Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15196, for Samuel Plumley, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Plumley, Samuel
S 15196
bearded
CONTENTS

18.825
Vermont
Samuel Plumley
Orange Co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith - of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass? on a line for 7 mo 28 ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 26 Dollars 41 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of October 1833 and sent to M c Hevard E. Randolph
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 $ 61.02 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 4 - 13.20
$79.22
5 Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. 3. Page 84

Sam l Plumby Declaration for Reunion
20595

State of Vermont                      On the 30 th day of August 1833 Orange County ss                      Personally appeared before the Hon ble District of Randolph ss              Probate Court in and for Said District in open Court now sitting at Randolph in Said Dis- trict, being a Court of Record Samuel Plumbly named in the within Declaration age 73 years, who being first duly sworn as the Law directs, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in addition to the one within named, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. —
That in the Month of April as he thinks in the year 1776 he en- listed for Seven months under Capt. Isaiah Smith, and served the full term of Seven months, and in no part of the time was he engaged in any Civil pursuit. As a further State that from his own recollection he cannot State the name of the Col. — but that he has recently been informed by Mr Paul Smith of Royalton in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, and who is the Son of the Said Capt. Isaiah Smith, that the name of the Col. who commanded the Regt. in which his father was a Capt. was Whitney. — his Christian name he does not know: — but of the correctness of this he cannot be certain. —
He further States that in the year 1777 he took the place of Rollin Weeks as a Subaltern, and started from Greenwich Nop. in the Month of August, and arrived at Bennington Vt the next day, after the Battle. — Capt. Weeks commanded the Company in which he was dur- ing that Four months, and Col. Woodbridge command- ed the Regt. —
He further States that he did serve out the full term of Four months as within stated, and during Said time was engaged in no Civil pursuit.
Samuel Plumbly
State of Vermont                      Then personally appeared the above District of Randolph ss              the above named Samuel Plumbly and made known unto me, before me, the truth of the above declaration. — In testimony of which I have hereunto affixed the Seal of this Court, and subscribed my name, this 30 th day of August 1833.
William Verelard Register

State of Vermont,
At Randolph
in said County on this 14 th day of December
District of Randolph ORANGE COUNTY ss.
A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable Calvin Bragdon Judge
of Probate for said District
the Court of said Orange County, now sitting, being a Court of Record Samuel Plumbly a resident of Randolph in the County of Orange
and State of Vermont, aged 73 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 in the Spring of 1776 at Greenwich in the State of Massachusetts, he enlisted under Captain Isaiah Smith for Seven Months and went to Pawtucket near Boston in the State of Massachusetts and staid the full term of my enlistment. A British Brig was taken here during this time, that was going into Boston with provision. The names of the higher officers are forgotten. The next year, as he thinks, Rollin Weeks was drafted for four Months to go to Bennington, and he procured him the said Samuel Plumbly to take his place, and after he did take his place and went to Bennington, and then to Manchester in the State of Vermont, and then to Stillwater in the State of New York, and then to Saratoga, and then to White Plains, at which time and place the said four months expired. That he was then discharged and returned home. That he received a discharge also at the end of his first service he had a discharge but does not know when either of them are at this time. Question 1 st Born at Union in the State of Conn. in the year 1759. 2 nd Age recorded in the Town Clerks office in the town of Randolph Vt. - 3 rd Living in Greenwich in the State of Mass. when called into Service, and have since lived in Randolph Vt. most of the time. 4 th The first time I entered the Service I enlisted - the other time I was a Substitute for Rollin Weeks. 5 th In the last term I was under Capt. Woodcock, and Col. Woodbridge. - and was at the taking of Burgoyne. 6 th Capt. Smith gave me my discharge and Capt. Woodcock the other. They are both lost. 7 th Rev. Silvanus Eastman. Hon. Frederick Griswold. Mr. John Morrill. Mr. Peter Bates. He further states that he knows of no corroborating testimony at this time that he can obtain.
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.

then discharged and returned home. - That he received a discharge also at the end of his first Service he had a discharge but does not know when either of them are at this time. - Question 1 st Born at Union in the State of Conn. in the year 1759 - 2 nd Age recorded in the Town Clerks office in the town of Randolph Vt. - 3 rd Service in Greenwich in the State of Mass. when called into Service, and have since lived in Randolph Vt. most of the time. - 4 th The first time I entered the Service I enlisted - the other time I was a Substitute for Rollin Weeks. - 5 th In the last term I was under Capt. Hooker, and Col. Woodbridge. - and was at the taking of Burgoyne. - 6 th Capt. Smith gave me my discharge - and Capt. Hooker the other. They are both lost. - 7 th Rev. Tilton Eastman. Hon. Frederick Griswold. Mr. John Morrill. Mr. Peter Bates. He further states that he knows of no corroborating testimony at this time that he can obtain. 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Samuel Plumbly Calvin Blodgett Judge of Probate
We Tilton Eastman Clergyman and Peter Bates residing in the said Randolph hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Plumbly who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be 73 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. Tilton Eastman Clergyman Peter Bates
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Calvin Blodgett Judge of Probate
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 certify that it appears to them that Tilton Eastman who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Randolph in said County, and that Peter Bates who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Calvin Blodgett Judge of Probate
William Webard Register or Clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Plumbly for a pension. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 14 th day of December A. D. 1832. William Webard CLERK. or Register

20.575 Samuel Humble
Admit 7 mo 28 d
52.82 23.33 13.20 3.08 65.02 26.41
Samuel Hubbard East Randolph Vt

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjjoined 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 Plummer of Orange County, Vermont
   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.     1776 7 Private Capt. Smith no Gene- ral or field of- ficer men- tioned from Green- wich to Nantasket Greenwich Massa- chusetts Traditional   1777 4 " Hooker None from Ben- nington to Manchester Vermont then to Saratoga & White Plains aged 73 years Evidence  
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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
He must state his Colonel & apply to E. D. Bump Esq. Secretary of the State of Mass. for proof of service. Col. Whitney

✓ 15,196 INVALID.
File No. 15,196
Samuel Humbley Rev Rev war
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 298
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dear H. L. Edwards Census of Russia. —

E. Randolph Vt. Sept. 10. 1833. —
Wm. J. S. Edwards Com. 2 of Perkins. —
I return the Papers of Samuel Plumb- -ly — I have caused Mr Plumbly to make a more definite statement of the length of his services. —
This he did previous to sending to the Secretary of State of Mass. — You will perceive that his Statements do not agree with the proofs derived from that Source as to the length of the services. — Still Mr Plumbly feels confident in his own mind, that he understands as much service as he has stated in his declaration.
Mr Plumbly's Statement looks somewhat probable from the fact that he says he com- -menced in April, as he thinks , and that corres- -ponds to the time first named in the Cer- -tificate of the Secretary. — Makes the time very nearly as stated by Mr Plumbly. —
The contents of the certificate of the Sec- -retary must determine the length of the time. Mr Plumbly will be very glad to receive a Pension for that time. —
I have the Honor to be Very Respectfully Yours Obedt. Servant
William Ladd and
8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 14 th 1832.
I 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 Samuel Plurnley as a private is found on a Pay Roll of Capt. Josiah Smith's Company in Col. Whitney's Regiment where he is allowed from the 1 st of August to the 1 st of November 1776 - three Months
3.
Samuel Plurnley's name is also found on a Pay Roll of Capt. Josiah Smith's Company in Col. Whitney's Regiment where he is allowed for the month of November 1776 - for services and travel One month and six days.
1.06
Samuel Plurnley's name is also found on a Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Hooker's Company in Col. Ruggles Woodbridge's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia where he is allowed from August 17 th to November 29 th 1777, for services and travel three months and twenty two days.
3.22
7.28
Edward D. Bangs. Secy