Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18715, Jonthan M Bissell, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Bissell, Jonathan M.
NUMBER
S. 18715
CONTENTS
carded

No. 22. Windham Co. Vermont.
Son. M. Bissell.
Dec. &c. for Pension.
31. July 1832.
P. 5798.
Please to make return to J. White Hartford VT.

County of Windham ss.
STATE OF VERMONT.
Probate District of Marlborough. At the Probate Court, within and for said District, being a Court of Record, expressly so declared, by the Statutes of this State, and as such having a Seal & Register.
On this 31st day of July - A. D. 1832 - Personally appeared in open Court, - Jonathan M. Bissell in said District, Present. The Hon. Marshall Miller, Esquire, Judge of said Court.
Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District - now sitting - Jonathan M. Bissell a resident of Stratton in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged sixty nine 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 7, 1832 - That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
The said Jonathan M. Bissell declares and says that in the month of July or August 1777 he was a substitute for his father, Isaac Bissell , who was drafted into the Army of the Revolution, at Springfield Massachusetts in the Company commanded by Capt. Chapman in the Regiment commanded by Col. Reynolds . Marched to Great Barrington in the county of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts - and remained there some days, for the Regiment to fill up - From thence went to Bennington Vt. and arrived there a few days after the Battle - and was there drafted or detached from the Regiment and left with the guard to guard the prisoners and after remaining there about two months he was dismissed, about the time of the surrender of Burgoyne's Army - And afterwards in the summer 1779 he enlisted for the term of three months and went to Springfield Massachusetts, and joined the Col. stationed there to guard the public stores on the Hill, so called and served there for and during the term of three months. He believes that the Captain's name was Colton - Major Church had some command there - in the Col. a Sargent Lilly - and was regularly dismissed at the Arsenal or Store on Springfield Hill - And afterwards in the summer of 1780 he enlisted for the term of three months at Springfield, and entered the Company commanded by Capt. Brown in Putnam's Regiment does not now recollect or the name of the Col. nor whether Westpoint passed through Connecticut - thence to Redhook - thence to Westpoint - not long after he arrived at Westpoint was detached and put on Gen. Arnold's life guard and was in his guard for the space of two weeks - at a place called Robinson's Farm - and then sent back to the Point - and was soon after detached and sent up the River above Poughkeepsie to chop wood - and was there when Arnold went off to the British upon which orders came for the troops to return to Westpoint - marched to Fishkill where orders came for to return back to Woodchopping again - and went on up the River a while and chopped there & again returned on to the East side - again continued the business of chopping - and was dismissed at a place about eight miles above Poughkeepsie if he mistakes not called Clinton .
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.
As to the further interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows: As to the further says that he knows no witnesses living by whom he can prove his service -
 1. He was born in the town of West Windsor in the County of Hartford state Connecticut in the year 1762  2. He has no record of his age - has been told by his father in his life time that his age was recorded in the town of Windsor  3. In the town of Springfield  Chicopee Parish, County of Hampshire Massachusetts - from Springfield , to Montague on Connecticut River Mass. nearly forty years ago - was there 3 or 4 years and then moved across the river into the town of Greenfield - and moved from Greenfield to Guilford Vt. in 1819 - remained there one year - from thence to Halifax - staid there about three years - & then moved to Stratton where he now lives -  4. The first time out as a substitute - the other times volunteered - then a substitute was for his father Isaac Bissell  5. He does not know that any in particular except those already named -  6. He never received any discharge in writing -  7. He names Isaac Mann Esq. & Abel Grant Esq. both his neighbors & townsmen - there is no longymen in Stratton - Jonathan M. Bissell 
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
We Isaac Mann Esq.  longymen , residing in the town of Stratton in said District and Abel Grant Esq. of Stratton in said District hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan M. Bissell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
Abel Grant Isaac Mann
Marshall Miller 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 it appears that Abel Grant who has signed the preceding certificate is a

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.
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:
 1. He was born in the town of West Windsor in the County of Hartford State Connecticut in the year 1762  2. He has no record of his age - has been told by his father in his life time that his age was recorded in the town of Windsor  3. In the town of Springfield Chicopee Parish, County of Hampshire Massachusetts - from Springfield, to Montague on Connecticut River Mass. nearly forty years ago - was there 2 or 4 years and then moved across the river into the town of Greenfield - and moved from Greenfield to Guilford Ct. in 1819 - remained there one year - from thence to Halifax - staid there about three years - then moved to Stratton where he now lives -  4. The first time out as a substitute - the other times volunteered - then a substitute was for his father James Bissell  5. He does not know any in particular except those already named -  6. He never received any discharge in writing -  7. He names Bille Mann Esq. & Abel Grant Esq. both his neighbors & townsmen - there is no lawyer now Jona M. Bissell 
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
We Bille Mann Esq. attorney , residing in the town of Stratton in said District and Abel Grant Esq. of Stratton in said District hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jona M. Bissell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
Abel Grant Bille Mann
Marshall Miller 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 it appears to them, that Abel Grant, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a attorney , resident in the said town of Stratton, and that Bille Mann who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stratton, in said county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I James Elliot, Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Marlborough aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan M. Bissell for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 31st day of July A.D. 1832
James Elliot, Prob. Register.
The applicant, Jona M. Bissell is reputed a very honest man - I have known him for many years, he now very lame & in reduced circumstances - His statement of his services is undoubtedly correct - P. White

28923 2 Memor
Jonathan Ab. J. Fitch of Palmer in the State of VT who was a Br in the comm d by Captain of the R t commanded by Col. in the M ch 31 line for m o 9 days —
Entered on the Roll of LEMONS at the rate of 2 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of July 31 White and Patney — VT
Arrears to the 4th March 34 2 99 Tenants allowance ending 12 16 8 5 15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Chatt Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 55

The supplemental Declaration of Jonathan M. Bissell. —
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of Peace within and for the County of Windham and State of Vermont, Jonathan M. Bissell, 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 time of his commencing the service or 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 grade — In the summer and Fall of 1777 For ten months. Twelve days I served as a private soldier — In the summer and Fall of 1779 For three months, I served as a Private soldier — In the the summer and Fall of 1780 — For three months I served as a Private soldier — making in all eight months and twelve days service; and for such service I claim a Pension — And he further deposeth and saith that for and during all said service he served with embodied corps, called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison, and for the time or period during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit —
Jonathan M. Bissell
State of Vermont } Sworn and subscribed this 30 th day of October 1833 Windham County ss. } Before me
Phineas White Justice Peace
N.B. The words "the best of" in the 7 th line from the top was inserted before signing P. White Justice Peace
The affidavits of Bille Mann and Abel Groot requires, of Shattow in the County of Windham and State of Vermont who severally depose, testify, and say that for the space of ten years last past they have been well acquainted with Jonathan M. Bissell of said Shattow, who has always borne the character of an honest, upright man, of undoubted truth and veracity — that he is in very reduced circumstances — lame and infirm, almost a cripple — And they further depose and say that there is not now, nor has there been for the last ten years a resident or settled clergyman, of any denomination, in the said town of Shattow —
Into the said Abel Groot further deposeth and saith that he was in the revolutionary army, in the year 1780 and was in the same corps or detachment in which the said Bissell was — but was not, at the time, particularly acquainted with him, but has a number of years since, has repeated conversations with the said Bissell, and he has related facts and circumstances relating to the said campaign which he could not have known and related had he not actually been present in the said service
Abel Groot Bille Mann
State of Vermont } Sworn in due form and subscribed this 30 th of OCT 1833 Windham County ss. } Before me
Phineas White Justice Peace
I certify that I have for many years been well acquainted with Bille Mann and Abel Groot says and know them to be respectable men, of undoubted truth and veracity Phineas White Justice of Peace

State of Vermont Windham County Court Clerk's Office New Fane, November 2 d A.D. 1833.
I certify that Phineas White, Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the within are his signatures. Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court.
James Elliot, Clerk.
Hon. M. Brimell

The affiant of this Grant of Shattuck in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, aged seventy six years. Who Depones, testifies and says that thirty six years ago he first became acquainted with Jonathan M. Bissell of said Shattuck, and for the space of ten seasons worked in the neighborhood of the said Bissell and six or seven years afterwards; he again worked with the said Bissell several weeks, and that the said Bissell, was always called Mark or Mark Bissell. and that he, Deponent, never knew or heard of the said Bissell, having the name of Jonathan, till about twelve years ago, when the said Bissell moved into the town of Shattuck, when he saw the said Bissell write his name Jonathan M. and that he has ever since written his name, so far as Deponent has knowledge - and knows by that name - And further saith not.
Dear Grand
State of Vermont
Received of Mr. [illegible] the sum of [illegible] for [illegible] this 28 th of June 1934
Before me the Rev. Mr. H. H. H. H. H.
Edition to the Supplemental Volume of Jonathan & H. Sissell
Dear Mrs. O'Brien,
 Sketch of a landscape 
State of Vermont I, Ephraim. Parnow Clerk of the Westminster Probate District & Probate Court, for the district of Westminster aforesaid, certify, that Phoebe White is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine! In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 30th day of June A. D. 1834. Ephraim. Parnow

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Marsh Russell 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. 18715
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug 23, 1777 1 mo 12 d. Pvt. Ebenezer Chabin Brigadier Woodbridge Mass.   June 29, 1779 3 mos. Mr. Carpenter ✓   July 21, 1780 2 mos. 27 d. Jno. Browning Seth Murray  
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, East Springfield Mass.
Date of application for pension, July 31, 1822, at
Residence at date of application, Stratton, Windham Co. Vt.
Age at date of application, 6, 1762 Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn.
Remarks: No fam. data
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

18 715 INVALID.
File No. 18 715
William K. Bissell New York
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 421
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1894 Act - Mil. Hist. To Wm. H. Stuart, Rochester, N.Y. May-3-1900 Hist to A. Dix Bissell. Reprints
1920, Nov. 9 Hist-ko-D. J. Peppers - En. Letter (ins. 37764) Ozias Bissell

A. DIX BISSELL, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW, 706-708 POWERS BUILDING, ROCHESTER, N. Y.
April 18th. 1900.
The Hon. Com'r of Pensions.
Washington, D. C.
Dear sir:-
I am desirous of obtaining information from your department, which will enable me to apply for membership to the society of "Sons of the Revolution".
Jonathan Marsh Bissell, born I think at Windsor, Conn. A.D. 1762, was my great-great grandfather, it has always been the str strong impression of our family that he fought in the revolution.
Can you aid me in this matter by looking into the records and ascertaining whether or not Jonathan Marsh Bissell ever made application for a pension in your department, and if so, can you furnish me with a copy of the same? I am also desirous of ascertaining in
A. DIX BISSELL, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW, 706-708 POWERS BUILDING, ROCHESTER, N. Y.
2 Com. of Pen.
a genealogical way, the names of J.M.B., parents, and where they resided? Also any further facts about his family that may be on record in his application, in your department?
Any data furnished by you will be most graciously received, and will place me under the deepest obligations to you.
Very respectfully yours,
A. Dix Bissell
( dict. F. S. R. )

William H. Stuart. Counsellor at Law. Rochester, N.Y.
249 Power Bldg Sept. 3 rd 1894
Hon. Wm Lochner Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please send me a Certificate stating the fact that Jonathan Mark Bissell of Windsor County, or possibly Windsor County, Vermont, was a Revolutionary Pensioner - also stating briefly his services as a Revolutionary soldier as they appear on the records. He was placed on the Pension Rolls July 8 th 1834, according to the report of the Secretary of War in relation to the Pension establishment of the United States. Published in 1835. I do not know what Company or Regiment - but believe he enlisted as a private from Chicopee or Springfield Mass. When he then resided. He subsequently removed to Vermont and died at Stratton in that state about 1850. Respectfully Yours William H. Stuart

5198
Jonathan Biddle
24 seen
Vermont
Adm't as private
7 mo 9 days $24.33
Returned
Ex H Hall
Return to Hon. Phil White Esq Putney Vt   105  115  31  40  291 

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan B. D. which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? No 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. See quere 5 Part clause 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? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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?
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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
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?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 shewn 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.

Putney July 2 d 1834
Dear Sir,
I again enclose the Deed and proof in the case of Jonas M. Bissell, for your reconsideration - has obtained the Certificate of the Secy. of State of Mass. to prove all his services - At first view there appears a discrepancy - as on the rolls he stands "Mark" & "Mark," Bissell - but, the testimony explains the matter - More than forty years ago, I knew Mr. Bissell, for several years, in the state of Massachusetts - He was then called Mark or Mark Bissell - I did not know of his having any other name, till some years since, I met with him in Vermont - when he wrote his name Jonas M. ————— Mr. Bissell bears the reputation of a very honest man - There can be no doubt of his identity - as the person certified in the Certificate of Secy. of State -
Very respectfully
T. White
J. Lee Edmonds Esq.
Commr. of Pensions

Mark Bissell's Reg. Services - Certified by the Secy. of State of Mass
MS. A. 9. 2. 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 15 th 1834.
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 "Marsh Bissel" as a private, is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Ephraim Chapins' Company, in Col. Ruggles Woodbridges Regt. where he is allowed from August 23 rd to Sept. 30 th 1777, for services and travel One Month and twelve days. ————— m d 1-12
"Marsh" Bissell's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. John Carpenter's Company of Guards stationed at Springfield, where he is allowed from June 29 th 1779, three Months. ————— 3=
"Marsh" Bissell's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Bronning's Company, in Col. Seth Murray's Regt. where he is allowed from July 21 st to October 10 th 1780, two Months and twenty seven days. ————— 2=27 7=09
Jon d M. Bissell claims for services under the above named Officers; his name is not borne on the rolls otherwise than above mentioned. Edward D. Damp Ly