Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,080, for Jonathan Parkhurst, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. H.
Parkhurst, Jonathan. or Packhurst,
S. 14.080
1872.
Carded.
CONTENTS

24.152 New York Jonathan Packhurst
Oswego Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Rippele of the Regt. commanded by Col. Chase in the N.Y. Camp. time for 1 year 3 months and 2 days
Jonathan Packhurst. Records corrected July 1/46
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Nov. 1833 — and to Martha A. Skinner Union Square
  Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33  $ 75    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th 34  15     $90  
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. G. C. Steele Clerk
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 4. Page 113.

State of New York Oswego County ss. On this 3 d day of Dec. 1832 personally appeared before the under- -signed, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Oswego aforesaid, Jonathan Packhurst, a resident of the Town of Hastings in the said County of Oswego aged 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 the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 . That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated, Viz:
On or about the last of April 1777 at New Grantham Cheshire Co. New Hampshire I enlisted as a soldier for the term of three months in the company of Capt. Russell (Christian name not recollected) in Col. Jonathan Chase's Regiment of New Hampshire Militia & on the 2 d or 3 d day of May I joined my Regt. at Cornish N.H. & immediately marched through Vermont to Tienderoga where we re- -mained until my term had expired when I was discharged & returned home to New Hampshire
A short time after I returned home I think about the last of Aug. I again enlisted at New Grantham in the company of Capt. Whipple (Regt. not recollected) of the N. Hampshire militia, and marched immediately to Bennington Vt. where I arrived the day after the battle - made a short

Stayed and marched to Stillwater Then I remained until after the battle Then I was discharged and returned home, and the day after my arrival I again enlisted to go to Saratoga in the Company of Capt. Webster of the New Hampshire Militia (Christian name not recollected) and marched directly to Saratoga & joined the army under Gen. Gates When I remained until after the Surrender of Gen. Burgoyne in Oct. When I was again discharged & returned home - having been in the service this season in all about 6 months - I remained at home through the winter and in the Spring of 1778 I think in the month of May or June I went as a Substitute for Stephen Cotto to Cavendish Vt. & joined the Company of Capt. Handy of the N. H. Militia Here I remained about 3 months, and frequently went on scouting parties against the Tories & Indians, who occasionally committed depredations in that vicinity -
In the Spring of 1780 at New Grantham, I think about the first of April, I again enlisted for the term of 9 months in the Company of Capt. Abel Stevens in Col. Nichols Regt. of New Hampshire Militia, and immediately marched down Connecticut River to Springfield  Hartford When we remained several weeks & thence marched to West Point N.Y. & joined the Army under Gen. Arnold, who soon after turned traitor & went over to the enemy - We remained at

West Point & in that vicinity until the last of Dec. when I was discharged and returned home - I cannot recollect as I was recd. a written discharge, and if I have, I know not what has become of it - I know of no person living by whom I can prove my services -
I was born in the Town of Winchester, Cheshire Co. New Hampshire on the 13th day of April 1762 as appears by a record in an old family Bible now in my possession, which is the only record I have of my age
Soon after the Revolutionary War I removed from New Hampshire to Sharon in Vermont where I lived about 5 years & then removed to the Town of Schuyler now Herkimer Co. N.Y. & resided there about 4 years when I removed to my present residence then in the Town of Ver- -ico, now town of Hastings Onond Co. where I have ever since resided -
I am acquainted with most of the people in this Town who can testify as to my character for truth & veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution - among whom are the Rev. S. W. Leonard a clergyman, Wm Ford Esq & Rollin Blount whose certificates are here- unto annexed -
During the last war I held a Major Commission and was in actual service several months, and had the command of a Battalion of Militia at

The Battle of Otago at the time that place was taken by the British in 1844. - I was once possessed of property but lost it all during the last war, amounting to about $40000 which was employed in the lumber business, and lost on Lake Ontario in 1872 - and am now old, al- most blind, infirm & poor, and totally unable to labor. I have never received a pension, and hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. his Jonathan X Parkhurst sworn to, & subscribed The day & year aforesaid before me, Avery Sherman Judge of Otago Co. Courts

the matter of Jonathan Parkhurst an applicant for a Pension
21433
on Rolls
77 Rufeles Co. 1 mo 7.00
'80 Stevens - 3 mo 19.00
John D. [?]

We, Samuel W. Leonard, a clergyman re- siding in the Town of Hastings, Otago County N.Z. and William Ford & Rollin Blount residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Parkhurst, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 years of age; 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. Samuel W. Leonard William Ford Rollin Blount 5th day of December 1832 before me, Henry Skinner Judge of Otago Co. Courts
I hereby certify that for several years past I have been well acquainted with Jonathan Parkhurst, the above named applicant & hereby declare my opinion, after the inves- tigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that he was a revolutionary soldier, & served as he states - I further certify that I am well ac- quainted with the Revd. Samuel W. Leonard, who has signed the preceding certificate, - that he is a clergyman in good standing, resident in the Town of Hastings aforesaid; and that I am also

well acquainted with William Ford Esq & Rollin Blount who have signed the same, & who reside in the same place, the former of whom is an acting magistrate, & the latter a man of undoubted truth & veracity, and that their State ment is entitled to full credit - I further certify that the abovenamed ap- plicant, owing to ill health & bodily infirmity is wholly unable to attend Court -
Avery Skinner Judge of Oconee Co. Court,
I Eric Poor Clerk of the County of Oconee do hereby certify that Avery Skinner Esq before whom the foregoing Declaration purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of the Common Pleas of said County (which is a court of Record) And that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the deponent of the said declar to be his proper handwriting and signature - As Witness my hand and Seal of office this 14 th day of December A.D. 1832
Eric Poor Clerk By D McPherson Dep Clerk
The Matter of Jonathan Packhart an applicant for a Pension
21433
on Rolls
77. Rebel. Co. 1mo. 7.00
180 Hens 3mo. 19.00

State of New York Onigie County } ss On this 5th. day of September 1833 personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Judge of Onigie County Courts, Jonathan Parkhurst, who being duly sworn, dep- oseth 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 at least one month and seven days, in the year 1777, I served as a soldier in the company of Captain Russell, although it is my impres- sion I enlisted for the term of three months. In the same year I served in the company of Capt. Whipple one month and fifteen days - also, same year in the company of Capt. Webster one month & ten days. In the summer of 1778 I served as a sub- stitute for Stephen Colton, in the company of Capt. Handy three months - In the spring of 1780 I enlisted, I think for the term of 9 months in the company of Capt. Stevens in a Regiment of New Hampshire Militia of which Daniel Kimball was adjutant, the Colonel's name I do not now recollect, we marched first to Springfield Mass.  Hartford Ct. and from thence to West Point, when I was detached

from the regiment in which I first enlisted and joined the Regiment of Col. Nichols in Shaw Regiment I remained, under Capt. Stearns, as one of Gen. Arnold's life guard for about 3 months, when I again joined the Regiment I first enlisted in, and re- mained until my time had expired when I returned home in Me. part of the way by skirting, having been in the service this season according to the best of my re- ollection at least eight months; and for such services I claim a pension Subscribed & sworn the 3 rd day of day & year above written before me, Avery Mimin Judge of Onond Co. Courts
his Jonathan H. Parkhurst mark
I, Eric Poor, Clerk of the County of Onondaga do hereby certify that Avery Mimin Esq. before whom. the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County (which is a court of record) and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge and firmly believe his name subscribed to the final of the above affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature - As witness my hand & seal of office this 10th day Sept. A.D. 1833 - Eric Poor Clerk By D. McPherson Dep. Clerk

Rev. h. m.
14080 INVALID.
am
File No. Lt. 080
Jonathan Parkhurst
Prim. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. 1, Page 289
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Jonathan Parkhurst Records corrected July 17/96. R

J. S. Edwards Esq. Coun. of Juniors

# Minn P.M. Bureau Squam City Feb. 19th
for
N.Y. Recd
J. P. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions Washington City
1.75 1.15 1.10 3.00 32 9.00 15.

Union Square Sept. 19. 1833
Sir
Enclosed I return you the pen- -sion papers of Jonathan Parkhurst with an additional declaration, Aflam- -atory of his 9 months services - The memory of the old gentleman is much impaired by old age, but he is positive he served in the year 1780 at least 8 months - I have been well ac- quainted with him for the last 10 years and have no doubt of his revolutionary services, although he may not have been connected in relation to the length of time of each engagement - There is no person living as I can ascertain by whom I can prove his services - This fact is stated in his original de- claration - I am Sir, respectfully your obedt. Servt.
A. J. Minns

21433
Jonathan Packhurst Oswego county New York
t. b. and 2 days
Adm 1. year & 3 months
$20.00
$50 \frac{22}{100}
Avery Skinner Union Square New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1777 8 7 private Capt. Russell Col. Chase Cornish 70 Cheshire tradition   do — 6 Capt. Whipple Gen. Gates Stillwater Granby Co N. H.   substitute 1778 3 Capt. Hardy Saratoga Stillwater   Enlisted 1780 3 19 Capt. Stevens Col. Nichol West Point  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
1. 79 1. 15 1. 10 3 8 15-32

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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 (g) (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____ in any State, or (h) _____ Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
J. B. Bradford.