Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,077, for Joseph Palmitter, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R I
Palmiter, Joseph. or Palmiter.
S 14.077.
Carded.
CONTENTS

20770 20771 New York
Joseph Palminter of Otsego Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. command by Captain Gavit of the Regt. command by Col. Cook in the Genl. line for 7 Mos. R.D.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Aug. 1833 and due to Heid Heid Burlington
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 58.33 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4th Dec 34 11.66 $69.99
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by S. C. Stiles Clerk Book 6. Vol. 4. Page 72.

State of New York Otsego County ss.
I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Joseph Palmeter for a Pension & I further certify that Elijah Bates before whom the preceding affidavits of Joshua Wells & Joshua Babcock purport to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to to the said affidavits to be his proper hand writing & signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 19 th day of Oct r 1832
Horace Lathrop By T. K. Cory Deputy

And the said courts hereby certify and after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories proposed by the way of partment declares their opinion, that the above Applicant Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and thereby served as his states and then said courts further certify that it appears to them that Joshua Babbcock and Joshua Bull is that has subscribed and sworn to the annexed affidavits are creditable persons and entitled to credit
J. O. Morton J. C. Mansfield Judges E. Root
Oct 4th 1840

State of New York Otsego County } ss
On this fifteenth day of October A D 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Otsego in the State of New York now sitting of said County of Otsego now sitting Joseph Palmeter a resident of the town of Mainfield County of Otsego & State of New York aged eighty four years who first being 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 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 Westerly in Rhode Island that at the commencement of the Revolutionary war he resided in the town of Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut but now resides in the town of Mainfield County of Otsego and State of New York that he enlisted in said town of Stonington as a drummer in the Rhode Island line of service in the month of August in the year 1776 for three months and was stationed at Newport and Tiverton in a company commanded by Capt. John Gavit and in Col. John Cook's regiment and was discharged in the month of November following and that he served the full term of his enlistment as drummer of said company that in January in the year 1777 he again enlisted in the service of the United States as a drummer for three months in the Rhode Island service in a Comp y commanded by Capt. Phineas Thiryon and in a Regiment commanded by Col. Charles Dyer and was discharged the 6 th day of April following after having served the full time of his enlistment as the certificate herewith annexed will more fully show that in March 1778 he was drafted to go into the service but in consequence of sickness of his family he procured Silas Lamb as a substitute in the Continental army for Capt. Amos Stantons Company Col. Sherburnes M t for which he paid one hundred and thirteen dollars and thirty three cents as by the certificate herewith annexed will show
3 mo. 3
3 mo. 3

and that notwithstanding he had procured a substitute feeling a great anxiety for his country's cause he volunteered was in the engagement on Newport at the time of Sullivan's expedition and was attached to Col. Dappin's Mtdy T was in 10 1/2 } the service about ten days that he was called out on alarms three times during the war twice at New London and once at Stonington Point and that he was in the service 20 1/2 of his country during the three alarms about twenty days
that he has no other documentary evidence but the certi- -cates herunto annexed - and that he has not been able to procure any legal testimony from any person of his actual service - 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 army of any state
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Horace Southrop. Clerk.
Joseph Palmer
and the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter- -rogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and that Joshua Wells who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Plainfield in said county & that Joshua Pillsbury who has signed the annexed affidavit resides in the said town of Plainfield, & that he is a credible person, & that their statements are entitled to credit. — J. O. M. 011. S. Page. J. D. M.
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 Joseph Palmer for a pension — in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office
This day of

18059
Joseph Palmer
adm a
i.f.
Henry Hill Burlington Ohio County .ct J

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 17 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 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. These 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 Joseph Palmer Astoria County N York
   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.     Enlisted Aug 1776 " 3 " Drummer Caps Colo Newport Stonington   Enl Jan 1777 " 3 " do Garrit Cook New London   Aft Mar 1778 " " 10 priv Kenyon Dyer Sturport New London Connecticut Downey's Testimony   1778 " " 20 priv Jappan Stonington & Kenyon's Testimony   do age 84 years  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Service by substitute not allowed

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 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 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, 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.

Joseph Palmiter S.F. 14077.
A certificate showing that Joseph Palmiter procured Silas Lamb of the 3 d Conn. militia as his substitute to serve 3 years in Capt. Amos Stanton's co., Col. Wm. Sherburn's reg't, Continental army, dated Mar. 16, 1778 and signed by Henry Williams Lieut. has been filed in claim of Jane widow of Silas Lamb Wid. file 20399.
A. E. P. Qu
July 11, 1906.

Joseph Palmutter R.I. S.F. 14077

These May Certify Whome it may Concern that Joseph Palmer was Chosen Drummer for three Months in Capt. Kinyon's Company in Col. Dyer's Regiment in the Rhode Island Service and Served out that whole term of time on April 6 th Day AD 1777 from me Azariah Grandol for ft. Lieut. in Capt. Kinyon's Company Azariah Grandol Lieut.

Essex County ss.
Elder Joshua Wells as Preacher of the Gospel of the town of Plainfield and County aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has been acquainted with Joseph Palmer formerly of Hopkinton in the state of Rhode Island now a resident of the town of Plainfield in the state of New York for more than thirty years and believes him to be a man of truth and veracity and has no doubt but that he has served in the revolutionary service as stated by him and further saith not
Joshua Wells
Subscribed and sworn
September 10 th 1832 before me
Elijah Gates Justice

I hereby certify Joshua Wells the person who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit is a res- pectable clergyman of the Baptist Denomination residing in the town of Plainfield and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief. Plainfield June 11 th 1888
Elijah Gates Justice

Rev. man
14077 INVALID.
File No. 14.077
Joseph Palmiter Rev. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 289
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Joseph Palmiter Records completed July 17, 1906. B

adma Ymopri  $23.33

State of New York Otsego County
Joshua Babcock being duly sworn deponeth and saith he is well acquainted with Joseph Palmer formerly of the State of Rhode Island but now of the State of New York and that he has been acquainted with him for more than forty years and that this deponent believes him to be a man of truth and veracity and of steady habits and he has no doubt but what he has rendered the services by him set forth in a specification herewith annexed as a damages in the Revolution war - and that he knew him when he resided in the State of Connecticut
Subscribed and sworn
September 11 th 1852
Joshua Babcock
before me
Elijah G. Gates Justice

I hereby certify that Joshua Babcock the person who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief. Plainfield June 5 th 1738 — Elijah  Gates Justice
Robt Palmeter
18059 7
Henry Sill