Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,635, for Abraham Parker, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass
Parker, Abraham
NUMBER
S. 30,635.
CONTENTS

15.649
Massachusetts
Abraham Parker
of Franklin in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stebbins of the Regt commanded by Col Brewer in the Mass line for 13 months
W.H.
82
Franklin
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of July 1833 and sent to E. Alwood Greenfield Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $86.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 21.67
$108.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. G. B. Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 65

Abraham Parker
Hawley
22309
Abraham Parker

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY ss.
ON THIS sixteenth day of October A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Chapman Court of Common Pleas of the Probate said Commonwealth , now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin, Abraham Parker a resident of Hanley — in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged nigh 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in 1775 not far from the birth being then a resident in the
stated. That in April 1775 not far from the birth being then a resident in the town of Whately then County of Hampshire in Mass he enlisted as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution for eight months in Col. Joseph Starks Company Col. Jonathan Brown's Regiment marched to Cambridge in said State was in the Battle of Bunker Hill and continued in that vicinity at Dorchester Hill etc. during during said eight months and was discharged in the month of December 1775.
At Groesbeck Will be. during during eight months and was discharged in the war Also in December 1776 enlisted into and served for three months in Col. Joseph Lyon's Company at Fort Linn in said state being discharged some of the last days of March 1777.
Also in said 1777 marched to Bennington and Saratoga under the command of Major General of Brigade, was at Bennington soon after the battle at the Blue was the prisoners in the Rutinghouse, was at Saratoga at the taking of Burgoyne, was in the service at this time two months or more and is all the time
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. R. S. Mainwaring Judge of Probate Abraham Parker
WE, Johnathan Green a Clappymen residing in Watery and Edmund Langley Jr
residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one 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 aforesaid.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. H. E. Mansfield Judge of Probate Jonathan Edmund Longley Jr
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 certifies, that it appears to them that Jonathan
Jonathan Grant who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Hawley, and Edmund Longley Jr who has also signed the same is a resident in said Hawley and is a Justice of the Peace and a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, ELIJAH ALVORD, Clerk  Registrar of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Parker for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
E. Alvord, Reg. Prob. Clerk.

No 22369 Abraham Parkin Franklin County Massachusetts
That 13 Months
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Name of General and Field Officers under whom he served.          
E. Alvah Greenfield Mass ts
mentioned.
8. Excepting that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
Not yet June, 1882.

BRIEF in the case of  Abraham Parkin  County of Franklin  in the State of Massachusetts  (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? 81 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. As a Gen.     Enlisted In 1775 - 8 - private Col. D. Stetson Col. Jon a Barron   Enlisted 1776 - - 3 - private Col. Jos. Lyman   1777 - 2 - private Col. N. Ward,  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampshire County Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Rich d Hey Watts
Examining Clerk.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Abraham Parker 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. F. 30,635
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1775 8 mos Pri. Joseph Stebbins Jonathan Brewer Mass   Dec. 1776 3 " Joseph Lyman ✓   1777 2 " Nahum Ward ✓        
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill; 2 d battle of Saratoga. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Whately, Hampshire Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Oct. 16, 1832. Cl. al. Residence at date of application, Hawley, Franklin Co., Mass. Age at date of application, Born at Hatfield, in 1751
Remarks: There is no data relative to family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

30635
Rev INVALID.
1916, Apr. 26. Dist. to George A. Nelson, Ex. Letter with C.W.F. 13791, Benj. Parker.
File No. 30635 Abraham Parker Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Abraham Parker
Timothy Collins Deposition for Abraham Parker Parker

I Timothy Colbin of Attfield County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby and say that when on the day of the Battle of Lexington in said State I went from Deerfield in said State as a Volunteer to Cambridge, on my arrival I was ordered to be raised for the public service, and that on or about the 26 th of April 1775 I enlisted in Col. Joseph Robbins Company for the term of eight months and was annexed to Col. Jonathan Brown's Regiment and served in said Company at Cambridge and Prospect Hill near Boston until the last days of December of the same year - was well acquainted with Abner Parker a Private in said Company and Regiment and do know that the said Abner Parker did serve all said term of enlistment and did not return home till about the beginning of January 1776 making a service of eight months. —
Hawley June 25 th 1832
Timothy Colbin
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. June 25 th 1832 Personally appeared Timothy Colbin the subscriber to the above instrument and made oath to the truth of the same said deponent's reflection for truth and accuracy is known to be good. Before me Edmund Langley Jr. Justice of the Peace

Shurham Parker
Reuben Childs D. Boston
Page 7

I Reuben Childs of Conway in the county of Franklin Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby depose and say that I enlisted in Col. Joseph Atkins Company April 25 th 1875 and was annexed to Col. Jonathan Brewer Regiment and served in said Company and Regiment for the term of eight months at Cambridge and Prospect Hill near Boston. was well acquainted with Northerns Dicker a Private in said Company & Regiment and do know that the said Northerns did serve all said time and did not return home till about the first of January 1876. —
Reuben Childs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. June 26 th 1882 Personally appeared Reuben Childs signed to the above instrument and made oath to the truth of the same, and I further affirm the adoption of said document for truth and veracity is good.
Before me Edmund Langley Jr Justice of the Peace

I Benezel Smith of Whately in the County of Franklin Common- wealth of Massachusetts. Do here and say. That in December 1775 I enlisted as a soldier in the service of my country for three months in Captain Joseph Lyman's Company and served in said Company during said term of time at Dorchester. was well acquainted with Stephen Parker a private in said Company and do know that the said Stephen Parker did serve in said Company till some of the last days of March 1776 being three months at the time of enlistment.
Benezel Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. June 26 th 1832 Personally appeared Benezel Smith subscriber to the above instrument and made oath to the truth of the same. said deponent's reputation for truth and veracity is believed by me, to be good Before me Edmund Langley Jr. Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Edmund Longley Jr Esq before whom the three annexed affidavits were made and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace for said county; and that his name to the same respectively subscribed appears to his proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield on the sixteenth day of October A.D. 1832
E Alvord Clerk
Abraham
Brookfield Sept 1832
Abraham Parker
ak

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abraham Parker 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? 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? 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? 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? The Court then 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? 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 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.