Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,650, for Abner Peck, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Peck, Abner
S. 30,650
CONTENTS

15.033
Massachusetts
Abner Peck of Shelburn in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stuart of the Regt commanded by Col. Stearns in the Mass. Home Guard line for 9 months & 20 days
Cont.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 32 - Dollars - 92 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of May 1833 and Lieut. Gen. Geo. Greenleaf  Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 64.44 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept. 1,  16.11 $80.53
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. H. Woodson Clerk, Book E Vol. 2a Page 44
75- Faded

Abner Peck Shelburn
Abner Peck 22/11
Hon. Mr. Green

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY SS.
ON THIS Twenty fourth day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Richard E. Newcomb Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Franklin , in said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin, Moses Perle a resident of Shelburne in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an 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.
I turned out as a volunteer in the fore part of the Revolutionary war and was stationed at Boston fort in the State of Connecticut. commanded by Colonel Sedgwick. I cannot state positively what year it was. nor who my other officers were. I served in said fort one month and then was dismissed. I also turned out again as a volunteer again in the fore part of the war. I cannot state what year, I served as a soldier in Fort Trumbull in New London, Connecticut, Two months . I cannot remember who my officers were. at this place. I was regularly dismissed.
In the summer of 1777, I enlisted for the State troops of Connecticut for two months and served as a soldier in the Governor's guard of that state. Gov. Griswold being the Governor. There was no Captain with us. Lieut. Griswold, the Gov's son, was our Lieut. I served my time of enlistment out. We served in Lime (port) on the sea shore, There was one Company of us. In this term of service, I lost the sight of my left eye, by a cataract coming over it.
After this last term of service, I was employed by the public agents to drive a team for the Army, & did so drive. Eighteen months .
Early in the Spring of the year 1780, I enlisted into the Continental Army for Six months , and served out my full term, and was discharged in the late in the fall of that year, & got home. I remember about the time of the Connecticut Thanksgiving. I enlisted in Lebanon and Manchester .

Early in the Spring of the year 1860. I enlisted into the Continental Army for six months, has and served out my full term, and was discharged in the late in the fall of that year. I got home I remember about the time of the Connecticut Thanksgiving. - I enlisted in Lynn again and marched from there through Haddam & Farmington to Peekskill (New York) We crossed North River at Fish Kill and marched to a place called Totaway in New Jersey - then we came up to Tappan where Major Andre was hung. I was one of the guards around the gallows. I saw him execute. From Tappan we marched to the Highlands in N. York on the east side of the river, at which place we were discharged. I had no written discharge nor have I any written documents on the subject of my services. We were marching a great deal of the time in this campaign & I cannot tell in what place we staid longest. I was in Genl. Huntington's Brig- ade, Col Starr's Regiment, Philip Sill my Lt. Col. - I believe Capt. Stuart was my Captain, but I will not be positive. -
ne red t of that my to ) Hon. Mr. Green etc
Almon, Jr
New York 11/16/60

I do not recollect any other Company officers. I never was in any battle. In this Campaign I saw Gen Washington often. I also saw Gen Green & Putnam. I saw Gen Green go with a flag of truce to meet a British flag of truce, after Andree was taken. This flag was at Dobbs ferry.
During all these services, my home was in Lyne, (Con't.) -
I do not know of any person living who can testify to any of my aforesaid services.
I Abner Pack of Shelburne aforesaid, on this 24 th day of April 1833 do make the following additional statement to my declaration for obtaining a pension. I can not vary or alter my former statement as to the six months service in 1780. I enlisted for six months in the year 1780 and served that period as before stated in my declaration. The roll of service do not show my full period of service. Nor can I state more particularly, by reason of old age, loss of time, & the consequent loss of memory, the names of my officers under whom I served in my various periods of service. The 13 th objection, in the brief objections returned, marked No has already been answered in the declaration as follows to wit, "I do not know of any person living who can testify to any of my aforesaid services" probably overlooked by the Dept's attention. I was born in Lyne Connecticut in the year 1759. I have no record of my age. I would refer the Department to the Rev. Theophilus Pack and D.D. Elisha Smeal, Joel Bordwell, Joel Simms, Parker Dole, Zenas Bordwell & Mrs. Long all of Shelburne & my neighbours & who can testify to my character for veracity & their belief in my services as a soldier of the Revolution. I would again state that I have no documentary evidence of my services, and that I can not obtain the testimony of any living witness to prove my services.
State of Massachusetts
Franklin ss April 25, 1833
Abner Pack
Then personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace within and for the County aforesaid, the above named Abner Pack who subscribed the said additional declaration and made oath to the truth of the same.
I certify that I am duly appointed Pearl and qualified a justice of the peace in the County of Franklin Mass. and the above is my official signature. Geo Alden St. Joseph, C.

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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Alner Peck
R. S. Newcomb Judge of Probate
WE, Theophilus Packard S.D. a clergyman residing in said Shelburne and William Long
residing in said Shelburne
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alner Peck who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy three 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.
R. S. Newcomb
Judge of Probate
Theophilus Packard and William Long
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
Theophilus Packard who has signed the preceding certificate is a Deacon of the Clergyman, resident in Shelburne aforesaid; and that William Long who has also signed the same is a resident in said Shelburne and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit
Register
R. S. Newcomb Judge of Probate
I, ELIJAH ALVORD, Clerk of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Alner Peck for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this 29 day of august in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord, Reg. Prob
Clerk.
...away in VT one thousand the ... clause what to

I am well acquainted with the within named Almon Park. He is a man of truth, & I saw his papers from E. Wood Esq. clerk of the Court before which the papers were authenticated
Washington Febr. 18. 1833
Geo. Greenell M. L.
I have seen and conversed with the within named applicant since his papers are returned, and he assures me as he has assured on oath, that he cannot vary his statement as to his six months residence in Col. Starrs Regt. I have also conversed with a gentleman of truth & integrity, who says that he has heard the applicant make the same statement repeatedly many years ago. - Mr Park is an honest and conscientious man, and as such, long known to me
Geo. Greenell M. L.
Almon Park Shelburn
11/11/33 Almon Park
Hon. Mr. Greenell

Bureau of Pensions.
Abner Pease
Aug 29. 1832
Shelburne - 73
Early in war. Capt. - 1st Regt. Conn. Col. Ledyard Act. - 1 m.
from other above -
Post 2 m.
Summer 77. 1st Regt. Conn. Lt. Col. - St. L. Griswold Col. - none
Post 2 m.
May 80. Governor's Guard Capt. Stewart Col. Slocum Post 6 m.
Thence 1st Regt. Conn., 1735-9
No. Bat
was a grand mg. Andrew's execution

The National Arts Club New York
Nos. 37 and 39 West 34th Street Manhattan
January 30th, 1905.
U.S. Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:--
I want to get a record of my great grandfather, who served in the Revolutionary War and received a pension. The information which I have is as follows:--
" ABNER PECK born in Lyme, Conn., May 4th, 1761; married Hannah Tinker, Nov. 30th, 1786, and died in Shelburne, Mass., June 4th, 1842. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and one of the guards around the gallows at the execution of Major Andre."
(From Book of Genealogy of the Peck Family, by Darius Peck)
Among the children of Abner Peck, was ABNER, born May 15th, 1793, whose oldest son, ALBERT, born in Everett, Mass. Aug. 11, 1818, was my father.
My father remembers distinctly that his grandfather received a pension for some years.
Kindly let me know if there is a charge for this information.
Yours very truly,
(Mrs) Harriet Peck Crine
37 W. 34th St., N.Y. City.

Hist 6 Crime
30 650 Key INVALID.
Febry 6, 1905— Mrs Harriet Beck N.Y. 15
File No. 30,650
Harriet Beck
Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 1897
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 319
[Arrangement of 1870.]

22111 Abner Peck
Roots of Mr. 20 days
Roots Capt. Stuart Copy last Star's Reg Count Line
Mr. George
Goennell p
Recd p

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Hener Leck which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____ IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No 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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? _____
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  no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? _____
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? _____
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? _____
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1. 2. 7.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“ Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
His service as a wagoner not provided for application should be made to the Comptroller of public accounts for evidence of the claimants service