Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10615, for Silas Tinker, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Tinker, Silas
R. 10615
CONTENTS

Lilas Vinkler Application for Reunion
20145

State of Ohio Ashtabula County ss On this 24 th day of September, personally appeared in open court before me Samuel Kenay clerk of the court of Common Pleas in and for Ashtabula county now sitting Silas Dinker a resident of Kingsville in the County of Ashtabula and State of Ohio aged Eightyfour 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 therein stated Field Officers Col Devoe Major Chapman Company Officers Lieut Nathan Pettit Ensign John Chapman That he resided at the time in the Town of East Haddam County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut That he marched with the Militia who were ordered out in mass from that section of the country after the defeat on Long Island in the month of Sept 1776. Marched through Newhaven Milford Stratford Fairfield Norwalk Eastchester Kingsbridge to White Plains where he joined the Army under Washington and became attached to General Samuel Parsons Brigade That he remained in the vicinity of White Plains until the last of Nov next succeeding when he was discharged That Early in the month of Sept of the succeeding year 1777, he was drafted into the service and served under the following Officers field Col Titmire Company Capt Jones Lieut Sparrow Ensign Hall Marched through Hartford Greenwoods Canaan Joined the Army under General Gates at Bemus Heights was on the advanced guard on the day previous to the battle of Bemus Heights and had skirmishing with the Enemy. On the day on which that battle was fought he was stationed with the regiment to which he belonged on the left flank of the American Army but they did not succeed in outflanking the Enemy. Has seen Generals Gates and Arnold also Colonels Scamuel and Morgan remained with the army until

The surrender of Burgoin's Army which Event happened on the 17 th of Oct and on the 18 th marched to Albany - Saw whilst in Albany an officer like looking man walking the streets who he was informed was General Burgoin from Albany went down the river to Kinderhook was discharged about the 1 st of Nov 1777
Claimant further states that he was called out at three different times during the war to New London and remained in service from one to three weeks at each time cannot ascertain dates distinctly recollects that one of the above mentioned tours was the winter after Newtown was burned when he remained in service three weeks
Claimant has no Documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State Silas Tinker
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Attest Sam l Hendry Clerk
Sept 29 -
We Jacob Bailey a clergyman residing in the Township of Kingsville - and Stephen Munger residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Silas Tinker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty four 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
Jacob Bailey
Stephen Munger
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Attest Sam l Hendry Clerk

And she said can't do hereby declare these opinion after the investigation of the matter and after getting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states And she can't further certify that it appears to him that who has signed the same is a resident in the that Jacob Bailey who has also signed the same is resident in the town of Kingsville Stephen Morgan in the town and is a credible person and their statement is entitled to credit.
The State of Ohio, Ashtatula County } B
I am Henry Clark of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Ashtatula do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the Application of Silas Tinker for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Jefferson the 25th day of September A.D. 1832 Sam. Hendry Clerk
The State of Ohio } Ashtatula County }
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace within and for the county of Ashtatula aforesaid Silas Tinker 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 three months I served as a private. For two months I served as a corporal; and for one month and fifteen days I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension Silas Tinker
Sworn to and subscribed before me This 20th day of October A.D. 1834
Oramel H. Niles Justice of the Peace

The State of Ohio Ashtabula County } ss.
I Sam d Hendry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Ashtabula County do hereby certify that Oramel H. Fitch Esquire whose name appears subscribed to the foregoing certificate in his own proper hand writing, which is to me well known, is now at the time of his subscribing the same to wit, on the thirtieth day of October A.D. 1834 and still is, a Justice of the peace of the township of Ashtabula in the County of Ashtabula duly Commissioned and sworn agreeably to the Statute Laws of the State of Ohio - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Jefferson the 5th day of November, A.D. 1834.
Sam d Hendry Clerk
P up.

1889
Oct 7 - Wm Durant - Copied history Prior
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
10,615
P. O.
Silas Finker
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract.

Replied
See letter to Fitch & Sawtell Ashtabula
16. March 1835

Ashtabula Ohio Nov. 8: 1834
Hon Lewis Cass, Sir Enclosed we return the application of Silas Tinker for a pension, having corrected those parts objected to at the department, agreeable to the instructions sent back with the application -
The papers may be sent to him to
Fitch & Sawtell
Ashtabula Ohio

20. 145 Silas Tinker Ohio.
10615
Rejected. did not serve six months.
Mr. Tinker

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Silas Linher 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? No 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? No Declaration was made before the Clerk 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? 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? 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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
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? 1. 2. 6
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.

Down of Attorney of Chauncy Tinker Son of Ohio Silas
Revolutionary
F. E. Hapler

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.*
STATE OF Ohio COUNTY OF Ashtabula
Be it known that before me
H. G. Thunber a Justice of the Peace personally appeared Chauncy Tirku aged 59 years, who being duly cautioned and
then sworn in due form of law, states that he is the Son of Silas Tirku
who was a revolutionary Soldier in the State of Connecticut
and that he died on the 16 th day of Decemba 18 39 and that his mother, named
Lois Tirku died on the _____ day of _____ 18 _____ and that they were
married on the _____ day of _____ in the year 17 _____ and that they were residents of
in the State of _____ and that they resided there _____ years, and that
resides in _____ and that furthermore We BY THESE
PRESENTS , constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of
substitution, F. E. HASSLER, of Washington city, D. C., as his true and lawful Attorney for him and in
his name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the U. S. Government
and State officers his rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land
that may be due him as Son of Silas Tirku who died leaving the
same undrawn, as in right of law he may be entitled.
In witness whereof, We has on this Thuruth day Octobu 1852,
hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal. Chauncy Tirku
Witness: Orlando Lee Witness: H. G. Thunber
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Chauncy Tirku has always by the community been known as the Son of Silas Tirku
Dated on this Thuruth day of Octobu 1852.
H. G. Thunber J. P.
State of Ohio COUNTY OF Ashtabula } to wit:
I hereby certify, That H. G. Thunber Esq.,
before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of The Court of Com. Pleas of said County Court , this 1 st day of Novemba one thousand eight hundred and fifty two .
A. Meeuz Clerk.
*Wives, state "the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband." *act pensioned, or when pension commenced, if a pensioner—and amount of pension.