Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23859, for Timothy Rawson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Rawson, Timothy S. 23859
CONTENTS

28841 New York
Timothy Rawson of Rutland in the State of N.Y. who was a Supt in the Corps commanded by Captain Peters of the Regt commanded by Col Root in the Mass'ts line for 14 Mos & 12 days Supt $72.00
Furnished on the Roll of New York at the rate of 72 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate & Pension issued the 17 th day of July 1834 and paid O H Bangs Esq Notary Public N.Y.
Arrears to the 14th of March 34 $216.00 Pension allowance ending 11 Sept " 36.00 $252.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Vincent Luce Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 119

31.033.
Timothy Rawson.

State of New York Jefferson County ss
On this 18 th day of December 1833, personally appeared before me, First Judge us and for said County Timothy Pawson a resident of Rutland in said County aged eighty six years. Who being first duly sworn, understands 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 was born in Uxbridge, Mass Chusett, in the year 1747. His age is recorded in that Town, — that he continued to reside in said Town until 1775 when he entered the service of the United States under the follow- ing named officers, and served as herein stated. That he enlisted at Uxbridge under Capt. Peter as a volunteer, Col. Reuel Smith for nine months, was marched to Rox- bury and there served not less than eight months, as a Sergeant from May 1775 to Jan'y. 1776 when he was discharged — does not recollect whether he received a written discharge or not. — again enlisted at Uxbridge in the Spring of 1776 under Capt. Sibley (does not recollect any other officers), marched to New York, and served there under by as a Sergeant not less than five months, and then discharged — does not remember receiving a written discharge. again enlisted at Uxbridge under Capt. Green Col. Tyler went to Rhode Island in Genl. Spencer's expedition and served as a Sergeant not less than six weeks,

he thinks two months - was discharged at Newport so thinks he did not receive a written discharge - this service was in 1777 about the months of May & June as he believes in consequence of his age & loss of memory he cannot be more particular than of no person by whom he can prove his services except Samuel Person whose testimony he has procured - that since the revolutionary war he has resided in Uxbridge - Newport, New York Port Hope upper Canada & Rutland his present residence. the following persons reside in his neigh- borhood and can testify as to their belief & that of the neighborhood that he served in the Revolutionary war as stated - viz Charles Comins, Cyrus Butler, field Chauncy Rawson - Asaph Comins, Elijah Doolittle & others - that he is not acquainted with any Clergymen in this County. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present; and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. Given to Subscribed, the day & year aforesaid - before me Timothy Rawson John M c Knight Just Judge of Vt. County Courts
we Charles Comins of Rutland and Cyrus Butler field residing in the Town of Waterbury adjoining Rutland in the County of Jefferson hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Timothy Rawson, who has subscribed

and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be eighty six 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 to and subscribed Charles Connors the day & year aforesaid. Cyrus Butterfield before me Calvin M c Knight Esq. Judge of Leff County Courts
I Calvin M c Knight Esq. First Judge in and for the County of Jefferson, hereby declare my 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 bequeathed as he states. and further that the above named Charles Connors & Cyrus Butterfield reside where they state, and are credible persons, and their statement is entitled to credit — and further that the above named Timothy Rawson is entirely unable to attend Court to make his declaration by reason of the infirmities of age.
Calvin M c Knight first Judge of Leff County Courts
Calvin M c Knight Esq. First Judge of Leff County Courts

State of New York Suffolk County Clerk's Office To W. S. Filbert Subscriber
Whereof said County do hereby certify that Belvoir Mr. Knight Esq. before me the annex- ed affidavits purport to have been sworn to at the date of the same first Indg. of Jefferson County bonds in and for said County commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to take the same, and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the same to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and Seal of said County this fifth day of February the year 1834.
J. Purdie Clerk

31.033
Timothy Rawson-
Submitted
Surgeon 14 mo & 12 days
$71.99
e k & Bangs cert- -tificate
B. Hungerford esq Watertown N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 26. 1834
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 Timothy Rawson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     75 8 Sergt { Capt. Peters Col. Reed 86   76 5 " Capt. Sibley Col. not mentioned Wadsworth Oct 1815   12 " Capt. Benson Col. Tyler   14 12  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 days 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
There are rolls of his service in the office of E.D. Benson Secy of state Boston - his certificate neg D written June 16 32

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 inquiry 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 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.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Timothy Rawson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. File 23 859
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 75 8 mos. Sergt. Peters Infly. Col. Mass.   Spring 76 5 mos. " Sibley ✓   Spring 77 2 mos. " Benson Tyler   { Unit Spencership to R & D  
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Uxbridge Mass.
Date of application for pension, Dec 18 1833.  Illinois
Residence at date of application, Rutland Jefferson Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, born - 1747 at Uxbridge Mass.
Remarks: At one time he resided at Newport N.Y.  No family data. Need. for death.

Resolution
23859 INVALID.
File No. 9.9.857
Timothy Rawson Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 352
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Sept 26 '99 Mrs. S. B. Conine Adams, N.Y. Sec. 6706 1909 July 20. History to Fannie A. R. Skillman ♀ 1911 Aug. 10. S. S. Chellis ♀

Watertown N.Y. June 7 1834
Sir I return the application of Timothy Rawson, with the certificate of E D Bangs Secy. of State. — Mr Rawson is apparently very near his end, and his mind is so much impaired it is impossible to get any further explanation from him.
Yours &c O Hunsford
J L Carrus Esq

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 24, 1834.
* 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 name of Timothy Rawson, as a serjeant, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. Andrew Peters' Company, in Col. Joseph Read's Regt. where he is allowed from May 8 th to August 1 st 1775, for services and travel three Months and one day. — — — — — m do 3 = 1 Timothy Rawson claims for further services under Capt. Peters, in Col. Read's Regt. in 1775, - but the roll after August 1 st in 1775, is not found in this Office. Timothy Rawson claims for services under Capt. Sibley, in 1776, and under Captain Benson, in Col. Tyler's Regt. in 1777, but the rolls he describes are not found in this Office. Edward D. Bangs Ly
Col. L.

State of New York County of Herkimer ss: Samuel Brown of the Town of New Port in said County aged Eighty two years & upwards, being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath depose and say that he is well acquainted with Timothy Rawson and also knew him in the time of the revolutionary war and this deponent knows that he the said Timothy Rawson served in the war of the Revolution in the service of the United States as follows Viz: In the month of May 1775 the said Timothy Rawson enlisted as a volunteer at Uxbridge in the State of Massachusetts into Capt. Peters Company in Col. Reed's regiment in the State service for nine months and he was marched in Col. Reed's regiment with this deponent to Roxbury near Boston and Col. Reed's regiment was stationed at Roxbury aforesaid and the said Timothy Rawson & this deponent served in said Regiment at said station in Roxbury the term of eight months for which they respectively enlisted - And this deponent saith that the said Timothy Rawson served as a Sergeant in said eight months tour - And the said Timothy Rawson was discharged at the expiration of his said Eight months service - And this deponent further saith that the said Timothy Rawson

again enlisted as a volunteer at Uxbridge in the State of Massachusetts into Capt- kirt this deponent does not remember the name of the Captain nor of the Col. of the regiment to which he belonged and this deponent saw the said Timothy Rawson in the service at the City of New York several times and he was stationed about 1000 miles up the Hudson river from the City when this deponent saw him and this deponent then was informed by the said Timothy Rawson and believes that he was a Sergeant and had enlisted for five months; and this deponent further saith that he saw said Timothy Rawson in the service in Rhode Island in the Year 1777 in Gen. Spencer's Expedition and this deponent thinks he was in a Company com- manded by Capt. Benson in Col. Tyler's Regiment and this deponent saw the said Timothy Rawson in the service in Rhode- Island when the Army retreated to Princeton this deponent saw him there frequently in the service and this deponent thinks that the said Timothy Rawson was in said service in Rhode Island & Princeton about six weeks - And this deponent was in the same service - And further this deponent saith that he is a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States and has received his pension a number of years & further saith not
Samuel Brown
Sworn & subscribed this 10th day of October 1833 before me,
Hiram Norton Justice of the Peace Herkimer County

Sturminster County ss:
I Hiram C. Norton a justice of the Peace in & for the said County of Sturminster do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Samuel Brown who has sworn and subscribed to the foregoing affidavit before me and that he is a person of truth, credibility and veracity & his statement is entitled to credit — Given under my hand this 10 th day of October 1833 —
H. C. Norton Justice
State of New York
County of Sturminster ss: I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Sturminster the same being a Court of record having by law a Clerk & seal do hereby certify that Hiram C. Norton before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a justice of the Peace in & for said County of Sturminster duly Commissioned & qualified according to law & that his name subscribed to said affidavit and the foregoing certificate by him subscribed is his genuine signature — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my official seal this tenth day of October 1833 —
Julius C. Nelson Clerk

Olympia Washington July 5. 1909
Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
My Great Grandfather was Timothy Ransom and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Was afterwards pensioned. He entered the service either from Uxbridge Mass. or New Port Hykingery Co N.Y. He died at Rutland Jefferson Co N.Y. in 1832.
I desire to know his company & Regt to enable me to join the Daughters of the Revolution
Respectfully
Fannie A. Ransom Skillman
Olympia Washington

1234

New York
Adams Aug. 5, 1911
Commissioner of Pensions,
Dear Sir,
Kindly send me the Revolutionary Service of Timothy Rawson of Uxbridge Mass.
He died and was burried in Watertown Jeff. Co. N.Y.
Truly,
S.S. Schellie