Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29993, for Elisha Murdock, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Murdock, Elisha
S. 29993
CONTENTS

21. 370 Massachusetts
Elisha Mowdick
of Worcester in the State of Mass. who was a Sergt. Re. in the Camp commanded by Captain Scaprove of the Regt. commanded by Col. Read on the Mass line for 5 M. 128 Sq. 11 " 15 " p.m. $26.44 38.33 $64.77 $129.54 32.38 $161.92
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 64 Dollars 77 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Sep. 1833 and unto B. Adams Wylbridge
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 161.92 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mo. 34 32.38 $194.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. A. Stiles Clerk, Book E Vol. 2, Page 51
78 March

9440 Elisha Murdock
Sept 5 Mrs 12 days Pur 11. 15—
16 06 May 10 1833 P. 390
25. 14 11 26. 44 160 5 37
Buy Adams Nashville, Tenn.

BRIEF in the case of  Elisha Murdock  of Worcester Co in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832)
9440
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76  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.     ap 75 - to 1 Jan 76 8 private Capt. Seagrave Col. Keed   Dec 76 3 " Capt. Baldwin Col. Dike   '78 1 12 Sergeant Capt. Whiting Col. Hawes   '80 15 private Capt. Read Col. Tyler   Aug 77 - Dec 77 4 ord'y Sgt Capt. Knapp Col. Cushing  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 
none mentioned
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
St. George
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
4 living witnesses
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The papers not properly authenticated
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton Examining Clerk. 16 Feb 1833

Worcester ss
Commonwealth of Massachusetts I Theophilus Whelan Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify that since I made my certificate relating to this case bearing date 28 th August 1832, an affidavit dated sworn to before the Judge of Probate and submitted 28 th May 1833 by Elisha Murdock, has been produced in Court, and that the papers now connected by ribbon under the seal of the said Court, are the proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Murdock for a Pension - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this 29 th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three -
Theophilus Whelan Reg of said Court
Very sincerely yours friend
0 17 116

Declaration, In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester ss. On this Twenty Eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court before N. A. the Prngs. Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
now sitting Elisha Murdock a resident of the bridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy six 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, in the following officers as herein stated, to wit, That in the month of April 1775 he enlisted in Capt. Edward Scagrove's Company, in the Regiment of Col. Joseph Hoad, L t Col. Clapp & Major (Colonel Smith) were field officers in said Regiment, the enlistment was for eight months & he served from the first of May 1775 to the first of January 1776, during which time he was stationed at Roxbury near Boston in said State - That in December in the year 1776 he enlisted for the term of three months in the Company of Colonel Samuel Baldwin, in the Regiment of Col. Dike, & he served out said term of three months, at Dorchester near Boston in said State - That in the year 1778, he enlisted & went to the State of Rhode Island, on what is called Sullivan's expedition & served six weeks in the Company commanded by Capt. Caleb Whiting, in the

Regiment of Col. Hawes, he went to Newport on Rhode Island, & was on the Island three weeks before he & the Regiment retreated off the Island before the British troops; During which time of service he was a Sergeant - That he the said Murdock was called out on an alarm, & went in the year 1780 & went to Rhode Island, in the Company of Capt. Shadduck and in the Regiment of Col. Nathan Tyler and served two weeks - That he the said Murdock enlisted and went into the State of New York, to the taking of General Burgoyne, that he left home about the middle of August in the year 1777, & returned home in December the same year, that he enlisted into the Company of Capt. Job Knapp in the Regiment of Col. Job Cushing, that Lt. Col. Stephen King, Major Hand & Major Bowman were the other field officers of said Regiment, that James Fletcher was L t in said Company & that he the said Murdock was the orderly Sergeant in the same Company - That he the said Murdock was born in Uxbridge afore said on the 25 th of Nov r A.D. 1744. & has resided in said Uxbridge ever since as his place of abode, and the record of his birth is recorded in the book of records in said Uxbridge; that he lived in said Uxbridge at the several times he enlisted as aforesaid; that, voluntarily enlisted at each & every time aforesaid - that he never received a written discharge, but at the end of each term he was dismissed by his commanding officer, for the time being -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before me NATHAN SMITH Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Ezra Murdock

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, after the Investigation of the Matter and after putting the Interrogatory prescribed by the War department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as the States
See Depositions annexed A. Pierce J. D. B.
NATH. DAME Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I, Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Murdoch for a pension and that Benjamin Adams, before whom the annexed affidavits were made, is a justice of the peace in the said County of Worcester in full credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court of Probate this 28th day of August A.D. 1832
Theophilus Wheeler Register of the said Court of Probate

I Seth White of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Depose and Say, That I was born in the said Town of Uxbridge on the eighteenth day of April A.D. 1756, and have made the said Uxbridge the place of my residence & home the principal part of the time from my birth to this time. That I have known Elisha Murdock of said Uxbridge from his infancy to this time, being a near neighbour to him. That in April in the year 1775 the said Elisha Murdock & myself enlisted for eight months in the Company of Capt. Edward Sagarine in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Read, Lt. Col. Clapp & Major Colvin Smith were the other field Officers in said regiment. The said Elisha & myself went to Roxbury near Boston in said State & there served out our term of enlistment which ended on the first day January A.D. 1776 - That in December the same year, 1776, the said Elisha Murdock and myself again enlisted for three Months in the Company of Samuel Baldwin, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Dike, & we served out the term of our enlistment at Dorchester near Boston in said State. In the year 1778 the said Elisha Murdock & myself were called out to go to Rhode
Subscribed to J, in ...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 Hand on what was called Sullivan's expedition; & we served them together six weeks in the Company of Capt. Caleb Whiting & the Regiment commanded by Col. Haver. During these six weeks the said Murdock was a Sergeant. That in the year 1780 the said Elisha Murdock & myself were called out on an alarm & went to Rhode Island under the command of Capt. Shaddick's Head, in the Regiment of Col. Nathan Sylvester, and were there two weeks - and that all the Officers I have above mentioned are dead. And further the Deponent saith not.
Seth White
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. th Uxbridge July 16. 1832. Then Personally appeared Seth White, who signed the above Deposition, and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the same. And I further certify that I am acquainted with the said Seth White the Deponent, & know him to be a person of truth & honor. And I further certify that I am acquainted with the said and a credible Witness
Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace

I James Fletcher of Northbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do testify & say, that I was born the first day of January in the Year 1747 That I have been acquainted with Elisha Murdock of Uxbridge in said County ever since he was a boy, that the said Elisha Murdock in the Year 1777 enlisted & went to the State of New York to the taking of Burgoyne, that he left home about the middle of August & returned home in December following the same Year, & was gone about four months, during which time the said Elisha Murdock was an orderly Sergeant in the Company of Capt Job Knapp & I was a Lieutenant during the said Campaign in said Company; Col. Job Knapp (Cushing), Lt. Col. Stephen Rice, Major Rand & Major Bowman were the field Officers of our Regiment.
And further the Deponent saith not. Attest Benjamin Adams James Fletcher his mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester ss.
Uxbridge July 16 th - 1832. Then personally appeared Col. James Fletcher, who signed the above deposition, and made solemn oath to the same. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said James Fletcher the above Deponent and know him to be a person of truth, & a credible Witness. Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace.
Sworn to
James Fletcher Caleb Whitney, in one

I Jonah Brown of Douglas in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts; do testify & say, that I was born the tenth day of November A.D. 1744, that I have been acquainted with Elisha Murdock of Uxbridge in said County more than Sixty years, that I was in the Regiment now with him eight Months, viz, from the first of May 1774 to the first of January 1776; we both enlisted & served during said time in the Company of Capt. Edward Segoane, in the Regi- =ment commanded by Col. Joseph Read; Lt. Col. Clapp & Major Colonel Smith were field officers in said Regiment; we were Stationed at Roxbury near Boston in said State during the war- ter. and further the deponent saith not.
Jonah Brown
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. Uxbridge July 16. 1832. Then personally appeared Jonah Brown, who signed the above deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the same. I further certify that I have had some acquaintance with the said Jonah Brown & believe him to be a person of truth & a credible witness
Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace.
Subscribed

I Frederic Traft of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify & say, that I have known Elisha Murdock of said Uxbridge from his youth to this time living in the same town near him. That in December in the year 1876, the said Elisha Murdock & myself enlisted for three months in the Company commanded by Samuel Baldwin in the Regiment commanded by Col. Butts, and we served out the term of our enlistment at Dorchester near Boston in said State. and further the Deponent saith not Frederic Traft.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. Uxbridge August 28 th 1882. Then personally appeared Frederic Traft Esq., who signed the above Deposition, and made oath to the truth of the same. I further certify, I am well acquainted with the said Deponent, and know him to be a person of truth and a credible witness.
ARTH. PAYNE Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester.

Elisha Murdock of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, deponeth & saith, that on the twenty eighth day of August last past, the time he made his Decla- -ration, to which this is annexed, in order to secure the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th - 1832; The late Rev. Samuel Judson, who had long been the Clergyman in his immediate vicinity was sick & unable to attend the Probate Court, and he soon after died. And by a mistake, he then did not procure two respectable persons to testify as the regulations require. He now produces Benjamin Adams & Joseph Adams Esquires two respectable persons to testify, there being now no Clergyman in his immediate vicinity who can testify as required
Elisha Murdock
Sworn to and subscribed the twenty eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and & thirty three
Before Nathl. Farns Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
We Benjamin Adams & Joseph Adams both residing in Uxbridge in the County of Worcester, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elisha Murdock, who has
Turn over

Subscribed & Sworn to the declaration, to which this is annexed, that we believe him to be Seventy Six years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Benjamin Adams Joseph Adams
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year last aforesaid. before Nath l Dame Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester -
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Benjamin Adams & Joseph Adams Esquires, who signed the preceding certificate are residents in the town of Uxbridge in said County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nath l Dame Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester

29993 INVALID. Rev
File No. 99,998
Elisha Munk Sergt Rec Tro
Act: June 1 st 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 290
[Arrangement of 1870.]

9449 Elisha Murdock
Benj Adam, Walbridge Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elisha Murdock 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? 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 ? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ? Yes
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 ? Yes
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 ? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct ? 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 ? No
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 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.