrys rights & Liberty as there are those which receive full pay for one years service & back pay to the act on which their certificate was granted as my certificate was granted on the act of 1838 why I should be debared my Just due for three years services which I have made proof to two three years services of which I have not been able to make proof of only three years service and at great expense for that when the act of 1838 was passed I was at work in a Powder mill in the Town of Southwick where I now reside & have resided here for upwards of 50 years I was requested to go before Judge Hooker then Judge of Probate as he was acting as agent but I was deficient of evidence at the time & not being able to be at so much expense & being so far from the place of my enlistment which was almost New Hampshire at the time of my both enlistments now I receive no pay back from 1830 there is now three years back pay that I claim as my Just due I have a petition signed by the most respectable inhabitants in town here sent on to Washington this two or 3 years & I wish to be informed in what way I am to bring this about to have a hearing his James Taylor Southwick Mass. Oct. 17. 1842 mark

John Lytle Esq. U.S. City Washington
PAID
1 Vern B. N.

1872. March 27. Punch 28 1840 Clubs in Office.
U.S.
Martin Van Buren Esq. City Washington
25
Mar 23
W.W.
Ref John July of War Dept.

6 The President Sir I should be glad to be informed whether there is any law to debar me from my right according to my certificate as I have a pension in congress left in the charge of Mr. Calhoun of Springfield Massachusetts as my certificate is on the act of 1818 and I should be glad to be informed if there is any law to cut me off from receiving my back pay as I made application in the first but not having means to make evidence as I was not able and a great distance from the place of my enlistment as others drew their full pay back what served but a short time complained with the time I served as I have not made proof of but one three years service and cannot tell whether it would be possible to make to make proof of my other enlistment as I have been from the place and have not been resident of New Hampshire since the close of the revolution.
Mass. Farmstead March 20 1840
James Payson

Ms 15.12 Apr 6 1825 Pension Office Ms 15.12 Ms 15.12
Mr. Garrison President Washington City
Miss Taylor, N.Y. Oct. 1818.
Southwick Ms 15.12 Aug. 22

His President Sir I take the liberty as an old soldier to a voice of 76 of addressing you that I was recommended or advised to make application by the judge of this country for a pension that said application might be of service to me if I could not make evidence at present I had no evidence at the time except my own testimony as I was far from my native place and in rather low circumstances to not being able at the time as it had been something missing of thirty years since since I had visited or even known any thing of any of my brother soldiers except those at the inns and one private who live before this act took place which left me without evidence but by the assistance of them I was cleaned from military duty which is all the compensation I ever received for my wounds my first discharge being left and I still that that I made sufficient proof of my last three years service that I went over two hundred miles to find one and in Bradford that was a pensioner to enlist both times with me for both three years services that he had moved into Canada that he was a messmate of mine during the whole time I think it very hard to see them which I no have not been through one half the hardships which I have

receiving their full compensation from 1818 I have had two certificates both granted on the act of 1818 but have not received any thing back from 1830 which I consider that there is fairly my due 12 years back I say that I have been living on it expecting to receive my just due which is all I can expect to which I which to receive as my just due
Southwick Massachusetts
County of Hampshire
James Taylor
August 20, 1838.

JAMES TAYLOR.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 188.]
JANUARY 20, 1836.
Mr. LAY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which was referred the petition of James Taylor, report:
That James Taylor, of Massachusetts, on the 4th day of January, 1832, was put upon the pension roll as a soldier of the revolution, under the act of 1818, at the rate of eight dollars a month; but that his papers were made out on his application for a pension, and all his proof completed upon which his pension was granted, on the 18th of March, 1830. They were immediately forwarded to Mr. Bates, then, and now, a member of Congress from the district in which said Taylor resides, to be by him presented to the War Department for its consideration and allowance. It so happened, that Mr. Bates, without any fault on the part of said Taylor, but from some misapprehension as to the purport of said papers, did not present them to the Secretary of War until January 4, 1832, when the pension certificate bears date. The rule by which the Department is now governed, and the rule of the statute, is, to make the allowance from the time the proof is completed; but the rule then was to make the allowance from the time the papers were filed in the Pension Office, let the proof have been completed when it might. Upon application made to the present Secretary by Mr. Bates, he declined changing the certificate, inasmuch as it was an act of his predecessor in office, consummated by him. The committee think the existing rule the liberal and true rule under the statute; but whether so, or not, that a pensioner ought not to suffer from the mistakes or inattention of his Representative in Congress; and, therefore, they report a bill granting the intermediate pension from March 18, 1830, to January 4, 1832, the date of the petitioner's pension certificate.
Blair & Rives, printers.

Pension Office.
Hon J. C. Bates.
at Mr. Hyatts.
Penn a Avenue.

The Department. Pension Office. June. 24. 1834.
Sir.
The papers of James Taylor of Massachusetts were completed on the 18 th of March 1830; but the Pension did not commence at that time, because in January 1832, when his certificate was issued, the rule of the office, was to consider the evidence complete at the time when the last papers were received at the Department, if no objection was then made to them. — Mr. Taylor's papers were received here in January 1832. — Had the rule which now exists, been in force in January 1832, the Pension would have commenced on the 18 th of March 1830. — The rule now is, to consider the evidence complete, at the time when the last certificate or affidavit is authenticated, and not when received at the Department.
The law directs the Pension to commence at the time when the evidence is complete.
I have the honor to be very respectfully Sir,
Yr. W. M.?
J. L. Edwards
Hon. J. C. Bates. Chair of Representatives.

33 781 Reg INVALID.
File No. 33, 781
James Taylor His Rev Dao
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 51/52
[Arrangement of 1870.]

see letter July 13. 1876 to Hon. W. B. Calhoun Springfield, Mass.

For M c Callum Aug.
FREE
Im me Attention Aug 15/36 J. L. Map for J. L. Edwards Esq. J. L. Map
for Camp
J. L. Edwards Esq. Pension Office Washington D.C.

Springfield, Mass.
August 10. 1836.
Sir,
I enclose the pension certificate of James Taylor, referred to in your note of the 13 th of July.
Respectfully
Yi N. West.
W. H. Calhoun.
J. L. Edwards Esq.