Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30615, for Jeremiah Newton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Newton, Jeremiah
S. 30615
CONTENTS

15628
Massachusetts
Damiak Newton
of Franklin in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Childs of the Regt. commanded by Colonel D. in the Mass line for 7 months & 14 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 24 Dollars - 84 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of July 1833 and sent Wm Lee. D. Merrill Jr. Greenfield Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $44.78 Semi-annual allowance ending Feb. 1833 12.44 $62.22
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by ADB Addison Clerk, Book 2 Vol 2 Page 59
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from the year 1838 to 4. Sep 1840. as modified 22 June 1841.

23893 Jeremiah Newton Greenfield Deerfield
Jeremiah Newton
Hon Mr. Greenell Hog

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY ss.
ON THIS twenty ninth  eighteenth day of August  October A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Richard E. Newcomb Judge of Probate Court of Common Pleas of the said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin, Jeremiah Newton a resident of Deerfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy 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.
I first entered the service of my country as a soldier of the Revolution as a volunteer minute man some time in April A. D. 1775 and continued the day, but it was immediately after the news of Lexington fight reached us. I was absent from home on this tour of duty one month. The only officers that commanded us were Captain Jonas Locke, 1st Lt. Thomas Bondwell 2d Lt. Joseph Stebbins. I resided at this time in Deerfield in the then County of Hampshire since the Co. of Franklin. Our company marched from said Deerfield through New Salem, Ludbury, Maltham to Cambridge where we did the service. This service was in the Massachusetts Militia. Our company was not attached to any particular Regt. I was discharged at Cambridge and returned home. I had no written discharge, nor do I know of any living witness by whom I can prove this term of service.
I also was drafted in the month of February A. D. 1777 and served in the Massachusetts Militia. I returned home in May following. Our company was attached to Col. Leonard's Regt. The officers of our company were Capt. Childs of Greenfield Mt. and Lieut. State. I resided at said Deerfield when I was drafted to this tour of duty. We marched from said Deerfield through Charlemont Mt. thence to Bennington Vt. where we tarryed two or three days, thence to Shaftsbury Manchester Vt. thence to Skeneateles then to Liconderoye, and took station on Mount Hope where I performed the duty. The principal duty was garrison duty. We were dismissed by the on comman der in chief Gen. H. Blair at Fort Independence. and returned home.
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.
R. E. Newcomb
Judge of Probate
Jeremiah Newton
WE, Elijah Hoyt a Justice of the Peace, and John Wilson a Justice of the Peace both
residing in said Deerfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jeremiah Newton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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
Judge of Probate
Elijah Hoyt
John Wilson
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 the clergymen in
Deerfield have been recently settled and not residing in the neighborhood of the above said applicant have no personal acquaintance - That Elijah Hoyt and John Wilson who have severally signed the preceding certificate are Justices of the Peace resident in said town of Deerfield and are free creditable persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
R. E. Newcomb Judge of Probate
I, 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 Jeremiah Newton for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord, Reg. Prob
Clerk

I have long known that said Francis Newton was reputed to have served in the revolutionary war Geo. Greenell Jr Washington M. 6 July 18. 1833
23893 Jeremiah Newton Greenfield Dunfield
Jeremiah Newton
Hon. Mr. Greenell

I also again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer militia man in the Massachusetts State Service some time in the latter part of June or first part of July A.D. 1777 and served six weeks one month. I was in Deerfield at the time . Our company marched from said Deerfield under the command of Capt. Nathan Dyer and Lt. Thomas H. Dickinson through Charlemont Adams direct to Troy N.Y. Thence to Saratoga where we held a few days for orders. We then ascen- ded the Hudson River to Moses Creek where we had a skirmish with the enemy Indians and took many prisoners. and As there were about 400 Indians which I took from a skirmish From Moses Creek we retreated to Fort Miller thence to Saratoga Meadows where we were dismissed to go home with orders to hold ourselves in readiness to return to the army at a moments warning. I arrived home at Deerfield aforesaid after an absence of six weeks  some time . I recollect of seeing, while on this tour of duty, Genl. St. Clair & Genl. Schuyler. As soon as the news of the battle of Bennington arrived at said Deerfield which was fought on the 16 th Aug. A.D. 1777 I think, the whole com- pany of militia in the town of Deerfield aforesaid of which I was one, marched for the Northern Army under the com- and of three  officers Capt. Stebbins & St. Clair  who was  then  at  Deerfield . Our company was attached to the Regt commanded by Col. David Wells at Battle Kill, I think, N.Y. We marched from said Deerfield direct to Bennington N.Y. where we saw the British prisoners confined in the meeting house. We marched then direct to Battle Kill river about a mile from the mouth of said river. We were ordered from thence to Fort Edward, where we lay some days. While here I volunteered to cross the Hudson, near Fort Miller under the com- mand of Capt. Stebbins, and crossed over and took two British prisoners and we found about there, considerable plunder consisting of entrenching tools, blankets, arms &c. which was carried to camp & divided among them comprising the escort. The next day after, I was detached to go to Lake George with a Regt. commanded by Col. Bellows of Walpole N.H. We marched through Sandy Hill, Glenn's Falls, thence to Halfway Brook so called, On our arrival at Bloody Pond Col. Bellows de- tached a small force under command of Lt. Stacy of which I was one, and we were ordered closely to watch an Indian path which came in from the south west. Colonel Bellows marched to the lake where he made prisoners of a considerable Indian force. During his absence we, the detachment, cap- tured six or eight Indians coming in from the above men- tioned path. and I have proof with me a silver brooch which I took from the person of a captured Indian Soon after Col. Bellows returned from the lake with prisoners he had taken, and we were ordered to join the detachment with our prisoners, and we commenced our march back to Fort Edward where we arrived after an absence of something over two days. Soon after we arrived at Fort Edward, we received orders to march to Battle Kill river.
(over)

to the Militia camp, where we arrived some days after Gen. Burgoyne had surrendered. Which was in October 1777 I think. Soon after we were dismissed and we returned home after performing a tour of duty two months as I should think. I have no written discharge the duty was performed in the Massachusetts State Service, I have no written documentary proof as evidence of my service
I do not know that I can make any better proof, at the present time, of my services by living witnesses that that which results from the depositions herewith transmitted.
I was born in Montague in County of Franklin in the A.D. 1756 - I have a record of my age with me. I have lived for the most of the time since the revolutionary war in P. Deerfield - I have lived in P. Greenfield about four years only - now I live in P. Deerfield - J. Greenfield, Newton
I, Jeremiah Newton of Deerfield above said signer of the above applica- tion for a pension, on this 22 nd day of June 1833, do upon oath make the following additional declaration & affidavit for obtaining a pension, and testify and say that by reason of old age, lapse of time and consequent loss of memory, I can not swear positively, as to the precise length of my service, but according to the best of my recollection I served not less than seven months and fourteen days in the whole time, as a private for the whole time, as follows to wit, one month from April 1775 - three months from February 1777 - one month & fourteen days from July 1777, and two months from Aug. 1777 - and for that service I claim a pension.
And I further state that the present clergyman in P. Deerfield has recently settled in P. Deerfield, and that I reside in a remote part of the town, and am not acquainted with the P. clergyman nor he with me. I was born in Montague Franklin Co. Mass. in the year 1756 and have a record of my age at some. I would refer the Department to Solomon Williams Ephraim Williams Comstock Dickinson Gen. Ephraim Hovey Hon. Elias Hovey John Wilson my friends to whom I am known in my neighbourhood & who can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
J. Greenfield, Newton
State of Massachusetts
Franklin Co June 22 nd 1833. Then personally appeared before me the undersigned, a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and made formal & solemn signer of the foregoing declaration, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
Geo. Greenfield justice of the peace. I certify that I am a justice of the peace for the County of Franklin, Massachusetts, & the above is my official act of this date June 22 nd 1833 Geo Greenfield Jr No. 6 -

23 893
Jeremiah Newton
Principals 7 mos 14 days Amount
5.06 Apr. 16 1833
P 350
14 14 14 14 154
23.33 1.56 24.89
Wm. Geo. Greenleaf Greenfield Mass.

BRIEF in the case of  Jeremiah Newton  County of Franklin  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 75.  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.     Minute Man. Vol. In 1775 April — 1 — Private. Gen. J. Lock, Lieut. Bowdwell —   Draft 1777 Feb. — 3 — " Capt. Chiefs, Col. Leonard —   Vol. 1777 July — — 42 " Capt. Sheldon —   — 1777 — not stated clearly " Capt. Stebbins, Col. Wells —  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampshire Co. Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Witnesses & traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh  Examining Clerk.  Feb. 20. 1833.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 14 th , 1841,
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Jeremiah Newton a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Twenty four Dollars and 89 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838. to the 4 th Sept. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Lewis Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

30 615 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30, 615
Jeremiah Newton Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 296
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6 23893 Jeremiah Newton
H. M. Grennell Greenfield 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 Seremiah Newton 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? 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? Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
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? yes
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? 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. 3.
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 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.
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.

Jeremiah Newton Affidavits

I Abijah Harding of Deerfield in the County of Franklin & State of Massachusetts aged 72 years do depose & say, That in latter part of June or fore part of July in the year 1777 I volunteered my service in the detached militia to join the northern army under the command of Genl. Gates. That Jeremiah Norton was one of the same detachment, that we marched from Deerfield through the towns of Charlemont & Adams, & from the latter place in the direct route to Troy, from Troy we marched to Moses' creek where we were stationed for a short time, from thence we marched to Saratoga with the army, at which place we were discharged, the whole time of service was about six weeks; we were under the command of Capt. Sheldon of Bennington.
Abijah Harding
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. Aug t 29 th 1832
Then personally appeared the above named Abijah Harding a credible witness, and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed was true. Before me
John Wilson Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that the within affidavit before John Wilson Esq. before whom the within affidavit of Abijah Harding and the annexed affidavit of Thomas W. Dickinson were sworn to, and that Elisha Root Esq before whom the annexed deposition of Hull Sims was made and sworn to - are Justices of the Peace for the said county. And that their names respectively subscribed to the said Affidavits are their genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield on the eighteenth day of October A.D. 1832
E. Alvord Clerk
Jeremiah Root Affidavits

Health Noms. —
Disposition. —

I Hull Nims of Greenfield in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy six years, do testify & say that I enlisted into the service of the United States, in the month of February, in the year 1777, and was enrolled in a company commanded by Capt. Timothy Childs, of said Greenfield, which Company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Leonard. that I marched from Greenfield in the latter part of February to Bennington, where I met Jeremiah Newton who was engaged in the same service, who was enrolled in the same Company. from Bennington we marched to Liontroya, we were marched immediately on to Mount Hope, where we were stationed until the first part of April 1777, when we were discharged & returned home. Capt. Childs returned home with me, I cannot tell with certainty whether Jeremiah Newton returned home with me or not - we were absent from home about six weeks as near as I can recollect. further the deponent saith not. — Hull Nims
Franklin So October 12 th 1832. personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the peace within & for the County of Franklin, and made Oath that the foregoing deposition by him submitted, is true
Before me Elisha Hoag. Justice of the peace —
I hereby certify that Hull Nims the subscriber to the foregoing deposition, is a credible witness & entitled to full credit. Elisha Hoag. Justice of Peace

State of Massachusetts Franklin County ss.
Personally appeared before me John Wilson one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County Thomas Wells Dickinson resident of Deerfield in said County aged eighty one years who being duly sworn doth on his oath depose & say that he was acquainted with Jeremiah Newton in the year 1777 and that he knew him to be a Soldier of the Massachusetts Militia and he knew him to be engaged in the revolutionary service as a Soldier at the retreat from Ticonderoga and that in the said Thomas was engaged in the same service at the same time and place.
Thos. W. Dickinson
Sworn & subscribed
by the said Thomas W
who is a credible witness
before me this twenty ninth
day of August 1832
John Wilson justice of the Peace