Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31302, for Asa Piper, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Piper, Asa
NUMBER
S. 31302
CONTENTS

Illinois. 7852
Asa Dyer
of Crawford in the State of Illinois who was a Private in the Reg t commanded by Captain Howard of the Reg t commanded by Col. Webb in the Massachusetts line for nine months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 30 Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of April, 1833 and sent to E. H. Dyer. Palestine. Illinois.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 60.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4. Sept r 33. 15.00
$75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M. M. Cabner Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 8, Page sixty.
a.B. Recd Aug. 10-1834

11794

State of Illinois } Let Declaration of Asa Piper Crawford County } September Term of the Crawford Circuit Court 1832
On this 21 st day of September 1832 Personally appeared before the Judge of the Crawford Circuit Court , it being a court of record and now sitting in the Town of Palestine County of Crawford and State of Illinois. Asa Piper a resident of Palestine Township, County State aforesaid, and now in the seventieth year of his age who being first duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress referred
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated (to wit). In August 1781 I was drafted for a three months tour of service, and attached to Captain Howards Company, and Colonel Hilds 1 st Regiment. was mustered into service at Acton by Col t Faulkner. our Regiment was then marched to Pitsfield by Companies and joined the main Army, and was attached to a con- tinental Brigade under the command of Brigadier General Patterson I think and Major General Heath, who com- manded in the absence of Major General Washington. The Brigade was stationary at Pitsfield near the whole time of service, and performed few if any marches, and I was discharged with the residue of the Brigade at the Highlands about the last of November or first of December of the same year 1781. I resided in Concord County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts at the place of my nativity at the time of entering the service, was

drafted with others to fill the vacancy occasioned by those troops called off by General Washington to pursue Genl Cornwallis just previous to his capture. I was in no battles. we marched from Concord in Massachusetts by the way of Worcester. Springfield in Mass. Litchfield Conniet out. to Peekskill in New York where we joined the main Army. That he has no documentary evidence. and that he knows of no person whose testimony he procured to testify to his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion 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 Asa Piper
We David McGahy a Clergyman residing in the county of Crawford State of Illinois and John C Alexander of the above county do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asa Piper who has subscri- bed and sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be seventy  sixty nine years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he has resided; to have been a soldier of the revolu- tion, and we concur in that opinion
David M c Gahy M. A.
J. C. Alexander
Interrogations by the Court, etc. Where and in what
year were you born
Ans 1st In the Town of Concord Massachusetts in the year 1762
2 d Have you any record of your age and if so when is it. Ans 2 d I have no record of my age
now in my possession. but it is recorded by the Town clerk in Concord Mass. when I was born
Ans 3 d when were you living when called into service when have lived since the revolution

drafted with others to fill the vacancy occasioned by those troops called off by General Washington to pursue Genl Cornwallis just previous to his capture. I was in no battles. we marched from Concord in Massachusetts by the way of Worcester. Springfield in Mass. Litchfield Connecticut. to Poughkeepsie in New York where we joined the main Army. That he has no documentary evidence. and that he knows of no person whose testimony he procured to testify to his services.
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 an year aforesaid Asa Piper
We David McGahy a Clergyman residing in the County of Crawford State of Illinois and John C Alexander of the above County State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asa Piper who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be seventy  sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion
David M c Gahy M A , J. C. Alexander
Interrogatories by the Court, etc. where and in what year were you born Ans 1st. In the Town of Concord Massachussetts in the year 1762
2 d Have you any record of your age and if so when is it. Ans 2 d . I have no record of my age now in my papers. but it is recorded by the Town clerk in Concord Mass. when I was born June 3 rd where were you living when called into service where have lived since the revolution

as and when do you now live
Ans. 3 rd I was living in Concord Massachusetts when called into service, have lived in Kentucky since the Revolutionary war, a greater portion of the time and now live in the State of Illinois.
Ques. 4 th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom
Ans. 4 th I was drafted
Ques. 5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, and such Continental or militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. 5 th The name of my Captain was Haskell. My Col. was of the name of Bradford. Who commanded the 14 th Massachusetts Regt. and Genl. Patterson B th Massachusetts Brigade.
Ques. 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it
Ans. I did sir. but it was lost
Ques. 7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character
Ques. 8 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, and such continental or militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service
Ans. 8 th The name of my Captain was Howard and Col. Webb commanded our Regt. and Genl.
Patterson our Brigade
Ques. 9 th
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it. Ans. I did sir. but it is now lost

And the said Court do hereby declare that after the investigation of the matter, and after proving the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the abovenamed Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that David McGahy who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the County of Crawford and State of Illinois and that Sam l Alexander who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Crawford and State of Illinois and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
M c Wilson
I Edward H. Piper Clerk of the Circuit Court of Crawford County and State of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Asa Piper for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court & of office this 22 nd day of September 1832
Edward H. Piper ok

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State of Illinois } ss Crawford County }
Crawford County Circuit Court September Term 1832
On this 22 nd day of September 1832 personally appeared before the Judge of the Crawford Circuit Court, being a Court of Record, now sitting in the Town of Palestine County of Crawford and State of Illinois aforesaid, Asa Piper, a Resident of Palestine Township County of State as aforesaid, aged sixty nine years old, 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. 1832
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1780. in the month of June of that year for the term of six months, and served in the 14 th Regiment of the Massachusetts line, under the following named officers, in Capt. Haskell's company Col. Bradford's Regiment, General Patterson's Brigade Massachusetts line, He Resided in the Town of Concord
Massachusetts when he entered the service, that he was classed to fill up the Ranks of the Regular army of three years men, which was then expiring that he turned out at the call he was in to fill up the Ranks as aforesaid, was mustered at Springfield on the 1 st day of July 1780. into service. was commanded by the regular officers of the United States from Springfield marched to West Point, from thence to Tappan, & thence through or into the State

of New Jersey, where he remained but a short time then marched back to the State of New York and to Westpoint, where he remained till he was discharged which was on the first day of January 1781 - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Asa Piper
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named Applicant was a Revolu- tionary Soldier and served as he states
W. Wilson
I Edward H. Piper Clerk of the Circuit Court of Crawford County State of Illinois, do hereby Certify, that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Asa Piper for a pension
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office This 22 nd day of September 1832
Edward H. Piper Clerk

Asa Piper = 7852 Illinois 11/94.
Adm for 9. Mo from 1787. $30
on role 6 mo
E. H. Piper Agent Pulaski Crawford County Pa.

BRIEF in the case of  Asa Piper  County of  Crawford  in the State of  Illinois  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 40  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.   Years, Months, Days.     Aug t In 1781 drafted 9 private Capt Howard Col Mibb   June 1780 enlisted 6 private Capt Haskell Col Bradford  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Concord Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
he refers to the  George Layton  Col. Ind. Yancy.
Examining Clerk.

31302 Ray INVALID.
1924 Nov. 26 - Tombstone data - to Mayme Walters - see letter & enc carbon in Willie Fellow's 535303
File No. 31,302
Ada Piper
Rev Rev War
Act June 7 th 82
Index: Vol. 2, Page 89
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Paterson Ill Sept 24
Free
Oct 4 1879
Illinois
The Hon d Lewis Cag Secretary of War Washington City

Palestine Ill. Sep r 21 st 1832
The Hon ble L. Cag
Dear Sir
Enclosed is the application of Asa Piper for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832. The Hon ble Mr. Young a Rep t in Congress from the district in which Mr. Piper a few years ago resided in the State of Ken t , made some attempts to have him placed upon the pension list Roll of that State, under the old acts of Congress but found his term of service was not of that nature to be embraced under those acts.
I presume his case now comes properly under the present Law, and he is much in want of such assistance from his Country.
I would suggest to the Department the advantage it would be to those placed on the pension Roll in this and three or four of the adjoining Counties, to draw their pay at the Land office in this place, if it would be convenient to do so, if not they submit with cheerfulness to any place they may be sent.
Respectfully yours &c
Edward H. Diferick

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Wm P. S. ... 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? yes
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? 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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
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? yes
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.