Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,449, Abiel Carpenter, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Carpenter, Abiel
S. 12, 449
CONTENTS
Carded.

14875 New York
Abiel Carpenter
of Adams in the State of New York who was a Private in the Compt 4 commanded by Captain of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Shepard in the Massachusetts line for 2 Years —
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of July 1833 — and sent to E. C. Lutterden Adams N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. '33 $1.60 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep '33 40.
$200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ano Cromwell Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 57
Hon O B Matheson May 3/66 May 3
Same May 31, 1836 O B Pierce, No: 9/57 Same Nov 20/57

State of New York
Schenectady Co.
On this 11 th day of September 1832 Personally appeared in open court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting. Abial Gar- hente, a resident of the town of Adams in the Coun- ty of Schenectady State of New York aged seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration, in order to ob- tain the benefit of the act of Angraft passed June 7. 1822. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He enlisted at Roxbury, in the State of Massachusetts some time in the spring or summer of 1776, but in what month he does not recollect, for the term of one year, under Capt. Parker. John Carpenter was Lieut. Col. William Shepherd commanded the Regiment. I remained at Roxbury during the year, or the most of the time & I think the whole year I was discharged & went home to Brimfield, my place of residence. I again enlisted at Mansfield, in the county of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts, in the month of May or June 1777, under Capt. Southwick. John Carpenter was Lieut. Col. Peyes commanded the Regiment. Amos Wade was Lieut. Colonel. At this time I enlisted for six months, but remained in service about eight months. & was discharged about the first of February following, at Providence in the State of Rhode Island. During that period of service I was at Providence. After being dis- charged I went home, & remained until May or June

18 ct. following, when I again enlisted at Brimfield, for the term of eight months under Capt. John Carpenter. Our Smith was First Lieut. Sam Litch was second Lieut. - Ensign's name not recollected - Col. Ezra Wood had command of the Regiment - Our - Hale was Lieut. Col. Had the Provincial command - We belonged to the Massachusetts line - We were marched to White Plains in the State of New York & attached to the Brigade commanded by Genl. Nixon - During this last period of service we went to Danbury & remained a short time & then went to Woodbury District, if I recollect right about six weeks & then went from there to the Highlands on the Hudson River where we remained until about the first of March following, when I was discharged & went home - I received at that time a written discharge from Genl. McDougal, who commanded the division to which I belonged, which discharge I lost, with some other papers about forty years ago, when I was removing from Massachusetts into the State of New York. I have not seen it since - I again enlisted at Brimfield in the month of May, if I recollect right, in the year 1779 for an indefinite period, under Capt. John Carpenter & went to Springfield where I remained as one of the guards of the Arsenal, three years. The guard was composed of one company of about one hundred men, which was commanded by Capt. John Carpenter during the time I remained - I was never engaged in a general action, but was engaged in several skirmishes. Once I was sent with a company of about eighty men to obtain some forage tools, below White Plains & we were

met on the way by about two hundred British Light horse troops. We had a little brush with them & obtained one of their horses, but no lives were lost on either side to my knowledge. After the skirmish they fled & we obtained the tools we were in pursuit of & returned back to our encampment. I was acquainted with Genl. Bruce, Genl. Poor, Capt. Troop & many other officers belonging to the service, whose names are not now recollected. I never had but one written discharge & I have no documentary evidence in relation to my services & know of no person by whom I can prove my services, excepting Samuel Hubbard, who knew me when in service at the Highlands & whose affidavit is attached to my papers.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Abiel Carpenter
Sworn & submitted the day of _____ Syria aforesaid P. Panchard Clerk
We James Bliss Joshua Freeman residing in the town of Lyons aforesaid & J. G. Whittengren residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abiel Carpenter who has sworn to & subscribed the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the revolution; that we concur in that opinion

That his declaration is entitled to full credit Given to subscribers the day & year aforesaid P. Panahad Clerk Joshua Townsend N. C. Blittner
And the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the matter after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, & served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Joshua Henson who has signed the preceding certificate is a blacksmith resident of Adams aforesaid. That Thomas C. Blattner who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town & are credible persons that their statement is entitled to credit.
A. Ploy Purcheah, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of St. George of said do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abial Capote for a bond. I also certify that Benjamin Wright whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit of Sarah Ann Wright was at the time of signing the same a Judge of the said Court duly commissioned therefor. Given under my hand and seal of my Office. This 11th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six P. Purcheah Clerk

No. 12034 Hiral Carpenter Obj. 5. 14. 16. 17
acm d
76 Chillenden Adams St Jamaica Bay New York

No. 12034
BRIEF in the case of Abial Carpenter of Adams County of Jefferson in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy two years 72  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.     Enlisted in the Spring or Summer In 1776 1 — — private Gen. Col. Wm. Shepherd's regt. Mass. chs. State troops - Capt John Patten's company   Enlisted in May or June 1777 about 8 — private Lieut. John Carpenter   Enlisted in May or June 1778 — 8 — " Col. Keyes' regt. Capt Joseph Sibley   Enlisted in May 1779 & served at the Springfield Arsenal 3 — — " Lieut. John Carpenter Col. Egan's regt. Capt John Carpenter Lt Col. Steele & Genl. Nixon - Sub. M c Colonel Capt John Carpenter.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Brimfield, Hampshire Co. Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By a living witness as to part of his service & by traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. G. Welch - Examining Clerk.

State of New York } County of Jefferson } ss
Abiel Carpenter of Adams in the County aforesaid being duly sworn according to law deposes & says that in answer to the Objection No 5 th to his declaration made on the 11 th of September last returned by the War Department as deficient, he served as a private soldier in the first town mentioned in his said Declaration One year; in the second town, Six months at least ; in the third town, Eight months & the fourth town, Three years, making in the whole, Five years & two months at least he thinks he was in the service two or three months more. In answer to objection No 17 th that he was born on the 20 th of June in the year 1760 in the Town of Woodstock, County of Windham State of Connecticut. That he has no other record of his age than his Family bible, now in his possession & further he saith not. Abiel Carpenter
Subscribed & sworn this 10 th of April 1833 before me
Benj. Wright one of the Judges of Jefferson Co. Court N.Y.
State of New York Jefferson County ss: There as C. Blattenauer of Adams in the county aforesaid being duly sworn according to law deposes & saith that in answer to and in explanation of the remarks in heretofore following the 14 th interrogatory in the form herein containing

objections of the War Department to the Pension papers of Abner Leavitt hereunto annexed, he made the intimation in the certificate of the County Clerk respecting the genuineness of the signature of Benjamin Wright, the person before whom the affida- vits of Samuel Hubbard was taken & that the intimation was made before the Clerk affixed his signature & official seal to said
Sworn & subscribed this 15 th day of April 1833 Before me Benjamin Wright one of the Judges of the Superior Court N.Y.
O. C. Blittenden
I, Peleg Burchard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Suffolk do hereby certify that Benjamin Wright before whom the above affidavits were taken is a judge of the said Court & authorized to administer oaths & that I know his signature to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 15 th day of April 1833 P. Burchard Clerk

Rev. Amos
12. 449 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 12. 449
Abiel Carpenter Rev Boer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index :—Vol. a , Page 61
[Arrangement of 1870.]

House of Reps. Washington May 2 d
Sam. Cole Esq. Dear Sir— May I ask you to have the three enclosed notes examined and returned at your earliest convenience. While Truly D. B. Mattheos
160 161 162 163

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D.C.

Abiel Carpenter
N.Y. - Oct 1832
Hon. George C. Wilkins Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

State of New York Jefferson County ss: I Benjamin Wright the Judge before whom the foregoing affidavit of Samuel Hubbard was taken. do her- by that I have many years been acquainted with the said Sam- uel Hubbard & that he is a man of credibility - Mr. Wright my hand this 15 th day of April 1833 - Benjamin Wright one of the Judges of Jefferson Co. N.Y.
 Abiah Carpenter  Pension papers 
12.036 12
aomd 2 years per 80
+ paid 4/-

State of New York Jefferson County ss:
Samuel Hubbard of the town of Henderson in the County of Jefferson & State of New York of lawful age, being duly sworn says, that he was well acquainted with Abial Carpenter, now of Adams in the County & State aforesaid, in the Revolutionary war, that the said Abial Carpenter was a private soldier & discharged his duty as such soldier, in a company commanded by Capt. John Carpenter in the Regiment commanded by Col. Ezra Wood in the Brigade commanded by General Mason, in in the Massachusetts line from some time in the month of May, seventeen hundred & seventy eight until about the month of February following. That this deponent then left the army & left said Abial Carpenter in service, in the aforesaid company, at the Highlands in the State of New York - Samuel Hubbard
State of New York Jefferson County ss:
On this 25 th day of January 1832 personally appeared before me the above named Samuel Hubbard, well known to me, & made oath to the truth of the above declaration submitted by him.
Benjamin Wright one of the Judges of Jefferson Co. Courts Com rs

Temperance Hotel, 14, Beekman St., New York Nov 16 th 1857
Dear Sir:
Your late favor denying any thing to be due to the heir of late Abial Carpenter, was duly received - and I can not but thank you for your promptness; as it is always best to know and face the worst.
But, as I have a few other cases, somewhat similar, on hand, and feel a great reluctance to be troubling the Department; you would further oblige me, if possibly you can do it, by forwarding to me a copy of said a recent decision of the Secretary of the Interior 2 that I may adapt myself to it, and so not unwittingly and uselessly bother your Department.
3 If not inconsistent with your rules, (as your Department has all our state records of the War of 1812, which, it strikes me, ought to have been retained at Albany) will you refer at once to the Auditor's Department, or whatever is the place, and advise me as to whether
Erastus Johnson served in Capt Orrin Gridley's Compy Col Oluf P. Bellingr's Sgt, in the war of 1812 - N.Y. State Militia.
Over

Mrs. Betsey Johnson, (maiden name Foote,) is the widow of Erastus, and poor — and believes it was in Capt Gridley's Compy, Col. Bellingr's Reg t that he served — though it may have been in Col. Stone's or Col Cleveland's Reg t but I have been unwilling to subject her to any expense, without, if possible, first knowing whether it would avail her any thing — and so I have written thus, instead of just executing her papers.
If not forbidden by your rules, an early answer will oblige me.
3 Also, can you tell me whether Reuben Gridley — [He may then have written his name Reuben Gridley Jr as his father's name was Reuben] served in Capt Willis (or Willett) Hale's Company, Colo nl Stone's Reg t N. York State Militia. It is believed to have been in the Mass. Militia , of 1814.
Both these cases are — were — Oneida County soldiers.
Respectfully & Truly Yours,
Hon. Geo. C. Whiting, Commissioner of Pensions.
O. B. Pierce Sgt.

Revolutionary Heroices
Claim of Sarah S. Carter, only survivor of the family of Abial Carpenter, the Soldier.

Care of Sawyer's Temp. Hotel, 14, Beckman St., New York, October 30, th 1857.
Dear Sir:
Enclosed, you will find, from the Massachusetts Department of State, proof of the Revolutionary service of Abial Carpenter, to the extent of 3 years, 3 months, and 13 days.
About 1\frac{1}{2} year since, I was advised from your Department, that said Abial had been pensioned to the amount of $80 a year, under the Act of June 7 th 1832 — and I acted with the presumption that this was all his services entitled him to.
Recently, however, I have been led to conjecture , that, not thinking to refer to State Records, he proved his service by living witnesses, but only to the extent of 20 months , which, by the Act of 1832, would give him the $80 a year.
Now, as the enclosed proof would have entitled him to a full pension of $96, and as he lived till October 31 st 1840, the difference of $16, from March 4 th 1831, (as by the Act of 1832,) to the day of his death, October 31 st 1840, nine years, seven months and twenty seven days , would be $154.53 — the amount now due to his family — if I rightly understand the law.
As he has but one living child, Mrs. Sarah S. Hartsof, (her only sister for the last seventeen years, having died last summer,) and as Mrs. Hartsof is a widow , and poor ; and as the times are so distressingly hard ; I shall, on her account, feel greatly obliged to the Commissioner, if by any means, he can give me an immediate answer, as to the amount now due to

Mrs. Harter, and what steps she will have to take to secure the amount. She is the only survivor of the children of said Abiel, and her mother died some three years before the father. He did not marry again. Very Respectfully,
O. B. Pierce, Agt.
Hon. George C. Whiting, } { Late of Rome, Oneida Co., N.Y. Commissioner of Pensions. } { Acting, temporarily, as (a very poor) agent of the poor of that section.
P.S. Pardon the post-scriptum. It is possible (for Mrs. Harter does not know) that the fractional part of said Abiel's pension of $80, from March 4 th 1840, to his death October 31 st 1840, was not drawn.
Will the Commissioner refer to the Records and see and advise me, in connection with the foregoing?
O. B. P.

Revolutionary Papers.
Mass. State Certificate
of the Services of
Abial Carpenter.
Service certified within, 3 years 3 mos 12 days —————

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, July 15 th 1856
I Hereby Certify , That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Abial Carpenter is borne on pay roll of Capt. James Sherman's Comp. Col. Pynchon's Regt. on alarm of April 19. 1775. 2 days, as private from Brimfield. Months Days 0 — 2
Also on pay roll of Capt. Joseph Sibley's Comp. Col. Danforth's Regt. from July 16. to Dec. 24. 1777 5 mos. 8 days, as private. 5 — 8
Also on pay roll of Capt. John Carpenter's Comp. Col. Ezra Wood's Regt. from June 23. 1778. Service at North River, 7 mos. 11 days, as private. 7 — 11
Also on pay roll of Capt. John Carpenter's Comp. from March 7. 1779. 3 mos. 3 — 00
Also in Capt. John Carpenter's Comp. from 15 — 21

But once, in months and days— Months 15— Days 21  July 10. 1779. 3 mos. 25 days } 3 — 25 as private.  Also in same Company from } 3 — 00 June. 5. 1780. 3 mos.  Also in same Company, of guards, Stationed at Springfield from May } 16 — 26 4. 1780 to Oct. 1. 1781. 16 mos. } Months 39 Days 12 26 days, as private.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Francis De Witt Secretary of the Commonwealth.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abial Carpenter 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 X 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 Will Quere 5 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? 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?
† 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? No
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? No
‡ XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No Vide Quen 16
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1 & 2
See applicant's Supplementary affidavit
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."
† See the Supplementary Certificate of the Magistrate
‡ See also the Supplementary affidavit in explanation of the interrogatories

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.
5. The applicant has sworn in his declaration to four terms of service. - the first positively six months  the term of his enlistment  one year  about two months more : the second positively six months the term of his enlistment. 2 d "about" two months more: the third positively eight months. & the fourth positively three years - making Two years, two months at least which he states without any reserve or indefinite expression. As the law requires but two years, it is not possible to discover why the one expression "about eight months", the 2 d term, should be an objection when without including that term there would be sufficient time. 76 By a careful examination. It will be found that they are precisely pursuant to the directions. The tape paper under the seal, through the the same sheet of paper, & connects with all the others, which form a whole so connected by the story & by one referring to another that it will at once be seen that there is not even

a remote possibility of their so attached as that any but the original papers can be there. - And besides. It is somewhat singular that there should be this objection to these papers, & a few others, when most of the papers sent on at the same time, prepared at the same time & in precisely the same manner & by the same person. Should not have the same objection to them.
Concluded
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