Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,344, for Zephaniah Kingsley, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Kingsley, Zephaniah
S 22344
CONTENTS

No. 18841
Pennsylvania
Zephaniah Kingsley
of Crawford Co. in the State of Penn a .
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Raymond of the Reg t commanded
by Col. Chapin in the Mass. Troops
time for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Oct r 1833 and sent to Claimant Meadville P a
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833  50.00    Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 th March 1834  10.00     $ 60.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk Book E. Vol. 5 Page 31

Dead Letter to R. 25 1847.
Kingsey Lang. Died 6 Feb 1836.
Same person 21. Sep 1847.
Letter to Hon. J. W. Starrold 3 Aug 28 April 1848

Zophaniel Kingsley
22087

Pennsylvania. In the Court of Common Pleas of Crawford County
Statement of Ephraim Kingsley on his application for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832, made in open Court on the sixth of October 1832 —
I was born in Windham county Connecticut Connecticut on 7 October 1761. I have a short record taken from my fathers family bible in the following words "Ephraim Kingsley. Born the 7 th Oc- tober 1761" My father moved when I was about ten years old into the town of Becket, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Lived there when the war began — & till it was over — In 1778 I enlisted as a Volunteer for three months — The captain's name was Raymond — Lieutenant Buel — orderly sergeant Whiting — Our place of rendezvous was Glencoe on the Hud- son river — We marched there — Thence we marched to Albany — where we joined to the regiment commanded by Col. Chapin of Massachusetts — We remained there till we were discharged — but received no written discharge No engagement, nor any thing particularly remarkable took place —
In 1781 there was a call for men, & I volunteered as the men to be furnished by our class, for three months — Captain Marsh of Stockbridge was our capt n Williams of Pittsfield was lieutenant — We marched to Albany — thence to Schenectady; thence to Fort Plain on the Mohawk river & were stationed there — When our time was nearly out, there was an engagement between us near Johns- town — I was not in it; but I & the rest of the men at Fort Plain volunteered to go in pursuit of the enemy & continued in service ten days or two weeks after the expiration of my time of engagement — I was duly discharged both times, but received no written discharge Col. Brant Marinus Willet was the Commandant of all the forces on the Mohawk  Hudson River at that time — After the war I moved into Washington county New York

and continued there till about ten years ago when I moved into this county - I arrived here in June 1822, and have resided here ever since in what is now Troy Township - My brother Thaddeus Kingsley, living in the state of New York, can testify as to one of my tours of service - but I think he was absent from home when the other took place - I know of no other person alive who can testify of his own knowledge - George Northam of Troy township has known me many years & can testify as to my character & to the reputation of my services - and also John Baker of Troy - They both knew me before I came here & since - There is no settled clergyman in our neighbourhood - I relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
October 6 th 1882
Sworn & Subscribed in
Stephen Kingsley
Open Court
Edw. S. Rynelas Clerk
John Baker of the township of Troy in the county of Bradford & George Northam of the same township & county being duly sworn say that they have known the above named Stephen Kingsley since their childhood - They lived in the state of New York not far from him, the said Baker till about 11 years ago - & the said Northam till about 10 years ago - & they now live in the neighbourhood where he now resides & where he has resided since he came to Pennsylvania - The said Stephen is a man of a highly respectable character, of undoubted truth & veracity & entitled to full credit for all he states - & they fully believe his statement above made - The said Baker lived in the family of the brother-in-law of the said applicant

State of New York City and County of Albany
On this 29 th day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Justice Court for the City of Albany Thaddeus Kingsley who upon his solemn oath dep- oseth and saith that his Brother Sephaniah Kingsley was called out as a militia man in the Revolution- ary war in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Seventy Eight when he served as a soldier three months some where on the Hudson River and also that he the said Sephaniah Kingsley was in the service as a Militiaman in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty one three months up the Mohawk River which he verily believes to be true and further this deponent saith not
Sworn and subscribed the day and Year aforesaid in Open Court attesting the seal of the said Court, to wit: The Justice Court of the City of Albany this 29 th day of October 1832
John G. Watson Clerk
Thaddeus Kingsley

in the state of New York, & the tradition & understanding in the family was that he had been a soldier in the revolution & both say that since he has resided in Pennsylvania, the tradi- tion & belief of the neighborhood has been & is that he was a soldier of the revolution, & they both believe he was so.  Sworn & Subscribed in Open Court Novr 13. 1832  George Northam John Baker  Em. A. Reynolds Notary
And the said court do declare their opinion after investigation of the matter & putting the interrogatories required by the war department and on the testimony of Thaddeus Kingsley hereto attached, that the said Zephaniah Kingsley the applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - That the said applicant is known to the court as a Respectable citizen of this County for about ten years, and that it has been made appear to the court that the above named George Northam & John Baker are also respectable citizens of this county in whose testimony reliance may be placed.
Certified January 3 rd 1833
Henry Shippen President
Pennsylvania Crawford County
I Edward A. Reynolds Sub- notary of the court of Common Pleas of said County of Crawford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Zephaniah Kingsley for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Office this 3 rd day of January A.D. 1833.  Em. A. Reynolds Notary

State of New York Clinton County ss.
On this twelfth day of July A.D. 1833 personally came before me S t John B. B. Skinner, One of the Justices of the Peace for the town of Plattsburgh in for the county & State aforesaid Matthew Kingsley, who being by me duly sworn upon his solemn oath deposeth & saith that in the year 1778 his brother Ephraim Kingsley was called out as a militiaman. The said Ephraim was at that time a resident of Becket in the county of Berkshire in Massachusetts. That at said time & when so called out as a militiaman as aforesaid the said Ephraim Kingsley served as a soldier for the term of three months on and about the Hudson River in the state of New York; this was some time the last of summer or in the fall of 1778: That in the fall of the year 1782, his brother the said Ephraim resided at the place aforesaid & was again called out & served as a soldier in the militia for the term of three months. At this time his brother marched to Albany & from thence up the Mohawk river in the state of New York, against the Indians.
Sworn & subscribed before me at Plattsburgh this 12 th day of July in the Year 1833.
Matthew Kingsley
I certify that I have been well acquainted with the said Matthew Kingsley for about 20 Years past, & that his character & standing are good & that his statement is worthy of credit.
S t John B. B. Skinner Justice Peace

State of New York Clinton County ss.
I Nathan Taylor Clerk of the county of Clinton & of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said county in said state of New York do hereby certify that St John B. L. Skinner Esquire before whom the affidavit on the opposite side hereof was, sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace for the said county & duly empowered to administer oaths. And I know his signature to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court this twelfth day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three.
Nathan Taylor Clerk of Clinton County Courts -

State of Pennsylvania Crawford County
I, David A. Pughes, Clerk of the Several Courts of said County do cer- tify that the foregoing contains the orig- inal proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas of said County held in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Kingsley for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the 29th day of August A.D. 1833.
David A. Pughes, Clerk of the Several Courts of said County

22,087
Zephaniah Kingsley
St. Augustine Fla.
Clarendon Meadville Pa.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 1 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 show 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 Zephaniah Kingsley of Crawford County, Pennsylvania
   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.     Revolt? 1778 3 Private Captl Raymond Colo Chapin None then Mass & New York Berkshire County Mass. Living Witness & notes   " 1781 3 " Marsh Willet age 72 years Revolutionary Evidence  
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 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 _____ A.D. 19____
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 (1) 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 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.
[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 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.

Resolutions
22 344 INVALID.
File No. 22, 3-44
Zechariah Kingsley Rev Rev Ward
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 221
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jan 2 nd 1847
Kingston, Pa. 22 29
Mr Evans
Col. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pension
Washington
D. C.
K

Kingsley, Pa. Dec 28 th 1826
To Col. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Allow me to invite your attention to a trifling claim, My just due, being an unpaid balance of my Father's pension His (Zephaniah Kingsley,) Certificate bearing date the 8 th of October 1833, Recorded in Book E Vol. 5. Page 31. gave him under the law of 7 th June 1832 twenty dollars per annum during his natural life, which he received until the 4 th Sept. 1835 from which time until the 6 th of February 1836 remains due. The idea that the expense of the ceremony required, would exceed the small amount due has hitherto prevented my asking for it. Although there were other heirs, yet I do not consider they have any just claim, as he had. (after giving to them what he saw proper) made over to me the balance of his property in consideration for which I was bound for his and My Mother's support through life which agreement bearing date Sept 4 th 1826 has been fully performed

If therefore the small amount due could be obtained at an expense which it would justify, a favor would be conferred on one whose circumstances in life render necessary every means to which he has a lawful claim
Respectfully
Your Obedient Servt
Ransom King

Sept 5.
Heaville
Pa 30 Aut.
J. J. Parsons Esq.
Comm on Public of Prisoners
W. H. Hughes Esq.
Pa Aut.
Admit Omit
H. Lee

Like 5.
Headville Pa 30 Aut 11
Three
J. L. Edwards Esq re Com missaire of District Washington City
No Aut 11
Adm l Post