Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,546, for Ephraim Niles, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Niles, Ephraim
NUMBER
S. 15,546
carded.
CONTENTS

N o 18359 Vermont
Ephraim Niles
of Caledonia Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Vose of the Infantry commanded by Col. Grayton in the R. Island Troops line for 14 months & 24 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 48 Dollars 99 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15. day of August 1833 and sent to Simon Paul Danville Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 97.98 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. 1833 24.49 $122.47
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, book E, Vol. 3 Page 80
Apr. 22, 1885 - Statement sent Ezra S. Stearns, Coast Ridge N.H. - see copy in case of Ephraim Miller File No. 29.327
Brick and stone A.B.

Ephraim Niles
Declaration
No 3007
P. 5

State of Vermont } ss. Caledonia District & County }
On this 25 th day of July A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Benjamin H. Denning Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid now sitting Ephraim Niles a resident of Lyndon in the County and District aforesaid aged seventy seven years and nearly seventy eight, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That at Milton in the State of Massachusetts his then place of residence in the month of April 1775 on the first alarm of the British having left Boston about the time of the battle of Lexington he marched to Roxbury near Boston in the company of Capt. Bradley and there remained in said company about six weeks and then at said Roxbury he enlisted into the Massachusetts troops for the term of eight months in the company of Capt. Elijah Vose in the Reg t of Col. Grayton, Joseph Vose Major - was stationed at Roxbury for about the first half of the time and the latter half at or near Cambridge Common, he was at P. Roxbury on the day of Bunkerhill battle - was discharged at the same time of the other troops in the eight months service and faithfully served as a private until the term of service for which he enlisted had expired.
That afterwards and he thinks in the year 1777 in the summer of that year he went out in the Massachusetts militia from Bridgewater Mass. where he then resided went to Rhode Island crossed onto the Island at Tiverton, Howland's ferry - thinks he was in the service about six weeks - does not remember the names of any of his officers. That afterwards and he thinks in the summer of 1778 he was out again in the militia from said Bridgewater went to Rhode Island and crossed onto the Island at the same place as the year previous.

was out about six weeks previous at that time. This was at the time of Sullivan's expedition - Recollects an engagement on the Island with the British, is not confident as to the names of his officers.
That at said Bridgewater he enlisted in the Massachusetts troops for the term of four months - marched to Fort Ticonderoga by way of Charleston N. H. then called N. H. went by water from Skeensboro' to Ticonderoga - served in the company of Capt. Keith does not recollect the name of his Col. was stationed separate from his regt. about two miles south of Fort Ticonderoga at Lake George Landing to guard the provisions for the troops all of which was received that way. He does not recollect the year, thinks it was the next year after he was at Rhode Island the last time - knows that he served the whole four months and that his time was out late in the fall.
Was born at Braintree Mass. has no record of his age. After the close of the war removed from said Bridgewater to Fitchburgh Mass. from which last place he removed to Wheelock Caledonia County Vermont about forty years since and has ever since resided at said Wheelock and in Danville and Lyndon adjoining. Never had a written discharge. That he does not certainly know of any person whose testimony he can procure by whom he can prove his services.
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. Exhibit A
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Benj. F. Dunning
Judge of Probate

We Abner Morrill of Wheelock in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont and John A. Stanton of Danville in said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Wiles who has made the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be seventy seven 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 - and we do further certify that the said Ephraim Wiles is reputed a man of truth and veracity and we have no doubt that he served as he states.
Abner Morrill John A. Stanton
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Benj. H. Dunning
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 certifies that Abner Morrill and John A. Stanton who have signed the preceding certificate are residents the former of Wheelock and the latter of Danville in said Caledonia County and that they are well known to the Court to be Gentlemen of respectability whose statement is entitled to credit.
I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid

do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Niles for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 25 th day of July A.D. 1832.
Amos Paul Register

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Ephraim Niles a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. F. 15,546
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1775 6 wks. Pri. Bradley. ✓ Mass.   Immediately after { 4 mos. Pri. Elijah Vose. Greaton.   1777 6 wks. Pri. Names of officers not remembered.   1778 6 " Pri. " " " " "   " 4 mos. Ordly Sgt. Heith. ✓  
Battles engaged in, In Sullivan's expedition. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Milton, Mass. Date of application for pension, July 25, 1832. His cl. was al. Residence at date of application, Lyndon, Caledonia Co., Vt. Age at date of application, 77 yrs. Born at Braintree, Mass. Remarks: There is no data relative to family.  Date of his death is not shown.
Respectfully,
"Appears not continued" under Act 1820.
Commissioner.

THE GENESEE COURIER
OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC PAPER OF GENESEE COUNTY
H. J. HOWE, EDITOR AND PROP.
LE ROY, N. Y., April 14, 1915
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir:-
I am anxious to get records in regard to one Ephriam Niles, a revolutionary soldier of 1775 at Milton, Mass., whom I believe is credited with 8 enlistments. Can you provide me with the dates of his enlistments or other information. Anything concerning him will be greatly appreciated as my wife desires to become a member of the D.A.R.
Yours very truly,
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "H. J. Howe", written in dark ink.

P
15546
INVALID.
1915, Apr. 21. Dist. to St. J. Home. L.W. 1915 Oct. 13. To Mr. H. Taylor, letter in 8.38491 John Allen, L
File No. 15546
Ephraim Niles
Pre Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 274
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

I Shubael Boston a Clergyman residing in S t Johnsbury in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont do hereby certify that I resided at Wheelock in said Caledonia County for several years next preceding the year 1832, that during that time I was well acquainted with Ephraim Wiles of Lyndon, near said town of Wheelock who has as I understand made an application to obtain a pension, that I believe him to be seventy eight 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 I concur in that opinion. I further certify that E. Wiles is a man of truth and veracity and in my opinion full confidence may be reposed in his statement.
Shubael Boston
State of Vermont } Caledonia County ss } Lyndon — April 23 A.D. 1833
Then personally appeared before me, Shubael Boston and subscribed and made oath to the above certificate
A. Wheeler Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont Caledonia County ss }
I Benjamin H. Deming Clerk of Caledonia Court Court do hereby certify that Alpheus Fletcher who has subscribed the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that I believe the same to be his genuine signature - In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 29 th day of April A.D. 1833 -
Benj in H. Deming Clerk.
notar public

War Department Pension Office 2 d April 1833.
Sir,
The papers of Ephraim Niles are again returned. The objections made to the original declaration not being answered by that which has been made as supplementary. But, as he now for the first time alleges that he was a Sergeant, it becomes necessary that he should establish this rank by the production of his warrant, or other satisfactory testimony.
The claim of Joseph Woods has been admitted. The pension Certificate is herewith enclosed.
I am respectfully your ob d Serv t
J L Edwards
Amos Paul, Esq r Danville Vermont

Eph. 1:11
Objection. 10.811.
to be removed.
✓
Admit
Hms 248
Mwate
46.66
2.63
$ 48.99
Return this

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ephraim Viles 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? No. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Not at any period of Service 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? He has not produced the evidence of a Clergyman, but has produced that of two Respectable Citizens XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? None 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? He has no documentary testimony, and states that he does not, certainly, know of any person by whom he can prove his services 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? 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? The Court Certifies that the interrogatories were put to the applicant
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.
† 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ 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.

State of Vermont
District and County of Caledonia ss. On this 15 th day of December personally appeared in open court before the Court aforesaid now sitting Ephraim Wiles aforementioned and on oath makes the following additional and explanatory declaration to wit. That he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his several services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below - viz. Six weeks in April and May 1775 -
Eight months ending in the winter of 1776. Two tours of six weeks each at Rhode Island Four months at Lake George.
He served as orderly sergeant a part of the eight months service and according to the best of his recollection the last four months of that service , on all other occasions served as a private. He has been endeavouring since the making of the foregoing declaration to recollect the names of the officers under whom he served, but cannot recollect any further than stated in said declaration.
Altho he lives in the town of Lyndon he usually attends public worship in the adjoining town of Wheelock and it is in that town that he is more particularly acquainted and in that town there is no resident Clergyman.
Ephraim Wiles
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before Benjamin H. Denny Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the foregoing additional declaration of the said Ephraim Miles is true.
I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the further proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Miles for apportionment.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 21 st day of December A.D. 1832
Amos Paul Register
Ephraim Miles Declaration
I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears to said Court that Shubael Boston who has signed the certificate herewith transmitted is a clergyman resident in St. Johnsbury in the County of Caledonia, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 29 th day of April A.D. 1833.
Amos Paul Register

Danville, Vermont, April 30. 1833
Sir
I return herewith the declaration of Ephraim Niles with a Clergyman's certificate accompanying the same.
I am instructed by Mr. Niles to say that he does not know of any person by whom he can prove his services as a Sergeant - and that he waives all claim to an increased pension on account of his services as such, and is willing to accept a certificate for that and his other services at the sum allowed by law to those who served as privates.
Respectfully
Yr.
Amos Paul.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions

U. S. Pension Office.
Ephraim Smith - of Chelsea , Mass. Sept. 4 th 1862 - aged 38 yrs.
Allyed Smith in Chelsea during the rebel  war of Rev. in Fall of 1862 the Co. of Militia which he belonged to went down - with  the  rebel  army enlisted as private men, who were led  by  their  officers to  the  front  lines where  they  were  captured during the rebel  war of Rev. following spont  which  was in training  drill  and  exercising on the 10 th  11 th  12 th  13 th  14 th  15 th 2 d  week  in  the  afternoon new was  to  go  to  work of the Springfield  Co.  which had been  place  earlier  that morning by  Colonel  Smith mediated ordered  out marched to  the  front  lines  about ten miles  that  night  halted and as  the  rebel  army near March  before  day  light reached Waterbury  before  noon then went to  the  Camp  where where they  encamped  for so all  time  of  the  war  had been at  Cambridge  some  days until  about  the  middle  of  the  war the State  Co.  from  officers  &  men enlisted into  the  public  service of  the  war  the  war  the  war whole period  of  the  war was captured  by  the  rebel  army Hubbard &  John  Smith  were killed &  Wm  also  was  cousin - soon after they reached
(13379-200,000.)

Cambridge, Bigelow was ap- pointed Maj. of the Co. chose Hubbard for Capt. Smith for 1 st Lt. & Cates for 2 nd Lt. These three continued the officers for the balance of the war. ex- cept that in Capt. Hubbard, with a part of the men belonging to this Co. joined the army under Arnold & went to Quebec. No officer was appointed in the place of Hubbard. Maj. Bigelow also went with Arnold. The Co. was in the Regt. of Col. Jonathan Ward- Major Barns & Bigelow were of the Regt. Ward he thinks had the chief command until the arrival of Genl. Washington, which he thinks was about the last of June or first of July.
On July 26 th the Regt. removed from Cambridge to Dorchester where they remained until the close of the service. Col. Fellows Regt. was also at Dorchester. His chief duty consisted during this time consisted in keeping guard. Standing sentry & assisting in building barracks for winter quarters. A frequent guard was kept at Dorchester point, near near opposite Ft. William, as well as a guard at Dorchester.
During the season Maj. Tupper of Col. Fellows Regt. with a number of men from the Regt. & from Ward's went down & took the ligh- thouse from the British. He was not with this party. Ward had his head quarters at Roxbury while the Regt. was at Dorchester.

was stationed for first half of service at Roxbury & for last half near Cambridge. Armory - was at Roxbury on day of Battle of Bunker Hill.
Again enlisted from Bridge- water in 1777. Went to R. I. Crossing at Tiverton - Howland's ferry - was in service about six weeks - did not remember names of officers -
Again - in 1778 - served in militia - from Bridge- water - with going to R. I. & serving about six weeks - at time of Sullivan's Expedition - did not remember officers -
Was out at another time but did not recollect the year - went from Bridgewater - out four weeks - went to Scituate by way of Charlestown N.H. & my way from Skeensboro - - was in Capt. Heath's Co. - was stationed separate from his Regt. about 2 miles south of Scituate, at Lake George. Landing to guard the provisions for the troops all of which were accused that way -
He says that he was born at Braintree, Mass. - removed thence to Bridgewater - then to Fitch- burgh - thence to W. Stock- Vt. about 40 years prior to 1832 - & resided thence at Danville & Lyndon ever after -
File No. 15576
Ephraim Niles.

U. S. Pension Office.
He says that he was born at Newton Mass. when he was quite young his father removed to Worcester - that he was born June 15 th 1744. He resided at Worcester until 1786, when he removed to Chester, where he often resided.
(The above foregoing etc!)
(The Miller referred to in the foregoing notes is probably not the one inquired about, but as his statements give some interesting details of the events some events of the Revolution, they may be of historical interest. These notes are, however, from a statement made about 50 yrs after the close of the war by , and by a man in his 89 th year, but who seems to have a clear recollection of the events of his earlier days -)
The only claim found for a Revolutionary Pension by by the name Ephraim Viles, is from a resident of Lyndon, Vt. who enlisted in from Milton, Mass. in Apr. 1775 - about the time of the battle of Lexington, in Capt Bradley's Co. & served at Roxbury about six weeks - then enlisted for 8 mos. in Capt. Elijah Basset's Co. of Col. Grayson's Regt.
(13979-200,000.)

- Rand was Major The Stinks The new Major was Bowman. They remained a few days at Benton - while there he was sent out under a light guard, to guard some mills about six miles from Ben- nington - from Bennington they were ordered to the North River & crossed it at the Half Moon Settlement, where they remained he thinks only four nights, when orders came to march back to Bennington - which they reached the next day after the battle there at about two o'clock in the afternoon - At that time the prisoners were confined in the meeting house - in the dark of the evening the prisoners made an attempt to escape. Some of them got out at the door - one of them was shot down by the guard, & that brought the others in sub subjection - He remained at Bennington until Aug. 29 th when Col. Cushing's Regt was dismissed on parole by Genl Lincoln & he reached home on the evening of Sept. 1 st - He adds that after the attempt of the prisoners to escape an additional guard of 100 was stationed about the house during the night - that he was one of the guard for the last half of the night.

U. S. Pension Office.
Again on 24 July 1777 orders were received for a part of the Co. to which he belonged to turn out for the purpose of opposing the British army advancing from the northward under Genl. Burgoyne - No Commissioned Officers were ordered from that Co. - but two Sergeants & a certain number of men - the Co. was called together but no one of the Sergeants was willing to go at that time because of the year - the Sergeants then agreed to draw lots cuts - the lot fell on him (Miller) as he was one of the Sergeants - Asa Ward - but Ward did not go, sending one Reuben Rice to take his place. He & the men who from the Co. marched the next day, July 25 th 1777. - at Brookfield were joined by other troops from different towns in said County - & were formed into a Co. of which Jesse Stone of Ward the town of Ward was Capt. Saml. Hubbard of Holden, 1 st Lt. H. Nathaniel Harrington of Worcester 2 nd Lt. - He (Miller) continued as Sergt. - the other Sergts were Elisha Hubbard - Reuben Rice - & Saml. Thompson - They then marched on to (13979-200,000.) Bennington & were attached to the Regt. of Col. J. B. Cushing

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Niles, Gains GRADE Private LINE New Hampshire
WARRANT NUMBER 3358 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Feb. 16, 1795 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.