Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,127, James Blair, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Blair, James
NUMBER
S. 23.127
CONTENTS

24. 189 New York
James Blair
of Ulster, in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Reed of the Regt. commanded by Col. Whitney on the New York line for 7 Months — ?
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Nov. 1833 and Kents 78 Old age Hamilton
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $58 33 Semi-ann. allowance ending Apr. 34 11 60 Died Feb. 16, 1835 $69 99
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk Book E. Vol. 4. Page 90

State of New York Madison County } James Blair being duly sworn, aver -against Law states on his oath upon and says that from his eye and the consequent loss of money he cannot swear positively as to the precise time he served and the particular periods of his service in the Revolution but from what he can recollect he can swear positively that he served as a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution and less than the periods set forth in the following statements. That is in the Year 1775 in one Campaign 1 month & 20 days In the Year 1776 in one Campaign 2 months In the Year 1777 in one Campaign 2 months In the Year 1778 in one Campaign 2 months Making in the whole Seven Months and twenty days that he served as a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution and for which he claims a pension and further he says the rest. James Blair Subscribed & sworn before
Me June 15th 1833.
J B Eldredge J.P.

State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office } ss. I Andrew J. Sloan. Clerk of the said County, do certify that James B. El- dredge before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, One of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 20 th day of August 1833. A. J. Sloan Clk
James B. Elredge Justice of the Peace

Declaration of James Blair
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of New York § On the 28 th day of August 1832 personally before me an attorney appeared before James Bredalge first judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County at his office in Hamilton in said County, James Blair a resident of Lebanon in said County aged Seventy Seven 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as here in stated.
That same time previous to Lexington Battle this declarant belonged to a company of Minute Men commanded by Captain Reed in the town of Weston in the County of Worcester State of Massachusetts. That the day that Lexington Battle took place that Lexington Battle took place their company was called for and they mustered and marched the sun about two hours high at night for Lexington got there the next day in the after noon, and from there they directly marched for Waltham plains where they arrived the next morning from there they marched to Roxbury where they remained stationary. They were in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Ropes & Learned, thinks that General Ward commanded. That many of their company who had since been permitted to go home to prepare for the campaign that the residue had to stay until they returned and this declarant still is now, that he served at this time about two months and returned the day or two before Bunkerhill Battle
That in the Month of February 1776 this declarant again enlisted for two months into a company commanded by Captain Sears and Wardwick & Lieutenant Tyler of Weston. That they first marched to Dorchester Point, near Boston and was there when the British left Boston that they belonged to Colonel Whitneys Regiment of which Stam was Lieutenant Colonel. That General Washington commanded in person. That this declarant served this time two months when he was discharged and returned to Weston. That in the year 1777 in the Month of July this declarant again enlisted for two months into a company commanded

by Captain Gilbert of Brookfield informing Weston that he enlisted at Weston there was a given number of Men called for from Weston and he volunteered as one that they mustered in Weston and Marched for Bennington in Vermont, through Rutland then Petriidge filed Williams Town Pownal & to Bennington where they joined Colonel Whitneys Regiment, they remained at Bennington about two weeks and then March to half Moon on the north river in the State of New York, where they remained some time that in the Month of August they again Marched for Bennington and got there the day after the battle was fought that General Lincoln was there as well as General Starks, that they remained at Bennington until they were discharged which was some days before Burgoyne was taken. That in the year 1888, in the Month of July this Defendant again enlisted into a company commanded by Captain Eberts that they Marched from Weston to Westminster, from there onto the Island of Rhode Island where they joined Colonel Whitneys Regiment, were under the command of General Sullivan, they were first stationed at the upper end of the Island and then moved opposite of New port, where they remained some time, that when they retreated back to the north end of the Island the British the next day pursued them when the battle took place, that this Defendant then lay under the fort but was not in the actual engagement but was in plain view of it, after the Battle they retreated off the Island and their Regiment went to Providence where they remained stationed until the time for which he enlisted expired when he was discharged and returned to Weston.
That he has no written evidence of his services except the affidavit of James Callister which is attached here to, that he knows of no others that he can procure to testify to his services without great trouble and expense, that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the provisions and declarations that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn & Subscribed before
On this 28th day of August 1832
James Callister first Judge of Middlesex County
James Blair

And the said James Blair did then and there upon his oath Make the following Answers to the several interrogatories put to him by the said Judge, as by the War Department prescribed.
1 st That he was born at Weston Worcester County State of Massachusetts in the year 1755.
2 d That there is a record of his age in a Bible that was formerly his fathers which is now in the possession of his Sister in Lebanon
3 d That he lived in Weston as a general rule until he was called into service that at or near the close of the war he moved into Hampshire County State of Massachusetts where he lived seventeen or eighteen years from there he moved into what is now Madison County where he has lived since 4 th that each time he entered the service he volunteered and enlisted was never drafted, nor was never a substitute for anyone
5 th That he has set forth in his declaration the officers under whom and the troops with which he served and the extent of his services as fully as he can recall.
6 th That he never received a written discharge.
7 th That Amos Brainerd Esq. and Doctor John Brainerd are acquainted with him and can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier.
The said Judge do hereby certify that the said James Blair did then and there under oath make the answers above set forth, to the several interrogatories put to him by me as by the War Department prescribed. And that after putting the several interrogatories and investigating the matter I declare my opinion that the said James Blair was a soldier in the revolution and served as he states. And I do further certify that from lack of jur- isdiction the said James Blair is unable to appear in court to make his declaration.
Given under my hand and seal this 28 th day of August 1832
James Blair Judge of Probate

State of New York } G. Madison County }
James Collister of the Town & County of Madison and State of aforesaid being duly sworn according to law deposith & saith That he is personally knowing to James Blair now of the Town of Lebanon in the County of Madison in said State volunteering & serving two months in the State troops of Massachusetts, in the year 1778 in Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, & that he was attached to Captain Gilbert's Company, of the Town of Brookfield in the County of Worcester, Massachusetts, his given name not remembered, Matthew Brown of said Brookfield was first Lieutenant & 2 nd Lieutenant Densmore of Greenwich, in Hampshire County Massachusetts, given name forgotten, and that he entered the service in the month of July of said year & was attached to Col. Whitney's Regiment, his residence not remembered, but of Worcester County, & that the company mustered at Worcester of aforesaid & marched from thence directly to Rhode Island, where he served the term of his engagement. This deponent volunteered at the same time & from the same town, to wit - the Town of Western Worcester County Massachusetts and for the same period, & belonged to the same Company & Regiment, & marched performed the same march, & rendered the same service and that he has no doubt but that he is of the age of 77 years. And this deponent further saith that he knows, that the said James was reputed to be in the first campaign near Boston for a part of the campaign in 1775. this deponent lived a near neighbor to him & knew that he was absent & reputed to be in the army, soon after the battle of Lexington in

And this deponent further saith that he also knew of the said James, being absent, for a period during the ensuing winter, and saw him & others when they commenced their march, for Boston, as was then said, but the length of time, he was absent in the two last tours, this deponent does not know, but has no doubt, but that he served as he states, & never heard it doubted by anyone. And also knew that the said James in 1777 left home, for the purpose as was said to join the army collecting at Bennington, that he was gone, a considerable time, and reputed to have been in the army, & had after his return often heard him relate, the marches and incidents connected with his services in this and the other tours of duty, aforesaid, and this deponent has no doubt but that he served, in all respects as he states in his declaration.
Subscribed & sworn to } James Collier this 27 th day of August 1832 } before me Thomas Millinder J. Pease
I hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with James Collier who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit, for more than thirty years last past, & that he has always been reputed in the neighborhood where he lives as a man of truth & veracity, and I have no doubt, but what he states is true and without to full credit. Thomas Millinder J. Pease Signed the above date

State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office } p: I, Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Thomas Millen Jr. before whom the preceding Affidavit purports to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to the preceding Certificate was, at the date of the same, one of the Jus- -tices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit & Certificate, to be his proper handwriting and signature. Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 14 th day of January 1833- A. S. Sloan Clk

State of New York § I Thomas J. Ferrel a Chrygman resident Madison County § of Lebanon in the County of Madison and State of New York do here by certify that I am personally acquainted with James Blair of Lebanon a few said and have been acquainted with him for about twenty years, and that I should think the said Blair is from seventy to seventy five years of age. That is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides that he was a soldier in the Revolution and I am in that opinion I would further certify that the said Blair some say acquaintance with him has been so mean as good as - it is for virtue and otherwise respectable and from My knowledge of his character I should place full confidence in his statements. subscribed and sworn before me, and I certify that the said Thomas Ferrel is a Chrygman in respectable Standing residing in Lebanon aforesaid September 8th 1832 James Beldridge first Judge of Mad. Co.
State of New York § I Osamus Gilbert a resident of Madison County § Lebanon in the County of Madison and State of New York do here by certify that I am acquainted with James Blair a resident of Lebanon aforesaid and have been acquainted with said Blair for more than thirty that I think him to be over seventy years of age say seventy five. That it is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides that he was a soldier in the Revolution and I am in in that opinion I would further certify that said Blair is a man of good character for virtue and morality. and from My knowledge of his character I have full confi- -dence in his observations. Sworn and subscribed before me, and I certify that said Osamus Gilbert is a man of respectable standing and of good character for virtue and that his statement is entitled to credit. October 6th 1832 J Beldridge First Judge of Mad. Co.
in person. That this claimant served this term two months when he was discharged and returned to Westport. That in the year 1847 in the month of July this claimant again enlisted for two months into a company commanded

State of New York I certify that James B. Eldridge who subscribed to the within County of Madison do hereby certify that James B. Eldridge before whom three preceding Affidavits purport to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to a preceding Certificate, was, at the dates of the same, the first Judge of the County Court in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits and Certificate, to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 14th day of January 1833. A. S. Sloan Clk.
Declaration of James B. Eldridge 22035
State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office } ss: I, Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do hereby certify, that James B. Eldridge before whom three preced- ing Affidavits purport to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to a preceding Certificate, was, at the dates of the same, the first Judge of the County Court in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits and Certificate, to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 14th day of January 1833. A. S. Sloan Clk.

22035 James Blair Madison 6 o N York
By
Adm 7 Months $ 23.33
J. B. Eldridge Hamilton Madison co N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of James Blair
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     14 April 1775 at 2 Private Capt Breese Capt Hays March 2 from Weston 77 years Weston Traditionary as a clergyman and a living Witness   Feb y 1776 2 " Capt Sears Capt Whitney to William Plains Abd 11 "   July 1777 2 " Capt Gilbert Capt Whitney to Dorchester   July 1778 Tine of Battle not stated " Capt Gilbert Capt Whitney to Brattleboro'   March 2 from Bennington in Vermont   March 2 to Brattleboro'   Rhode Island  
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. Infirmity
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

June 11, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Captain William P. Blair Headquarters First Army Boston, Massachusetts
BA-J/EEL Cham James Blair-S.23127
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Blair, who received pension while residing in Madison County, New York, having served in the New York troops.
The record has been found of a James Blair who received pension in 1833, in Madison County, New York. His service, however, was not rendered in the New York troops but in the Massachusetts troops. That record is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.23127, based upon the military service of James Blair in that war.
James Blair was born in 1755, in Worcester County, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
Before the battle of Lexington, he belonged to a company of militia in the town of Western, Worcester County, Massachusetts, commanded by Captain Reed. On the day of the battle of Lexington, his company was assembled and marched from said Western to Dorchester, Massachusetts, where he served one month and twenty days as a private in Captain Reed's Company, Colonel Learned's Massachusetts Regiment. While residing in Western, Massachusetts, he volunteered in February, 1776, and served two months in Captain Sears' Company; again volunteered in July, 1777, and served two months in Captain Gilbert's Company; and in July, 1778, enlisted and served two months in Captain Gilbert's Company; all of the last three services were rendered in Colonel Whitney's Massachusetts Regiment.
As or near the close of the Revolution, he moved to Hampshire County, Massachusetts and resided for seventeen or eighteen years; then moved to Madison County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28,

1832, at which time he was a resident of Lebanon, Madison County, New York.
James Blair died February 16, 1855, place not stated.
No reference was made to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name and address of person paid in the case of the Revolutionary War pensioner, James Blair(S.23127), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city and cite the following data:
James Blair Certificate No.24189 Issued November 8, 1833 Rate $23.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Hon J. Callahan July 8 '48
Mary Hampton
act 38 100 R 100
$92 per a
Hon J. Callahan H.R.

Reaction
23124 INVALID.
1931 Dec 16 - Hist. to Irene Loomis - EEd 1937 June 11 - Hist. to Capt. Wm P. Blair - EEd
File No. 23127
James Blair Rev War
Act: June 7 th 92 nd
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 41
[Arrangement of 1870.]

December 16, 1931
BA-J/EEL
Irene L. Loomis Darien Wisconsin
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to James Blair, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.23127, based upon the military service of James Blair in that war.
James Blair was born in 1755, in Western, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
Before the battle of Lexington, he belonged to a company of militia in the town of Western, Massachusetts, commanded by Captain Reed. On the day of the battle of Lexington, his company was assembled and marched from Western to Dorchester, Massachusetts, where he served one month and twenty days as a private in Captain Reed's Company, Colonel Learned's Massachusetts Regiment. While residing in Western, Worcester County, Massachusetts, he volunteered in February, 1776, and served two months in Captain Sear's Company; again volunteered in July, 1777, and served two months in Captain Gilbert's Company; and in July, 1778, enlisted and served two months in Captain Gilbert's Company; all of the last three services were rendered in Colonel Whitney's Massachusetts Regiment.
At or near the close of the Revolutionary War, he moved to Hampshire County, Massachusetts, and resided for seventeen or eighteen years; then moved to Madison County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Lebanon, Madison County, New York.
AB He died February 16, 1855.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY ARMY BASE, BOSTON, MASS.
May 11, 1937.
The Veterans Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:-
In a book showing Revolutionary Pensioners, I came across the following:
Madison County, New York.
JAMES BLAIR-- Private--annual allowance $23.33-- New York Militia-- pension begun March 4, 1831-- was 78 years old in 1833.
I would appreciate it very much if you would look up the records to see if you have any data on this man, and on the names of his parents and children. I am endeavoring to find the name of the father of Linus Blair, my great grandfather. Linus Blair enlisted in the War of 1812 at Clinton, Oneida County, N.Y. The tradition in my family is that the father of Linus was a drummer boy in the Revolution, he having been descended from the Londonderry, N.H. Blairs.
I hope that this request will not put you to undue inconvenience, and I wish to assure you of my appreciation and gratitude for your kindness in connection with two previous letters on the subject of Linus Blair.
Yours truly, William P. Blair William P. Blair, Captain F.A.

IRENE E. LOOMIS DARIEN, WISCONSIN
11/21/31
Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
Do you have any record of the Rev. Mr. Service of James Blair of Rutland, Worcester Co. Massachusetts. I would appreciate any information regarding

James Blair that you are able to give me.
Very truly yours Irene L. Lormis Darien Wisconsin