Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11256, for Charles Powers, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Powers, Charles
S 11256
CONTENTS
carded

1844. New Hampshire Charles Powers
of Allen in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Chapin of the Inf y commanded by Col Chapin in the Inf y time for 1 Year
* Mass. Line. Records corrected Apr. 3/05. f.
Inscribed on the Roll of N.H. at the rate of 40 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Nov 1832 and sent to Eastman Farmington N.H.
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $ 60 -- Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 20 -- $ 80 --
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. No. Blair Clerk, Book D. Vol. 157 Page 176 .
Letter to T. Rust 27 th April 1839.
See letter to Wm B. Parker Esq. 24. 1834
Duplicate Certificate issued 30 May 1839 and sent to Thomas Rust Esq Wolfboro N.H.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832-
State of New-Hampshire } ss. At a Court of Probate held County of Strafford } at Rochester in said County
On the fifteenth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Rochester in said County of Strafford, Charles Powers a resident of Alton in said County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire aged seventy 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 th 1832-
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - In the year 1778 he was a soldier in the Company of Captain Montague, attached to the regiment of Col. Chapin of the Massachusetts Troops. That he engaged to serve three months and did so serve - That the regiment in which he served was marched to Albany in the State of New York and at the end of three months was discharged - That no written discharge was given him -
That in 1780 he enlisted as a soldier for six months for the purpose of filling up the Continental Army - passed muster at Greenwich in said State of Massachusetts in the month of June in that year - was marched to Springfield, there drew rations, and then went to West-Point in the State of New York - that after being at said last mentioned place a short time he was selected to serve in a Company of Light Infantry, which Company was commanded by Capt. Daniel Shae, and was attached to Col. Shephard's regiment - in Gen. Lafayette's Division - That during the service that season they marched to New-Jersey and after various movements they
returned to West-Point for winter quarters - that while the army was generally in quarters he was with a few others selected and sent out under the orders of a Lieutenant for the purpose of scouting and protecting the inhabitants in the surrounding country while they were threshing their wheat - that at the same time he had enlisted as above mentioned to serve six months he thinks there were twelve others enlisted from the same town, Greenwich, - that when he returned to West-Point the aforesaid townsmen of his were discharged

of light Infantry, which Company was commanded by Capt. Daniel Shae , and was attached to Col. Shepard's regiment - in Gen. Lafayette's Division - That during the service that season they marched to New-Jersey and after various movements they returned to West-Point for winter quarters - that while the army was generally in quarters he was with a few others selected and sent out under the orders of a Lieuten- ant for the purpose of scouting and protecting the in- habitants in the surrounding country while they were threshing their wheat - that at the same time he had enlisted as above mentioned to serve six months he thinks there were twelve others enlisted from the same town, Greenwich, - that when he returned to West Point, the aforesaid townsmen of his were discharg- ed and gone home - that he thinks he was absent from the Camp in this scouting party two months or more that soon after he returned there to the Camp he was honorable discharged in writing but by whom that discharge was signed is not by him recollected - that he then being a minor he gave said Discharge to his father - that his father has long been dead - that he does not know where said Discharge is if it is in ex- istence - that the time of his return home he does not definitely recollect but believes it must have been the latter part of Feb. or the first part of March 1781 -
That in August 1781 he was hired by the town of South Hadley to serve as a soldier for three months - that he joined the Company of Capt. Matoon at- tached to the regiment of Col. Sears of the Massachu- setts troops - that they were marched to Saratoga, and after various services at Fort Edwards and other places, the times of the troops generally being out they were dismissed by regimental orders -
The said Charles Powers further states that according to the best information he has he was born at said Greenwich on the 1 st day of Feb. 1762 - that he resided in said Greenwich when he entered the service as above stated - that since that time he has lived in various places in Massachusetts, Maine, & New-Hampshire, but for some time now last-past has resided where he does at this time at Alton aforesaid - that he has no re- cord of his age - that he is acquainted with the

the latter part of Feb. or the first part of March 1780 That in August 1781 he was hired by the town of South Hadley to serve as a soldier for three months - that he joined the Company of Capt. Mattoon at tacked to the regiment of Col. Sears of the Massachusetts troops - that they were marched to Saratoga, and after various services at Fort Edwards and other places, the times of the troops generally being out they were dismissed by regimental orders -
The said Charles Powers further states that according to the best information he has he was born at said Greenwich on the 1 st day of Feb. 1762 - that he resided in said Greenwich when he entered the service as above stated - that since that time he has lived in various places in Massachusetts, Maine, & New Hampshire, but for some time now last past has resided where he does at this time at Alton aforesaid - that he has no re- cord of his age - that he is acquainted with the
Mrs. William Buzgell of Maduelon and Joseph Boody of New Durham to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood, and who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution - He further states that he does not at this time know of any living witness to his services aforesaid, but if any are alive they are very remote from him; and he is too poor and too infirm to undertake the great labour of procuring them evidence -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion or an 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 & year aforesaid - Charles Powers
The Rev. William Buzgell residing in Middleton and the Rev. Joseph Boody residing in New Durham certify that they are well acquainted with Charles Powers who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that they believe him to be seventy years of age - that he is respected and beloved, in the neighbourhood where he re- sides to have been a soldier of the revolution that they concur in that opinion - Sworn to as per affidavit by said Buzgell, and sworn to and subscribed by said Joseph Boody -
And the said Court do hereby declare its 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 certifies that it ap-

Rev. William Bwygel of Middleton  New Driham to whom he is Brother of New Driham known in his present neighbourhood, and who can testify to his character for veracity and the belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. He further states that he does not at this time know of any living witness to his services aforesaid, but if any are alive they are very remote from him; and he is too poor and too infirm to undertake the great labour of procuring them evidence - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion or an 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 & year aforesaid - Charles Powers
The Rev. William Bwygel residing in Middleton and the Rev. Joseph Boody residing in New Driham Certify that they are well acquainted with Charles Powers who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that they believe him to be seventy years of age - that he is respected and beloved, in the neighbourhood where he re- sides to have been a soldier of the revolution that they concur in that opinion - Sworn to as per affidavit by said Bwygel, and sworn to and subscribed by said Joseph Boody -
And the said Court do hereby declare its 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 certifies that it ap- pears to them that William Bwygel who signed said affidavit is a Clergyman resident in the town of Mid- dleton in said County of Stafford and that Joseph Boody who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in New Driham in said County, and are cre- dible persons and that their statement is entitled to be adit Daniel Calthrop Judge of Probate

Charles P. 1771-1848
State of New Hampshire Shoffars I James Bartlett Reg of the Probate Court for the said County of Shoffars do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Charles P. for a pension Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this 15th day of September A.D. 1832
James Bartlett Reg

Charles Powers N.Y. 1791
C. K. Eastman Farmington N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of  Charles Powers  of  Alton  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? 70 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.     In 1778 " 3 " Private Capt. Montague Col. Chaplin   180 " 6 " " Capt. Leffingwell Col. Sherard   Aug — 81 " 3 " " Capt. Estlin Col. Stearns  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Grenwich Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence  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.
L. H. Foster Examining Clerk.

1917 July 5. Hist. to E. L. Powers. P.
Rev. Han
11256
INVALID.
File No. 11256
Charles Powers
Rev. Rev. Han
Act: June 7 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 800
[Arrangement of 1870.]

APPLICATION FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE.
County of Strafford
ss.
On this sixth day of May 1839, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Strafford personally appeared Charles Powers who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Daniel Chase in the regiment commanded by Colonel Shepard in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New Hampshire that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate, on or about the fourth day of September 1838 at or near Wolfborough in said county of Strafford he left the same with Thomas Rust , since which time I have not seen the said certificate, nor cannot find it
Sworn and subscribed to, before } me, the day and year aforesaid. }
Charles Powers
Joseph Farnar Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Strafford
NOTES.—The last four blanks are left for the applicant to set forth the time, place, and manner of the loss or destruction of the original certificate.
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
□ If the pensioner has never received a formal certificate, but has drawn his pension on a mere notification, as was the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in italics , and insert, in lieu thereof, " but has never received a formal certificate, and now wishes to obtain one. "
The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, under his seal of office, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be.
When a person acting as an Agent or Attorney for a Pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also required, which must be authenticated as above.
□ 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 be sent with 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 which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.
□ No attention will be given to applications from persons who act as agents, unless they are known at the War Department or are vouched for as respectable persons by some one who is known to the Department.

Thomas Rust of Wolfborough in the County of Strafford do depose and say, that on or about the fourth day of September A.D. 1838, Charles Paine of New Durham in said County, affidavit unto me his pension certificate, for the purpose of my receiving his pension for the six months then previous, which I also received for him. He again requested me on or about the fourth day of March now last to obtain his pension there due from said fourth day of Sept. and on searching my desk and papers for his certificate, I could not find it - I have made a diligent & thorough search for it since that time, and cannot find it, and I know not where it is - I further say, that Charles Paine, to whom affidavit this affidavit is offered, is the identical Charles Paine named in said pension certificate last as aforesaid - That I well know him to be the same person named described in said affidavit - Thomas Rust
Strafford County ss. May 13. 1839
Sworn to & subscribed Before me Joseph Gannar Justice of the Peace
Strafford ss.
I certify that Thomas Rust the above deponent is a person of veracity Joseph Gannar Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Shafford County ss. I Francis Coognell Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said County hereby certify that Joseph Farrar's signature is a true copy as is stated on the annexed affidavits and that the signature to the same purporting to be his are in my belief genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and Seal of Office this thirteenth day of May 1839-
F Coognell Clerk

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Charles Powers , 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. 11,256
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1778 3 mos. Private Montague Chapin Mass.   June 1780 8 mos. Daniel Shay (captured) Shepard   Aug. 1781 3 mos. Mather Scars        
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Greenwich, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept 15, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Alton, Strafford Co., N.H.
Age at date of application, Feb 1, 1762 Greenwich, Mass.
Remarks: in 1839 he was of Alton, Strafford Co., N.H. He was referred to as "Dr. Charles Powers". There is no family data on file.
Respectfully,
Referred to as "Dr. Charles Powers". + Service not verified by Mass. records - J
Commissioner.

Charles Powers Apr 10. 1791
Private 1 year admitted $40
$40
N. Eastman Farmington N.H.

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Charles Powers which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? Y II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides ? Y 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 ? Y 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 ? Y VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations ? Y VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832 ? Y VIII. Has the Court given their opinion ? Y IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate ? Y 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 ? Y

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 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? 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 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.

Enquiry ?
James L Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington.

Portsmouth N. H. April 15 th 1834
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir:
I made a declaration under the Act of 1832 as to Revolutionary Services, to which I beg leave to refer and stated that I served 14 months; and rec d a pension Certificate N o . 18444 dated the 12 Nov 1832 signed by John Robb Post Secy of War for $40 per Annum: The purpose of this is to enquire, if there has not been some mistake, as I understand that 40 dollars per Annum is the pension awarded for 12 months services and to request if there be a mistake, that my present certificate may be cancelled and a new one granted me for the full 14 months service as claimed.
Any communication that you may deem proper to make to this enquiry, I should be glad would be addressed to William B. Parker Notary public Portsmouth N.H.
I am Sir Respectfully Your Ob t Servant
Charles Soucy of Alton, New Hampshire

Rev. L. L. Jones June 24, 17 Marion, Alabama - June 24, 17
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: Kindly notify me if there is any record in your office of Charles Powers or Ebenezer Powers or their widows. They were in the war of the Revolution and probably resided in New Hampshire, possibly in Massachusetts.
One of them died while a

prisoner of the British in New York.
Thanking you, I am very truly yours
G. L. Powers

I Charles Powers of New Durham in the county of Strafford & State of New Hampshire testify and say that I am a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, that I left my Pension Certificate in the hands of Thomas Rust on the 4 th of September last, since which time I have not had said certificate in my possession and know not where it is Charles Powers Sworn to Before me Joseph Ferrar Justice of the Peace Wolfborough March 22. 1839
I Thomas Rust of Wolfborough depose and say that Charles Powers left his Pension Certificate with me on the 4 th of September last, that I have made search among all my Papers but cannot find said certificate and I do not know where it is, but believe the same to be lost
Thomas Rust
Strafford ss April 9 th 1839
Sworn to
Before me
Joseph Ferrar Justice of the Peace

William Bryzels affidavit -

I William Buzzell a clergyman residing in the town of Middleton in the County of Strafford & State of New Hampshire hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Dr Charles Powers who is an applicant for a pen- sion under an act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 entitled "An act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the Revolution;" that I believe him to be seventy years of age That he is reputed & believed in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion The said Charles Powers is a resident in the town of Alton State & County aforesaid
William Buzzell
State of New Hampshire -
Strafford p. Sept. 10. 1832 Then the above named Wil- iam Buzzell personally appeared and made solemn oath affirmation that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just and true before me -
Nehemiah Eastman Jrs. Plan
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss I James Bartlett Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Nehemiah Eastman whose name is above signed is a Justice of the peace for said County of Strafford - In witness whereof I have caused the Seal Official to be hereunto annexed this 15 th day of September A. D. 1832
James Bartlett Reg t

State of New Hampshire
Strafford p. Sept. 15 1832 - It is hereby certified that I am well acquainted with the within Will- iam Burdett, and know that his reputa- tion for truth is good -
Nehemiah Eastman Jr. Notary

Wolfson P.H. 3 April 10 3
free
ap. 16 N.Y. Whitman
Hon. J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Wolfboro April 9 th 1839
Sir, I enclose the within affidavit and would request you to send another certificate for Mr Powers
Yours resp y
Thomas Best