Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21077, Amos Boardman, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Boardman, Amos
S. 21077
CONTENTS

Vermont
11. 855
Amos Boardman. of Bradford Co. in the State of Vermont who was a ser in the Company commanded by Captain  of the Regt commanded by Col Canfield, in the Connecticut Reser.
9 Mo Private - $ 30.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 30 Dollars Cts per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Jan y and sent to - 1833 S. Shot. Phelps, Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 60.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept - 15
$ 75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Nov 7th 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. D. Sprague Clerk, Book 8 - Vol. 3 Page 52

State of Vermont } On this 31 st day of August AD 1832 Probate District of Bradford } personally appeared in open court in the County of Orange } before the Probate Court within for the District of Bradford in the County of Orange now sitting Amos Boardman a resident of Corinth in the County of Orange State of Vermont aged 68 years last November; who being first duly sworn extending to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the follow- ing named officers here as his state - viz.
In the fall of the year 1780, in the month of October, a call was made for a number of the Militia in the Town of Chat- ham in the State of Connecticut & the several companies were required to furnish a certain quota if volunteers could not be obtained. That this applicant with four or five others in the same company volunteered to enter the service at a minutes warning. That soon after thus vol- unteering, he & about 10 others from Chatham marched under the direction of a Sargant as he was called, directly to Horse- neck about fifteen miles of New York, where the British Army was then stationed, & joined a Regiment under the Command of Col. Campbell or Kimball if he rightly recollects the name; of New Bedford Connecticut the names of the Company officers he does not now recollect, as they were all strangers to him; but the Sargant Major's name was Crane. He is more particular in recollecting the name of this last officer, for it was his duty to drill the fresh Troops & this applicant often

passed through the exercise under his direction. That he was employed in guarding the town at several times, then he believes, sent out on scouting parties. At one time when he was out, assisted in taking four prisoners & at the same time killed four of the enemy, about half way between Horse Neck & New York. At another time had a skirmish with some of the enemy's scouts, but does not know that any were killed. He does not recall the names of any other officers except those he has mentioned. The Militia Regiment to which he belonged & a few Conti- nental soldiers constituted about all, the force at that place while he was there. After he had been at this post six months, the time for which he at first engaged, the officers called for volunteers. The Genl.'s request was made & as this applicant was destitute of money he engaged to stay three months longer, which he did & was employed as before in scouting & keeping guard. At one time had a smart skirmish with the enemy's boat men, in which three of our men were killed & several of the enemy killed & wounded. He remained here until the middle of July 1781 when he was discharged & returned home to Rethorne where he lived, having resided at this time nine months in all. In answer to questions propounded by the Comt., he says that he was born in Chatham in the year 1763. He thinks there may be a record of his age at that place. He resided there when he entered the service and after the close of the war he moved from Chatham to Middlebury in Vermont where he lived about five years & then moved to Fairfield in Vermont where he lived fifteen years or so, & then moved to Corvallis, where he does not know how long he lived. He entered the service voluntarily, that he cannot be more definite in stating particularly

than he has done in the forgoing declaration, he never received any written discharges no  that documentary evidence of his service & does not know of any person who can testify to his service except his brother whose deposition is hereto annexed & he refers the Court to the war department, to the Hon. Mr. Spencer, Capt. Richard Sawyer, Plant Sawyer Esq. & to Richard Fry as persons in his neighborhood who can testify of his character for truth & veracity & their be- lief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. — He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on any roll of any agency in any state —
Amos Badgerman

Amos Boardman Application Certificate
19099
Return to be made to Simon Root Rutherford Frank County W.T.

State of Vermont, Addison County ss
On this 25 th day of August 1832, before me one of the Justices of the Peace for said County of Addison, person- ally appeared Joel Boardman of said Middlebury aged sixty six years, and being duly sworn before me says, that I resided with my father family at Chatham, in the County of Middlesex Connecticut during the Revolutionary war - In the fall of the year 1780, there was a call for a number of minute men, and each militia company was required to furnish a prescribed number, and among others my brother Amos Boardman now residing in the town of Corinth, County of Franklin Vermont, volunteered - And he with other volunteers not long after were ordered into the service, - and marched, as I understood, to Hornsbeck, where he was stationed. He was stationed at a very strong position near the  He was stationed at a very strong position near the river The troops marched without any organization or officers, and were, as I understood, to be organized, after their arrival; - And I do not know the officer, under whom he served. - While he was absent the family received letters from him frequently, - by which I understood, that he was employed at Hornsbeck, in that neighbourhood, while absent. At So one time the next Spring or Summer he returned home - I am not certain how long he was absent. I recollect that sometime after his return, he was directed to go to Weatherfield, - to what was then called, as I think, the pay-table office, - to get his pay, and I am confident that was in the fall of 1781. - The time my brother volunteered, I recollect, was at the time of the Oldket's training, and I think the company, to which he belonged was required to furnish twelve minute men - And my brother being then young, - between sixteen & seventeen years of age, my father was dissatis- fied that he volunteered - Which are circumstances, which enable more particularly to remember his service.
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me. And I certify that the deponent is a credible witness.
Joel Boardman Joel Doolittle Justice Peace

State of Vermont, Addison County ss.
I, Samuel Swift Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison do hereby certify, that Joel Too little, before whom the within affidavit of Joel Boardman was made, is a Justice of the peace for said County, and his name subscribed thereto in his own signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 25 th day of August 1832.
Sam l . Swift Clerk

10 099 Ames Boardman Orange 6° Vermont
Admitted 9 months $30.
S. Short Esq. Hartford Vt

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 Amos Boarman
   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.     00000780 9 Private Company officers - and re-located Col. Comfield From Elitham to New Neck 68 years Elitham Cont. Testation of living witness  
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 the 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.
[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 [j] 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.

21.077 INVALID.
See
May 14-1901 Georgette C. Smith Chicago Ills
File No. 21.077
Amos Boardman
Rev Rev 1812
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 42
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir -
Will you please inform me if there is any record of Amos  Goodman of Massachusetts having drawn a pension from the United States Government

for service during the Revolutionary War -
Yours Truly Elizabeth C. Smith
And Tribune Annex Chicago Illinois -
May 8 th 1901

We Nathaniel Bowles of Clergyman resident in Corinth in the County of Orange State of Vermont & Job Clement a resident of the said town of Corinth, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Amos Boardman who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 68 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.
Nathaniel Bowles Job Clement
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of 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 certifies that it appears to them that Nathaniel Bowles who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said town of Corinth & that Job Clement who has also signed the same is likewise a resident of said Corinth & is a credible person & their certificate is entitled to credit.
I Simeon Root Clerk or keep. of the said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Amos Boardman for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 31 st day of August A.D. 1832
Simeon Root Clk