Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29497, for James Taylor, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Taylor, James
S. 29497
CONTENTS

21.075 Massachusetts
James Taylor
of Berkshire in the State of Massa who was a soldier in the Company commanded by Captain Root of the Regt commanded by Col Smith in the Massa line for 5 months  Corporal 2 " Sergeant  3
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Aug 1833 and sent N.W. Bishop  Senex  Massa
Arrears to the 4th of March  1833 $ 36.66 Femant. allowance ending Sept.  1833  44.17
$70.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Wilson Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 84

James Taylor Application for a Pension
Pittsfield Ohio
Sept 25 1832
14045.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this twenty fifth day of September A. D. 183 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting.
James Taylor , a resident of the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty Seven 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 he was Born at Coventry in the State of Connecticut in the County of Windham on the 13 th day of March 1756 - where he resided until the year 1770 , when he removed to Pittsfield aforesaid, and has resided in said Coventry since, the month of August That in the forepart of August 1776 , he being informed that his Brother Thomas Taylor , who was a Corporal, and belonged to Captain Oliver Root's Company in Colonel Jonathan Smith's Regiment of Genl John Fellows Brigade, was Sick said Company then lying in New York City - he immediately went to said New York , and as the same recollects arrived there about the 10 th of August 1776 and there entered the Service of the United States in said Root's Company, as a Substitute for S r  Thomas Taylor , and served as a Corporal in S r Company from S r time in August until the said Company was discharged, which was about the first of December 1776 , at the Camp near Croton's Bridge , in the State of New York . He was at the City of New York when the British took possession of the same.

when he marched in S. Root's Company to Fort Washington & Kingsbridge, Thence to White Plains where he remained till after the Battle he afterwards marched with S. Company from time to time until he arrived at Croton's Bridge where he was discharged, he then returned to S. Pittsfield - In the forepart of the Month of June 1777 he was Drafted at said Pittsfield for one Month in the Company Commanded by Captain John Strong of S. Pittsfield in Col. John Brown's Regiment, and Marched to Fort Edward, Fort Ann - & Fort George his Lieut. was Caleb Goodrich & his Ensign - Kellogg - he had Served about one Month when - Captain William Francis arrived from said Pittsfield with a reinforcement - and took Command of the Company to which he belonged - he served under the said Francis about one Month longer when he was discharged and returned home to S. Pittsfield. There was a Battle at Fort Ann. But he was not in it, as the Company in part to which he belonged was stationed at Fort Edward at the time of the Engagement was over before he arrived there. He was frequently called out on alarms during the War and served as he near as he can recollect, at Bennington & at Lake Champlain & other places two or three Months. The said Thomas Taylor whose Substitute the S. James was, by a voluntary act - to save the life of his Brother - had served four or five weeks before the said James took his place when the S. James was in the Battle of White Plains he had a written discharge at Croton's Bridge which is lost. he had no other written discharge

1st Service in Claring) 5 months Months Thomas Taylor ( ) 3 do do 2nd Service 8 Months
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.
James Taylor
W. P. Walker J. Probate
We Robert Green a Clergyman, residing in the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Robert Francis of Pittsfield residing in Pittsfield hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Taylor who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 82 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.
Robert Green Robert Francis
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
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 Robert Green who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Robert Francis who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Taylor for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty five
Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

James Taylor
Massachusetts
Cash 5- March
Inst \frac{2}{7}
4. 5- 16 16 ob
May 23
P. 405
11045
 11 33  10   28 33 
H W Bishop
Levy Mch

BRIEF in the case of James Taylor  60 of Pittsburgh  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72  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.     10 th Aug. In 1776 Substitute 52 20 Corporal Gen. Capt Root, Col Smith   June 1777. drafted 2 " Capt Strong, Col Brown, Capt Francis   he was frequently called out during the war and served. 2 Months Serg  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Pittsfield Mass 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional one living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  The periods are not clearly stated nor length of service without not the papers are unauthenticated made credible I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190___
29 Aug 1907
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Taylor a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     August 1772 4 mos. Private Oliver Dyer Jonathan Swift Mass.   June 1777 2 mos. Sgt. John Strong John Brown "   Oct 1777 1 yr 10 mos. Corporal William Farnsworth   Spring 1778 2 yrs 3 mos. Corporal William Farnsworth William Farnsworth  
Battles engaged in, White Plains Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pittsfield, Berkshire Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug. 25 1832 Residence at date of application, Pittsfield, Mass. Age at date of application, 62
Remarks: See note on blue jacket in re muster roll of Capt. Root's Co.
Very respectfully, _____  See note on blue jacket in re muster roll of Capt. Root's Co. Commissioner.

to James Taylor -
The Certificate
of Joshua Danforth Phinehas Allen & Henry C. Brown

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss.
Pittsfield, September 25 th 1832.
Thereby Certify, that I have been acquainted with Mr. James Taylor ever since the Revolutionary War - and know him to be a man of strict integrity, and have no doubt but that he served in the Revolutionary War, as he has stated in his application for a pension, under the act of June 7 th , 1832. -
Joshua Danforth.
I hereby certify, that I have been acquainted with Mr. James Taylor, of Pittsfield, Mas. for more than thirty years last past, and have uniformly conceived him to be a man of strict integrity. Any statement which he should make, relative to services performed during our Revolutionary War, I should consider entitled to full credit and belief. *
Phinehas Allen.
Henry C. Brown
Berkshire ss. I the Subscribed Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said County certify that the above named Joshua Danforth, Phinehas Allen & Henry C. Brown Esquires are resident in the town of Pittsfield in said County that they are credible persons & their statement entitled to full credit.
W. P. Walker. Probate.

16045-
James Taylor
H. W. Bishop Esq. Lenox Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jamie Taylor which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? No 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? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 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? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 Justice of the Peace, etc. A. B. who, being duly sworn, advises 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 one 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.

I, Robert Francis of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of lawful age do testify and say, That I am intimately acquainted with James Taylor of said Pittsfield and have been for more than Sixty years last past. That about the last of June or the fore part of the Month of July 1776 I enlisted into Captain Oliver Root's Company in Colonel Jonathan Smith's Regiment & General John Fellows Brigade. The 1 st Lieutenant of said Company's name was Clark & the 2 d Lieut. Ebenezer Merrill & the Ensign Cook. That one Thomas Taylor of said Pittsfield enlisted at said time in said Company and was said Company's Corporal. That on the 24 th day of July 1776 we Marched from said Pittsfield for the City of New York that we arrived at said New York about the 1 st of August 1776. That said Thomas Taylor was taken sick about the time we arrived in said City & his Brother the said James Taylor came to said City of New York in the fore part of the Month of said August 1776 and took the place as a Substitute in said Root's Company for the said Thomas Taylor who was Brother to said James and the said Thomas returned home & the said James Taylor performed Corporal duty as a Substitute for said Thomas in said Root's Company until we were all discharged at Croton's Bridge about the first of December 1776. The said James answered to the name of Thomas Taylor whilst he did duty in said Company.

I am also knowly to said James Saylor, serving in the Company Commanded by Captain John Strong, in Col. John Brown's Regiment about one month in 1777 is also in said Brown's Regiment in the Company Commanded by my Father Captain William Francis, for about a month in 1777 - principally at Fort Ann, Fort Edward & Ft. George is also that said Saylor was frequently called out on alarms and did duty as a Sergeant in the year 1777 the precise times or length of time I am unable to state. Further deponent saith not. September 25 th 1832
5.
Robert Francis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. On this twenty fifth day of Septem- ber A.D. 1832. personally appeared in open court before me the Subscribed Judge of the Probate of Wills &c. within & for said County the above named Robert Francis & made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
W. P. Walker S. Probate
"
"
And I further certify that the said Robert Francis is a credible witness and his statement entitled to full credence.
W. P. Walker S. Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Daniel B. Bush Esquire, before whom the annexed depositions were taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said depositions is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of June A. D. 1832.
Henry W. Bishop. Register of Probate.

I Luther Cogswell of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - being of lawful age do testify and say that I am intimately acquainted with James Taylor of said Pittsfield and have been ever since the year 1770. and that and the said Taylor have both resided in said Pittsfield since said 1770 to this time except whilst we were absent in the Service of the United States during the Revolutionary War - That I enlisted in the month of May or June, 1776 in Captain Oliver Root's Company in Colonel John Fellows Brigade. The 1st Lieutenants of said Company's name was Clark and the 2nd Lieut Ebenezer Newell and the Ensign Cook - That one Thomas Taylor also enlisted at said Pittsfield at said time in said Capt. Oliver Root's Company and that we were ordered, and marched to the City of New York, where we arrived in the month of July 1776. our enlistments were for the term of Six months - At said New York in the month of August 1776 - At said New York in the month of August 1776 - I think it was the near the first of said month - when James Taylor - arrived at said New York and took the place of Thomas Taylor his James' brother aforesaid who was sick - and the said Thomas Taylor was disabled in said Company

and The said James, his Substitute also served as 2 d Corporal in the place of S d Thomas — The remainder of S d Thomas Term of Service — The said James Taylor & myself were dis- charged on the 6 th day of December 1776 as were the said Company at Croton's Bridge in the State of New York We were stationed in New York & Green- wich until the British took possession of the City we then retreated to Kingsbridge & thence on to White Plains where we remained till after the Battle. Genl. Parsons was also there, we then marched to Croton's Bridge where we remained until we were discharged as aforesaid I also am knowing to the said James Taylor's being drafted into the Service of the United States in the Year 1777 or thereabouts and served as near as I can recollect at different periods — two or three months — It might be longer the precise time & length of time I cannot now recollect. — The said James Taylor assumed to the name of Thomas Taylor and served as a Corporal until we were all discharged at S d Croton's Bridge. Further Deposition said not
Pittsfield (Ms.) June 6 th 1833.
Luther Cogswell
Commonwealth
Massachusetts
{ Berkshire ss. Pittsfield June 6 th 1833
Then personally appeared Luther Cogswell Before me and made solemn affirmation under the pains & penalties of perjury — That above & foregoing affidavit by him signed is true & correct — And I also certify that the said Luther Cogswell is a resident of said Pittsfield & is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to full credit — Daniel B. Bush Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. Pittsfield June 6 th 1833
Personally appeared before me The undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Berkshire James Taylor of said Pittsfield, who being duly sworn, deposes 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 years 4, Months — days, I served as a 2 d Corporal - in Captain Oliver Root's Company - in Col o Smith's Regiment & Genl. Fellows Brigade. For Two Months and — days I served as a Sergeant in Captain Strong & Francis Company I also served in addition, 2 or 3 months, as a Sergeant - on alarms - in different Companies & different lines. The officers names I now cannot recollect - and for such Service I claim a pension James Taylor
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me, Daniel B. Bush Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss June 6. th 1833 - I hereby certify that James Taylor within named is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Daniel B. Bush Justice of the Peace

Colony of the Massachusetts Bay
The Major Part of the Council of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England.
To Oliver Root. Gentleman Greeting.
You being appointed Captain of a Company in the Third regiment Raised by order of Court to go to New York, where of Jonathan Smith Esq is Colonel.
By virtue of the Power vested in us, we do by these Presents, (reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly. — (You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Captain in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline. And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Captain and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from time to time receive from your Superior Officers)
Given under our Hands and the Seal of the said Colony at Pittsfield the Third day of July in the Year of our Lord 1776
By the Command of the Major part of the Council John Lowell Spj Secy 85
Jer: Powell Blygreenle of W Spooner Calab Cushing J Winthrop Hussey S Hotten John Taylor B White Wm Phillips Faber Fisher Dane Davis Joshua Cushing D Sewall D Hopkins

Copy of Capt. Dyer's Last Will and Testament
Subscribed July 3. 1776
I the Subscribed Register of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify that a paper bearing marks of great antiquity & undoubted genuineness to which the within is a copy has been presented to & compared by me Henry M c Dishop

29 497 INVALID. Rev
File No 29,497
James Taylor Sergt Rev War
Act: Jun 897
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 418
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 29 '97 H. S. - h - F. A. Taylor Kalamazoo, Mich.
Inv. 3 1911, Mar. 6. Hist. 15 Mrs. B. Washburn

James Taylor S.F. 29497. Mass.
Muster roll of capt. Oliver Root's co. col. Smiths Mass regt. has been removed from this claim to be forwarded to the War Dept.
AW
OCT 18 1910
Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16. 1913.

Cutler Centre Ia Feb 27/11 Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:-
Can you tell from Rev. War records if Rev. James Taylor a Rev. soldier officer from Pittsfield Mass. was a pensioner?
He settled in Pittsfield Mass. about 1770 and joined the first company raised in defense of the Colonies. He married Sarah Knight of Pittsfield Mass. I wish the above information for D. A. R. purposes.
Yours Respectfully
Mrs S. Washburn.
Cutler Centre.
Iowa.

1101 - 6 27 PM
MAR 4 1911
aw

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STRAIT'S PATENT—ALL SIZES.
All Sizes and Kinds of Tubular Well Valves, Tubular Well Tools, &c.
Kalamazoo, Mich., June 14 1897
Your Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. Sir Sir
I wish to look up my Ancestor one James Taylor of Pittsfield Mass who was in Capt William Francis' Company from Pittsfield Mass from Sept 13 th 1776 & discharged Sept 21 st 1876 — Also in Lieut James Hubbard Company who marched from Pittsfield Aug 19 th 1777 & discharged Aug 25 th 1777 — Also appears with rank of Sergeant on muster & pay roll of Capt Rufus Allen (artillery) with Col David Rootes Reg't Enlisted Oct 18-1780 discharged Oct 21 st 1780 — This James Taylor had a Pension, & wish you could put me in line to learn get all information possible, also expenses of re of getting complete record —
Respectfully Fred A Taylor