Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,154, for Arthur Perry, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Perry, Arthur
S 14154
Carded
CONTENTS

20 9 29 New York
Arthur Perry
of Oswego in the State of New York who was a private in the Corps. commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. Waterbury in the Count — " time for eight months — "
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct 1833 and sent to R.H. Marton Oswego
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 66.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending A.M. 34 13.33 $ 79.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. E. Williams Clerk Book E. Vol. 4, Page 113

State of New York
Oswego County } On this twenty ninth day of January in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before me Abel Tremell First Judge of Oswego County Courts at my office in the Village of Oswego, County and State aforesaid Arthur Perry a resident of said Town County and State 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 the act of Congress passed March 7th 1832
That he was born in the in the Town of Stratford (now called Huntington) in the County of Fairfield State of Connecticut on the Seventeenth day of May in the Year Seventeen Hundred and nine forty seven according to his recollection and family tradition which he believes to be correct. That he has no record of his age. That he entered the service of the United States at the Town aforesaid in the early part of the month of May, in the Year Seventeen Hundred and seventy five and enlisted for the term of eight months, immediately under Nathaniel Blackman a Second Lieutenant in a company commanded by Joseph Smith. Babish Potts force first Lieutenant first lieutenant and Charles Ray- gles Ensign. That this Company immediately after its formation proceeded to the City of New York & encamped at the Bowery, and there the several Companies from the State of Connecticut, were formed into a Regiment under Colonel Waterbury from Housenick: at the City of New York they met the Regiment of Colonel Pitmore of the State of New- York; that they remained at the City of New York till both Regiments were directed to proceed to Albany on an expedition designed against St. Johns and Montreal; that the last mentioned Regiment proceeded up the River by Water, while this appli- cant was suffered with one Nathaniel Dads on to go to the Town of Stratford to attend to some

his camp previous to the expedition: That this applicant overtook his regiment at Stillwater. That the troops engaged in this expedition were commanded under General Schuyler, by Brigadier General Montgomery; that they marched from Stillwater to George's Fort on Lake George: that this applicant remained at George's Fort, to assist the Commissary in procuring stores and provisions for the army, in which occupation this applicant continued until he was suffered to follow on after the army, which he overtook at Ticonderoga, where the several Companies prepared themselves with Battalions and proceeded down Lake Champlain to Isle aux Noix, where remaining, a few days, they proceeded to Fort St. John: That after a Skirmish with a Body of Indians near the Fort and the loss of five men belonging to the Regiment of Colonel Waterbury and a number out of the other Regiments, they retreated to the Isle aux Noix awaiting a reinforcement where they remained till the arrival of Troops, when the army returned to Fort St. John under General Montgomery and commenced the erection of a Breastwork and to attack the Fort, which, after a Siege of forty six days (according to the recollection of this applicant) surrendered. Having left a guard at the Fort the army proceeded to Laprairie where this applicant was taken sick and where he remained till after the Americans had taken possession of Montreal: That soon after, the term for which this applicant enlisted expired, and he was discharged and returned home, having served the full term of Eight months.
That this applicant was called out with the Militia under General Silliman, in the Spring of Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Seven, to oppose the British marching against Danbury Stores, that the Stores were burnt by the British that he pursued the British and attacked their rear, at this time General Wooster received a

mortal wound. That the applicant was called out again on an alarm, and served a term, embracing the two last terms of service, of one month: That he resided in Litchfield in Connecticut, till he moved to Whiteborough in Onondaga County in this State, where he resided till he came to this place where he has lived about ten years: That he has never received an order discharging from his service aforesaid and that he has no documentary evidence of his service: and knows that he knows of no person who held testimony he can procure who can testify to his service; That John McCarty, a clergyman and Matthew McVain of the Town of Oswego aforesaid will testify to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. 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 & subscribed
Arthur Perry
the day & year aforesaid
J T Wirt First of Onondaga county
We John McCarty a clergyman and Matthew McVain residing in the Town of Oswego hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Arthur Perry who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty five years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we believe him to be a man of truth -
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John McCarty Matthew McVain
J T Wirt First In the Town of Oswego county

And I the said Joel Turrill First Judge of Oswego County Courts aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the new department that Arthur Perry the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and I do further certify that it appears to me that John McCarty who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Oswego aforesaid and that Matthew McNair who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statements is entitled to credit And I also further certify that the above named applicant is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity
J Turrill First Judge of Oswego County Courts
State of New York Oswego County, ss. I Eric Poor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Oswego do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Arthur Perry for a pension And I further certify that the said Joel Turrill before whom the said proceedings were had is First Judge of Oswego County Courts that the above certificate is in his hand writing and that the sig- nature thereto and the signatures affixed to the jurat of the declaration and the certificate of John McCarty & Matthew McNair aforesaid are his genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty ninth day of January In the Year one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty three -
Eric Poor Clerk By D. M. Henson Dep. Clerk
Arthur Perry
22253

Arthur Perry
22253

State of New York } Onondago County } ss on the Twenty ninth day of June 1833. personally appeared before me. David P. Brewster First Judge of Onondago County Courts at my office in the Village of Onondago County and State aforesaid. Robert H. Martin who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth depose and say, That the annexed declaration of Arthur Perry for a pension is in the hand writing of this deponent. That since said declaration had been returned to this deponent from the War department, this deponent called on said Arthur Perry, but found him much so impaired by reason of his old age and sickness that this deponent could not obtain from said applicant any farther statement in relation to his service in the war of the revolution. That said Arthur Perry was too much enfeebled by sickness to attend the hearing of his application and that said sickness appeared to arise from old age. That said Arthur Perry at the interview aforesaid declared to this deponent that he served nine months in the revolutionary war, as stated in his annexed declaration, and that he could not recollect the name of the Colonel under whom he served, his last term of service and that his memory does not enable him to give a detailed account of his last months service as stated mentioned in his declaration and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn & subscribed this 1st day of July 1833.
Robt. H. Martin
Before me
D. P. Brewster First Judge of Onondago Co. N.Y.

State of New York Albany County
ss I Eric Poor Clerk of the County of Albany aforesaid do certify that David P Brewster before whom the within affidavit pur- ports to have been sworn was at the date thereof First Judge of Albany Common Pleas; that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said David P Brewster and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affi- davit is his proper hand writing and signature
In
Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this first day of July In the Year 1833.
Eric Poor Clerk
By J McPherson
Deputy Clerk

22253
Arthur Perry
c.
Admitted
Private 8 months
1 mo not specified disallowed
Robt H. Martine Oswego County Town of Oswego N York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 29 1833
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. Those 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 Arthur Perry Oswell Esq. M.P.
    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.     May 1775 - entered " 8 " Caps Smith St. Botolph Cols Waterbury Gen Schuyler B.G. Munk-a Skirmish with the Indians near Ft. St. Johns N York Albany Stillwater Ft. St. Johns Litchfield Connecticut   1777 Called out with the Militia again Called out on an alarm and since a time embracing the last term of service of one month Gen. Allen = an Near Danbury Voluntary age 85 yrs   
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 ( m ) 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. Mr.
14154 INVALID.
File No. 14154
Arthur Perry Am. Rev. War
Act: June 1 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 293
[Arrangement of 1870.]