Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,371, for Asa Packard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Hiass
Packard, H. A.
L 29371
CONTENTS

15.819
Massachusetts Asa Packard
of Worcester Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a Piper in the Company commanded by Captain Hayden of the Regt 1 commanded by Col 1 Bailey in the Mass s line for 1 year 8 mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1833 and sent to Alvin and Lancaster Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $146.66 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept. 36.66
$183.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 2 Page 65

Asa Packard's Application for a Pension
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20. 7.

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester, ss.
On this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared A before the Hon ble John M. Williams, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, begun and holden at Worcester within and for the County of Worcester, on the first Monday of September current, and now in Session, I do hereby certify that David Packard, a Resident of Lancaster, in the County and State aforesaid, Clerk, aged seventy four 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 7 th 1832 - to wit - That directly after Lexington battle, the precise day he cannot state, he enlisted as a fifer in the Army of the United States, in the year 1775, with Capt. Josiah Hovey's Company, and first served in Col. Bailey's Regiment of the Massachusetts line, under the following named Officers - He was a native of Bridgewater, County of Plymouth and State aforesaid, when he enlisted as aforesaid, and was enlisted in the eight months service, and was stationed at Roxbury - During that period of service Capt. Hovey's Company having two fifers, to wit, Joshua King, and himself, by consent of the Officers, he was transferred to Capt. Webster's Company, stationed at Dorchester, in Col. Fellows's Regiment. - The name of his Lieutenant was Newick. He was on Dorchester heights the night after the breast work was erected, and in the fort when the British sailed from Boston - and that he faithfully served out his said term of enlistment for eight Months. Before, however, his said first term of enlistment had expired, he again enlisted as a fifer in Capt. Reed's Company, and Col. Bailey's Regiment, in the service of the United States, for the term of one year, to commence after his first eight Months service was ended. - Shaw, was his Lieutenant; - Jacobs, Lieut. Col. - Luther Bailey was Adjutant - Adams Bailey, Dr. Master. - Hatch, Orduly Sergeant; - Drew, Drum Major - and Jacob Leonard, Fife Major. That on the first day of April 1776 he marched from Roxbury to Providence, went through the sound to New York, and was quartered at City Market till he was encamped north of the City. That he was on the grand parade, and raised his Fife when others raised their guns, in token of declaring Independence; that he was on Long Island during the bloody battle there fought, and was in one of the last boats that conveyed the American troops from the Island to the City of New York in their retreat - That on the 16 th of September he borrowed a gun and Cartridge Box, and joined a party

of Volunteers, only 135, designed as they were told to draw the enemy into an ambuscade at Haverlaem heights. — That in that affair he received a musket ball which still remains in him — That his tent-mate Samuel Godfrey fell at the same instant by near him — That he was carried to the Hospital (a barn) either in Earl, or West-Chester, which, he does not recollect — That Doct McKnight first dressed his wound, and afterwards Doct. Church. That after the lapse of some time he was removed, with others, to "Haverlaem" in Sussex — From thence near the first of November, he returned to duty in the Regiment, served out his time ending Jan y first 1777. D That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any Colony in any State. —
Asa Packard
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in open Court. John M. Williams, Jur. C. S. Pleas
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. — John M. Williams, Jur. C. S. Pleas
I John M. Williams / a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Asa Packard for a pension. —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this day of September , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. —
I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court, in the matter of the application of Asa Packard, for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set

my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas this six the day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk
B. We Nathaniel Thayer, a Clergyman, residing in the Town of Lancaster, and Gilman B. Parker, residing in the same Town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Asa Packard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be twenty four years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion -
Nathl. Thayer -
Gilman B. Parker
Worcester ss. March 25 th 1833. Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Before me Moses Smith Justice of the Peace
And I do hereby certify, that Nathaniel Thayer who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of Lancaster, and that Gilman B. Parker who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town of Lancaster, and is a credi- ble person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Moses Smith, Justice of the Peace

I Asa Packard, named in the Declaration and application to which this is attached, in answer to the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh interrogatories presented by the War Department, do, on oath, further declare and say, That when I was called into the service, I lived in Pomfret as before in my declaration stated - that after  before the close of the Revolutionary war I was engaged in preparatory studies for a College education, which I afterwards received at Harvard University - That in 1785 I was settled as a Clergyman, in Marlboro' (Mass) and lived there till April first 1820, when I moved to Lancaster where I have ever since resided - That I was neither drafted, or a substitute, when I went into the service, but engaged therein by voluntary enlistment - That I have already in my Declaration stated the names of all the regular Officers who were with the troops, where I served, the continental and Militia Regiments, and the general circumstances of my service, with as much as particularity, as the lapse of time, and advance in years will enable me to do - That when my respective terms of enlistment expired, I retired from the army as many others did, but received no written or other particular discharge to my recollection - That I am well known by divers others, as well as the following named persons, in my neighborhood, who can testify, if called upon, to my character and veracity, and to their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution, to wit - Doct Nathaniel Thayer, Nathaniel Rand, Josiah Flagg, Jacob Fisher and Moses Smith Esquires - and Mr. Gilmann B. Packard -
Asa Packard
Worcester. March 25 th 1833. Personally appeared Asa Packard above named, and made oath, that the facts set forth by him in the foregoing amendment and addition to his declaration, by him subscribed, as also the amendment by inserting the words "in open Court" in the in the fore part of his Declaration, are true.
Before me Moses Smith Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify, that Asa Packard above named is a person entitled to full credit and belief.
Moses Smith, Justice of the Peace -

29341 Rev INVALID.
Rev
File No. 29341
Ada Richard
St. Louis Mo.
Act: June 7 th 1891.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6850
Asa Packard
Return this with the paper
Fifer 1 year & 8 Mos
8.11. 12.16.17
  P. 288  44      22.      7.33      73.33   
Clarmant
Lancaster
Mass
Rowley

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Isa Packard 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? Yes 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  Declaration not made in open Court 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 ?
No
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 ?
Yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service ?
No
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 ?
No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct ?
No
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 ?
No
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ?
3 d part of 3 d quest. - to 4. 5. 6. 7
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 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.

I Hezekiah Packard of Chelmsford, in the County of Middle- -sex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Doctor of Divinity, do testify, that I first saw  was acquainted with the Reverend Asa Packard the Applicant for a pension mentioned in the application to which this my Affidavit is annexed, and know that he enlisted as a fifer in the Revolutionary Army some time in the Spring of the year 1775, in the eight months service of the United States - That I several times saw him while in said eight months service, and have no doubt that he served said time as he in his declaration hath stated and set forth. I furthermore testify and say, that I understood at the time, and now only doubt that said Asa Packard again enlisted for one year in the service of the United States on the Continental establishment, and that he served said year out as he in his Declaration has stated. The reasons why I entertain this conviction are, that I visited him several times while in the Army in 1776 and during said year's service, and particularly while he was confined in the several hospital of a severe wound which he received by a musket ball while in said service - The hospital, in which he was confined was at East - or West - Chester, in the State of New-York - and the first time I visited him there was about a fortnight after the battle at Harlem Heights. The reason of my making oath to the above affidavit before a Justice of the Peace, is, because it would be exceedingly inconvenient for me to attend Court for that purpose.
Hez. Packard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. August 1 st 1832 Personally appeared Hezekiah Packard above named and made oath, that the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed, are true. Before me Moses Smith, Justice of the Peace.
C
Worcester ss. March 25. 1833. I hereby certify that Rev Hezekiah Packard who has made oath before me to the truth of the forego- -ing affidavit by him subscribed, is a person entitled to full credit and belief - Moses Smith, Justice of the Peace

Worcester, Jr.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I, Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that Moses Smith Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Jeremiah Packard was made and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester, and that his signature thereto appears to me to be in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County Seal this fourth day of September, A.D. 1832.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.
I certify that this deposition was before the Court at the time Asa Packard made oath to his declaration, and that it was annexed to said declaration by me - Abijah Bigelow.

In the application and declaration of Asa Packard for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. and to which application this paper is attached, the following amendments, additions, and explanations have been made by the applicant - to wit -
1. At A in the Declaration, insert the words, " in open Court ", which is conformable to the oath administered by Judge Williams, and the truth of the case. 2. At B on the third page of the sheet containing my declaration, is added the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting My age, the general belief in My neighborhood relative to My revolutionary service etc. 3. At C. at the Bottom of the paper containing the affidavit of Hezekiah Packard, is added the certificate of the Magistrate that Hezekiah Packard is a credible person. 4. And at D. towards the close of My declaration by embodying therein answers to the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh interrogatories prescribed by the War Department - as appears by a paper marked D. annexed to said Declaration -
Asa Packard
Worcester ss. March 25 th 1833. Then Asa Packard above named subscribed and made oath to the above - Before me Moses Smith, Justice of the Peace