Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,655, for Nathan Richard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Richard Nathan Richards or
S 17655
carded
CONTENTS

Susp d . See letter to P. Capt. 11 March 1835 - Do. to same & M. Clafham May 23. 1835 - pay & resumed June 22 d 1835. See aft filed with N o 15379.
74 M o 1835
15388
Massachusetts
Nathan Richards of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col Daggett in the _____ time for 7 M s 12 Days
M c
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of 24 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of June 1832 and sent Hon J. S. Woodhull President
Arrears to the 4th of March 1830 $49.32 Semi-annual allowance ending 21 Sept. 12.33
$61.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. M c Blain Clerk, Book 4, Vol. 2, Page 72.

10288
Nathan Richards
Due at 7 Mo 12 days
14 06
May 4 1833
P 372
$24.66
A Mapes Esq Taunton Mass

10.288
BRIEF in the case of Nathan Richards of Attleborough in the State of Mass s (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  How old is he? 72 years  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.     1 st Jan y . In 1778 ✓ 1 3 Private Capt. Dazgetts Reg t } mil a Capt. Wilmarth Co y } Rifles   Summer of d o . ✓ 42 d o Capt. Robinsons Co y mil a   Summer or Fall 1781 ✓ 3 d o Capt. Barney Co y — d o   * Rec. on roll.  
 In what battles was he engaged? none  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Attleborough Mass s  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by one Witness — & the traditional evidence of two others — one a clergyman — the latter certified to be credible persons  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
C. L. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

10. 288 Nathan Richards
N.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol ss.
August 13, 1832
I Obed Robinson of Attleborough in the County of Bristol do hereby certify and say that Nathan Richards of said Attleborough entered the service of the Revolution with me in January first A.D. 1778 and served three full months we were stationed at Warwick State of Rhode Island in Capt. Moses Witherth's Company Col. John Doyette's Regt. of Militia State Service and said Richards was honorably discharged about the first day of April following. And also that the said Nathan Richards served with me another campaign in what was called Sullivan's Expedition on Rhode Island in the Summer of A.D. 1778 six weeks under Capt. Samuel Robinson's Company Col. Whitman's Regt. And also that the said Nathan Richards served with me another campaign at West Point on the Hudson River three months in Capt. Barnas Company, Militia. In the Summer of A.D. 1781 he served three full months and was honorably discharged.
Obed Robinson
I certify that Nathan Richards was born in the town of Attleborough January 1 th A.D. 1760 as it appears by the town Records
Ebenezer Briggs Esq. Clerk
and I do hereby certify that he is a respectable man and a credible witness.
Nathan Clappin Justice of the Peace
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Asa Russell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol ss. — August 13 th 1832
I Obed Robinson of Attleborough in the County of Bristol do hereby certify that Nathan Richards of said Attleborough entered the service of the Revolution with me in January first A.D. 1778 and served three full months we were stationed at Warwick State of Rhode Island in Capt. Moses Williams Company Col. John Doyger's Regt. of Militia State Service and said Richards was honorably discharged about the first day of April following. And also that the said Nathan Richards served with me another campaign in what was called Sullivan's Expedition on Rhode Island in the Summer of A.D. 1778 six weeks under Capt. Samuel Robinson Company Col. Whitman's Regt. And also that the said Nathan Richards served with me another campaign at Westpoint on the Hudson River three months in Capt. Barnes Company, Militia In the Summer of A.D. 1781 he served three full months and was honorably discharged.
Obed Robinson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol ss. — August 13 th 1832.
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Obed Robinson before me
Noah Clark Justice of Peace
Bristol ss May 16 th 1833
This may certify that the Subscriber is well acquainted with Obed Robinson who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition and that he is a respectable man and a credible witness.
Noah Clark Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol ss August 13 th 1832
I Samuel Dyer of Attleborough in said County of Bristol of the age of 78 years having been duly sworn do testify and say that John Ellis of Attleborough aforesaid entered the service
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Be it known that I James Dyer, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Nathaniel Dyer whose signature is affixed to the within certificate, is a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two James Dyer

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. Katharine Richards
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Sept. 4, 1832. H. Baylies, Judge of Probate We the John Ferguson a clergyman, residing in the town of Littleborough.
and Noah Claplin, residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Richards who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
John Ferguson Noah Claplin
H. Baylies, 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 abovenamed appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that John Ferguson, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Littleborough; and that Noah Claplin who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate for the county of Bristol do hereby certify
the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Nathan Richards for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Anselm Bassett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Bristol ss.
On this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable H. Baylies Judge of the Court of Private - now sitting at Fauntler  in and for said County, Nathan Richands - a resident of Attleborough in said County, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Attleborough in the County of Bristol on the first day of January A. D. 1760, and that there is a record of his birth : that he was in the United States service from the first day of January A. D. 1778, to the first day of April A. D. 1778 as a Private in the Militia or Rifle Corps : that he was residing at Attleborough in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts when he entered the service ; that he Enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Moses Wilmarth of Said Attleborough Col. John Doyeggs Regiment : that he marched from Attleborough to Providence from Providence to Warwick from thence to Lendres of place in that vicinity : that he served at Said Warwick with Colonel Robinson through Said time  of the regular troops ; and  the above named  regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge : that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Said Attleborough
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the  the  first day of January A. D. 1778, to the  the  twentieth day of April A. D. 1778 as a Private in the Militia : that he was residing at Said Attleborough when he entered the service ; that he Enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Samuel Robinson of the Same Attleborough : that he marched from Attleborough to Rehoboth from thence to Rehoboth from thence to Rhode Island over the time : that he served at these last places with Col. Mather's Regt  of the regular troops ; and  the above named  regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge.
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the  the  first day of January A. D. 1778, to the  the  twentieth day of April A. D. 1778 as a Private in the Rifle Corps or Militia : that he was residing at Attleborough when he entered the service ; that he Enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Barney : that he marched from Attleborough to Springfield from thence to Litchfield from thence to Westport : that he served at Westport with Colonel Robinson & others  of the regular troops ; and  the above named  regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received a written discharge. but it cannot be found

17655
New York
✓ INVALID.
File No. 17655
Nathan Richards
Pa. Ave NW
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 442
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Nathan Richards
78. Capt. Wilmarth - 2mo. Vol 24. p 117- 2mo 25 79. S. Robinson 1. 12 3. 107- 1 14- 81. Barney 3- 1 91-

Personally appeared before me the under signed a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts Nathan Richards of Milborne in said County who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that in answer to the 2 nd interrogatory prescribed by the war department there is a record of his birth in the records of the Town of Milborne as published of the Town Clerk answered to his declaration
In answer to the 4 th he saith that he was drafted by the first and Second Times & the third he enlisted to fill for the above services he claims a pension In answer to the 7 th he refers to Rev. John Ferguson and Dea. Chaplin Esq. whose names are affixed to the Certificate answered to said declaration Nathan Richards
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol May 1833
Personally appeared Nathan Richards and subscribed and swore to the truth of the above before me
David Chaplin Justice of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Bristol ss. I Andrew Burnett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that David Chaplin Esq. whose signature is affixed to the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly qualified to administer oaths - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty first day of May A.D. 1833 Andrew Burnett

10.288
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 Nathan Richards which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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?
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?
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?
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?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2 nd 4 th 7 th not 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, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
14. Supplied 17 See additional Affidavit