Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,390, for John Pousland, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Pousland John
S 29390
CONTENTS

10.712
Massachusetts
John Pousland
of Essex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Selman of the Reg't commanded by Col Elmer in the Mass line for 20 (Mts).
See Cont
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Apr 1833 and June 33 Merrill Salem Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $133.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Sept " 33.33 $166.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk, Book 10 Vol. 2 Page 63 ,

I John Poulton aged eighty years - formerly of Marblehead, now of Beverly, in the County of Essex, State of Massachusetts. Depose testify and say - on oath, that in the month of April, I entered as a soldier in Capt John Selmans Company of Infantry, in the Continental service, & that on or about the 22 d day of June, we marched with said Company in Col l John Glover Regiment, to Cambridge to join the Continental army - at that time there assembled, and that I continued in service in said Company until the thirty first day of December in the same year when we were discharged.
Sworn to, Before me, and subscribed
This 3 d day of August A D 1832. John Prince Justice Keene
John Poulton
I James Bean of Marblehead aged seventy eight years - on oath, Depose testify and say, that in the year 1775 - I was a soldier in Capt John Selmans Company, in Glover Regiment, with the above named John Poulton, who has above testified - to our proceedings, respecting, the Company - and our joining the Continental army at Cambridge - until discharged, all which I well know, being associated with the said Poulton at the same time, and further say that the statement he has made and subscribed as above is correct and true.
William Green
Sworn to,
sworn to Before me and subscribed.
This 3 d day of August A D 1832. John Prince Justice Keene
Ex s ex p s : Feb. 28. 1833 I certify that said John Poulton and William Bean are credible and disinterested witnesses
By M c Henry Inst: Peace

I, John Howard, of Salem in Massachusetts, aged 77 on oath testify That I know that John Ponsland, now of Beverly served in Col. Grouse's Reg. iment of Mass ts troops eight months man in 1775 and as a year's man in 1776 - the latter year in Capt. Grant's Company the same in which I served
I have no doubt he served 20 months therein.
John Howard
State of Massachusetts Essex county ss: August 10. 1832 Then the above named Howard a credible and disinterested wit- ness subscribed and made oath to the above before
Rev. Merrill Dist. Clerk

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex in Massa- chusetts, John Pousland, who being duly sworn de- poseth 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:
In 1775 for Eight months I served as a Volunteer
Private In 1776 for one year I served as a Volunteer, Private. And for such service I claim a Pension
John Pousland
Subscribed & sworn to before me
Wm. Stephens — Justice of Peace
I, Ebenezer Robinson a Clergyman residing in Beverly aforesaid do hereby certify that John Pousland who subscribed the annexed Declaration and sworn to it is an acquaintance of mine; I believe him to be 80 years of age & that he is reputed to have lived in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and I concur in that opin- ion.
Ebenezer Robinson
Subscribed & sworn to before
Wm. Stephens
Justice of the Peace
I certify that the Rev. Ebenezer Robinson is a respectable Cler- gyman resident in said Beverly and his statement is worthy of credit.
D. White
Judge of Probate

W. Poulton
No. 3189
Please address reply to Maria Salzman

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss.
On this fourteenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the HONORABLE DANIEL APPLETON WHITE, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, now sitting, John Vonsland , a resident of Beverly , in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 80 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 June 7, 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
That after the Battle of Lexington in April 1775 he at Marblehead as a Volunteer enlisted as a private in Capt John Selman's Company in Col John Glover's Regiment and served therein at Cambridge till the end of 1775:
That in Jan'y 1776 he again at Marblehead enlisted as a private in Capt. Grant's Company in Col. John Glover's Regiment and served therein one year at Cambridge, Beverly, New York and New Jersey and at the expiration of 1776 was discharged.
He never had any written discharge or record of birth. He was born at Marblehead in 1752 and resided there till he was 23 years old & then removed to Beverly & has resided there ever since.
The said Glover's Regiment was on the Continental Establishment in 1775 and in 1776
He is well known to Col Amos Sheldon, a Magistrate and to all the other citizens of Beverly:
He was a Volunteer -

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.
John Pousland
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
D. H. White
JUDGE OF PROBATE.
and we,  Amos Sheldon  a clergyman, residing in  aforesaid, Esquire, a magistrate, residing in Brewery aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Pousland who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that 2 we believe him to be 80 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 2 we concur in that opinion.
Amos Sheldon
Subscribed and sworn to before
Benjamin Dist. Pease

And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting 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 Col Sheldon who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in and that the said  who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at Beverly , and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
D. A. White Judge of Probate
I, John Chapman, of Beverly, aged 82 on oath say that I know that John Pousland of Beverly served the first 8 months of the War in 1775 at Cambridge: John Chapman
Subscribed & sworn to before me Merrill Just. Peace
The said John Chapman is a credible and disinterested Witness Merrill Just. Peace
I, NATHANIEL LORD Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Pousland for a pension, and that Hon John Prince and Benjamin Merrill are Justices of the Peace duly qualified to administer oaths, and their signatures on the annexed affidavits are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 19 th day of August A. D. 1832.
Nath. Lord Jr.
Certify that said Stephens is a Justice of the Peace qualified and his signatures above are genuine Signed and sealed anew this fifth day of March, A. D. 1833.
Nath. Lord Jr.

6810 Mrs Pousland
Mass
Prints 1 year & 8 Mos
M. E.
The instructions contain in the 5, 11, 12, 14, 16 & 17 numbered items not coupled with
$66.66
10-7-12
B. Morile
Salem Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Jno Pousland  of Beverly, Esq  in the State of  Mass (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a County probate  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [Signature]  3. How old is he? 80 
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.     after battle of Lexington in April 1775 - till the end of 1775 * 8 - private Gen. Capt M c Colman - Col Glover   July 1776 - expiration of '76 1 - - " Col Grant - Col Glover  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Marblehead  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 3 living witnesses - Tradition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Ribbon and paper under seal - no clay seal 
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.
* does not say how many months but Mr Chapman certifies to 8 months - In an affidavit he says he continued in service till the 21 Dec r 75
Note - Look at Pousland's signature to the declaration & compare it with the other in the affidavit

29390 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29,390
John Coneland Rev Rev Mr
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 326
[Arrangement of 1870.]

3189
John Portland
Deficiencies all supplied.
B. Merrill Esq Salem Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ino Busland 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 ? No 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
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?
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?
No as to 5 th
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 the 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.
† 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.