Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4312, for Bela Prouty, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Crouty, Bela or Pouty
No. 4312 B.L.W. 13429-160-55
Mary
CONTENTS

New Hampshire 21. 7/13
Abel Frost of Manchester in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Curtis of the 1st commanded by Colonel in the 1st Regiment in Hampshire 12 regt Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of a New Hampshire at the rate of - $8 - Dollars - 00 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Oct 1833 and sent to Mrs. W Edwards  Keno  N.H.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $120.00 Rem-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 - 24.00 $144.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. Addison Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 1st Page 110

Declaration of Bela Prouty of Chesterfield N.H. Chester Co 15620
Hon H. Hubbard Present

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE.
On this Eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, Before the Hon Aaron Matson Judge of probate for said County of Cheshire -
now sitting, Bela Prowse a resident of Cheshire in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged 71 years last Dec r 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
 1. 1 st Jan 1777 volunteered in Capt. Tuckers Co for 2 months attached to no Regiment was stationed at Howland's Ferry R Island guarding the shores & dismissed at the close of the term - about the middle of June same year  2. volunteered again for 6 weeks Capt. Tuckers Co joined no Reg t stationed at a little below Howland's Ferry as before guarding the shores & dismissed there at the close of the time.  3. For Dec r same year took the place of his father who was drafted went in Capt. Brooks Comp y went to Cambridge to guard Burgoyne's troops who were prisoners there & dismissed in April 1779 served about four months  4. enlisted again 1 st June 1779 for 6 months in Capt. Curtis's Comp y (Col. Jacob's Reg t ) stationed at Nader's Ferry till 8 th of August then crossed onto R Island as did many of the batch under Gen l Sullivan's & retreated off with the other troops to Little Compton & remained there guarding the shores then marched up to Nader's Ferry above the first of Nov r remained there till Nov r term expired was dismissed there  was born in Scituate, Mass. A.D. 1761. No Record for age exactly it is in Scituate town book, - laid at Scituate when entered the service - went from Scituate to Westminster - & from the co to Col. Tuckers why I now live - I volunteered in the service - Col. Jacob's near my house & Gen l Carmichael my General - never received any written discharge - Benjamin Clapp & Josiah Hamblet my neighbours will testify to my veracity.
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 the Agency of any State.
Bela Prowse
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me Aaron Matson Judge of Probate

We, Benjamin Cross Josiah Hamblet both of Swansey Cheshire County
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Bela Prouty who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71. 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. & that said Prouty has lived within about one mile of us for 40 years. — Benjamin Cross Josiah Hamblet
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me Aaron Matson Judge of Probate 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 certi- fies, that it appears to them that Benjamin Cross and Josiah Hamblet who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of said Swansey, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. — Aaron Matson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Bela Prouty for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of August A.D. 1832
Asa Parker } Register of the Court of Probate

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss. On this eighth day of July 1833 Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Bale Prouty known to me as the identical person who has made oath to and subscribed the within declaration, who being now duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot positively state as to the precise length of his service but accor- ding to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grade -
For fourteen months and twelve days I served as a private - and for such service I claim a pension. -
Bale Prouty
Subscribed Sworn to
Before me Thomas M. Edwards Jus Peace
Attest July 9. 1833,
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Judicial Court in said county certify that Thomas M. Edwards is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that the fore- going is his signature. In testimony whereof I have unto office the Seal of said Superior Court of Judicature.
S. Hale, Clerk

682 New Hampshire Concord Mary Prouty widow of Bella Prouty Maj who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 48 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
3 rd February 1853 Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of June 1855 and sent to
L. D. Stevens Concord N.H.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 22, 1848, Page 20 Vol. 0
1832
Reg 3 m 55-71971
G. H. Starkweather, (Return's pension Coll.) Aug 24/58.

W. Pruit

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord.
March 24, 1858
I hereby certify, That at the date of the annexed attestations, Larkin Baker was a Judge of Probate for the county of Cheshire and Justice of the Peace and Quorum throughout the State in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, the date above written.
John G. Wadley Secretary of State.

State of New Hampshire - County of Cheshire ss. On this Sixteenth day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty three, 1853, personally appeared before me the Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County. Mary Prouty a resident of Keene in said County & State, aged eighty six years, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed February 3. 1853. That she is the widow of Bela Prouty who was a private in the war of the Revolution, that at his death he was in receipt of pension from the United States at the rate of forty eight dollars per annum payable at the Concord N.H. Pension Agency. She further Swears that she was married to the said Bela Prouty on the _____ day of _____ in the year Eighteen hundred and _____ in the town of Chesterfield in said County and State, that her name before her said marriage was Mary Olcott , that her aforesaid husband died in said Chesterfield on the _____ day of _____ in the year A.D. 1836. That she was married as stated, and was a widow at the passage of the act, and is still a widow, and that she has never before made an application for a pension, that there is no record of marriage
Witnesses: Mary Alcott Mary her X Prouty mark
Sworn to and subscribed Before me the day and year first above written, and I certify that said Mary Prouty from old age and bodily infirmity is unable to appear in open Court.
Sarkin Baker Judge of Probate,

We William Olcott and Mary Olcott of Neene in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire. depose and say. that Mary Prouty who is applying for pension under the act of February 3. 1853. is the lawful widow of Bela Prouty a Revolutionary Pensioner, deceased, and has ever remained a widow since the death of said Bela Prouty. which happened in the year A.D. 1836. the day and month we cannot fix on with certainty.
The said William Olcott further swears that he was at the wedding and witnessed the marriage of Mary Olcott to Bela Prouty aforesaid. That he cannot state precisely but thinks they were married sometime about the year A.D. 1824. That he is positive that the marriage did not take place prior to the year 1800. but did take place subsequent to that period, and within a few years of the time above stated.
The said Mary Blcott further declares, that she knows well the fact that said marriage took place many years since the year 1800, and that Mary Prouty is the second wife of said Bela Prouty, by the fact that they lived together as husband and wife and were so taken and accepted by their friends.
sworn to and subscribed before me March 16, 1853. And I certify that said Affiants are credible witnesses & that I have no interest in the result of this Case. Larkin Baker Justice of the Peace Judge of Probate

I Sarkin Baker Judge of Probate for the County of Cheshire do certify that Mary Prouty is a respectable inhabitant of this County and is in my belief the same person she represents herself to be in the foregoing Declaration.
Sarkin Baker Judge of Probate

71.9713 } Act March 3/53 - Mary Prouty, wid: Bela. Mary Prouty Widow of Bela Prouty, phys.
War of the Revolution Applicant is not a Person under Act July 3 1833 & 1834 to evidence or file
Mass. State Hosp.
13 1/2 No. 6 July 53-682 160 Acres Dec. 28/53 B. Prouty
G. F. Starkweather Keene N.H.
Civ. G. F. Starkweather Oct. 20/1855.
Vol P. page 140.

Mary Fronty's Claim Act March 3, 1855
71,971
By her Attorney G. S. Starkeather Ebene M. H.

State of New Hampshire.
CHESHIRE COUNTY.
Leonard Bisco CLERK of the Court of Common Pleas, of said State for said County, do hereby certify that Amos Richardson
before whom the annexed declaration and affidavit were made us at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly authorized by law to take depositions and administer oaths, and that his signature thereto are genuine, in my belief
In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, this Twenty eighth day of March 18 55
Leonard Bisco Clerk.

We William Olcott of Revere and Hannah Olcott of Swansey both in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire upon our oaths declare that Mary Prouty signed & acknowledged the attached declaration in our presence, and from her appearance and statements and our knowledge of the facts we believe her to be the identical person she represents herself to be, and we further declare that she is a widow, and that Beler Prouty with whom she lived as his lawful wife & was so reputed, is dead and died about the time she states as we believe
William Olcott
Hannah Olcott
Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty eighth day of March 1855, and I certify that I know said affiants to be credible persons - Amos Richardson Justice of the Peace

Mary Alcott

State of New Hampshire.
County of Cheshire SS. On this Twenty eighth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appearing before the subscriber, a justice of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid, Mary Prouty aged Eighty eight years, a resident of Keene in the State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the identical person to whom a Certificate to whom a Land Warrant, No. for pension for 48 dollars per ann.  was was issued under the provisions of the act of Congress, passed September 2, 1850  on the 3rd February 1853.  Recorded in the  Pension Office on the  Roll of pensioners under said  Act. Page 20, Vol. 6.
She further declares that he hereby irrevokably constitutes and appoints G. F. Stackweather of Keene N. H.  his true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim for Bounty Land under the act hereinafter mentioned,
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which she may be entitled under the Act passed March 3, 1855. That she has not heretofore applied for nor has ever received bounty land under any act, that she is the widow of Bela Prouty deceased who was a private in the war of the Revolution and continued in said war more than fourteen days & was honorably discharged, that she was married to said Bela in Chesterfield N.H. in the year 1824 that her name was Mary Olcott , that said Bela died in the year 1836, she refers to her application for pension & other evidence on file in the office of the Comr. of Pensions, that she is still a widow
Attest: William Olcott Hannah Olcott
Mary X Prouty mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me. And I hereby certify that I believe the said Mary Prouty to be the identical person she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration, and of the age above stated. and I have no interest in this claim
James Richardson Justice of the Peace.

1015640 Bela Root Northamptonshire
Thurs 14 March 1893
4 52 2/9 6 24
5.4 2 94 06
May 11. 1893
P. 390
16.64 1.33
18.00
The M Edwards Esq.
Keene
N H
Keene St Hubbard
Charlestown
N H

BRIEF in the case of Abel Root County of Cheshire in the State of New Hampshire (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? 71 years  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 1777 1 " 2 " 12 Private Gen. Sullivan Capt. Turner .   Sub. " " 2 " 1 " 12 Same,   Enlisted + 3 about 5 Capt. Brooks   Enlisted 4 6 Capt. Curtis Col. Jacobs  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? in Battle at R. Island,  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chesterfield New Hampshire  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
* 3 - he says he served about 5 months in this tour but it does not appear that his term was more than 4 mo -
J. W. Lyett Examining Clerk.

Amica 153. Not H, BO pth

71971
Mary and Bela Dunton N.H. 682
PAID
Hon. Julian Minot Com. of Pensions Washington D.C.

✓ 13,429
S
Neo Amos

FREE
FREE
Hon. Loren P. Waldo Committee of Pensions Washington D.C.

April 8, 1853
Ms 978 App t of Mary Prouty widow of Bela Prouty
Cheshill: N.H. 21/7/53
Act 3 rd Jany 1853 148 th per annum Commencing Feb. 3 rd 1853. Re: 
D. D. Stevens Concord N.H.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business

Very  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4312
Mary Grouity Wid.
Bela Grouity Pat. Rev. War
Act: Feb. 8953
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 139
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pension Office.
6 th June. 1853.
Sir. Be pleased to inform me, to what time, Bela Prouty, a private in the War of the Revolution, & inscribed upon the New Hampshire roll at the rate of $48. 00 per Annum, was paid. He was paid at the Concord N. H. Agency, I think.
I have the honor to be, Sir. Respectfully, Your Obt. Servt., S. M c Leod Commissioner.
Paid to 4 th Sept. 1836.
F. Burch Auditor.
Francis Root Esq r . Third Auditor of the Treasury.

Concord N.H. April 5-1853
Sir
With this I forward you the application of Mary Pranty wid. of Bela Pranty, for Pension under the Act of February 3 1853
Very Respectfully Yours Off Sert C D Stevens

15640
Bela Prouty
Phase return to J. M. Edwards Keene N.H.
Rev. H. Hubbard Charleston N.H.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Widow Portner 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? 2 Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? ex
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? Living Witness
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? 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? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? ex
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Answered
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, deposeh 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.

Prouty

Brief in the case of Mary Pranty, Widow of Bela, Cheshire County and State of New Hampshire. act 3 d February, 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase." )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Dysart was a pensioner, under the act of 1 st June, 1832. Marriage proven by parole proof, certified to be credible.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
J. D. Stevens Esq re . Concord, N. H.
Name and residence of Agent
E. C. Boynton, Examining Clerk.

Claim of Mary Peontz widow of Bela Peontz No. 71.971
Additional Evidence
By G. F. Starkweather Keene N.H.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston. (December 21 st 1855.
W ereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Bela Frosty is borne on pay roll of Capt. Amos Sumner's (Comp. Col. Pitkin's) Regt. from April 11. 1777. R. Island Service, 2 mos. 6 days, as private. Also on pay roll of Capt. Calvin Curtis' (Comp. Col. John Jacobs) Regt. from June 29 th to Dec. 15. 1779 6 mos. 6 days, as private, from Scituate.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. M. Wainwright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Deho for Belle Prouty -

I James Lincoln of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged eighty years on oath do testify and say that in the year 1777, I think in the first part of the month of June Ble Prouty of Chesterfield in the County of Cheshire in the State of New Hampshire entered with me as a private the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution for the term of six months in the Company commanded by Colen Curtis, the Lieut was Ruben Rose, the Ensign I have forgotten, Nathaniel Brooks was Orderly Sergeant, said Company marched from Scituate to Rhode Island and served the whole of said term there except the last part of the time at Rhode's Ferry. The said Ble Prouty served the whole of said term of six months and was discharged with me the first day of January then following and marched home to said Scituate, and further saith not —
James Lincoln
Plymouth ss. July 25. 1832 Then the above named James Lincoln made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true before me — Ebenezer T. Fogg — Just Peace
I certify that the above deponent is a credible witness
Ebenezer T. Fogg — Just Peace

Committee of Merchants
Respectfully I inform you that the business of the the several members of the committee met therein I hope to be able to show that the amount was soon in a position to be paid for the time being I am sure that the money that is now in his hand is a good security. It is being sent I have been to tell my friends and I am sure the due of the Supreme Judicial Court on the eighth day of July. The sum of money is now in the hands of the Treasurer and that is all.
William B
John for Ble Prouty -

Mrs Prouty Mary Prouty's claim
By her Attorney G. H. Starkweather Keene N.H.

State of New Hampshire.
County of Cheshire ss - On this ninth day of June A.D. 1858 before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the County & State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary Prouty and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of Bela Prouty who was a private soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and that she is now receiving from the United States a pension at the rate of forty eight dollars per annum, under the 2 d Section 1 st act of February 3. 1853.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Cheshire ss. Probate Office.
I, CALVIN MAY, JR., Register of the Court of Probate for said County, do certify that Ralph J. Holt whose genuine signature is affixed to the foregoing Certificate of acknowledgment  oath was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to take such acknowledgment  oath and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such Justice.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court, at Keene, this third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty Eight .
Calvin May Jr

State of New Hampshire.
County of Cheshire ss - On this ninth day of June A.D. 1858 before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the County & State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary Prouty and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of Bela Prouty who was a private soldier, in the war of the Revolution, and that she is now receiving from the United States a pension at the rate of forty eight dollars per annum, under the 2 d section of the act of February 3, 1853. -
That she asks for such arrears of her pension as she may be entitled to under any and all Acts & Resolutions of Congress applicable to her case, that she is now a resident of Keene in said State of N.H. and remains a widow,
Witness -
Mary Board
Ralph H. Holt
her
Mary X Prouty mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me. And I certify that the said affiant is the identical person she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit, and she is a widow, and I am disinterested -
Ralph H. Holt, Justice of the Peace.