Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30022, for Abner Pease, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Pease, Abner
S. 30022
CONTENTS
Born in Somers Conn. Nov. 9, 1757

21.269 Massachusetts
Abner Fearn
of Hampden in the State of Mass who was a private in the Creek commanded by Captain Willis of the Reg. commanded by Col. _____ in the Revolut. time for 16 m 13 d
at State
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 50 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Oct. 1832 and due to H. King Blandford
Arrears to the 4th of Dec. 31 $101.76 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1.1.32 25.44 $127.20
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { dated June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. H. Hiles Clerk Book E. Vol. 2. Page 65
(72) Hampden

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss.
On this second day of October in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty two. Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate now sitting at Westfield in said County of Hampden, Abner Pease a Resident of Blandford in said the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five 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 and served as herein stated. In the Spring of 1775, soon after the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, he enlisted as a private soldier for the term of Eight months in the company commanded by Capt. Willis of Tolland in Connecticut, whose Subalterns were Lieut. Parker, of Stafford or Willington and Ensign Noah Chapin 2nd of Somers. in the Connecticut State Troops. The company was formed at Tolland aforesaid & marched under the command of Lieut. Parker on the road direct and public road to Roxbury in Massachusetts, where said company was joined by said Capt. Willis & there stationed for that campaign. Said company was at first unsupplied with tents, and were stationed for a time in dwelling houses which had been deserted by the Inhabitants. Their alarm Post to which
They

They were often called, was within one mile or less of the British Fortifications on Boston Neck, and from those fortifications said company was frequently fired upon with Cannons & Bombs, & a very few men were killed & wounded, in some of the companies stationed with us. - Our Sentinels were placed at first within reach of the musket balls of the British Sentinels. But afterwards the British Sentinels were withdrawn to a greater distance. The Battle at Bunker Hill was in sight of our company, early in the morning of that day we were called to our alarm Post, & were fired upon from the British fortifications with Cannons & Bombs through the day, I suppose to prevent our reinforcing the Americans at Bunker Hill - soon after we were fired upon in the morning, our officers ordered us to retreat a short distance for greater security from their Balls under cover of the hill, and there we remained all day & the succeeding night on our arms - we were at no time called into an actual engagement with the Enemy. we served the term of Eight Months and were then discharged -
In the Spring of 1776 I enlisted again as a Private for the term of Eight Months and served during that Period in the company commanded by Captain Abiel Pease of Somers in the Connecticut State troops - I think  but name was Captain (of Stafford Conn.) I do not distinctly recollect Ensigns rather than ensigns of the same Stafford I marked with said company to New London, where said company was stationed at a place called Shant, Neck. - said company formed a part of the Regt. commanded by Col. at  Easton whose name is not now in my mind, - the company in which I served was employed principally at work in building fortifications & seldom saw

our Field Officers - at the end of said Eight months I was dismissed by my Officers In 1770 I volunteered for a month Four in the Connecticut militia, & served in the in Rhode Island. I then lived in said Somers, was ordered to march to said New Port, arrived at Bristol  the Ferry near the close of the day. The Americans were then retreating - during our said march in the forenoon we distinctly heard the Report of the Cannon and in the afternoon heard the small arms I know of no other living or any documentary evidence by which the last service can be proved. I do not now recall the names of my Officers - my to inform the Americans of the  the  the  the engagement was as follows  the  the  the the I also can't pretend I served near one month the  the  the have been a few days longer  the shorter. I was born in Somers aforesaid Nov: 9. 1757 a Record of my age is there, & a certified copy thereof hereto annexed. - When called into service I lived in said Somers as appears above - Since the Revolutionary war I have lived in said Blandford where I now live - I never missed my discharge but always served my time and was was dismissed - In the Town in which I live I am well known to Rev. Dorr
Abner Pease son of Robert Pease Jun. and Hannah his wife was born
November 9 th - 1757
State of Connecticut Tolland County ss. Somers Aug th 22 nd 1832
the foregoing is

our Field Officers - at the end of said Eight months I was dismissed by my Officers  In 1770 I volunteered for a months Four in the Connecticut militia, & served in Red in Rhode Island, I then lived in said Somers, was ordered to march to said New Port, arrived at Bristol the Ferry near the close of the day, the Americans were then retreating - during our said march in the forenoon we distinctly heard the Report of the Cannon and in the afternoon heard the small arms I know of no other firing or any documentary evidence by which this last service can be proved. I do not now recollect the names of my Officers - my to reinforce the Americans at New Port & to drive them back engagement was as for some months which nearly one month under said engagement I often said friends I served; it might have been a few days longer or shorter .  I was born in Somers aforesaid Nov. 9. 1757 a Record of my age is there, & a certified copy thereof hereto annexed. - When called into service I lived in said Somers as appears above - Since the Revolutionary war I have lived in said Blandford where I now live - I never missed my discharge but always served my time and was dismissed - In the Town in which I live I am well known to Rev. Dorrus Clark, Deacon Boies & David Boies Esq. Deacon Levi Boies, Rev. Sage Esq. and Master Genl. Alanson Brax  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity with the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.  sworn to & subscribed The day & year aforesaid  Abner Darp

our Field Officers - at the end of said Eight months I was dismissed by my Officers In 1770 I volunteered for a months Four in the Connecticut militia, & served in the in Rhode Island. I then lived in said Somers, was ordered to march to said New Port, arrived at Bristol  the Ferry near the close of the day. The Americans were then retreating - during our said march in the forenoon we distinctly heard the Report of the Cannon and in the afternoon heard the small arms I know of no military living or any documentary evidence by which the last service can be proved. I do not now recall the names of my Officers - my to reinforce the Americans and give out a  to the  to the engagement was as follows  months  which there  nearly one month  to  under  and  engagement I other are  friends I served; it might have been a few days longer  or shorter. I was born in Somers aforesaid Nov: 9. 1757 a Record of my age is there, & a certified copy thereof hereto annexed. - When called into service I lived in said Somers as appears above - Since the Revolutionary war I have lived in said Blandford where I now live - I never missed my discharge but always served my time and was was dismissed - In the Town in which I live I am well known to Rev. Dorr
Abner Pease son of Robert Pease Jun. and Hannah his wife was born
November 9 th - 1757.
State of Connecticut Tolland County ss. Somers Aug 10 22 nd 1832
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy from the records of births and deaths in Somers aforesaid
Attest Oliver Chapin Town Clerk

ms Capt. Alonzo Pease Application for Pension

Hampden J. Oct. 6. 1832
We Darius Clarke a Chogyman residing in the Town of Springfield in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, & Eli Hall a Surgeon & Physician residing in the same Town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt. Abner Pease who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be twenty five years of age that he is reported and believed in in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed The day & year aforesaid
Darius Clarke
Eli Hall
Before me Alanson Root Just. Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Alanson Root Esq. before whom the above certificate is verified is a Just. of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that his name thereto subscribed is his true & genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas at Springfield on this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

To whom it may concern
The Disposition of Charles Rose of James St. John, at the request of Abner Rose of Blandford. 43 -
By Walter R. Kibb - Justice of Peace

I Charles Pease of Somers in Tolland County in the State of Connecticut of lawful age testify & say, that im- mediately after the Battle of Lexington, Mass. in 1775, my Brother Abner Pease then of said Somers now residing in the Town of Bloomfield, in the County of Hampden in the State of Massachusetts, enlisted into the Connecticut State Service, under Ensign Noah Chapin 2 d for the Term of eight Months, the Company rendezvoused at Tolland, Mass. & proceeded, as was understood, directly for Roxbury Mass; the said Abner was absent from home, during the Campaign & then returned about the 1 st day of January 1776. - The Company was under the command of Capt Willis, of Tolland, Lt. Lt. Barker, & Ensign Noah Chapin 2 d of Somers, my Father's family corresponded with the said Abner, during his absence, & the return Letters were dated at Roxbury Mass.  Mass. - & further the Deponent saith not -
Charles Pease
State of Connecticut County of Tolland ss -
On this 28 th day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared Charles Pease, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Deposition & being duly examined, cautioned & sworn, made oath to the truth of the Deposition of him, by him subscribed. - Taken at the request of Abner Pease of Bloomfield, Mass -
attest Walter O'Keefe Justice of Peace
This certifies that Charles Pease, whose signature is sub- scribed to the foregoing Deposition, is an inhabitant of the Town of Somers, in Tolland County, Cont. has been for many years personally known to the subscriber, & sustains a character for truth -
Attest Walter O'Keefe Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
County of Tolland
ss. Clerk's office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County Court do hereby certify that Walker R. Kibbe Esq. signer of the foregoing certificates appended to the depositions of James Spence & Charles Dyer was on the 22 nd & 28 th days of August 1832 a Justice of Peace within and for Tolland County legally appointed and authorized to administer oaths & take depositions and that the signatures to sd Certificates purporting to his (the sd Justice Kibbe) are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 29 th day of Aug t 1832
Jeremiah Parish Clerk

16768
Abner Pease Hampden Massachusetts.
Phila 16 mo 15 days
1606
May 29 1845
P. 410-
50. 35  55 58
Abner Knapp Blandford Mass ts

BRIEF in the case of of Hampden
Abner Pease of the County of in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
Court
 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?  3. How old is he? Seventy five  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.     Enlisted In 17 75 8 private   " 1776 8 for Connecticut Capt Willis   8 months 1788 15 state troops Lieut Packer   " Cap Abner Pease  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Somers - Conn.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Clerk's seal not properly attached to all the papers - 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. M. Duncan
Examining Clerk.

18768
Capt. Abner Pease. application and Eidems for Prison
J. M. Osborn, Jr. taken at the request of Osborn, Jr. - date by W. M. Miller

The Deposition of James Spencer Esq. taken at the request of Honor Pean of Blaenford, M.P. - Sealed up & transmitted by Walter R. Kibbe Dist. Clk. Pean

I James Spencer of Farmington, in Tolland County Connecticut. testify & say that in 1776. he performed a tour of Military Duty at New London Ct. in a Company commanded by Capt. Abiah Pearson of Farmington Lt. Lt. Cornelius of Stafford Ct & Ensign Almon Wood of Stafford Ct; the Company was stationed, at a place called Stone's neck. - The Company was ordered to a Regi- ment commanded, by Colo. Moses Walcutt of East Windsor Ct & Major Ely of Ct - The Company laboured on Fort Trum- bull - that the Company continued on Duty, at that place for the period of eight months, & was discharged, by parole, as he saw liberating, about the 12 th day of Sept. 1777 - & the Deposition thereof testifies & says that Almon Pearson. then of said Farmington, now resident in Oxford. in Hartford County. Mass was a private in the same Company, subject to the same command, continued on Duty for the same term of time, & was discharged, at the same time, with himself, at the expiration of eight months at the time of their engagement & further the Deposition saith not
James Spencer
State of Connecticut Tolland County } -
On this 22 nd day of August A D 1832. personally appeared James Spencer, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Deposition, & being duly cautioned, examined & sworn, made oath to the truth of the Deposition aforesaid, by him subscri- bed. Taken at the request of Almon Pearson for the purpose of obtaining a Pension
attest Walter O'Kibbe Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Tolland County ss
This certify that James Spencer whose name is subscrib- ed to the foregoing Deposition, is an inhabitant of the Town of Farmington, in said County - is personally known to the subscriber to be a person of a character for
Truth
attest Walter R. Noble Clerk of court

30022
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 30,022
Abner Pease
His Rev. Mrs.
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 319
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hon. Lewis Cap
surv of war

Sir,
Blanchester July 17. 1833
I herewith return you the Papers in relation to Abner Pease. Purvis, I believe they are now authorized agreeably to the requirements of the Department. Will you be so good as to forward me his certificate as soon as you find it convenient, and oblige y rs obed t serv t .? Alanson Root

16/68
Abner Pearce
Alanna Mary E. Blanchard

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abner Pease 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? a 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 no last term 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? yes  XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Two living witnesses If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes  XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
‡ QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.