Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,667, for Abijah Pelham, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Sea Service New York
Pelham, Abijah
S 3667
carded
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for contents]
[Blank lined area for contents]

Ohio. 13331
order to pay 12 Oct 1837. - 1860 March 12 Special order to pay
Abijah Belham
of Warren Co in the State of Ohio. who was a Rifler in the Co. commanded by Captain Townsend of the Reg. commanded by _____ in the New York. time for two years
$88.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. at the rate of 88. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26. day of June 1833. and sent to Nathan Hays. Lebanon. Ohio.
Arrears to the 14th of March. 1833. 176.00 Sem.-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33. 44.00
d. Feb 12. 1850
$220.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Palmer Clerk, book 6. Vol. 8. Page 20.

15089 Abijah Pelham Warren co Ohio 13. 731.
Retire 11. 12. 13. 14.
Adm 2 years
as Piper $80.
$58
Nathan Sharp Lebanon Ohio

BRIEF in the case of Abijah Pelham of Warren co in the State of Ohio (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74  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 1775 1 Fifer Gen. McDougal   do 1776 1 Capt. Cornelius Stuyvesant   do 1777 1 on Gunboat same captain Capt. Elijah Townsend Capt. Jabez Fitch   no colonel named  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Long Island, Harlem heights, White Plains, Trenton,  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Westchester co. N. York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? No evidence produced.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Perfect 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. H. Bradburn Examining Clerk.

15089
Abijah Pelham
Residence in New Bedford
Oct 11 1851

State of Ohio. Warren County ss
On this third — day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting in the County of Warren afore- said. Abijah Pelham, resident of the said county aged 74 years, who being duly affirmed, according to Law, doth, on his solemn affir- mation, make the following declaration, to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7 th , 1832:
That at the commencement of the revolutionary War he resided at Pound-ridges in the County of Westchester & State of New York, & that somewhere within the said County in the year 1775 he enlisted into the service of the United States for the term of one year as a Tifer un- der Capt Cornelius Stingrod whose Company, together with two or three others, was stationed at a place called Hell-gate, on the East river; besides that of his Captain this Applicant cannot recollect the names of other Officers at that time in the service; that at Hellgate they built a Fort & there this Applicant served out his term & was discharged, but whether verbally is not recollected; that in 1776 & immediately after his first discharge this Applicant re-enlisted for another year under the same Captain Stingrod, belonging to a regiment not recollected in the Brigade of Genl. M c Dougals; that he was marched from Hell-gate to New York city; that whilst stationed there this Applicant remembers to have seen the English Fleet pass through the Narrows & cast anchor under the Jersey shore; that some short time afterwards he saw three of the English Ships of the line bail- under the fire of our guns, by the city of New York up the North river; that afterwards the British landed on Long-Island, & this Appli- cant in Capt. Stingrod's Company was marched thither; that he was in the Battle on Long-Island in which Genl. M c Dougals horse was shot under him & the Genl. taken prisoner; — that he, this Applicant,
was

was in in the retreat of the American Army back to New York, where he remained until that city was evacuated; that he was then marched to Harlem Heights; that he was in the battle there when the British were victorious; that he was then marched to the White Plains & was in the battle there; that thence he was marched to Croton's Bridge & after a short stand was marched on to Peek's Kill, & there assisted in building a Barracks, was thence marched on to Trenton where Genl. Washington surprised Hooe Col. Rawle's Regiment of Hessians - This happened on Christmas night 1776; - That from Trenton he was marched into Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where, together with all his Company, he obtained a written discharge, which is now lost or worn out, - This discharge was as this Applicant recollects in general terms a dismissal from further service. -
This Applicant further states that he enlisted a third time into the service of the United States. His residence at that time was still at Pound-ridge in the state of New York, & his enlistment was in Chester County in the state of New York in the course of the year 1777 under Capt. Elijah Townsend who served in the Regi- ment commanded by Col. in Genl. Galeb's Battal- ion; - That he was then marched to the White Plains where the Regiment was stationed to protect the Frontiers & whence they were frequently called out in scouting parties; that at this station this Applicant served out his term & got his discharge which is now lost. - That this Applicant then returned home to Pound-ridge & shortly afterwards, to wit, (as he believes) in 1777 he went to Stamford in Connecticut where he enlisted again for one year & served on board a Gun Boat commanded by Capt. Iabez Fitch in the service of the United States, - which Gun-boat plied about on the East river to intercept the British forage. As one of the crew of this Boat he was one night engaged in boarding & taking the Shoulder'em an English Sloop of War, mounting 14 Guns & a

Bow-chaser which they captured & took to the town of Stamford; that a short time after this exploit, this Applicant who still belonged to the said gun-boat, which was under the command of the Lieutenant who took the Command after Capt. Izaac Fitch had been taken prisoner & was then at home on his parole) assisted in surprising & taking Fort Chamberlee on the East end of Long-Island & after loading their boat with the spoil burnt up the large stores of goods which had been laid up by the British. - 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 any state
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid — J. K. Wilds Clk
Abijah Pelham
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states
The State of Ohio } Warren County } ss. I Jonathan H. Wilds clerk of the court of common pleas within and for the county & state aforesaid do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Abijah Pelham for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the court aforesaid at Lebanon this 8 th of Oct. A.D. 1832
J. K. Wilds Clk

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Abijah Pelham 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775- 1 year Fifer Cornelius Stingerod ✓ N.Y.   1776 1 year Cornelius Stingerod ✓   1777 1 Elizah Townsend ✓   1777 1 year { Jabez Fitch on gun boat on East River and helped capture English Sloop of War, and a Bow Chaser  
Battles engaged in, Long Island, Harlem Heights, White Plains, Ticonderoga
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Round Ridge, West Chester Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 3 1832 this cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Warren County Ohio.
Age at date of application, 74 years. Died Feb'y 12. 1850. { from A.B.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Chd Chd
Free Mrs. Corwin 11/6
James L Edwards Esqr Comr of pension,
Washington City,
D.C.

Abijah Pelham

The statement of Elijah Pelham of Wayne County Ohio supplementary to his application for a pension made before the court of common pleas for Wayne County Ohio on the 3 rd day of October AD 1832. This applicant in open court of common pleas for Wayne County Ohio says that there is no Claymore in his neighborhood  and he had any knowledge of his being at a battle in the revolution or  to whom he is known , but that he is & has been for a long time well known to Nathan Sharp & Henry Palestine, gentlemen who reside near & for some years past have resided in the same vicinity with this applicant. He further states, that he has no written discharge in his possession. That he knows of no one now alive, he believes that there is not one living by whom he can prove his services.  Elijah Pelham known & subscribed in open court } May 29 th 1833 J. H. Wilds clk }
We Nathan Sharp & Joshua Morley resident citizens of Turtle Creek township Wayne County Ohio hereby certify that we reside in the neighborhood of Elijah Pelham the above named applicant & that we are well acquainted with said Pelham & have been for many years that they believe him to be about seventy five years of age, that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & we concur in that opinion & that the Pelham in the same Elijah Pelham who applied for a pension before the court of common pleas for Wayne County Ohio on the third day of October 1832 and that he is a man of veracity.  Nathan Sharp Joshua Morley known & subscribed before } open court 29 th May 1833 J. H. Wilds clk }
And the said court declares hereby their opinion that the above applicant is a revolutionary soldier & served as he states & that Nathan Sharp & Joshua Morley who have subscribed the above certificate are credible persons & reside in Wayne Co Ohio

The State of Ohio Warren County } ss I Jonathan H. Wilds clerk of the court of Common Pleas for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Abijah Pellham for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court at Lebanon this 31 st day of May A. D. 1833
J. H. Wilds clk

Oct 11
Free
M c Evans J. G. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Franklin Bank of Cincinnati 5 Oct 1837
Sir,
The enclosed voucher of Abijah Kelham, a pensioner under the act of 7th June 1832, is for your examination which if found correct you will please return to this Agency with an order for payment.
I am yours
Very respectfully John H. Groesbeck P. Agt By R. W. Lawrence
J. B. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

1919 Nov. 12 Hist. to Mrs. R.B. Wadsworth. Letter in W. 8749 Charles Spooner.
Pearson
3667
INVALID.
File No. 3667
Aligah Pelham
Fifer Rev War
Act: June 7. 1832
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Abijah Pelham
Go bro into cant with Sharp & Valentine

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abijah Pelham of Warren county Ohio which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 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 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes - no colonels named VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
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? 910
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? all answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, 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.