Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14657, for John Taylor, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Taylor, John
S 14657
Carded
CONTENTS

21 to John Fleming Sept. 9 th 1834 " " " " " " " " " " 20. to W.H. Moore Sept. 25. 1834
14466  New York 14466 John Taylor New York was a private in the Company comma- Captain Putnam of the Regt. commanded Col. Tyler in the Mass. of 9 mos.
Enrolled on the Roll of New York at a rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May 1833 and sent to Mr. H. Stone Berkshire
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00 Pensions allowance ending Sept. 15.00 $75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W.L. Williams Clerk E Vol. 4 Page 80

✓ 1019784
John Sayin Tioga Co. N. York
admitted. 9 m. PM Private.
[Faint, illegible handwriting]
Mr. H. Meers 19 th Berkshire P.O. N. York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of John Taylor Tioga Co. N. York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1779 Discharged 6 Private Capt Putnam Gen Lyman Putnam Peruans Islands As 1770 Sanitary   Enlisted 1780 3 Adams St. John Berlin Apr 60 Marion Taylor   9 West Point As a fort Mass. as to 1779. and 80  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service, (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person.

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
G. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served, and the different grades in which he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York 3 ss. County of Tioga, 3 ss.
On this 19th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Oyer & Terminer held at the Court House in Owego in the said county of Tioga now sitting John Taylor a resident of Newark in the County of Tioga and State of New York aged seventy 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 Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That some time in the month of June of the year 1779 he enlisted as a militia man for six months, in the town of Beverly, in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, in a company commanded by Capt. Jeremiah Putnam in Col. Dyer Putnam's regiment; that he then marched to Providence in the State of Rhode Island, where he served his time out, to wit; six months.
That in the month of July of the year 1780 he again enlisted for three months in the said town of Beverly; that the first march from that place was to Great Barrington, in the county of Berkshire, and State of Massachusetts, where he staid about two weeks; that he then had orders to march to West Point in the State of New York, on the North River, to which place he did march and staid there about one week; that three companies were then detached from his regiment, to one of which companies he belonged; that he was then marched to Bedford on the east side of the North River in the county of Westchester and State of New York and was there stationed until his time was out, to wit, three months. That he was then in the year 1780 and that he was a record of his age in his family bible That he never was in any regular battle; that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service, except the one here to
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension annexed.
That he lived in the town of Beverly until he was thirty years old and then among Spencertown, Hillsboro Co. State of New York That he lived in the town of Newark in the State of New York

or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Green M c Intire C lerk
John Taylor
We, Marcus Ford a Clergyman residing in the town of Newark, in the county of Diage and State of New York, and Anson Higley residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Taylor, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy 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.
Green M c Intire C lerk
Marcus Ford
Anson Higley
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 the States. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Marcus Ford who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Newark county of Diage and State of New York and that Anson Higley who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Green M c Intire Clerk of the Court of Diage County do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Taylor for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Nineteenth day of Nov r in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Green M c Intire

State of New York Tioga County ss.
On the 17th day of July 1832 personally appeared before me W.H. Moore Esquire a Justice of the Peace in for said county Andrew Taylor who being by me duly sworn did depose and say, that he knows that John Taylor enlisted as a Militia man in the Revolutionary War, at two different enlistments, thinks the first one was in the year 1779, the other in 1780, he cannot tell how long John Taylor was out in either enlistment, but recollects distinctly that he was gone all summer on both enlistments, that he still believes that the services as set forth in the affidavit of John Taylor is a true statement.
Sworn to and subscribed this 17th day of July 1832 before me,
W.H. Moore Justice of the Peace
Andrew Taylor
State of New York Tioga County ss.
July 17th 1832
I certify, that John Taylor & Andrew Taylor are men of respectable & fair characters, and that full faith and credit are due to their testimony.
W.H. Moore Justice of the Peace
State of New York Tioga County
I Green M Tuttle Clerk of said county do certify that William H Moore Esquire before whom the preceding affidavit was sworn to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and seal of office this 18th day of July 1832
Green M Tuttle

John Taylor's Papers Papers relating to  the  Peru
19784
✓
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

We do severally certify, that we reside in the same town and vicinity with John Taylor, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that for the last six years we have had an acquaintance with him, during which we have had no reason to doubt his integrity or veracity; that he sustains a respectable & fair character; and that we believe, that the services as set forth in his declaration above were rendered to his country. Given under our hands at Newark, in the county of Tioga and State of New York, this 20 th day of November 1832.
Amos Hight Gregory Howard Bariah Wells Francis B. Simons Jonas Lawrence Marlin Simons Jacob Agney Frederick T. Wells James Williams Franklin Blossom William S. Lincoln George P. Jones Daniel Ward James Jones & D Stephen Jones Chester Goodale

Parkershire Tioga Co. N.Y. Sept 19, 1834
Dear Sir,
Your communication of the 9th Sept. 1834, directed to John Taylor of Newark, was this day shown me by him. He requests me to send you an exact copy of his Pension Certificate now in his possession, which I have done on another page of this paper. As I have heretofore been an agent for him, both in procuring his Pension Certificate and the drawing the money for him, he requests that inasmuch as you write that an error had occurred on your part, you would have the goodness to name the error. He is willing to render every facility to its correction.
I know that the within is an exact copy of original certificate now in his possession. If the error cannot be rectified without the return of his certificate, I am authorized by him to say to you, that it shall forthwith be returned if you so request.
Respectfully yours M. H. Moore
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

"War Department,
Revolutionary Claim."
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Taylor of the State of New York who was a Private in the war of the Revolution is entitled to receive thirty dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
L.S.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 27 day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Lowell Secretary of War."
Examined and Council signed
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.
(Copy)
On the back of the certificate are the following endorsements, to wit:
"Payment, to be made at New York by Resd: M c Cl ure Bank Agent for paying Pensions, in the city of New York."
And "Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book C Vol. 4 Page 80 by W m Williams Clerk."
14466

Hon. J. L. Edwards Com. of Penobscot City D. L. Washington City D. L.
186
William H. Woodruff Berkshire Tioga County N.Y.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, October 27 th 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of John Taylor, as a private, is borne on the Pay Rolls of Capt. Jeremiah Putnam's Company, in Col. Nathan Sylvester's Regt. where he is allowed from July 20 th to Decem r 31 st 1779. for services and travel five months and sixteen days. m d 5 = 16
John Taylor's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Benjamin Peabody's Company, in Col. Wades Regt. where he is allowed from July 5 th to October 10 th 1780. for services and travel three months and eighteen days. — 3 = 18 9 = 04
Edward D. Bangs Secy
Encl.

Berkshire Tioza Co. N.Y.
November 6 th 1834.5
Sir,
Having been requested by John Taylor to make a communication to E. D. Bangs Esq., Secretary of State of the State of Massachusetts, to whom he (Mr. Taylor) was referred by you for further evidence in relation to his Revolutionary service, soliciting a certificate of such records, from the Books & Documents of said State, as might have reference to the services of the said John Taylor in the War of the Revolution; having made the communication as requested; and having obtained the certificate for the want of which, you will recollect, Mr. Taylor's Pension was stoppt, I now, by request, have the honour of transmitting the same (the said certificate) to you, with the hope that the Pension of this deserving man may be revived.
With respect & consideration Yours,
M. H. Moore
Hon. J. L. Edwards, } Commr. of Pensions, } Washington, D.C. } D. B. C.

5 Perkins N.Y. } Nov. }
FREE
Rev. S. Taylor Baptist Church Pension Office Hon James L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Rechar
✓ 14657 INVALID.
File No. 14,657
John Taylor Prin. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1932
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 375
[Arrangement of 1870.]