Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 20536, for Peter Perham, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Perham, Peter or Purham
S. 20536
Carded
CONTENTS

10.754  Maine
Peter Burham of Franklin Co in the State of Maine who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Saltonstall of the Regt commanded by H. Prescott in the Maine line for 8 months
Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 26 - Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of April  1833 and Rev. Col. J.  Wm. Walbridge Secy.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $53.32 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 13.35  $66.67
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Chas. Addison Clerk Book 8 Vol. 20 Page 42
Dead
Letter to H. Perham Esq Dec 1841
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of April 6 th 1838 from March 4 th to the 4 th Oct 1841. Ag t note July 23 rd 1842

I Daniel Shurt of Conington - a soldier of the Revolution upon my oath that at the time of the fight at Concord I was residing in Pipperville - and that Mr Peter Perham now of Brunswick was a resident of the same place - that I well recollect of his having been at Concord - and of hearing of his having enlisted & having been at Bruns Hill battle - I recollect that he was in the service about eight months - I state these things from memory & report of others - but I have no question but he served in the army - that was the common talk at that time. Daniel Shurt
Sworn to this day before me and I hereby certify that said Daniel Shurt is a man of truth & veracity John Appleton
Subscribed before me Alexander Savage Registrar of Probate hereby certify that John Appleton whose name is subscribed to the deposition above is a person of the name in the County by me known to be such and that the above is his genuine & yea action.
Subscribed before me Alexander Savage on this 19th day of March 1853
Alexander Savage

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. Penobscot
ON this 11 day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon Wm Williamson Judge of Probate of said State, Peter Perkins a resident of Bethel in the County of Penobscot and State of Maine, aged eighty three two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declara- tion, 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 1775 with Captain Nutting and served in Col. Prescott's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Nutting Capt - Prescott Col -
he was residing at Oppdal (N.H.) and was called for and went to the Concord fight. About a fortnight after the battle he enlisted in Capt Nuttings Company, Col Prescotts regiment for eight months - he was stationed at Cambridge - served out this term of eight months & the first Jan'y 1776 he again enlisted for another year in the same Company - he had a furlough to go home & was taken sick - and being unable after serving a short time under this second enlistment he hired a man to take his place who served out the year. The middle of April 1782 he hired a substitute who went in his stead and served till the war was ended - his name was Phillip Jackson a man black man - who was sent to the South & served in a black Regiment there - during the rest of the  time I served at Cambridge I did Sergeants duty and was acting likewise as commissary.

And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war department, he answers :
that he was born at Grafton Mass - in the year 1749 when he presumed the record of his age to be. that he presumed the record of his age to be there. - that he enlisted and was not a substitute nor drafted - that he had a written discharge, which he left with the paymaster - that he resides now in Brown - and for proof of his revolutionary services he aduces the state records & deposition of Rev Mr Newton and Jonathan Burr Esq - that he resided at Phippsburg at the time of his revolutionary services - the only engagement he was in was the Battle of Bunker Bred's Hill - He knows of no living witness by whom he can prove the facts above stated.
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 agency in any State.
Peter Perleam
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. in open court - William D. Williamson Judge of Probate for Cumberland -
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
William D. Williamson Judge as above said

State of Maine.
WE Benjamin Huntton a Clergyman, residing in the town of Piscataqua in the County of Penobscot and Jonathan Dyer residing in the same town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Peter Puhane who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration; that we believe him to be eighty two 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.
Benjamin Huntton Jonathan Dyer
STATE OF MAINE.
Penobscot ss. Sworn and subscribed this 14 day of September , A. D. 1832
Before me, Wm Williamson Justice of the Peace.
Penobscot ss. March 19 1833. I Alexander Savage Register of Probate for said County of Penobscot hereby certify that the above is the genuine signature of Wm Williamson Esq and that he is a justice of the Peace for the County of Penobscot In witness of which I have hereunto affixed my name and the seal of said Court this 19 day of March 1833 Alexander Savage
Peter Puhane State of Maine.
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Benjamin Huntton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Piscataqua and that Jonathan Dyer and is a who has also signed the same, is a resident of the town of Brewer and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William D. Williamson Judge as aforesaid
State of Maine.
Penobscot ss.—I, Alexander Savage Register of Probate for the County of Penobscot hereby certify that the Hon Wm D Williamson before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Judge of Probate of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Peter Puhane for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 14 th day of September , A. D. 1832
Alexander Savage

24338
Peter Puchann
Staino
Prate 8 Months
A. J. Thomas Present

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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,  showing the Service of Peter Neoham Brewer County of Pincus State of Maine
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Yrs. Mths. Dys.     Entered 1775 8 527 Capt. Nutting Col. Prescott 81 yrs Pepperal Traditional Evidence Only   1776 Leave not given Same Officers 3  
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 A. B. Sworn to 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 (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) , who has 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 days 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.
The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Bangor Me.
Nov 26, 1841.
David Perham.
For balance of pension due Peter Perham, decd. -
P681. Recd. Dec. 1. 1841. Pension Office.
Mr Ewing

Hon. John C. Spencer, Secretary of War.
Barnesboro Novem. 26 th 1841.
Sir,
Peter Pernaum, late of Barnesboro
held a Pension Certificate number 10,754. died October 4 th 1841. not having rec- -ed any thing on it since the fourth of March last, leaving no wife & but one child. The object of this inquiry is to ascertain where, & in what form his son should apply for what may be due on said Certificate.
Respectfully Your obed. Servant
David Pernaum

Resolution
20 536
INVALID.
File No. 20,536.
Peter Purham
Br Rev Wm
Act: June 7 th 1898
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 329
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Aug. 14, 1906 Tombstone data to Q. M. Gen'l U.S.A. A.O. 7.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
July 6 th , 1842.
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 child of Peter Perham, or Perham, deceased, late — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Maine Agency, at the rate of Twenty Six — Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, to the 1 st Oct. 1841 —
Respectfully, yours,
J. Brown L. Paton
Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.