Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 4943, John Bement, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Bement, John
S 4943
CONTENTS
carded

15494
Massachusetts
John Dement
of the State of the who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank] line for 16 (one) day
Inscribed on the Roll of [blank] at the rate of 54 Dollars 21 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of June 1831 and [blank] [blank] Secret
Arrears to the 4th of [blank] 1831 Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
$135.52
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by [blank] Clerk Book [blank] Vol. [blank] Page [blank]
2 Nov 12 1836

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY SS.
ON THIS sixteenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin, John Bement a resident of Ashfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy one 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 John Bement of Ashfield in County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being seventy one years of age was born in Hatfield in the year of our Lord 1761 and know of no record of my age. When I entered the service of the United States, in all the five following campaigns, in the war of the revolution, I lived in Ashfield of America, in which place I have lived ever since that time and I now live in the same Ashfield. I volunteered as a private soldier into the service of the United States in the latter part of February in the year of our Lord 1777 for the term of one month into a company commanded by Capt. Childs, Col. Johnson was my Lieut. the Colonel's name in the regiment to which I belonged I do not recollect unless it was Lieutenant, I joined the Army at Ticonderoga and was stationed on Mount Hope during my term, when I was dismissed without any written discharge, and I know of no person, whose testimony I can procure, who can testify to my service. Again I volunteered into the service of the United States in the year of our Lord 1777 in a company commanded by Capt. Benjamin Phillips, and I believe a regiment commanded by Colonel Woodbridge and joined the Army at Helderberg, we retreated before the enemy through Saratoga to Stillwater and I served during the term of five weeks. When I was dismissed, had no written discharge. The Army was continually reinforced from the southward, Glover's, Poor's and Munn's brigades were on the ground when I left, to the best of my recollection.
Again I volunteered into the service of the United States some time in the month of October in the year of our Lord 1777 for term of three months into a company commanded by Lieut. Johnson, as I think, for I do not recollect as we had any captain, in a regiment commanded by Colonel Israel Chapin. I joined the regiment at Albany where I served for the term of one month when I was dismissed, and the regiment had no written discharge. There was no other troops; but our regiment there.
Again I volunteered into the service of the United States about the fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and eighty, and on the 21 day of the same July passed muster at Springfield and joined the Army at Kings Ferry and was placed in a company commanded by Capt. Habbey, in Colonel Henry Jackson's regiment in the Massachusetts line. This enlistment was for the term six months, we then crossed the Hudson and marched to Orange town, where we encamped about a fortnight, then we marched to Sleepy Hollow, from there back again to Orange town; soon after Arnold's treason and Andre was hung, we marched on to West Point and did garrison duty, and was occasionally detached on command to the lines, I served my time out, to within a few days, and for rendering certain services to my Colonel he gave me a written discharge which I have lost and do not know what is become of it. Colonel's Angel and Webb's regiments were on the point in Gen. Stark's Brigade. Again I entered the service of the United States on the sixth day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand

seven hundred and eighty two, as a private soldier, and a substitute to William Giles, and continued in the service seven months and ten days in a company commanded by Captain Maynard and served under Capt. Allen part of the time in a regiment of the Massachusetts line commanded by Col. John Brooks and on the sixteenth day of April in the year of our Lord 1783 I was discharged by Col. John Brooks which discharge is hereunto annexed. In the last campaign above mentioned I joined the Army at King's Ferry and marched to West Point from there to a place near New Windsor where I received my discharge. In all the campaigns above mentioned I served as a private soldier.
Ephraim Williams Esq. Thomas White Esq., Lemuel Smith Esq. and Elijah Paine Esq. contribute to my character for veracity and their belief as to my services as a soldier of the revolution.
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.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk John Bement
WE, Ephraim Williams, and Elijah Paine
residing in Ashfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Bement who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy one 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.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk Ephraim Williams Elijah Paine
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 Ephraim Williams Esq. and Elijah Paine Esq. who have respectively signed the preceding certificate are Justices of the Peace and residents of Ashfield aforesaid; that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk
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 John Bement for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
E. Alvord Clerk.

17430 John Bement Ashfield
Declaration to John Bement for a pension

17450 John Bement Massachusetts
Plato 16 Mar 17 Aug 2
E. Wood. Granfield Mass

BRIEF in the case of  John Bement County of Franklin in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 years  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.     Vol. In 1777 1 1 — Private Gen. Stark Capt Childs , Col Leonard   " " 1777 2 1 7 — Capt Phillips Col Edenbridge   " " 1779 3 1 — — Col Chapin   " " 1780 4 6 — — Capt Heddy Col Dickerson   Sub. 1782 5 7 10 — Capt Maynard Col B.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Winter  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sheffield, Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary & living? Witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
o. he Vol. for 3 months and says he servd but 1 mo p. he says he Vol. for 6 mo but was discharged a few days before the time by his Co.
J. Maynard Examining Clerk.

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 John Russell a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1777 12 mo. Pr. Whipple Lyman Mass.   July 1777 5 mo. " Putnam Putnam "   Oct 1777 1 mo. " Putnam Putnam "   July 1778 6 mo. " Putnam Putnam "   July 6 1778 4 mo. " Putnam Putnam "  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wellesley Mass. Date of application for pension, July 2 1832 Residence at date of application, Wellesley Mass. Age at date of application, 72
Remarks: as per family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Sir,
I send for your acceptance Jonathan Hayward who has come to relieve John Beaman a six month soldier in the 8th Company - Hayward has passed an examination by the surgeon of the Regiment
Apr 16. 1864.
Colo. Brooks
I am Sir
Yours very obedient servt
N. Allen Capt.
S. File 4943 Mass John Belmont

The within named Beeman is hereby permitted to pass to Ashfield in Mass- achusetts.
Worthington L. Col. Com. 22 nd St. Mass. Regt.
Huts near New Windsor } April 16 th 1883. }

Rehman
4943
INVALID.
Sum
File No. 4943
John Bennett
Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 26
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Bement
Joshua Whildens aff
Joshua Whildens
Officer

I Joshua Whelden of Buckland in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy five years of Age do testify and say, that in the forepart of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven John Bement and myself entered into the service of the United States together in a company of militia commanded by Capt Benjamin Phillips and marched to Moser Creek on the Hudson and retreated to Stillwater and continued in the service five weeks and then we were both of us dismissed together and further the deponent saith not Joshua Whelden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. In that eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, Joshua Whelden personally appeared before me Elijah Paine Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Franklin, and after being duly sworn, made oath that the above affidavit by him substantively subscribed is true and I hereby certify that the said Joshua Whelden is a person of truth and veracity Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the county of Franklin, do certify that Elijah Paine Esq. before whom the preceding and annexed affidavit purport to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said county And I believe his name to the same respectively subscribed is his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at Greenfield on the fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one. E. Alvord Clerk

John Bement
Er. Taylor Joshua Viment } aff
Frederick Taylor's and Joshua Vincent's Deposition.

We Ezekiel Taylor of Pittfield in the county of Franklin and commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman and Joshua Vincent of Coleraine in said county, yeoman. do both of us depose, testify and say, that in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine in the month of October in said year we the subscribers both of us enlisted together with John Bement of said Pittfield in a company of militia commanded by Lieut. Johnson the regiment being commanded by Col. Chapin that we all of us enlisted at Pittfield in said county and marched from said Pittfield to Great Barrington in the county of Berkshire and were then ordered to march to Albany in the state of New York we then marched from said served Great Barrington to said Albany and all of us together one month and were then all dismissed. Ezekiel Taylor Joshua Vincent
Franklin ss. August the 10 th 1832 then Ezekiel Taylor and Joshua Vincent above named personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above deposition by them subscribed is true, before me Henry Bassett, justice of the peace.
Franklin ss. August the 10 th 1832 I hereby certify that I have for thirty five years past been well acquainted with the above deponents Ezekiel Taylor and Joshua Vincent and that they have both of them ever sustained fair characters for truth and honesty. Henry Bassett, justice of the peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the county of Franklin do certify that the above named Henry Bassett Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the said county. And I believe his name subscribed to the preceding certificates to be his true and proper signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court, at Greenfield on the fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. E. Alvord Clerk

John Bement Asa Selden's Aff
Asa Selden's Affidavit

I Isa Selden of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, Twenty Two Years of Age do testify and say that I was a private Soldier in Col. Jackson's Regiment, for six months from the Town of Ashfield, in the Year 1780. I was well acquainted with John Bement of Ashfield of age, who enlisted for six months at the same that I did which was the 19 day of July and he marched with me and some others from Ashfield to West Point and from thence, to Kings Ferry, he joined a Company in Jackson's Regiment, although not in the same company with me, we encamped at Braggetown, Haveraple and West Point and vicinity, and I saw the said John Bement frequently in the service, I believe almost every day throughout the said six months, when he was not out on command, And when I was discharged I think he was on command and further the deponent saith not.
Ashfield Aug. 2-1832
Isa Selden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin Jr On this second day of August in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred thirty two Isa Selden above named personally appeared before me Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace, and after being duly sworn made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is substantially true, and I hereby certify that the said Isa is a person of Truth and veracity
Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of no Vermont 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? 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? 2 Citizens XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no 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? Documentary & living witnesses 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? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes V. 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? 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.