Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,098, for John Sheldon, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
Sheldon John
S. 30,098
CONTENTS

21.286 Massachusetts John Sheldon
of Abenethy in the State of Mass. who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Viell of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sawyer in the Mass. R.I. line for 8 Mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Aug. 1832 and due the 14th of March . Ser. of
Arrears to the 14th of March  $53.32 Semest. allowance ending Sept. 30  13.33 $66.66
Recorded by John C. Sleeper Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Clerk Book E. Vol. 2 Page 19

John and son
15.175
Rate 8 Months
11.12 14 216 1/2
21 28 1/2
409
16 11 12 1/2
Since
17 1/2

BRIEF in the case of  John ...  of  ...  in the State of  ...  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Yes  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 83 yrs  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.     In 1790 1 Private Gen. Lord Cornwallis   1791 1 " Gen. Lord Cornwallis   1792 1 " Gen. Lord Cornwallis   1793 1 " Gen. Lord Cornwallis   1794 1 " Gen. Lord Cornwallis   1795 1 " Gen. Lord Cornwallis  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Springfield, Rhode Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? None 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Frederick C. Pitt Examining Clerk.

John Holden of Adams in the county of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. on the tenth day of July 1833 been fully appeared in open court before W. D. Wall Judge of Probate & made the following declaration - in addition to the one made October 10th 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th 1832 That in the month of November 1776 I enlisted for three months and in Capt. Spence's Fists. of Connecticut & Rhode Island & Col. John Saylor's service my time out & was discharged or dismissed at Bristol R. Island - and was dis- charged in the month of March - The next time I served one month in Spence's Expedition in 1777 - in the months of Sept & October I had a daughter born the 10th of October 1777 - & it was while I was out Capt. Trask was our Captain & Genl. Spence was our commander. I was discharged at River town not far from Fall river where we then in our quarters - The next time was the next year 1778 I served one month under Capt. S. Trask & Col. C. Cook & Genl. West we moved from Warwick neck to Warren & then to Tiverton & cleared the British from Warren to the Gut so called to go to England & my time out - I served my time out - I must have served one month under Capt. Trask & Col. Spence - on R. Island - & I think it was in 1779 - Subsequently was on at that time & there was a man killed by the British who was digging in the intrenchment.

Can't be more particular than I have stated Rufus Phillips my neighbor has testified as to my service — a part of the time I have no written discharge & no documentary evidence & person except Rufus Phillips living who knows of my service to my knowledge
S. Dym.
John Sheldon
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
W. P. Walker J. Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department That the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as a state & the Court further certify that it appears to them that Charles B. Kings who signed the affidavit which is heretofore annexed marked A in the margin is a clergyman residing in the town of Shelburne in said County and that his statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
I Henry N. Bishop Registrar of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original supplemental & additional proceed- ings of the said Court in the matter of the applica- tion of John Sheldon for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of office of said Court at P'keepsie This Eleventh day of July A.D. 1833
Henry W. Bishop Regl. Prob.

John Born Alan M. Application for Pension
Oct 10. 1832
15/195

1832
John Sheldon
1
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE, ss.
ON this tenth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before me William P. Nathan Judge the Court of Probate for said County now sitting a resident of Adams
John Sheldon in the county of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged 83 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, 1832:—That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in Decr 6 - 1776 he enlisted in Smithfield Rhode Island & enlisted for three months under Capt. Squire Fish of Connecticut & Rhode Island & Col. Stephen Sayles of Connecticut & served my time out partly on Rhode Island so called & now called Newport & the remainder at Bristol Ferry - next time in 1777 I went on an expedition for one month near Horseland Ferry & quarters in Haverstown woods under Capt. Hask & General Spencer there called Grannys quarters & served out my time - the next time I served one month partly near the same point except we went to Warwick neck to be nearer - I served there under Capt. Hask & Col. Cornell & Gov. Nutt was there - This was in 1778 in Septm - the next was in 1779 in Sept I served one month under Capt. Hask & Col. Spencer - served my time most of the time at what is now called Pawtuxet - the next time was I served at the same place one month at Pawtuxet under Capt. Sayles & Col. Atwell & I served one month in Providence - we quarters at the College but I do not recollect who the officers were the length of time since I was born in Tattituate Rhode Island in 1749 I have no more of my eye I lived at Smithfield most of the time until I came to Adams where I live now for forty five years - I enlisted once & detached not often except once I served as a substitute for John Mason Smith for one month - Rufus Phillips, Daniel Colburn, Ezra Elisha Kingsley, Silas Shipley, Ezra have been as guests with me a great many years & will I believe testify as to my character
John

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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Sheldon
W.P. Walker J. Probate
We, Isaac Collyer & Elisha Kingsley , residing in the town of Adams
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Sheldon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 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.
Isaac Collyer Elisha Kingsley
W.P. Walker J. Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Isaac Collyer is a resident in the town of Adams and that Elisha Kingsley who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Adams and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W.P. Walker J. Probate
J. Henry H. Bishop Regista of the Court of Probate Adams , do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Sheldon for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this tenth day of October , A.D. 1832
1/2 16 0.
Henry H. Bishop - Regista of Probate

We the subscribers, residing in Adams County certify that we are well acquainted with John Nelson , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and we believe him to be eighty three years of age; that he is resided and believed in the neighbourhood where he lives to have been a soldier in the Revolution , and we concur in that opinion.
John ... Penn John ... 15/1/93

30098 Rez INVALID.
File No. 30,098
John ...
...
Act: June 7 th 1897
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 866
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Rufus Phillips of Adams in the county of Berkshire aged eighty two years do testify and say that I am acquainted with John Sheldon of Adams and have been for sixty nine years, and I know he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. I was with him and served in the same company with him in Sullivan's Expedition on Rhode Island in A D 1778 in Captain Trask's company and Sullivan was the Commander, and he is reported to have been in other services. His reputation for truth and veracity is good
Rufus Phillips
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire ss. June 12th 1833 personally appeared Rufus Phillips & signed & made solemn oath to the truth of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Nathan Putnam Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Eleventh day of July
A. D. 1833
Henry W. Bishop Register Probate

I Rufus Phillips of Adams in the county of Berkshire aged eighty two years do testify and say that I am acquainted with John Sheldon of Adams and have been for sixty nine years, and I know he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. I was with him and served in the same company with him in Sullivans Expedition on Rhode Island in A D 1778 in Captain Trasks company and Sullivan was the Commander, and he is reported to have been in other services. His reputation for truth and veracity is good
Rufus Phillips
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire ss. June 12th 1833 personally appeared Rufus Phillips & signed & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed & I further certify that the R Phillips resides in Adams in said County & that I have known him for twenty five years & that during all that time his reputation for truth & veracity is good attest Nathan Patricius Justice of the Peace for the

A Charles B. Kings a Clergyman of the Baptist denomination residing in the town of Adams in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts settled over the North Baptist Church & society in said Town do depose & say that I have known John Sheldon of Adams for about six years & believe him to be eighty three years old & he is generally reported in his neighborhood to have served in the revolutionary war & his character for truth & veracity is reported to be good in the neighborhood where he lives & in the town -
Charles B. Kings
Pastor of the Bap. Ch. in North Adams.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts the Berkshire ss June 12th 1833 Personally appeared Charles B. Kings to me personally known to be the person described in & who executed the foregoing deposition & his mental fortitude is good before me Nathan Putnam Justice of the Peace for the County.

John Shelton
25195
W. W. Norton Lenox 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 John Shickman  Adams  Meft 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? no 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? no 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 done by the Rev? Charles B. King's Deposition
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?
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 - Rufus Phillips Deposition
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the witness regulations direct? NO
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? NO
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so 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, deposeh 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 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.
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.
7 N. Return E.,