Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8957, for John Philpot, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 56
Philpot, John
S. 8957
barded
CONTENTS

10.767. New Hampshire
John Philpot
as Stafford in the State of N H who was a Sergt in the company commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Col Poor in the N H time for 3 Mos 8 Days  Sergt 8 " 12 " Private
Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 44 Dollars 31 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Apr 1833 and June 3 hrs to Sawyer Dose  N H
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 88.62 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 22.15 $110.77
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 1 , Page 110 .

12,088
John Phelps
Sergt 3 Mo 48 day
Prnk 8 12  71 20
14 ob-
Jan 10 1833
$421.31.
Page 200
Thomas E. Sawyer Esq
James Brattle
Dover
N H

12,088
BRIEF in the case of  Geo Phelps of Somersworth,  vs Stafford  in the State of  New Hampshire  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? as court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 75—  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.     June '75— last of Jan '76 7 private Capt. Wentworth— Col. Poor   77— Sept. Nov— X 3 8 Sergt Capt. Libby— Col. Ewing   76 Nov — 21 12 Substitute Capt. Salter   X per Roll of Service  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Burgoyne's Surrender  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Somersworth  7. Is his statement supported by 4 living witnesses , by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Magistrate don't certify to witness' Credibility 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton Examining Clerk.

John Philpot
12.088
7

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
COUNTY OF STRAFFORD ss.—
COURT OF Probate
September TERM, 1832
ON this eighteenth day of September 1832, personally appeared before the Justices of Judges the said Court of Probate now in session at Dover within and for said County of Strafford, John Philpot a resident of Somersworth in said County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, aged Sixty five 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 enlisted in the army of the United States, in the year 1775 in the
and served as  Company of which Jonathan H. Smith was Captain, James Carr, Lieutenant & Jethro Heard Ensign, and on the nineteenth June in that year, marched from Somersworth with said Company, to Winter Hill near Boston & then joined the Regiment, commanded by Col. Enoch Poor, in the other field officers of the Regiment were Lt. Col. John M c Duffie, and Major Cilley — I remained at Winter Hill in the service till the last of January 1776, when I was discharged. I never received any written discharge. In 1777 I was drafted and attached to the Company of New Hampshire Militia, commanded by Capt. James Libby, in which John Roberts and Lieutenant Francis Warren, Ensign, and marched on the 25 th of September 1777 to Bemis' Heights & then joined the Regiment commanded by Col. Stephen Evans, and Lieut. Col. Thomas Bartlett. I was there at the surrender of Burgoyne & soon afterwards we marched to Albany & then to New Windsor, & was there during the latter of November following — I do not know of any person now living who was in said Company — In 1776 about the middle of November, I went to Fort Washington at Portsmouth in New Hampshire, & served there six weeks, as substitute for a soldier whose name I do not recollect; the fort was under the command of Lt. Col. John M c Duffie. The whole period of my service was about 11 months. I was born and always lived in said Somersworth.
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.
John Philpot
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, in open Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare the  its opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate
James Patten Clerk of the Court of Probate
for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Philpot for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this 18 th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
ATTEST—
James Patten

I John Philpot of Somersworth in the County of Stratford State of New Hampshire, in addition to what is set forth in my declaration made before the Court of Probate for said County on the 18 th of September 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. Further state, that I was born in said Somersworth on the first day of February 1757. I have not any record of my age, but in former years have seen such a record in some old family school book, but do know where it now is - While I was in the service at Winter Hill, there was a Regiment of Militia stationed in the neighborhood under the Command of Col. Reed the whole troops then were commanded by General Sullivan. - When, during the second period of my service, we arrived at Saratoga there had just been a battle or skirmish between the Americans & British & the latter were retreating, they were pursued and surrounded and in a few days afterward surrendered. I recollect then Col. Drake who commanded a Regiment of Militia I think. The reason why I have not procured the affidavit of a clergyman, is that the clergymen, who now reside in the vicinity, are all young men, who have lately been settled - I am known to Ichabod Rollins Ephraim Plumer, Amos Wallingford, and many others who can testify as to my service in their belief in my service as a soldier in the Revolution. I further state that I never received any written discharge at either

of the times of my service, I have no documentary evidence to prove my services -
John Philpot
State of New Hampshire.
Stratford 1 st April 3 rd 1833. I certify that the above named Joh. Philpot personally appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit - and I further certify that said Philpot is well known to me, that he sustains the character of a strictly honest man, and is entitled to full credit.
Thomas Glascop Justice of Peace.

Nov. 3, 1928.
Mrs. Donald T. Jackson, 1439 N. 17" St. Philadelphia, Penn.
Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3957, it appears that John Philpot was born February 1, 1757, at Somersworth, Strafford County, New Hampshire and while living there enlisted and served as a private in the New Hampshire Troops, as follows:
From June 19, 1775, to the last of January 1776 in Captain Jonathan Wentworth's Company, Colonel Enoch Poor's Regiment.
From November 1776, six weeks in Captain Titus Salter's Company.
From September 1777, to November 1777, in Captain James Libbey's Company, Colonel Stephen Evans' Regiment and was at the surrender of Burgoyne.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, while living at Somersworth, New Hampshire. There is no data on file as to family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

22-1907 - History to. Annie Wheeler South Berwick, Me.
Revman
8957 INVALID.
June- Miss.
1916 Feb. 22 Hist. to Mrs. Frances Lawyer. Letter sent to answer civil war inquiry. 1926. Nov. 3. History to Mrs. D. G. Jackson, au
File No. 8957
John Philpot Brn Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: - Vol. 102, Page 295
[Arrangement of 1870.]

12,088
John Philpot
James G. Smith Esq. Down 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 no Philpot 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? Yes 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? Yes 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?
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
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
Yes
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 5 1 2 5 7
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 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 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.

State of New Hampshire, Str. Hds. April 6. 1833
I hereby certify that, Amos Wallingford, Richard Philbrick, John Stiles and Moses Yeaton, whose affidavits are hereto annexed are personally known to me and that their reputation and standing is such as entitles their statements to full credit—
Thomas E. Sawyer Jus. Peace
Stratford. ss. April 6 th A.D. 1833
I James Bartlett Regs of the Court of Probate for said County hereby certify that Thomas E Sawyer above named is a justice of the peace for said County. and that the said Signature is the true & genuine Signature of the said Sawyer. the same having been made in my presence—
In witness Whereof I have hereto caused the Seal of said Court to be affixed the day & year above written
James Bartlett
Regs

State of New Hampshire Strafford ss I James Bartlett Regs of the Court of Probate for said County of Straf- ford. do hereby certify that Thomas E Sawyer whose name is subscribed to the certificates on the three papers hereto annexed is a justice of the peace for said County of Strafford and that the said signature is the proper & genuine signature of the said Sawyer the same having been made in my presence In testimony whereof I have caused the Seal of said Court to be affixed this 6 th day of April A.D. 1833.
James Bartlett Reg

Richard Philbott
affidavit

I Richard Philpot of Somersworth in the State of New Hampshire aged seventy seven years, testify and say, that in 1775, soon after the battle of Bunker Hill, John Philpot of said Somersworth marched from from Somersworth as a soldier in the Company commanded by Capt. Jonathan Merrittworth; I accompanied the Company to Winter Hill, near Boston, & then left said John Philpot with the army. He returned home in February following — The said John Philpot in 1776 was absent in the service of the United States as a soldier at Fort Washington at Paterson, New Hampshire several weeks — He again went into the service of the United States in September 1777 & joined the army in the State of State of New York was absent two or three months
Richard Philpot
Stratford Sept. 18. 1832 Subscribed & sworn to before me Thomas Savage - J. P.

I Amos Wallingford of Somersworth in the State of New Hampshire, aged seventy years testify and say, that in June 1775, very soon after the battle at Bunker Hill, I was present when the Company of Capt. Jonathan Wentworth were mustered & preparing to march to join the Army. I then saw John Philket of Somersworth in the ranks of said Company & afterwards I understood he marched to Winter Hill in Cambridge with the Company Amos Wallingford.
Stratford Sept. 18. 1832 Subscribed before Thomas E. Sawyer per Reuben
State of New Hampshire Shofford Jr. I James Backett Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County of Strafford do hereby certify that Thomas E. Sawyer whose name is subscribed to the certificates on the four preceding ob- jections is a justice of the Peace for said County of Strafford and that said signature is the proper signature of said justice. In witness whereof I have hereunto caused the official seal to be annexed this 18 th day of Sep- tember A.D. 1832
James Backett Clerk

Amos Waddington affidavit
[Faint, mirrored cursive text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

We Ichabod Rollins of Somersworth in the County of Strafford State of New Hampshire and Ephraim Plumer of Dover in said County, until within a few years past, residing in the immediate neighborhood of John Philpot of said Somersworth, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with said John Philpot, who has subscribed & sworn to the annexed affidavit, that we believe him to be twenty six years of age; that he is a man of truth and veracity, that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Ichabod Rollins
Ephraim Plumer
State of New Hampshire.
Strafford ss. April 6. 1833. Then the above named Ichabod Rollins and Ephraim Plumer, appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit before me. and I further certify that they are respectable persons and entitled to full credit.
Thomas E. Sawyer Justice Peace

I Moses Yeaton of Somersworth in the County of Strafford State of New Hampshire aged twenty eight years, testify and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, that in the year 1775 I was stationed at Winter Hill near Boston, & belonged to the Company of Capt. Moses Yeaton & in the Regiment of Col. Reed: I joined the army in December 1775: when I joined the army John Philpott of Somersworth was then as a soldier in Capt. Jonathan Mentworth's company in Col. Poor's Regi. ment and we both remained there in the service until the 1 st of February 1776. when we were both discharged. & returned home to Somersworth together Moses Yeaton
Stratford Up Sept. 18. 1832 Subscribed & sworn before me Thos. E. Sawyer Jus Peace

Mrs. Mealon David
John B. Mealon Sept 16 1835 J. B. Mealon
John B. Mealon

I Richard Lord, now of Dover in the County of Strafford State of New Hampshire, testify and say that John Philpot of Somersworth in said County of Strafford, was a Soldier in the United States Service in the Revolutionary War. - He served in the Company commanded by Jonathan Wentworth in Col. Enoch Poor's Regiment, at Winter Hill, so called, in the State of Massachusetts, in the year 1775. I know this, because I was a Soldier in the same Company. It was called the eight months' service. We marched together in that Company from said Somersworth on the 19 th of June 1775 & remained there until the last of December in the same year, when I returned home. - We had been enlisted some time before we marched from Somersworth as aforesaid & I am in the seventy eighth year of my age, Richard Lord
State of New Hampshire
Strafford April 6. 1833. Then the above named Richard Lord appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit before me. And I further certify that said Lord is of good standing & character & entitled to full credit -
Thomas E. Sawyer Jus Peace

I John Stiles of Somersworth in New Hampshire aged ninety five years, testify and say that I have been a neighbor to John Phelps of said Somersworth from childhood, that I recollect that said John Phelps was a soldier in the Company of Capt John Wentworth, of said Somersworth & marched with said Company from Somersworth to Winter Hill. I also recollect that said Phelps was a soldier at Fort Washington at Paxtontown, New Hampshire, several weeks. I also recollect that he was absent at another time during the war in the service of the United States.
John Stiles
Ex. H. 65 Sept. 18. 1832. Submitted & sworn to before me Thomas Edgerly Jr. Pres.

John Stiles
Skidmore
John Stiles Skidmore
3

OLD WAR & NAVY JUN 5 1897 FILES,
P.
B.
n

Rollineford, N. H. May 29th 1897.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir:
I would like to know what John Philpote's position was in the Revolutionary Army.
Before his death the name of the town of Somersworth was changed to Rollineford.
I remain,
Very respectfully, Annie Wheeler.

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
John Philpot.
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Somersworth, Stafford Co.
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Somersworth, Stafford Co.
Date of death (as near as possible):
December 15th, 1841.
Christian name of widow:
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He received a pension.
Remarks:
He married Kezia
Wentworth, but she
died before he did.
Your name and address:
(Miss) Annie Wheeler.
South Berwick.
Box 130. Maine.
N. H. N. H.

Ans. Nov. 3, 1926
Philadelphia, Pa. 1429 N. 17th St. September 21, 1926.
The Interior Department, Pension Office Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please send me the War Record of John Philpot of Collinsford, New Hampshire, who was in the Revolutionary War. Is there any record to show that he was an Officer or

a non-commissioned officer?
Very truly yours, Alta F. Jackson.
Mrs. Donald T. Jackson

Philadelphia, Pa.
1429 N. 17th St.
Oct. 31, 1926.
The Interior Dept., Pension Office Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send me the war record of John Philpot of Rollinsford, New Hampshire , who served in the Revolutionary War? Do the records show whether he was an Officer or a non-

Commissioned Officer? I wrote two months ago, but have received no reply. Do you require a fee for sending out such information? I would appreciate an early reply.
Very truly yours,
Alta F. Jackson
Mrs. Donald T. Jackson

Rev.
There is a modern letter claim which says Domersworth was changed to Pollingford

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
1.2.895-7
Mrs. Francis Sawyer Kittery Point, Maine
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Phelps 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 19 1775- Oct 1776 Pvt. Jonathan Root Enoch Poor N.H.   Nov. 1776 6 weeks Titus Salter   Sept. 1777 Nov. 1777 James Libbey Stephen Evans  
Battles engaged in, Surrender of Burgoyne Residence of soldier at enlistment, Somersworth N.H. Date of application for pension, Sept. 18. 1832 His cl. was al Residence at date of application, Somersworth, Stafford Co. N.H. Age at date of application, born at Somersworth N.H. Feb. 1. 1757 Remarks: No data on file as to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.