Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30624, for Reuben Olds, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Olds, Reuben
S. 30624
CONTENTS

10.21.2 Massachusetts
Reuben Dole
of Westport in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Cutter of the Regt commanded by Colonel Dole in the War time for 19 months
Under Seal
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 3 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of March 1833 and Leah Dole Hebrew  Springfield  Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $126.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Sept  31.67 $158.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by William Clerk Book 2 nd Vol 2 nd Page 62

Benson 8/16 Map
Private 19 March AR
8656
Simon Stubbins Mookfield Map

6mmg  BRIEF in the case of  Benjamin Olds  of Worcester  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  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.     In 1776 2 private Gen. Gage Col. Stone   1777 8 " Lieut. Genl. Howe Col. Speckman   1778 9 " Col. Gulliver Col. Ward  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Worcester Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional and has living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct  one of the living witnesses is not entitled as to credibility 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Payson
Examining Clerk.

For Reuben Old
Amos Old's Deposition
ce to ne

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this _____ day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared _____ before the Hon Nath Paine Esq Judge of the Probate of Wills etc. Reuben Olds a resident of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventyone 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 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I was born in the town of Brookfield in the County of Worcester aforesaid - on the 20th of October 1760. and my name was recorded in the records of Brookfield, and I have an old bible that belonged to my father in which it is also recorded, At the time I first went into the service I was a resident in the town of Brookfield aforesaid and had been a resident in said town from that time to the present except while in service.
After the first months service of the Minute men was out I enlisted at Brookfield aforesaid about February 1776 for two months, I went down to Dorchester, the British were then in Boston, I staid and did duty till they left Boston, I was waiting to recruit Nathan Hamilton, I helped fill barrels of sand to roll down the hill, I was on Dorchester heights where the fort was built, and helped pull up apparatus to pull around the foot of the hill. Officers were, Col. Stow commanded the Reg. Capt. Sears Company, Lieut. Hamilton Lieut. Cyrus Field, Ensign Thurston of Middlesex. I served two months and was dismissed at Dorchester, in April. Amos Paine's deposition accompanies this declaration. After I came home, I enlisted in May of the same year into the guard to take care of some military stores that were brought from Boston and other places and deposited in a school house in Brookfield aforesaid, I helped picket in the school house, and did light company duty as guard, Lieut. Samuel Lamb was the commanding officer, Capt. Speakman was our commissary. This service was done in the Mass Militia I performed eight months service at this time. Amos Paine's deposition accompanies this declaration.
And again enlisted under Capt. John Cullen, at Brookfield for nine months, in the Massachusetts Militia, I first went to Providence, and was stationed there a two or three months, and went down on Tiverton side and crossed over to R Island last of August or in first of September, the corn was not quite large enough to roast for want to take powder and should, if the French had not left us, then the British came up on each side and we were in a bad fix, we had to retreat off the Island - I recollect the place, we were at Bulls Hill - we went off the Island at Tiverton near the same place we went on; at Tiverton, I belonged to Col. Wood's Reg. Lt. Col. Wood - Maj. Miller, Capt. John Cullen Lieut. Thomas Moon, Ensign Jonas Newell. - I served nine months, and was dismissed at East Greenwich in R Island about 15 miles from Providence.
Amos Paine's deposition accompanies this declaration. I never received any written discharge. I was 19 months in the service of the U.S.
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 Nath Paine Probate of the County of Worcester
Reuben Olds

We Micah Stone a Clergyman residing in the town of Brookfield and Simon Draper residing in Brookfield aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Olds who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy one years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid . Twenty eighth day of August A.D. 1832 Before me Heman Netherton Jus Pax
Micah Stone. Simon Draper
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Micah Stone who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Brookfield and that
who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Brookfield and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit; that said applicant could not produce in said Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him two respectable persons, residents of Brookfield aforesaid , one of whom should be a clergyman; and that the foregoing and annexed affidavits are true to the best of his knowledge and belief
Nathan D. Prince Judge of Probate for the County of Hampshire
I Theophilus Wheeler Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Olds for a pension. That Heman Netherton before me from the Massachusetts was made in a justice of peace in the said County in full credit. That he signed the same. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Theoph. Wheeler Reg. of said Probate Court in Massachusetts
Reuben Olds
8656

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } County of Worcester Aug. 11. 1832 } sp
I Amos Rice of Brookfield in the County aforesaid aged 72 years being first duly sworn according to law do testify and say That I was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army as follows In February & March 1776 I belonged to Col. Whitney's Regt of Massachusetts Militia and Capt Seers Com- pany at Dorchester Mass. and Reuben Olds of Brookfield in said County was a soldier in the same Company with me, I knew him and he was a waiter to Lieut. Nathan Hamilton while I was at Dorchester.
I was also at Rhode Island in the year 1778 under Genl Sullivan. I belonged to Col. Ladd's Regt Mass. Militia - Capt John Cullins Company We were at Providence, Oldport, Newton, back to Providence, then down on east side of the River and crossed over to Rhode Island said Reuben Olds was also a soldier in the same Company and said Olds I believe marched from Brookfield at the same time that I did, upon the return of June and we were both discharged on the first of Jan'y 1779 - and further the deponent saith
Amos Rice
no 2
Worcester sp. Aug. 11. 1832 Personally appeared Amos Rice and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me
I hereby certify that Amos Rice is a person of truth and veracity Herman Stebbins

30624 Rev INVALID. Rev
No. 30624
Renter Olds
Rev Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Vol. 2, Page 306
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sept. 30 th Miss E. F. Lie M. Wilcox. Springfield. Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester Aug. 13th 1832
I Jason Walker of Brookfield in the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy two years - being first duly sworn according to law do testify and say that there was a quantity of powder deposited in a school house, on the south side of Chicopee River within about forty rods of my father's house, - the Grand house was on the opposite side of the road from my father's house, - said school house was pulped in - Capt Speakman was commissary - Lieut Samuel Lamb was the first Lieutenant, that had command at the Grand. The powder was brought to Brookfield in April or May 1777 - and was left there till February or March 1779. - Reuben Olds of Brookfield was a soldier in said Grand in the spring of 1777. and when I went to Barnington in September I left him in the Grand, and, when I returned, after the taking of Bunker Hill, said Olds was still in said Grand, and continued till the fall of January 1778. - Said Olds went to Rhode Island in the spring of 1778 in the month of August 1778. I enlisted as a substitute for Moses Olds and joined Col. Ward's Regt and Capt John Cuthbert's Company, said Olds then belonged to said Company and performed duty till January 1st 1779 - and further the deponent saith not
Jason Walker
Worcester Aug 13 1832 Personally appeared Jason Walker, and subscribed and sworn to the truth of the above deposition before me. Almon Stebbins Just Peace

For Reuben Gales
Jaron Walch
I hereby certify that Jaron Walch who has subscribed the within deposition is a person of truth Heman Stebbins

I hereby certify that Aaron Waldo who has subscribed the within deposition is a person of truth.
Heman Stebbins
Aaron Waldo
For Preston Allen

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Bender O'Neal which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yy 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? yy 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? yy Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy 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? yy XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yy XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yy
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.

Brookfield Mass Sept 19. 1832
Sir
Mr. Reuben Olds of Brookfield an applicant for a pension under the Act of June 7. 1832 has entrusted his papers to me to forward to the War Office, I herewith enclose the same. Please direct all communications for said Olds to Herman Stebbins Esq. Brookfield Mass.
with much esteem
your obed Servt Herman Stebbins
Wm Lewis Cass Esq
Secretary of War

Hon. Lewis Cass Esq Secretary of War Washington D. C.

6 Springfield, Mass.
September 20, 1897.
Pension Department,
Can I find out through the Pen- sion Department the birthplace, and the date of birth and death of Reuben Olds , of Brookfield, Worcester County, Mass. , a pensioner of The Revo- lutionary War ?

Can I also find out the names of his par- ents and their birth- places?
If these statistics, or any others concerning him are obtainable, what is the expense of a certified copy of the records?
Yours truly,
(Miss) Effie M. Wilcox
148 Carew Street
Springfield, Mass.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Oldwine, Barnard GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 10170 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 13, 1789 to Barnard Oldwine
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Oldwine Barney GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 10187 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED February 17, 1795 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.