Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30551, for Edmund Longley, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Longley, Edmund
S. 30551
CONTENTS

Massachusetts
Edmund Dingley
of Waverly in the State of Mass who was a Privt in the Company commanded by Captain Dingley of the Regt commanded by Col Whitcomb in the Mass service for 8 mos 12 days Provis
5. Sergeant
5. Lieutenant Captain
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 153 Dollars 00 Cents per annum; to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of April 1833 and at Woonsocket Greenville Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 306.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 4 " 76.50
$ 382.50
{ Revolutionary Claim; Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Alb. Adorson Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 2 a Page 49
85 Franklin

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY SS.
ON THIS seventeenth day of October A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of Probate  Court of Common Pleas of the said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin, Edmund Longley a resident of Plainfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an 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.
Edmund Longley, a resident in Plainfield, in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty five years last November, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he the said Edmund Longley entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. Enlisted into a minute company from the Militia in the town of Shirley, County of Middlesex in Feb. 1775. and on the 19. day of April 1775. left the field of labor, on the alarm of war, and marched to Cambridge, where he engaged for eight months, under the command of Capt. Robert Longley of the Militia of Massachusetts. The regiment was commanded by Col. Asa Whitcomb, in Gen. Nathaniel Greene's brigade, where he continued to serve until January 1, 1776. when he was discharged, having served eight months and twelve days.
Also, he the said Edmund doth further declare, that on the first day of July 1776. he again volunteered as a sergeant, in the Militia under command of Capt. Joshua Parker, Col. Jonathan Reed's Regiment and Gen. Brickett's Brigade - the Colonels in his Brigade were Reed, Wigglesworth, Woodbridge and Wheelock. He marched from Middlesex in Massachusetts, through the State of New Hampshire to Charlestown, N. H. on Connecticut River, from there marched through the woods, over the green mountains, to Lake Champlain, Ticonderoga, where he served until the first day of Dec. of the same year, when he was discharged, about 200 miles from his home. Also, on the 9. of April, 1778. was commissioned as Captain of the Militia in Shirley, and August 1, 1778. was detached to go to Providence, Rhode Island, marched part way, received counter orders, and was marched to Boston, Mass. where he served as Capt. until the first of January 1779. in Col. Jonathan Cogswell's Regiment, being five months. In the Muster Roll, the word "commissioned" is supposed to have been entered instead of the word mustered, as he never had had an Capt's. Commission, and that was under the Council of Massachusetts, having no Governor at that time. He served thirteen months and twelve days as a private and sergeant, and five months as a Captain. Edmund Longley

23854 Edmund Longley
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.
Edmund Longley
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do certify that Edmund Longley Junr Esq before whom the annexed affidavit of Joseph Longley purports to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for said county. And his name subscribed to the certificate of caption thereof appears to me to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Greenfield on the twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord Clerk

Answers to Interrogatories, as directed by the War Department.
 1. I was born in the town of Groton, Massachusetts, November 7. old style A.D. 1746.  2. In Groton is a record of my age.  3. In Shirley, next Parish of Groton, I lived when called into service.  4. Since the Revolution, I have lived in Hawley, County of Franklin, Massachusetts, where I now live.  5. I volunteered in the two first campaigns, and the third was detached as a captain.  6. I have stated the officers in my first declaration, excepting Gen. Gats, who commanded at Liondardaga, and Gen. Heath who commanded part of the time, and Gen. Gats part at Boston.  7. I had no written discharge from the first service — at Liondardaga, the whole Regiment was discharged together.  8. I received a Captain's Commission, signed by a major part of the Council of thirty, of Massachusetts, then acting as Governor.  9. Rev. Jonathan Groot, Dea. Isaac Tabor, Phinehas Pratt, John Tabor Esq. Isaac Tabor , Edward Tabor of Hawley. 
Edmund Longley
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.
Before R. E. Newcomb Esq. Judge Probate
WE, Jonathan Grant Clergyman and John Tabor Esq.
residing in Hawley hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Edmund Longley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty six 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.
R. E. Newcomb Esq. Judge Probate Jonathan Grant John Tabor
I Judge And the said Court do hereby declare my 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
Jonathan Grant who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in said Hawley and that John Tabor, who is a Justice of the Peace for said county, is a resident in said Hawley and is a credible person, and that their certificate is entitled to credit. I furthermore certify that the said applicant is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend court and that therefore I repaired to his dwelling house in said Hawley and performed the services herein set forth.
ELIJAH ALVORD, Clerk of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Edmund Longley Esq. for a pension. And I further certify that the said Richard E. Newcomb Esq. is the Judge of Probate for said county and that his name subscribed to the foregoing certificate is his true and proper signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this twentieth day of October in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
E. Alvord Clerk.

I Joseph Longley of Hawley in the County of Franklin, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of lawful age, that is to say eighty eight years, and of sound mind and memory, also being a pensioner under the law of 1820. for more than four years service in the Revolutionary War, do testify and declare, that I am acquainted with Edmund Longley of Hawley, and am knowing to his having performed service in said War, having served with him at Cambridge, Massachusetts, eight months & twelve days, in Capt. Robert Longley's company, Col. Asa Whitcomb's Regiment, Gen. Nathaniel Greene's Brigade, where he served the same term of time, in 1775.
Also, in the said Edmund Longley, served five months at Tyreneroye in Capt. Joshua Parker's company, Col. Jonathan Puel's Regiment and Gen. Brimhall's Brigade in 1776. In the said service, I was in the same companies of Capt. Longley & Capt. Parker, with said Edmund Longley.
Joseph Longley
Franklin J. August 18 th 1832
(Personally appeared Joseph Longley subscribed to the above deposition and made oath to the truth of the same, the said Joseph being known by me to be a person of truth and veracity.)
Before me Edmund Longley Gen. Justice of the Peace

2385 th Edmund Longley Mass
Captain 5 Months Sergt 5 Months Private 8-12 days
Elijah Alvord Greenfield Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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 Edmund Longley  Mass
   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.     Enlist. 1775 ~ 8 12 provt Capt Longley Col { Cambridge 55 yrs Documentary   Vol 1776 5 Sergt. Parker Genl Green { New Ham Middle Evidence   1778 5 Captain Longley Col Reed { Charleston Mass Willkins   Providence   R.I.  
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 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 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 &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 (n) 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 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.
□ 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 in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Edmund Longley S.F. 30551
A muster roll of Capt. Edmund Longley's co. Col. Cogswell's regt Mass. troops dated Dec. 4, 1778
has been removed from this claim to be forwarded to the War Dept.
D. G.
Oct. 21, 1910
Sent to War Dept. Jany. 16, 1913. c

STATE OF Massachusetts-Bay. }
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England.
To Edmund Longley . . . Gentleman . . . Greeting:
Y OU being appointed Captain of the Seventh company in the Sixth Regiment of Militia in the county of Middlesex whereof Jonathan Reed 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
The Major part of the Council, or your Superior Officers.
G I V E N under our Hands, and the Seal of the said State, at Roxbury the Ninth . . . Day of April in the Year of our Lord, 1778.
Order By the Command of the Major-Part of the Council.
John Avery Esq.
Gen: Brattle Artemas Ward Thomas Gage Benjamin D. Dyer Salmon D. Dyer Moses Gill John Whetcomb Hopkins. Blwhite A. Miller Benj Austin Jabez Fisher H. Emerson Oliver Prescott Josiah Hovey S. Hotten

30 557
Rev INVALID.
File No 30,557
Emmanuel Longley Capt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 247
[Arrangement of 1870.]

P 44 2 10
Jan 1955
Ms A 1.1
Hon Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington
Revolutionary Soldier's claims }

Greenfield Mass. Dec. 31. 1832
Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War
Enclosed
Enclosed are the applications for pension of Reserved Smith of Rowe and Edmund Longley of Hawley both in this county — Mr. Smith's papers have been examined in your office and the only deficiency then existing has been supplied by his making his declaration before a Judge of the court of probate
Respectfully yours Elijah Alvord