Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7906, for Samuel Palmer, Massachusetts

(-175)
SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Palmer, Samuel Dorcas
R 7906.
CONTENTS

22408-
Samuel Palmer Lincoln County Maine
Suspended
Nathan Coffin blk Lincoln County Maine

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 18 th 183 3
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.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Samuel Palmer Lincoln Co.
Maine
   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.     March 1780 7 pr. Capt Mies — N.Y. - Mch - 69 Newbury Traditional   May 1781 1 " Capt Little — Mass -   1 7  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[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) _____ 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 the 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.
[c] 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 presence.
[d] 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.
[e] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[f] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[g] 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 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 _____; 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 name, 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.
[f] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[g] 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [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.
Under what colonel did he serve? He should apply to E. D. Bangs Esq, Secretary of the State of Massachusetts for proof of service. R Newman Colk

State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that the annexed paper, signed by the Judge and attested by the Clerk, contains the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas, at a special session thereof holden at Bristol in said county, by the Hon. John Ruggles one of the Judges of said Court on the 27 th day of November A. D. 1832, in the matter of the application of Samuel Palmer for a Pension. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 27 th day of November A. D. 1832.
Nath l . Coffin CLERK.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. COUNTY OF LINCOLN, }
ON this 27 th day of Novem r 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before John Rug- gles Esq., Justice of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Samuel Palmer a resident of Mistol in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged sixty nine 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. viz. as a private in a company of infantry commanded by Capt. Mers of the Massachusetts line or troops that he enlisted the fifth day of March 1780 & was verbally discharged at or near White Plains state of New York the fourth or fifth day of October following that he was residing in Newbury in the state of Massachusetts when he entered the service that he marched from Newbury to Fishkill where their company joined the regiment from thence they were marched to West Point after remaining there a few days he was detached & marched to the lines as they were called near White Plains that he was not in any regular battle but was engaged in several skirmishes or scouting parties as we called them It was at the time Arnold attempted to give up West Point. Maj. Andre was brought to our detachment by three men after he was taken when I saw him. I do not recollect the name of the Colonel of the regiment with which I marched from Fishkill to West Point, I had not been there more than three or four days before I was sent onto the lines & there was under the command of Capt. Titcomb our company there was made up of detachments from several companies. Also served as a private in a company of Infantry commanded by Captain Little of the Massachusetts line or troops that he entered the service the first of May 1781 & served till the last of April or first of May 1782 that he was residing in Newbury in the State of Massachusetts when he entered the service & was stationed there during the above last named term of time
And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war departments he answers that he was born in Wentwood in the State of New Hampshire has a record of his age in his family bible at home was living when called into the service at Newbury Massachusetts have lived since the revolutionary war in Newbury & Salem Massachusetts & in Mistol Maine in which latter town he now lives he entered the service both times as a volunteer was not drafted nor a substitute there were in the detachment in which he was sent from West Point to the lines two companies of Continentals as we called them & one company of cavalry I do not recollect the names of any of the regular officers in which Capt. Titcomb was one as I was not with the main army more than three or four days I have before stated the general circumstances of my service as far as I can recollect
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he 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. Before Samuel Palmer John Ruggles. Judge of said Court.

WE, John Sproul & Henry Chamberlain residing in the town of Bristol and  residing in the  above hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Palmer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine 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.
John Sproul 3 d Henry Chamberlain
State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss....Sworn and subscribed this twenty seventh day of November
A. D. 1832
Before me,
John Ruggles J. C.C.P.
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 John Sproul 3 d who has signed the preceding certificate, is resident in the 8 th town of Bristol and that Henry Chamberlain who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. It also appears that there is no Clergyman living in the vicinity of the Applicant, who could, without too much inconvenience and expense, attend said Court.
State of Maine.
John Ruggles J. C.C.P.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Attest Nathl Coffin Clerk
LINCOLN, ss....I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify
fy that
Esq. whose name is affixed to the above certificate, as a
is legally commissioned and duly qualified to
act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the
Court of Common Pleas this
day of
A. D. 183
CLERK.
4 Samuel Palmer 22405

I Samuel Palmer of Mistol in the State of Maine & an applicant for a pension under the act of June 1832 on oath do testify & say that I have made & caused to be made diligent enquiry particularly in the vicinity of where I resided during the revolutionary war but I cannot find or hear of any person who knows of my having been in the service as stated in my application nor can I find or hear of any person living whom I knew at that time. I further say that at the time I went to New York under Capt. Niles I was not mustered with any regiment more than three or four days & that was during our march from Fishkill where we joined the regiment to West Point & I cannot now recollect the name of the Colonel who commanded. In two or three days after our arrival at West Point I was detached from the company in which I enlisted & placed with others of our own & other companies, (there were I think four or five from our company) under the command of a Captain by the name of Titecomb & marched down to the lines as they were called & stationed at Crumpond Cherry street & other places we were there joined to a regiment but were principally engaged in scouting parties. I do not recollect the name of the Colonel who commanded on the lines but he was what we called a continentaller. During my time of service under Captain Little at Newbury our company was not to my knowledge attached to any regiment at least we never mustered with any during that time. It has been over thirty years since I first removed from Newbury & over twenty years since I have been there Samuel Palmer

Lincoln J. May 19. 1834 Then the within named Samuel Palmer personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the within statement by him subscribed before me
Peaslee M. Wells Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the within named Samuel Palmer is in my opinion a man of veracity.
Peaslee M. Wells
State of Maine. TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the Coun- ty of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Peaslee M. Wells Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duely qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own prop- er signature, to me well known. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 30 th day of May — A. D. 1834
Nat. Coffin CLERK.

Power of attorney case of Jeremiah Palmer Son of Samuel Palmer Me
Aug 1852
H. B. Hassler Present.

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.*
State of — Maine County of Lincoln William v. Titus Jeremiah Palmer
} a Justice of the Peace
Be it known that before me
personally appeared Jeremiah Palmer aged 43 years, who being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states that he is the son of Samuel Palmer who was a Revolutionary Soldier, or Pensioner of the State of Maine and that he died on the Eight day of January 1847 and that his mother named Dorcas died on the 16 th day of April 1852 and that they were married on the _____ day of _____ in the year 1807 and that they were residents of Bristol in the State of Maine and that they resided there 32 years, and that he resides in Bristol and that furthermore He BY THESE PRESENTS, constitutes, appoints and fully empowers and authorises irrevocably and with powers of substitution—F. E. Hassler of Washington City, D. C., as his true and lawful Attorney for him and in his name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the U. S. Government Officers his rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land, that may be due him as heir or son of Samuel Palmer who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law, custom, or equity he is or may be entitled.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF He has on this 30 th day of July 1852, hereunto signed his name and affixed his seal.
Jeremiah Palmer 
Witness: William v. Titus Witness: Robert Martins
Signed, Sealed, acknowledged and Sworn to before me, on this 30 th day of July 1852.
William v. Titus — J. P.
At the same time personally appeared before me William v. Titus a Justice of the Peace two credible and disinterested witnesses named Robert Martins and Robert McFarland residents of the aforesaid County and State, who having been by me cautioned and then duly sworn according to law, do depose and say each for himself, that he has always heard it said and it is generally believed by the community that Samuel Palmer was a Revolutionary soldier and that Jeremiah Palmer was by him always treated as and is by the witnesses believed to be the son of the said Revolutionary Soldier.
Robert Martins Robert McFarland 
Sworn to before me the day and year first above written.
William v. Titus J. P. of } to wit: County of
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That _____ Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of _____ County Court, this _____ day of _____ one thousand eight hundred and _____
Clerk..
* If a Widow applies state "the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband."

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
7.906
P.O. Samuel Palmer
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P.O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Suspended Marine
Samuel Palmer at Skavanagh 21 July 1834
Set. to Honb. D. Anderson June 11, 1838. P.M. Wells 5 Feby '41
7906

S. Palmer

Bristol July 1 st 1833 Mr. Wells I take the opportunity to inform you that I am not able to come up to see you about it I do not recollect of any colonel or regiment We marched to fish kills then dispatched in smaller parties then our company went on to west point then we were sent in small attachments on the lines Stationed at crumpon's cherry Street and rites Mills we did not stay longer in a place on the account of the enemy and shields treachery
I wish you to do the Best you can about it yours Samuel Palmer

Sam Palmer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, October 14 th 1833.
* hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the rolls of Capt Miers' Company, in 1780. and Capt Littles' in 1781 & '82 under which Samuel Palmer claims for services are not found in this Office.
Edward D Bangs. Secy