Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18083, for William Livingston, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Livingston, William
S. 18083
Mass. Sea Service
CONTENTS
cardeed

10.6024 New Hampshire
William Livingston
Millboro' in the State of N.H.
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Minot of the N.H. commanded by Col. Made in the N.H. line for 10 months
& Mass sea service
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of April 1833 and Sept 1833 Maker  Jaffrey N.H.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $106.66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept " 26.67 $133.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Williamson Clerk Book 2 Vol. 13 th Page 100.

William Livingston N Hampshire
Revah 16 Mm
12523.
Asa Parker Jaffrey NH

BRIEF in the case of  William Livingston  60 of Hillsborough  in the State of N.H.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71  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. As a Gen.     all was a Volunteer   Spring In 1779 entered 2 Private Capt. Parsons   July 1779 3 " Capt. Parsons Col. Symmes   June " 6 " Capt. Bennett Col. French   " 2 " Capt. Pollard   August 1780 3 " Capt. Foster Col. Howe   Dec 1782 entered on board Ship Margay of 16 guns Capt. Buffumton   Six months do not know whether she was private or public property  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dillerville N.H. Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional Eight Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George J. Ayton
Examining Clerk.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE,
COUNTY OF Cheshire . Hillsborough ss
On this 27 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate now sitting at Manchester within and for the county of Hillsborough aforesaid
now sitting William Swingston a resident of Nashua in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire aged 71 years last February who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st . That in the spring or beginning of the summer of the year 1777. he enlisted Capt. Company of Brackett for two months, to go to Rhode Island - he first marched to Providence and thence to Greenwich where he staid a short time and was conveyed from thence by water to Warwick neck, where he remained till his time expired, and was there dismissed with the company - He does not recollect in whose Regt he served at this time - 2 nd . That in the fore part of January 1778. as he thinks, he enlisted for three months in Capt. Edward Farnsworth's Company and believes in Col. Symes Regt. and marched to Dorchester heights, where he staid a short time and was then with five or six more of the company, sent to Governor's Island, but soon after rejoined the company in Boston, and was stationed on Fort Hill till the small pox broke out, and then went to Brunswick hill, where he remained till his time expired, when he was dismissed - 3 rd . That in June 1778. he enlisted for six months in the company of Capt. Minot of Chelmsford, in Col. Wall's Regt - Lt Col. Wood; but was afterwards commanded by Capt. Joseph Baynton of Pepperell, whose company was united with said Minot's company; that he first went to Providence where he joined the Regt. - was stationed there three or four weeks, then went to Tiverton and thence over the ferry to Rhode Island - was with the troops under General Sullivan when he was in the battle, and retreated with the army from the Island to Tiverton, from thence to Greenwich where the Regiment was stationed for a considerable time, and then Capt. Baynton's company went to North Kingston where he was dismissed about the first of January 1779 - 4 th . That about the first of August 1779. as near as he can recollect, he enlisted in Capt. Solomon Pallas's company. Lieut. John Lewis both of Billerica, and marched soon after to Springfield Mass. and thence to Albany; then to a place called New City, now Lancaster N.Y. where he was stationed till he was dismissed - he enlisted for three months but was dismissed after serving two months, or as he thinks a few days more - does not recollect that any troops were there except Capt. Pallas's company, unless there was, about the time he was dismissed - 5 th . That about the first of August 1780. he enlisted for three months in Capt. Ames Foster's Company of Tewksbury, and soon after marched to Providence, thence to the Island of Rhode Island and then joined the Regiment of Col. Hovey, and was stationed at Butts Hill till the three months expired, when he was dismissed - 6 th . That in the year 1782. he entered on board the ship Marquis of sixteen guns, Captain Buffington of Salem - that he entered about the first of March for six months, and sailed soon after from Salem - that the ship returned the next fall, having taken three prizes two of which arrived at Salem - but he had sometime before arrived in one of the prizes - He cannot tell

whether this ship belonged to the United States, the State of Massachusetts or was wholly private property; and he knows of no person living who can testify as to this service, though a number went out with him from Billerica Mass.
He was born in Billerica in the County of Middlesex Mass. in the year 1761 - Has a record of his age from the town Clerk of said Billerica - Was living at Billerica when he went into the service every time, and has lived since the war at said Billerica, Concord and Townsend Mass. - and at Sharon W.H. and now lives at said Sharon. He volunteered every time he went into the service - Remembers no officers except Gen. Sullivan at Rhode Island - There was but few troops at some of the places where he was stationed, a company only, or part of a company, being employed to guard the coast or for other purposes - Never received any written discharge - Samuel Clark and Stephen Bacon both residing in his neighborhood in said Sharon he believes can testify as to his character for veracity and belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution - And said Livingston further states that he formerly wrote his name Lewis York, but it is sometimes spelt Livingston.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
William Livingston
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Edmund Parker. Judge of Probate.
We,
hereby certify, that we are 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 day and year aforesaid.
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 there is no Blaggyman residing in the said town of Sharon.
Edmund Parker. Judge of Probate -
Charles H. Atherton Reg. & Clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of William Livingston for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 27 th day of August Anno Domini 1832.
C. H. Atherton Reg. & Clerk

Declaration of William Sivingston of Sharon Hillsboro Co. N. H.
12.52 P.

18083
INVALID.
No. 18083
William Livingston
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Box:—Vol. 1 , Page 223-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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 Livingston which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Y II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Y 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? Y 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? Y VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Y VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Y VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Y IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Y 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? Y

 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?  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? yes 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 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.

We the subscribers Samuel Clark and Stephen Bacon Jr both residing in the town of Sharon in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Livingston of said Sharon who is making application for a pension; that we believe him to be seventy one years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion -
Samuel Clark Stephen Bacon
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County ss -
On this twenty fifth day of August 1832 personally appeared the before named Samuel Clark & Stephen Bacon and made oath that the foregoing certificate by them subscribed is true -
Before me Benja Russell Justice of the Peace
I certify that Samuel Clark and Stephen Bacon who have subscribed and sworn to the foregoing certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit - Benja Russell Justice of the Peace

I Andrew Wallace clerk of the Superior Court of Jurisdiction for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that Benjamin Russell within named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough, and duly empowered to administer oaths, and that the within signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name, this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord 1832.
A. Wallace Clerk

Jacob Baldwin Deposition —
for W. Livingston

I Jacob Baldwin of Jaffrey in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hamp- shire, aged seventy one years, depose and say, that according to the best of my recollection, about the first of August 1779. I enlisted in the Massachusetts Militia for three months, and marched soon after to a place then called New City, but now Sensingburgh in the State of New York - that I then resided in Dunstable in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and belonged to the Company commanded by — Pollard, of whose Company John Lewis was Lieutenant, and Benjamin Needham was orderly sergeant — I further say that William Sivingston, (but who I have understood spelt his name at that time Sevioston) who now lives in Sharon in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire — but who then resided in Billerica in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth afore- said, enlisted for the same time and served with me in Captain Pollards Company — that Captain Pollards Company was stationed at said New City, now San- singburgh, but I do not know why it was stationed there, or whether the same was ever attached to any Regiment; and I do not recollect whether any other troops were in that vicinity at the time — I further say that I was well

acquainted with said Livingston, that we served but two months, though we had enlisted for three - and that Captain Patten's Company was then dismissed and said Livingston and myself then returned home -
Jacob Baldwin
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County ss - Be it remembered that on the second day of August 1832 before me Asa Parker a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cheshire aforesaid, personally appeared the before named Jacob Baldwin and made oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth - and that the said Jacob Baldwin is well known to me and is a credible witness -
Sworn subscribed and certified by and Before me Asa Parker Justice of the Peace

I John Byam of Jaffrey in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged seventy one years, depose and say, that in the year 1780. I served three months at Rhode Island in Capt Thomas Foster's Company of Massachusetts Militia, and as I believe in General Howe's Brigade; but do not recollect the name of the Colonel who commanded the Regiment — I further say that William Sevioston served as a private soldier in said Foster's Company for the aforesaid term of three months, and that William Sevioston who now resides in Sharon in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire is the same William Sevioston who served with me at Rhode Island in Capt Foster's Company —
John Byam
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss —
Be it remembered that on the fourth day of August 1832 — before me Nathaniel Parker a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Cheshire aforesaid, personally appeared the before named John Byam and made oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, contains the truth and nothing but the truth — and that the said John Byam is well known to me and is a credible witness —
Sworn, subscribed and certified by and Before me Nathaniel Parker Justice of the Peace

Churhills. Aug 10. 1832
I Salma Hale Clerk of the Judicial Court in said County certify that Ira Parker is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that the foregoing is his signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale Clerk
John Byers Deputy Clerk
for W. Edgington

Thaddeus Sparlings
Deposition
for W. Livingston

I Thaddeus Spaulding of Townsend in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify and say That I was a soldier in the army of the united States. I enlisted in June 1878 and marched to Rhode Island about the first of July 1878 William Leviston was in the same company with me during the term of six months under Captain Joseph Boynton and Col Nathaniel Wade Regiment Said Leviston and myself were mess mates all the time during said six months. I further testify and say that we were discharged about the first of January 1879 Said Leviston and myself started to come home together and came in company till we arrived near home said Leviston went as he said he was going to Billerica where he said he belonged and went to Townsend where I have lived ever since The town of Billerica above referred to is in said County of Middlesex Said Leviston has lived in Townsend some two or three years since we were soldiers together and in my neighbor- hood and now lives in Sharon New Hampshire as I understand. Thaddeus Spaulding
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County. Jo. Be it remembered that on the fifteenth day of August A.D. 1882 Before

me Paul Gerrish a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Middlesex aforesaid personally appeared the before named Thaddeus Spaulding and made oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth.
Before me. Paul Gerrish Justice of the Peace
Middlesex ss. August 15 th 1832
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the before named Thaddeus Spaulding and that his character for truth and veracity is good Paul Gerrish Justice of the Peace
Middlesex ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex, do certify that Paul Gerrish is a justice of the Peace within & for the County of Middlesex & his name set to the foregoing certificate is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832
Isaac Fiske

Joseph Dows Deposition — and Benjamin Bowers Deposition
for W. Livingston

I Benjamin Bowers of Billerica, in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Seventy seven years of age, on oath, testify & say that about the years 1777 or 1778 or thereabouts, during the war a number of persons of said Billerica, fitted up to go a privateering, among whom, was William Livingston, then resident in said Billerica, but now resident in Sharon in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire and is now present before me - That said Livingston went off with the rest, as they said to go a privateering and after being gone some time they returned & said they had been, and that they had taken a prize - That one Capt Basington, as I understood, of Salem was their Commander - That my Brother Dennis Bowers, was one of the persons, who went with the rest, - That since said Dennis's decease, I have seen a scrap of writing in the hand writing of another Brother of mine, James Bowers, giving an account of the affair, containing the name on said writing, of the said William Livingston - Henry Bowers
Middlesex ss. August 17 th 1832 - Then personally appeared the above named Benjamin Bowers, who is personally known to me, & who is a credible person & his testimony is entitled to full confidence & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him above subscribed
Before me Marshall Preston Jr. of the County of said County of Middlesex -

I Joseph Dows of Billerica in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of Seventy Two years of age, on oath testify to say that William Levinston, formerly of said Billerica, now living in Sharn, in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served with me two months, in said service in the Spring a part of the summer of the year, 1777, in Capt Joseph B. Varnum's Company in Col. Howe's Regiment I think - that we both enlisted at the same time and marched to Rhode Island together; were both members of the same Company & in the same mess - that at the end of said term we both returned here to said Billerica together - That I was well acquainted with said Levinston, at the time & have been ever since - That we marched to Providence first, was then attached to the Regiment then detached from the Regiment & ordered to Greenwich, then on board a Vessel & taken to Warwick, when we were discharged. Joseph Dows
Middlesex ss. August. 16 th A.D. 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Dows, who is personally known to me, & is a credible person & his testimony entitled to full confidence & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me Marshall Preston Jur. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex do certify that Marshall Preston is a person of the Peace within and for said County & his name set to the foregoing certificate is an proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of August AD 1832.
Isaac Fiske
12.50 P.M.
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

I Samuel Stearns of Temple in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy years & upwards, depose and say that in January in the year 1778, at Billerica in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts I enlisted for the term of three months in Capt Edward Farmers Company of State Troops & marched from Billerica to Boston & continued at Boston in the vicinity during the whole term for which I enlisted - I further depose & say that William Livingston of Sharon in said County of Hillsborough was a soldier in said Company during all said time. We enlisted at the same time & place & were discharged together - I think we were attached to Col Symmes Regiment In June 1778, I again enlisted at said Billerica in Capt Minot's Company, Col Nades Regiment for six months and marched from Billerica to Providence in Rhode Island and continued in that vicinity till the retreat of Gen Sullivan when we went to East Greenwich, & thence to North Kingston where we were discharged. While at Rhode Island our Company was united with that of Capt Boynton & we served under him the remainder of our term - The above named William Livingston was listed at the time I did - served the whole of the time & was discharged at the same time - - About the first of August 1780 I again enlisted at said Billerica for three months, in Capt Amos Foster's Company, in Col Howes Regiment, & marched to Providence & thence to the Island of Rhode Island, where we continued during the whole term of our enlistment - During all said time the above named William Livingston was a soldier in said Company We enlisted at the time I enlisted & we were discharged at the same time. Sam d Stearns
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss Be it remembered that on this 21 st day of August A D 1832 before me John Preston, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Hillsborough personally appeared the above named Samuel Stearns & made oath that the above deposition by him described contains the truth & nothing but the truth - I further certify that said deponent is well known to me and is a credible witness - Sworn, subscribed, & certified by & before me John Preston Justice of the Peace

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Ju- diciary for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that John Preston is a Justice of the Peace for said County of as within mentioned Hillsborough, and duly empowered to administer oaths, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord 1832. A. Wallace Clerk
Samuel Stearns Affidavit
for W. Livingston
Samuel Stearns Deposition