Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31396, for Jezeniah Sumner, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Sumner, Jezeniah
S. 31396
CONTENTS

Town Clerk Certificate

Jezeaniel Sumner the Son of John Sumner and Temperance his wife was born in Dannton April 22. 1754
A true copy from Town Book
Attest Alfred Williams Town Clerk

6159
Massachusetts
Isaac Sumner of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Musician in the Company comm. by Captain Capt King of the Regt. comm. by Col Hovey in the Mass line for 78 months Musician 5 " Sargeant 13 Nov
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 54 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Feb 1833 and Stat Wm  A.L. Wadsworth House of Reps
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $ 81.24 Penzant. allowance ending 11 Mar 33  27.42 $108.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk, Book D Vol. 151 Page 98

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, } BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Taunton — in and for said County on the twenty seventh day of August — one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable Hobart BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Jeremiah Sumner a resident of Taunton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit: under Captain Josiah King 1 st  Guadal  whose first name I do not recollect & Brig. Genl. Lincoln , The Col. four Regiment was David Brown , he and was  Brig. Genl. Rufus Putnam afterwards commanded; I afterwards entered the Service again under Captain Jacob Haskell the names of the other officers of the company I do not recollect, our company was attached to the regiment commanded by Col. Jacobs ; whose first name I do not remember; I served in all about thirteen months and will state the particulars in my answer to the fifth interrogatory herein after contained; and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Taunton , in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty four .
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? The record of my age is on the Book kept by the Town of Taunton aforesaid for recording births according to the Law of this Commonwealth a certified copy of which by the present Town Clerk of said Town is herewith annexed.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I have always lived in said Taunton except for a short time in after the year eighteen hundred twelve when I resided in Brooklyn in the State of Connecticut, and then returned again to Taunton.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? I voluntarily enlisted each time.

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. I cannot recollect the day, or the months when I enlisted, the first time I enlisted was in what was called the ninth Massachusetts regiment of the first levy; it was in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five. We marched from Taunton to Dorchester near Boston. I do not know how long after I enlisted I do not know, but it was some time, for our company filled up but slowly. We enlisted for eight months, and served out our term at Dorchester, in the army then blockading the British troops in Boston. We had no engagement with the enemy. I do not remember that there were any regular troops near us, the nearest, of the Connecticut levy, but I cannot remember their officers, nor who was the Major of our own regiment. I cannot say for proof of this service on the deposition of Ebenezer Sumner hereto annexed; I do not know any other survivor who knows of my service there, nor have I any documentary evidence thereof, except an original return of the company which I hereto annex. I entered the service as a musician but part of the time I performed the duty of a sergeant. I found this return among my papers. The next time I served was in a company of militia in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight. I was a sergeant in this company; we served the campaign which was about five months long. We were first stationed along the coasts opposite Rhode Island sometimes on one side and sometimes on the other guarding the coasts; our Guardhouse was in Fogg near where the village of Full River now is; afterwards our company joined Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island, I was then attached to Col. Jacob's regiment. Gen. Lafayette was in the boat with me in crossing the Ferry to Rhode Island. During this campaign our company was not in any general engagement; but was on the ground during several skirmishes and affairs of outposts and ready for action if called on. After the retreat and a few days before the close of the campaign I was regularly discharged. I do not know of any survivor who can

ter th
my services in this campaign, and I have no other documentary the aforesaid discharge.

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; to whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so, was it signed, and what has become of it? I was a musician & a soldier; at the expiration of my first term of service aforesaid I received no written discharge; but was paraded and dismissed when the eight months term had expired. No discharge was received at the end of my second term of service aforesaid, I was then
1, if so, by whom by whom discharge of my regiment was discharge which
7. State the names of the 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.
I refer to the Reverend Erastus Maltby & the Honorable James L. Hodges both of said Taunton.
testify as to James L. Hodges
And the said Jesseiah Sumner doth further declare that he hereby reclaims whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of  Jesseiah Sumner
res every the Agency
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
probate.
WE Erastus Maltby residing in Taunton and James L. Hodges residing in the same Town certify that we are well acquainted with Jesseiah Sumner who has subscribed and above declaration; that we believe him to be about Seventy eight 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. Erastus Maltby. James L. Hodges
hereby sworn to the lied, in the
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
probate.
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Erastus Maltby who in the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Taunton in Bristol, and that James L. Hodges who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
ing the inter- nd served as as signed the id County of a credible
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
of Probate. Probate.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } BRISTOL, ss. }
I Amos Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jesseiah Sumner of Taunton in said County, for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day above written. Amos Bassett
certify

Jeremiah Sumner. P.M.
Washington Feby. 22 nd 1833.
I hereby certify that full credit may be given to the testimony of Ebenezer Sumner the foregoing witness
James L. Hughes
Jeremiah Sumner P.M.

No 9868
Jeremiah Sumner
8 monthly Musicians
5 " Sergeants
Amia
of 5 & 2 d Section of the 1 st
Feb 19 1833
$ 260
J. L. Hodges
Staunton Ms

BRIEF in the case of  Jeremiah Sumner of the County of Bristol  in the State of Mass.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78 years  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.     In 1775 — 8 — Private musician & Col. Brewer, capt. King   "78 — 5 — Sergt. Col. Jacobs, capt. Haskell  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Taunton  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Deposition & documents  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

Phila 1888 Jan 20 25.40 22.28 27 100/16 5 20 11.13 123.84 29.02
60.92 4.32 1.13 20.65 11
Samal 1888 Summer
D.D.D. Schoole Taunton October last year

The Bearer Sergeant Ebenezer Sumner is hereby discharged the Service at his own Request
Given at Fort Providence this 15 th day of Sept r 78 by the Generals Commands
Br. William S. King

Capt Kings Return

A True Return of Capt Josiah Kings Company in the 1 st Reg t December 29 1865
   Commissioned officers Present Non Commissioned Affecting Rank & file wanting to complete the Company Alteration since the 2 nd Return     Capt Lieut Serg t Drum & fife Prfct fit for duty Sick Present Sick Absent on Command on furlough Recruiting Total Serg t Drum & fife Rank & file Enlisted Dead Discharged Deserted   ✓ ✓ ✓ 4 28 3 ✓ 7 4 ✓ 42 ✓ ✓ 8 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓  
Lieut. gone to the Mines with Prisoners
Elijah Lincoln Lieut

31396 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,396
Jeremiah Sumner Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 408
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Elmer Sumner of Dorchester, in the county of Norfolk, and State of Massachusetts, of lawful age do hereby depose and say, that I am acquainted with Deacon Francis Sumner of Farmton, in the county of Bristol, and State of Pennsylvania, and who is an applicant for a pension as a surviving soldier of the revolution; that he is about seventy eight years of age, that his character for truth is per- fectly good; that he was a soldier in the American revolution. At the commencement of the war, he and I belonged to a company of militia, com- manded by Captain Josiah King of Norfolk - Col. Brewster's regiment. We marched from Farmton to Newbury, where we remained as nearly as I can recollect, about eight months. We afterwards be- longed to a company of militia, which

marshes & Rhode Island, under the command of Capt. Jacob Haskins of Farmington. We were there for some time - I do not precisely recall how long.
Ebenezer Sumner
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss. August 24 th 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Ebenezer Sumner and made oath that the foregoing dep- osition by him subscribed is true.
Before me
Bradford Sumner Justice of Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss.
Charles A. Parker, a Clerk of the Court, of Common Pleas, the same being a Court of Record in the County of Suffolk, do hereby certify that Bradford Sumner Esquire before whom, the above deposition was sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that, I do believe the above to be his signature.
Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court, at Boston this 21 th . day of August, 1832.
Chas. A. Parker. Clerk.

Jeremiah Sumner
N o 9868
alone
Hon.
J. L. Hodges
Stanton Ms.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jeremiah Sumner which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? yes 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? yes  In the first term the grade is not distinctly stated - VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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? Supplied 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? yes 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? no 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 shewn 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.