Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,241, William Black, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Black William
S. 12241
carded
CONTENTS

Vermont 18.700
William Black.
of Windham co. in the State of Vermont. who was a Pr. & Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Oliver, of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sparhawk, in the Mass. m. line for 9 mo. 21 d. as Sergeant 9 " ————— Private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont. at the rate of 78 Dollars 46 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Sept r 1833. and sent to P. White. Putney. Vt.
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 33.  $ 196.15    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34.  39.23     $ 235.38  
{ Revolutionary Cl. Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E. Brown Book E. Vol. 3 — Page 54

Winham County VA William Black's Deed For Pension - Augt 7 th 1832 -
8482.
Please to make return to D. White Putney VA -

Westminster Probate District -
At a Probate Court held at Brookline in the said County and District - being a court of Record, by law having a Seal & Clerk -
On this 18th day of August A. D. 1832 - Personally appeared in open Court, Residing - Gen. Peter R. Trafton Judge At Brookline in said District
Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District now sitting - William Black a resident of Brookline in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged Eighty Three 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.
He declares and says that in the month of April 1775 he was residing in the town of Oakham in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, and that at the alarm of the Lexington Battle he immediately volunteered and repaired to Cambridge to join the army and after remaining there nearly one month he, some time in the month of May enlisted for the term of eight months as a noncommissioned officer in the Company commanded by Capt. Haskell or Haskell in the Regiment commanded by Col. Fellows of the Massachusetts Troops, and faithfully served as sergeant in said Company during the said term, and at the expiration of said term, at the request of the Officers he engaged and served one month longer in the Company of Capt. Barnes in the same Regiment, and at the expiration of said one month was regularly dismissed at Roxbury near Boston but received no written discharge - And that afterwards in the month of June 1775 he again enlisted at Oakham for the term of three months in the Company commanded by Capt. Chamberlain in the Regiment commanded by Col. Brewer of the Massachusetts Militia and marched to Ticonderoga to join the Northern Army and faithfully served out said term of three months and was regularly dismissed at Ticonderoga but received no written discharge - And he further declares, that afterwards about first of December 1776 he again enlisted for three months at Oakham and entered the Company commanded by Capt. Oliver in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sparkhark of the Massachusetts Troops and marched to join the Army at Morristown N.J. and after remaining there a short time went into winter quarters and was stationed at a place called Bond or Bond Brook and that after serving out said term of three months he was discharged at the said last mentioned place in the Spring of 1777 - And he further declares that  in the  month of  June  1777 in the Summer of 1777 when the Northern Army was retreating before Burgoyne's Army he volunteered at Oakham and marched over the Green Mountain to Bennington Vt. and arrived there the day after the Battle served in the Company of a Capt. whose name he does not recollect - in the Regiment commanded by Col. Cushing, if he rightly recollects, and after remaining at Bennington about ten weeks he was dismissed and returned home - He further declares that he was in a skirmish or battle at Bond Brook in Newfane, in the detachment commanded by Gen. Warner, with the British when the enemy retreated to Bennington - He gives the testimony of Stewart Black & Ezekiel Pierce to prove that  his  first  company  but  knows  of  no  records  being  by  him prove his other services.
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 Rutland County of Worcester State of Massachusetts in 1749  2. He has no record of his age only in memory  3. He lived at Oakham Mass where he entered the service - He since the Revolution has lived in Pitsfield and Brookline, where he now lives, in Windham County Vermont -  4. He enlisted voluntarily - 

Also his testimony of Stewart Osgood & Anson Flint in presence of the Court...
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 Rutland County of Worcester State of Massachusetts in 1749  2. He has no record of his age only in memory  3. He lived at Oakham Mass while entitled to service - Has since the Revolution lived in Rutland and Middlesex, where he now lives, in Waltham County Vermont -  4. He enlisted voluntarily -  5. He does not recollect the names of officers particularly, other than those already named  6. He never received a written discharge -  7. One Osgood I know I believe neighbors a respectable citizen - There being no clergyman who has been long stationary in the vicinity - 
William Black
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Peter R. Lapham Judge
We the undersigned a clergyman, residing in the town of Brookline in said County and Anson Flint of Brookline in said County hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Black who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty three 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.
Osgood
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Anson Flint
Peter R. Lapham Judge
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 one Osgood who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said town of Brookline and that Anson Flint who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Brookline in said county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Peter R. Lapham Judge
I Amos Dyer Clerk of Register of the District Court, within and for the District of Waterville aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Black for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Seventh day of August
A. D. 1832.
Amos Dyer

Wm Blackis Supplemental Deed
William Blackie Solicitor

The supplemental Declaration of William Black — Personally appeared before me, the undersigned Justice of Peace within and for the County of Windham and State of Vermont, William Black of Brookline in the County of Windham aforesaid, 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 services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades — For nine months and twenty one days (from April 1875 to about the 15 th of Febry 1876, as stated in my former Declaration) I served as a Sergeant — For five months (from some time in June 1876 to some time in November same year) I served as a private soldier — For three months (from the first of Decr. 1876 to some time in the month of March 1877) I served as a private soldier And for one month (from the 18 th of August 1877 to about the 18 th of September 1877) I served as a private soldier and for such service I claim a Pension — All which service was in embodied Corps, called into service by competent authority, and I was, during said term either in the field or in garrison — and for the time during which said services were performed I was not employed in any civil pursuit —
William Black
State of Vermont
Windham County ss June 26 th 1833 sworn to and subscribed in due form of law —
Before me Phineas White Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont
Dist t of Westminster ss I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office and that the several signatures thereto subscribed to be his are his genuine signatures. I further certify that said White on the 25 th day of August 1818 was a lawful judge of Windham County Court and that the signature purporting to be his on the deposition of Shadrach Black hereto attached is his genuine signature — I further certify that I have here set my hand & the seal of said court this 2 nd day of July A.D. 1833
Asa P. Cady

Rev. Wm.
12241. INVALID.
File No. 12,241
William Black
Augt. B. Wm.
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. A Page 36
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 8482
Mrs Black, Windham co Vermont
Admit
9 mos Private 9 " 21st's Sergeant
J. P. White, Putney, Vermont.
William Black
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
18 Jun 1833
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 subjjoined 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
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
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 days 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.
[2] 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.
[3] 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.
[4] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[5] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[6] 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.
[7] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[8] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[9] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[10] The Clerk must fix 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 paper.
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.
[1] 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.
[2] The notes from [a] to [f] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [3] applies to continental troops only.
[4] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[5] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[6] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Putney July 15 th 1833
Dear Sir,
I now have the honor of returning for reconsideration - the application of William Black - a poor, infirm, tho' a very honest old man - He, like all other applicants, feels extremely anxious - being held so long in suspense - and most confidently anticipates a speedy decision in his favor - Your immediate attention to this case will greatly relieve the anxiety of a worthy old Patriot - and very much oblige - -
Your Obedt. Servt.
J. White
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions - -

The affidavit of Rev. J. H. H. in favor Mr. Black.
copy of N.C.C.

Affidavits in favor of Wm Black
Benj. Russell, Affidavit in favor of Wm Black

Wm Black's Appln for a Pension
Wm Black's Appln for a Pension
Did not serve nine months at any one period of enlistment. The claim is inadmissible.
[Handwritten signature]
It is hereby certified that the within is a true copy of the original of the application of Wm Black for a pension.

The affidavit of the Rev. Jonathan Huntley aged Seventy six years of Brattleboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont. Who testifies and says that more than forty years ago he moved into the town of Putney in the County and State aforesaid and soon became acquainted with William Black now of Brookline in the County & State aforesaid, who was then an inhabitant of said Putney and lived near neighbor to said deponent, their dwellings being less than one mile apart, and that they lived in said together for the space of fourteen or fifteen years - and until recent times of hearing the said Black, frequently relate, in those days, his services as a soldier of the Revolutionary War - but cannot now state particulars - and he further testifies that the said Black was a christian professor and a member of the church when deponent resided in Putney - and he has uniformly sustained the character of an undoubted truth and veracity and that said Black is respected in the neighborhood as having been a soldier in the Revolutionary war - and deponent does not entertain a doubt of the said Black's having performed all the revolutionary services that he has or shall declare that he did perform - Jonathan Huntley.
State of Vermont } August 31 st 1832 Subscribed & sworn to Windham County ss } Before me Phileas White Justice of Peace
I do hereby certify that the above named Rev. Mr. Huntley is a respectable Officiating clergyman and a man of undoubted truth & veracity Phileas White Justice of Peace
The affidavit of Benjamin Ormsbee Esq. aged fifty three years of Rutland in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont. Who testifies and says that for more than thirty years past he has been well acquainted with William Black now of Brookline in said County, and that he should suppose him to be more than eighty years of age - and that he often heard him, many years ago, relate his revolutionary services and adventures - of his being in the first eight months service - one campaign with the Northern Army at Ticonderoga & other places - one campaign in the South - of his volunteering and going to Bennington about the time of the Battle there - and that he does not entertain the least doubt of the said Black's having performed the Revolutionary services, stated in his Declaration, made before the Hon. Peter A. Zeff, Judge of Probate on the 4 th day of August instant -
Benj. Ormsbee -
State of Vermont } Subscribed & sworn to August 13 th 1832 Rutland County ss } Before me Phileas White Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Benj. Ormsbee is a respectable married man of undoubted truth & veracity P. White J. P. -
The affidavit of Ephraim Pierce, aged seventy eight years, of Putney in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, who testifies and says, that in the month of April 1775 he went to Cambridge near Boston, as a soldier of the Revolution, and there, about the first of May became acquainted with William Black, now of Brookline in the County & State aforesaid, as a sergeant in the company commanded by Capt. Haskell, in Col. Fellows Regt. of the Massachusetts line in the eight months service, and that he was frequently on duty with the said Black during said term - and often saw and conversed with him, and that he was knowing to said Black's serving out said term of eight months, and then engaging and staying one month longer, and doing the duty of a sergeant - making in all nine months that said Black served, and that according to his best remembrance the said Black was dismissed at Dorchester and left the army on or about the last day of January 1776 - and he further testifies that said William Black was a faithful good soldier - and sustained the reputation of a faithful sergeant -
Ephraim Pierce

State of Vermont Waltham County ss
Subscribed & sworn to August 13 th 1832
Before me Phineas White Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Benjamin Ormsbee is a respectable mayor held & of undoubted truth & veracity J. White J.P. -
The affidavit of Ezekiel Peirce, aged seventy eight years, of Putney in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, who testifies and says, that in the month of April 1775 he went to Cambridge near Boston, as a soldier of the Revolution, and there, about the first of May became acquainted with William Black, now of Brookline in the County & State aforesaid, as a sergeant in the company commanded by Capt. Haskell, in Col. Fellows Regt. of the Massachusetts line in the eight months service, and that he was frequently on duty with the said Black during said term - and often saw and conversed with him, and that he was knowing to said Black securing out said term of eight months, and then engaging and staying one month longer, and doing the duty of a sergeant making in all nine months that said Black served, and that according to his best remembrance the said Black was dismissed at Dorchester and left the army on or about the last day of January 1776 - and he further testifies that said William Black was a faithful good soldier - and sustained the reputation of a faithful sergeant - Ezekiel Peirce
State of Vermont Waltham County ss
August 13 th 1832 subscribed & sworn to
Before Phineas White Justice of Peace
I do hereby certify that the above named Ezekiel Peirce is a man with whom I have long been acquainted & that he is of undoubted truth & veracity J. White Justice of Peace
I Stewart Black of Granville in the County of Windham and State of Vermont of Linsdale age testify and say that I was an ensign in the company of Capt. Haskell in the Regt. under Col. Fellows of the Mass Line in the Rev. Army from July A.D. 1775 till July then next following and was well acquainted with William Black now of Brookline in the State - who served as a Sergeant soldier in the same Regt. and was knowing to the s d Mr Black, serving eight months, and there, at the request of the officers continued one month longer, making nine months from the time he first entered the service till he was discharged - was also knowing to s d Mr Black's serving in the 8 months service the year follow- ing - And further said not - Stewart Black
State Vermont Waltham County ss
August 13 th 1832 then personally appeared
the above named Black and made known all the truth of the above affidavit by him submitted
Before me J. White Chf. of W.C.C. -

...ham County 11. I do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with the within named Stewart Black, deceased, when he was living and that he hastened a charter, for undivided tenancy - Augst. 2 nd 1892 - Phineas White portion of Power
Tom Black's Heirs for a share
Did not for some time months at any one period of settlement. The claim is inadmissible.
[Handwritten signature]
I hereby certify that the within named Stewart Black was well acquainted with the within named Stewart Black, deceased, when he was living and that he hastened a charter, for undivided tenancy - Augst. 2 nd 1892 - Phineas White portion of Power
years tips into alliance