Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3656, for David Perkins, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass. Sea Service
Perkins, David
S 3656
Carded
CONTENTS

19. 863 Ohio  Pittsburg
David Perkins
of Cuyahoga in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Co. A  Infantry commanded by Captain Perney . of the Regt commanded by Col Hathaway in the U.S. A. time for 6. Months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio  Pittsburg at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of Sept. 1833 and sent to Stephan Chas  giving  Cuyahoga  Co  Ohio
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. $ 50.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 1833 10.00
$ 60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm R. Salton Clerk, Book E. Vol. 8. Page 123.

David Perkins Pensioner
Examined & Sworn in open Court April 23. 1833 H. Perry Clk

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 Isaac Brown and Harmon Parker are residents of Chagrin in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio and are credible persons and that this statement is entitled to credit
I Horace Perry Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Cuyahoga County and State of Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the Application of David Perkins for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this twenty fourth day of April A.D. 1833.
Horace Perry Clerk Com Pleas

Declaration
In order to Obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Ohio Cuyahoga County ss On this 23 rd day of April 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting David Perkins a resident of Okawawa in the County of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio aged 68 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following declarations in order to Obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated
That he was born in Haverhill in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1765
That his birth was recorded in the records of that town
That in April 1778 he was then living in Newton (aforesaid) he enlisted into a Regiment of Massachusetts State troops for 6 months said Regiment was commanded by Col Hathaway. That he served in said Regiment until the first of October and received a written discharge signed by Col Hathaway which he has lost. That during said service he was in Gen l Sullivan's expedition on New Port Island, And he was also in a skirmish between the Americans and a party of British who came over to burn fall River Mills
That in October in the same year he enlisted on board the Lady Washington and served on board of said Vessel until December 1780 That George Parry was Capt n of said Vessel Andrew Coffin first mate & James Osborn 2 d mate. That said Vessel cruised about Sandy Hook off the West Indies and about Rhode Island during said time was captured an 18 gun Vessel a number of transports

that when he left said Vessel he received a written discharge signed by Capt t Perry and which discharge he has also lost.
And he deponeth & saith that by reason of Old age and the consequent loss of memory he is unable to swear positively to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not up than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades For six months I served as a private soldier, For two years I served as a Marine And for such service I claim a pension.
That he has no documentary evidence and he knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service That he is known to John Campbell John Hall Isaac Brown & Harmon Parker residing in his neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
That there is no Clergyman to whom he is known resident in the County of Cuyahoga.
That after the Revolution he continued to reside in Shrewsbury in the State of Massachusetts until the year 1803 he then removed to New Marlboro in the State of Vermont after residing there one year he removed to Chautauqua Point in the State of New York and resided there about nine years then removed to Gorham in the same State & resided there about two years, he then came to Chagrin Cuyahoga County Ohio where he now resides.
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 & Subscribed in Open Court David Perkins April 23 rd 1833 Horace Perry Clerk Com pleads

Mr Isaac Brown and Harmon Parker residing in Chagrin Cuyahoga County & State of Ohio hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with David Perkins who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that Opinion
Isaac Brown
Sworn to & Subscribed in Open Court April 23. rd 1833
Harmon Parker
Horace Perry Clerk Comptroller

David Perkins Cuyahoga Co Ohio
Return Adm. to pro $ 20.
J Lapham Chagrin Cuyahoga Co O
repeal, and unlook, satisfactory proof is adduced touching the points, a portion cannot be allowed for the service.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
17 June ~ 1833
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 David Perkins. Cuyahoga Co Ohio
   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.     April 1778. 6 Private Col. Nathanay 68 years Trenton Massachusetts Traditionary   Oct 1780. 2 Marine Capt Penny - Ho Nepel Lady Washington  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
There is no evidence the Lady Washington was a public Armed vessel, and unless satisfactory proof is adduced touching this point, a pension cannot be allowed for this service.

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) _____, who has 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

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[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, deposes 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 5 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.

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 David Perkins 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.     Apr. 1778 6 mos. Pvt. Wetherby Mass.   Oct. 1778 Dec. 1780 Marine George P. Penny on board the ship   Lady Washington, which captured   an 18 gun brig & a number of transports.  
Battles engaged in, Fort Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Freetown, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 23, 1833
Residence at date of application, Chagrin, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio.
Age at date of application, born in 1765 in Freetown, Mass.
Remarks:
In 1803 he moved from Freetown Mass. to New Marlboro Vt. and at the end of a year moved to Schenectady Point N.Y. there nine years, thence to Gosham N.Y. & thence to Chagrin Co. Ohio. There is no date on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Ret Sec
8421 Detroit Ave., Suite 4, Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1919.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I should appreciate it very much if you would send me a copy of the record of Revolutionary service of David Perkins, who was pensioned in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Sept. 1833 for service in the Massachusetts Militia. I particularly desire any facts bearing on the place and date of his birth and the names of any of his family connections.
Thanking you,
Very truly yours,
Mrs. A. W. Hensmore

1919 Nov. 3 Hist. to Mrs. A. H. Densmore.
Reserve
3656
INVALID.
File No. 3656
David Perkins
Brit. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Aug 27
Chic N.D.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington.

Chagrinbury County Ohio Aug. 21 st 1855
Sir
I have the honor to  acknowledge  the receipt of  your letter of  the 14 th inst. son-in-law of David Perkins - The old man feels confident that the lady Washington was a public nurse Nipol in the Revolution - he now ever is unable to prove any proof he has no means to meet any expense that might be incurred - With respect to the 6 months service I refer from your note that there is no objection, he will be satisfied with a certificate for the amount which that entitles him, presuming that the files & records in the War Department do not furnish proof respecting the character of the Nipol
Yours S c .
J. L. Edwards Esq d
D. Lapham