Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19,005, for John Newton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Newton, John
S.19.005
carded
CONTENTS

10.005
Massachusetts
John Newton
Franklin in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Childs of the Regt. commanded by Col Woodbridge in the Mass. line for 6 months 12 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 31 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of March 1833 and sent Hon. Geo. Grennell Greenfield Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $62.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 14 Sept. 33 15.67 $78.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. H. Adason Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 9a Page 59

John Newton Greenfield
John Newton
Greenfield

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY ss.
On this twenty eighth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honored Nathaniel D. DOW, Judge of Probate of the said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin,
John Newton a resident of Greenfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty two 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 the United States as a soldier of the Revolution in December the day I can not tell A.D. 1775 and served six weeks and returned from home some time in January following A.D. 1776 - I resided at this time in Greenfield County of Hampshire since the County of Franklin. I was a volunteer in the Massachusetts State Service and with others went from said Greenfield to Hatfield Mass. Thence to Belchertown through Worcester to Cambridge thence to Dorchester Mass where I performed the duty. The officers of our company were Capt. Miles St. John, Lieut. Col. Woodbridge, our colonel was Col. Tupper. General Ward had the command of us. Genl. Washington at this time had his head quarters at Cambridge after our time was out we were discharged at Dorchester and with others returned home. I also again enlisted and entered the service of the Massachusetts State Service in the fore part of July I can not tell the day. A.D. 1776 for five months and served that time. I resided at this time in Greenfield aforesaid and marched with my company to Northfield thence to Charlestown New Hampshire thence through the woods to Lake Umbagog where we were stationed and did duty. My time having expired I was discharged and returned home from Lake Umbagog. The officers of our company were Col. Woodbridge of Hadley Mass. Lt. Col. Leonard, & Maj. Stacey. The officers of our company were Capt. Timothy Childs of Shelburne Mass. Lt. Col. Parnell, Lieut. Col. Gates. General Gates had the command of us. The First Division marched opening on the town of Bennington Generals Arnold & General M'Clure of Connecticut. I had an honorable discharge.
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. Shewall Judge of Probate John Newton
WE,
residing in 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 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
R. E. Shewall Judge of Probate
Register
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 John Newton for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this 28 day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
E. Alvord. Reg. Prob Clerk

I certify that I have long been acquainted with John Newton within named. & that he is a man of truth and integrity. Geo. Greenell Jr
Washington Jan 20. 1833 -

BRIEF in the case of  John 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? 82.  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.     Vol. In 1775 Decr. — — 42 private. Gen. Niles, Col. Tupper, Gen. Wood-   Enlisted 1776 July — 5 — " Col. Woodbridge, Capt. Childs  
 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  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk.
Feb. 20. 1833.

Willon, N. H., June 25, 1917. Stamp ret'd To Clerk in charge C.W. of Bureau of Pensions D. C. R. D.
Dear Sir: - Recd one 2 ct stamp since Will you please give me OK record of John Newton C.W. Greenfield, Mass., Revo- lutionary Pensioner.
You will greatly oblige Yours respectfully (Miss) Sarah P. Newton The Parsonage, Willon, New Hampshire.

To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:
Will you please send me the service record of John Newton, of Mass. who served during the Rev. War and died a pensioner. His service was I think in Capt. Child's Co. Greenfield, Mass. but I would like a

most of all his service that you have on record in your office.
I shall be greatly obliged for the same.
Very truly (Mrs) Miriam Fairchild Sherman
Ashgrove, Fairfax Co. Va.
Jan'y 19, 1910.

OK Davenport
OCT 20 1910
BUREAU OF PENSIONS OCT 19 1910 COMMISSIONER.
to Captain Davenport, Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir,
May I ask for a copy of the Rev- Pension of John Newton, of Massachusetts. Who served in that War. I think he lived

in or around the town, Greenfield. He was either in one of these Companies. Capt Childs or Churchill, but — with Capt Childs, I think. His service will add another "fur" for me — I had the pleasure of an introduction

To you in your office. by Mrs Callaudia of Falls Church, with appreciative thanks
I am Sir Very truly Mrs Mary F. Gibson Vienna Va
Oct-18-1910.

P 19005
INVALID.
1910 Feb. 8. Hist to Miss Miriane T. Sherman - C 1910 Oct 20 To Mrs. Mary T. Gibson C 1917 July 9 To Miss Sarah P. Newton P
File No. 19005
John Newton
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 259
[Arrangement of 1870.]

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Newton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. file 19005
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Nov. 25 6 mos. Niles Dunbar Mass.   July 76 6 mos. Timothy Hildreth Woodbridge   Ex. to Tienderoga.      
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Greenfield Franklin Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug. 28, 1932.  Almond. Residence at date of application, Greenfield Franklin Co. Mass. Age at date of application, 82 yrs.
Remarks: _____ _____ _____

John Newton
Private 6 mths 12 days Adm'd
W. C. Grennell Spanful M s

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John 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? 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? 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? _____
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. 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 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.

John Newton aff
John Newton

I Aaron Denis of Shaftsbury in the County of Ben- nington and State of Vermont aged ninety six and upwards depose and say that from my earliest re- ollection until the year AD 1777 - I resided in Green- -field in the County of Franklin (then Hampshire) and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I further testify that I enlisted as a private into the State Troops of Massachusetts (the precise name given to the body of men thus collected. I do not recollect) to serve against the British for the term of five months. The time of service was to commence on the first day of July one thousand eight hundred and eighty six. I further depose that on the said first of July the company to which I was attached commenced its march from said Gray's Gap for Kenne- bec, which we reached after the usual time marching about twenty miles per day - and con- tinued stationed there until there was only suf- ficient time left to reach home within the time of enlistment, when we were discharged. During this time the company to which I belonged was not in any engagement, and was most of the time engaged in making redoubts and breast works and other fatigue duty. The regiment to which the company belonged was commanded by Col. Woodbridge who resided at the Hadley in North

amptown or some town in its vicinity in Massachusetts, Col David Leonard of Springfield (Massachusetts) was the Lieut. Col. of the Regiment - and Major May of New Hampshire was the Major - The officers of the company to which I belonged were Timothy Childs of said Greenfield captain - Thomas of Shelburne (Massachusetts) first lieutenant. - Parnell of Colrain Massachusetts second lieutenant. and - Gates of Conway (Massachusetts) ensign - The foregoing officers I have mentioned with as much particularity as I am able - I further depose and say, that in the same company with me during the whole pe- riod aforesaid was one John Norton there and now resident in said Greenfield - The said John Norton is at aged eighty years or upwards ac- cording to my best belief - I had been acquaint- ed with him many years before the time of the revolt aforesaid; I know that he belonged to and did duty in the company aforesaid during all the time aforesaid, some of the time as a private and some of the time as a sergeant, and that he is now living, he being present while I am giving this deposition - I further testify that the said John Norton is nephew of the late Rev Roger Norton D.D. who was for more than fifty years minister of said town of Greenfield - I do not know from h. nor can I from

enquiry learn that any persons belonging to said company is now living except the said Sturton and myself-
Aaron Dario
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. Be it remembered that on this eighth day of August A.D. 1832. The above mentioned Aaron Dario who is made known to me as a credible witness, personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the fore- going affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Daniel Wells Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I. Elijah Alvor, Clerk of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Daniel Wells Esq before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for said county. And that his name subscribed to the above certificate appears to me to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Greenfield on the twenty eighth day of August A.D. 1832
E. Alvor Clerk

John Newton aft
Elmer - Grand aft

I Ebenezer Groves of Greenfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of seventy nine years of age do depose & say; that in December A.D. 1775 I not tell the day I volunteered as a soldier of the revolution to go to go to Cambridge No. on a six weeks tour; but I did not go myself; my brother Daniel Groves took my place & went in my stead to Cambridge & then to Dorchester as I have understood. I know that at this time, John Newton of said Greenfield volunteered with me to go on the same tour of duty. We both lived in said town of Greenfield at this time. I saw the said Newton, with others, when he left said Greenfield with his arms & equipments and marched. And I further testify that the said Newton did not return home until some time in January following A.D. 1776 after an absence of something like six weeks according to my best recollection. My brother was taken sick on this tour of duty and died at Waltham. He had been gone about six week from home. I went to Waltham and was there present when my brother died. I saw the said Newton there who had been just dismissed & was returning home. The said Newton is now present while I give this my deposition & know that he is the same individual I have long been acquainted with said Newton and believe him to be entitled to full credit and belief in whatever declarations he shall make for the purpose of obtaining a pension.
Ebenezer Groves
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss August 28. 1832.
Then personally appeared before me the subscriber, Ebenezer Groves signor of the foregoing affidavit, a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the same.
Geo Greenell In virtue of the peace

Elmer in Gravel dep.
John Newton att.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. I Elijah Wood, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that George Grenville Jr Esq. before whom the within affidavit was verified is a Justice of the Peace in the said county. And his name subscribed to the within certificate appears to me to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Green- field on the twenty eighth day of August A.D 1832 E. Wood Clerk