Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,407, for Samuel Read, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Read, Samuel
S 29,407
CONTENTS

15.821
Massachusetts
Samuel Reid
of Middlesex Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Underwood of the Regt commanded by Col. Prescott in the Mass. Militia for 17 days 12 hrs.
Granted on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 57 Dollars 98 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1833 and sent to J. W. P. Abbot. Westford
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $115.98 Pension allowance ending Sept — 28.99
$144.95
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { As June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk. book C Vol. 2 Page 72

Jan 2 Recd
N o 5571.

Concord Middlesex
of Massachusetts.
ss.
On this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate now sitting at Concord within and for the New County of Middlesex aforesaid Samuel Reed of Westford in said County of Middlesex aged seventy six years and
Who 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 7th, 1832. That is to say
That said Reed went as a private man and was present at Concord fight and from there to Cambridge and immediately to Roxbury where he stayed about six weeks in a regiment commanded by Col William Prescott of Duxbury and Lieut Col John Robinson of Westford in the Company commanded by Capt Timothy Underwood of said Westford Thomas Cummings of said Westford was first lieutenant and Andrew Manning of said Westford second Lieut. On the expiration of said six weeks said Reed returned to Westford and immediately enlisted into the service of the U.S. for the term of eight months; that he was mustered at Concord before Col Barrett and then went to Cambridge and from there to Prospect Hill and from that place to Winter Hill in Charlestown in said County of Middlesex, where he stayed until the term of enlistment expired and was then regularly dismissed. Said Reed was in a regiment commanded by Col Doolittle; The Lieut Col was John Holden. That the officers of the company in which said Reed was, were, Col Fletcher, Capt, 1 st Lieut Wheeler and 2 nd Lieut Jonas Proctor of said Westford; that said Reed returned to said Westford in the forepart of Jan y 1776, as he thinks. In September 1776 said Reed turned out as a volunteer for two months and was at the battle of White Plains in New York in a regiment commanded by Col Ebenezer Dyer of Lincoln in said County in a company commanded by Col Zachariah Wright of said Westford. The 1 st Lieut was John Holden of Sykesborough and the 2 nd Lieut was Robert Spaulding of Chelmsford, that his term of service was two months which he performed and was then regularly dismissed. That in June or July 1777 as he thinks, he enlisted voluntarily into a company commanded by Capt Joshua Parker in the regiment commanded by Col John Robinson. The other officers were Lieut Col Jacobs, 1 st Lieut Abraham Andrews as he thinks and the 2 nd Lieut Benjamin Fletcher of Chelmsford. He enlisted for the term of six months and at the expiration of said term was regularly dismissed and returned in the latter part of Dec r 1777 or the first part of Jan y 1778. Said service last mentioned was performed at Providence, Little Compton, North & South Kingston, and Kingston in Rhode Island. And the depositions of Elias Dyer and John Crosby are hereto annexed in confirmation of said declaration.

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity whatever, 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 Read
We Reuben Leighton and Silas Chandler both of Westford aforesaid there being no Clergymen residing in the town of Westford aforesaid acquainted with Samuel Read , said Clergymen in the County of Middlesex not having resided in said town over five years hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Samuel Read who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Silas Chandler Reuben Leighton
And the said Court thereupon proceeded to propound the following interrogatories, which he answered under oath, as follows:
1. Where and in what year were you born? I was born in Westford in the County of Middlesex in the year 1754 March 7th Answer,
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Answer, I have no record of my age, which is hereunto annexed.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I was living at Westford in said County of Middlesex when called into the service, have lived there ever since the Revolutionary War, and still continue to reside there.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? Answer, I volunteered to serve
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 service?
Answer, In the eight months service at Charlestown a person named Sullivan, I think his Christian name was John, was general. At White Plains Washington was commander in chief. Putnam and Greene were Generals. At the service in Rhode Island I do not recollect the names of any general officers nor do I recollect the names of any officers other than those I have named in my declaration.
6. 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?
Answer, Reuben Leighton and Silas Chandler both of Westford aforesaid.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Titus Chandler V. L. Lupton who has  have signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the town of Watford an credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Isaac Fish  Probate in & for the county of Middlesex do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Samuel Read for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Grace Root I also certify that John Abbott whose own proper signature is set to the Certificate of the Depositions hereunto annexed is a justice of the Peace within & for said county.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832  Isaac Fish
Watford p. August 29 th 1832. I Ephraim Abbott a clergyman residing in the said town of Watford who having the pastoral charge of the First Parish in said town do hereby certify that having made inquiry since the said Samuel Read made his Declaration herein, I believe him to be upwards of seventy five years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides & that he has been a soldier in the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion.
Ephraim Abbott
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex ss. December 29 th 1832. Then the above named Ephraim Abbott , whom I certify to be a clergyman, as in the above certificate is expressed, personally appeared and made oath, that said certificate, the same having been subscribed by him in my presence, is true, before me.
John Abbott Justice of the Peace

Samuel Read son of Elizer Read and Joanna his wife was born March 7 th 1756.
A true record, Attest, J. P. Prentiss Town Clerk Westford August 10 th 1832
Middlesex ss. Westford Dec r 20 th 1832. I Samuel Read who testified to the truth of the declaration to which this is annexed in addition thereto, do depose and say that I served as a minute man for a time not less than six weeks, and that I stated in my said declaration, that said time was about six weeks, be- cause, I then and now think, I served six weeks and three or four days; I am certain I was in said service at least six weeks.
Samuel Read
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. December 20 th A.D. 1832 Then the above named Samuel Read who is a person of respectability, and whose declaration I consider entitled to full credit, personally appeared, and in my presence subscribed the above, made in addition to his declaration herein, to which this is annexed, and made oath that the facts therein stated are true before me.
John Abbott Justice of the Peace

I John Crosby of Shelburne, in the county of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being seventy five years of age, do depose and say, that I am acquainted with Samuel Reed of Westford in said county. That said Reed was in the United States service in the year 1776, in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Zachariah Wright, and in the regiment commanded by Col. Eleazer Brooks of Lincoln in said county. That I was in the same company with said Reed, and that I and said Reed were in said company two months, and were at the battle of White Plains in New York. And I do further testify and say, that in the year 1777, said Reed and myself enlisted voluntarily into a company commanded by Capt. Joshua Parker, in a regiment commanded by Col. John Robinson both formerly of said Westford; That we went to Providence, Little Compton, North Kingston and South Kingston, in Rhode Island, and performed six months service, when we were regularly dismissed and returned in the latter part of December of said year or in the first part of January following.
John Crosby his mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. August 3. 1832. Then the above named John Crosby, whom I certify to be a man of veracity and his declaration entitled to full credit, personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the whole truth relative to the transactions therein stated before me.
John Abbott Justice of the Peace

I Silas Howard of Westford in the County of Hillsborough and state of New Hampshire, being eighty five years of age, do depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Samuel Read now of Westford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts; that in the year 1775 I was living in said Westford, and that said Read of said Westford and myself voluntarily enlisted into the service of the United States for eight months, and passed muster at Col. Bennett's in Concord in said County of Middlesex soon after Concord fight. Said Read and myself were placed in a company of militia commanded by Capt Joel Fletcher of Templeton in the County of Worcester in the regiment commanded by Col. Dootittle of Petersham in said County of Worcester, We went to Cambridge and were stationed, first on Prospect Hill, and then on Winter Hill in Charles town in the said County of Middlesex, where we finished our term of service, and were regularly dismissed at the expiration of said term of service, and returned to said Westford about the last of December or in the fore part of January 1776. We returned together to Westford with one John Tidd who is now dead.
JEZOWT
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. August 7 th 1832 Then the above named Silas Howard, whom I believe to be a man of veracity, and to whose declarations I doubt not full credit may be given, came personally before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Middlesex and signed the above affidavit and made oath that the same contains the whole truth relative to the transactions therein stated.
John Abbot Justice of the Peace

557 Samuel Reed Middlesex Co (Mass)
Watch 17 M rs 12 days
X 4 16 ob.
April 11. 1833
P. 338
\begin{array}{r} 56.61 \\ 1.32 \\ \hline 57.93 \end{array}
J. W. P. Abbott Worthington Mass Middlesex Co (Mass)

BRIEF in the case of Samuel Reid of Fiddletown in the State of Mass - (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Yes - Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76 years 5 m's  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.     In 17 75 - — 1 2 As a private Gen. Putnam - Underwood   sergeant Col. J. Prescott   to Sept. — 8 — sergeant Capt. J. Fletcher, Col. Doolittle   to June — 2 — " " J. Wright - Col. Brooks   — 6 — " " J. Barker " J. Robinson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains - Concord  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Fiddletown -  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence, living witnesses -  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct - 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
S. H. McBlain Examining Clerk.

29407 Rev INVALID.
File No. 99,407
Samuel West
Rev Rev
Act: Jan 10 1894
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 227
[Arrangement of 1879.]

5571
Samuel Reed
J. W. P. Abbott Esq. Bedford Mass.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Reid (Idolized by me) 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? time at minute near not defined
Said Samuel Reid has testified to a term of not less than six weeks which is annexed to his declaration
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
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?
The certificate of a clergyman has since been obtained in this case
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
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? yes
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
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? yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 the 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.
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 authenticated 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 end 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.
Plaintiff must state in particular terms how long he was in service as a "Mule Team"?