Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19121, for Andrew Thomas, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass. Vt.
Thomas, Andrew
S. 19121
boarded
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for entry]
[Ruled lines for entry]

Vermont. 18. 66 2/3
Andrew Thomas
Windsor co. in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Keith of the Reg t commanded by Col. Sergeant in the Mass. M c for 1 year 8 mo. & Continental & Vermont
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont. at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Sept r 1833. and sent to Walter Palmer. Woodstock. VT
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 33 $ 166.65 Pension allowance ending Mar. 34 33.33
$ 199.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Elmer Clerk Book E Vol. 3 Page 94

4320
Andrew Thomas,
Admit
1 yr Smo's ✓
Walter Palmer Esq. Woodstock
VT

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
25 April
1833
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. These 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, shewing the Service of Andrew Thomas
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 Colo Seryant 73 years affidavits of   1779 1 4 11 Colo Robinson lived in Elizabethton Tenn Holmes Cushman &   1778 When he entered the service Ebenezer Wood  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Andrew Thomas,

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 days 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. 
6. { 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 the 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.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom 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 _____. 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 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 place 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 in 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.

No 4320 Andrew Thomas Declaration
Andrew Thomas

STATE OF VERMONT, WINDSOR COUNTY, ss.
On this 24 th day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Windsor District now sitting, Andrew Thomas a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged seventy three 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.
In 1776 he lived in Middlesex County Massachusetts for January he enlisted into Capt. Keith's Company Col. Sergeant Regiment. Daniel Thomas was Lieut. & also Benson the other & French Ensign continental troops Chap line went to the Battle field there until June or July marched to New York went on board of a Brig went to New York did not land returned back to the all gate stationed there until the British took possession of the City then retired to Harlem Heights the next day the Battle took place, two or three days after Capt. King Brigade staid there a short time then went to White Plains was in the Battle, then went to Peekskill staid there a short time was sick & went to Fishkill there staid his time out having served one year the time he enlisted for, never had a written discharge then returned home in 1777 he enlisted for six months in Capt. Hollis Company in Col. Robinson Regiment marched to Providence R. Island staid there the time out then returned home, in 1778 he enlisted for six months & marched to Providence R. Island staid there until his time was out, the officers name he does not recollect then returned home, some time in the said year he was called to Fort Haven when the British landed, staid about four days then returned home in 1779 he removed to Woodstock Vermont in the fall of the said he was called out when the Indian came to Brattleboro Vermont twice &

2. Spent three or four Weeks, on Secret — that he has no Documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services except the testimony herewith annexed he was born in Middleborough Massachusetts, the 13th day of March 1778 was no record of his age, in 1799 he removed to Woodstock Vermont where he has ever since lived & is known to most of the inhab- itants — & in particular to Rev Jasper Hazen & Nathan J Churchill
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. }
Andrew Thomas
L. Marsh, Register
We, Jasper Haze , a Clergyman residing in Woodstock and Nathan J. Churchill residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Andrew Thomas who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 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. }
L. Marsh, Register
Jasper Haze Nathan J. Churchill
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the mat- ter, 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 Jasper Haze who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Woodstock and that Nathan J. Churchill who has also signed the same, is a resident in Woodstock and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Lyndon J. Marsh, Register of the Court of Probate of the Dis- trict of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Andrew Thomas for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11 th day of August A. D. 1832
L. Marsh, Register

I.S.O. Exr.
12 No. 19,121, Rev. War.
July 25, 1904.
Sir:-
In reply to your inquiry you are advised that Andrew Thomas who was born in Middleborough, Mass., March 13, 1759, applied for pension August 11, 1832, at which time he resided in Woodstock, Vermont.
He stated that he resided in Middleborough, Mass., and enlisted January 1776; Private in Capt. Keith's Co., Col. Sergeant's regiment, Mass. line in the Continental troops; was in the battles of Harlem Heights and White Plains; served one year. Enlisted in 1777; in Capt. Hollis' Co., Col. Robinson's regiment; six months. In 1778; officers forgotten; marched to Providence, R. I.; six weeks. At Woodstock, Vt., fall 1779; was called out against the Indians; three or four weeks.
His claim was allowed.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. W. P. Baxter, P. O. Box #238, Chicago, Ills.

19121 INVALID.
July 25, 1904, Hist. to Mr. P. Baxter. Chicago Ill - letter of inquiry in S. 41, 158 Cephas Sheldon
No. 19121
Andrew Thomas
Pri Rec War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 424
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hon Lewis Cass Secy of War — Washington —

State of Vermont Woodstock June 4th 1833 —
Dear Sir
 included with this is five declarations for Pensions with additional affidavits which is intended to remove the objections made to them. which when an examination is had, I wish the return directed to me as 
Respectfully yours
Walter D. Doolittle
Hon Lewis Cass Secy of War —

State of Vermont } On the 25 th day of July 1832. Windsor County } personally appeared Holmes
Cushman of Hartland in said County, a credible witness, who being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that he was acquainted with Andrew Thomas of Woodstock in said County in the revolutionary war - & is now acquainted with him. & that he knows that said Thomas served as a private soldier for the term of six months, in the company commanded by Capt. Hollis, Col. Robinsons Regiment, in the year 1777 - & that he served the said term fully, & was honorably discharged at the end thereof - & that he the deponent served with said Thomas in said company during said term -
(Holmes Cushman)
Sworn to before me.
Mr. Raymond Justice of Peace
State of Vermont } Woodstock County Clerk's Office 16 th August 1832 - Windsor County } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court, do
hereby certify that Isaiah Raymond is one of the Justices of the Peace within said County, and that the above is his Signature.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of said Court and subscribe my name, the day & year last above -
Benj. Swan
The Magistrate has said that deponent is a credible witness.

State of Vermont } } Woodstock May 29th 1833 — Windsor County } } Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of peace within & for the County of Windsor Andrew Shaw who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot since formerly 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 since the following grace — For one year & eight months I served as a Private & for such service I claim a Pension & for the time during which the same was performed I was not employed in any civil pur- suit that I served with an attached corps called into service by competent authority & performed the same as I have stated in my said Declaration which this is an addition or amendment thereto & owing to loss of memory cannot state the names of all the officers I served under — I further depose & say that I know of no person living upon testimony I can procure who can testify to my service in the years 1778 or in the year 1779 I further depose & say that I was born the 13 day of March A.D. 1759 that the date of the year of my birth in my Declaration there is a mistake not noticed at the time of my signing the same
Andrew Shaw
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written
Before me Thomas Cobb Justice Peace

Andrew Thomas

State of Vermont } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County } Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Noslen Cobb who has affixed his name to the within is a Magistrate duly qualified & that the same is his genuine signature —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Woodstock this 30th day of May A.D. 1833 — Benj Swan

I Elyzer Wood of Woodstock County of Windsor State of Vermont of lawfull age hereby say that I was acquainted with Andrew Thomas in the year 1776 the said Thomas entered into Capt James Keith's Company in Col. Sargents Regiment (Continental Troops) & know that the said Thomas served one year that I served with him - I further deponent sayeth not
Elyzer Wood
I further testify that the said Andrew Thomas was in the same at Rhode Island in Col. Hollis Company in Col. Robertson Regiment six months in the year 1777. I served with him in the same company - - - - -
I further deponent sayeth not Elyzer Wood
State of Vermont } Woodstock August 11th AD 1832 Windsor County } Then Elyzer Wood personally appeared & made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth & nothing but the truth before me & I hereby certify that the said Wood is a Credible Witness -
Walter Palmer Justice of Peace
State of Vermont } Woodstock County Clerk's Office 16th August 1832, I Benjamin Windsor County } Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court, do hereby certify that - Walter Palmer is one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County, and that the above is his Signature - IN TESTIMONY whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of said Court and subscribe my name, the day & year last above -
Benj. Swan

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Thomas Asa GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8803 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED September 9, 179? to John Cope, assignee (cont.)
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.