Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12450, Abner Carswell, Mass. New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass New York
Barswell, Abner
S. 12450
CONTENTS
carded
[Blank lined area for notes]
[Blank lined area for notes]

2522
New York
Abner Cayswell
of Salem in the State of New York who was a Priv & Sergt. in the Company commanded by Captain Childs — of the Regt, commanded by Col Woodbridge in the Massachusett line for 13 months, & 27 days Private and 6 months Sergeant —
Increased from $46.27. Feb 14 '33
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 76 Dollars 27 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of November 1832 and sent to Saps & Billing Salem N.Y.
  Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  $114.40    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 33  38.13     $152.54  
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by John Cromwell
Clerk
Book D
Vol. 5
Page 76
New York and Mass Records completed Oct 7/05. J.
98

4863. Almer Caswell of Salem, Washington Cty N York -
23 Months
admitted 6 mo. sergeant 16 mo 27 days private
Leon

(Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New York, Washington County ss.
Be it remembered, that on this 28 th day of August in the year 1832, personally appeared in open Court before John Willard Esq. first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Washington and Charles F. Ingalls & Benjamin F. Skinner Esq. Judges of the said Court, now sitting, Abner Garswell a resident of the Town of Salem, in said County and State, 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 herein stated
(viz) That about the first of July 1776, he enlisted, in the Town of Colrain, in the State of Massachusetts, as a private Soldier for five months, in Capt. Childs Company, Col. Woodbridges Regiment and Genl. Brackets Brigade. That he immediately marched to Scituate, in the State of New York, where he remained in actual service until the first of December thereafter. That during the five months he was in service at Scituate Genl. Gates had the Command. That in August 1777, he was ordered into service again by Capt. Hugh McClelland, Col. Wells Regiment and was marched from said Town of Colrain to the Town of Bennington in the State of Vermont, at the Bennington Battle, so called. That Genl. Stark commanded - and that he was there in service one week - when he returned home to said Town of Salem Colrain. That about the 1 st Sept. 1777, he was ordered out again by D. Capt. McClelland, in D. Wells Regiment, and was marched from s d Town of Colrain to Stillwater in the State of New York, under the command of said Capt. McClelland, and in s d Col. Wells Regiment; That he was in the battle at the taking of Genl. Burgoyne at Saratoga. That Genl. Gates commanded the American Army, and that he remained in actual service at that time as a Soldier for five weeks .

That in the month of March 1779 he together with his Father and family moved from said Town of Coburn into the Town of Salem in the County of Washington & State of New York - That at that time the said Town of Salem & County of Washington were on the frontier, and the Militia of said Town, who were few in number were kept under arms the principal part of the time, until the close of the war - That he was repeatedly ordered into service and actually went and served in the Militia on the behalf of the United States as a Soldier upon the frontier, during the year 1779 more than two months , six weeks of which time he was stationed at White Hall, then called Glensboro , in said County & State. That he was then under the command of a Capt. Stockwell - That in March 1780 he was ordered into the service of the United States as a Soldier in the New York Militia, under Capt. Long and marched to Fort-Edward in said County, and from thence to Fort-George where he staid one week. That Col. Warner then commanded at Fort-George - That during the said year 1780, he was repeatedly ordered into the Militia, upon alarms, and actually served on the lines as a Soldier under Capt. Long for four weeks - That in July 1780 he enlisted as a Soldier into Capt. Sherwoods company to fill up the Continental line of the New York State Troops, and was stationed at Fort. Ann in said County of Washington until the 10 th of October thereafter, when the Fort was taken by the British, that S r Sherwood had the command of said Fort - That immediately thereafter, he returned into Capt. Longs company of Militia, where he served as a Militia-man, until the 20 th Nov r 1780 - That in the year 1781, Aug 1782 he was in actual service as a Soldier in the Militia under S r Long and in Col. Willets Regiment of the New York Militia for more than three months ; that during said

time his duties consisted in guarding the Frontiers, in marching on scouting parties, and in defending the Inhabitants from Britons, Indians and Tories - That he did actually serve the United States in the War of the Revolution as a Soldier in the Militia twenty three months & more, and which said services are above specified - That he has no discharge, That he cannot to his knowledge produce any witness to prove the said discharge - is known in his neighborhood by Doct. Broadfoot, Judge Blanchard And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn and subscribed 3 ALBERT CASHWELL the day and year aforesaid 3 J. S. Leigh CLE
We Alexander Broadfoot a Clergyman residing in the Town of Salem in said County & State and Mr. Fitch - of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abner Cashwell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declara- -tion that we believe him to be twenty seven 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 3 Alex. Broadfoot the day and year aforesaid 3 In open Court. J. S. Leigh CLE Asa Fitch

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 United States Soldier, and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Alexander Broadfoot who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said Town of Salem, and that Asa Fitch who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town and is, a credible person, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I Joseph Leigh Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abner Carswell for a pension - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office said Court this 28 th day of August, 1872.
J. S. Leigh Clerk

* That he was born in the Town of Cohain in the State of Massachusetts in May 1755. That his age was recorded in the Town Clerks office in said Town as he believes. * That he lived in said Town until the year 1779, in which year he moved into the Town of Salem, Washington County & State of New York where he has resided ever since - That he received no discharge from service. That he is known in his neighbourhood by the Rev. Alexander Prandett D.D. Anthony Blanchard, John Grary, John Willard, John Gray and others. That he knows of no person by whom he can prove his Revolutionary services -
service again by Capt. Helyk McClelland, Col. Wells Regiment and was marched from said Town of Cohain to the Town of Bennington in the State of Vermont, at the Bennington Battle, so called. That Genl. Stark commanded - and that he was then in service one week - when he returned home to said Town of Cohain - That about the 1 st Sept. 1777, he was ordered out again by D. Capt. McClelland in D. Wells Regiment, and was marched from s d Town of Cohain to Stillwater in the State of New York, under the command of said Capt. McClelland, and in s d Col. Wells Regiment; That he was in the battle at the taking of Genl. Burgoyne at Saratoga. That Genl. Gates commanded the American Army, and that he remained in active service at that time as a Soldier for five weeks -

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Abner Darrow a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1 1776 5 mos Pvt. Childs Woodbridge Mass   Aug 1777 6 mos Hugh McClelland Wells   1779 2 mos Stockwell N.Y.   1780 5 1/2 " Long + Sherwood "   1781 3 " Sgt Long Webster "   1782 3 " Long Webster "  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill & at capture of Burgoyne Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cohasset Mass. and Salem N.Y. Date of application for pension, Aug. 28, 1832. His claim was allowed Residence at date of application, Salem Washington Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, born in May 1755 at Cohasset Mass
Remarks: No data as to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

in, Dec.
Rev. Mar.
12,450 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 12,450
Abner Carswell
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 17th 82
Index: Vol. 2, Page 61
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1898, June 21 - Mist. to Frank Baker, Washingt TS
1920 Feb. 5: Death to Mrs. J.J. Louis. aw.

2 Brief V o of 1863.
Abner Larswell
John L. Billings Ag t

No. 1863.
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abner Casswell which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
~~~~~
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
Yes.
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
to, Amended
Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Yes.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
Yes.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
Yes.
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Yes.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

State of New York, } Washington County ss }
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, first Judge of the County Courts of the County of Washington and State of New York, having also Subrogate of said County, the said Abner Carswell, the identical person, well known to me, who made, subscribed and swore to the declaration to which this affidavit is affixed who being duly sworn, deposes 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 the year 1776. I served five months as a private: for the year 1777 I served one week at the Bennington battle and five weeks at the taking of Burgoyne as a private: for the year 1779. I served two months as a private: for the year 1780. I served five months and one half month as a private: for the year 1781. I served as a serjeant, three months: for the year 1782 I served as a serjeant, three months. For such services I claim a pension.
5. 1 week 5
2 15 days 5
6 mo.
Abner Carswell
Washington County ss p. I John Willard Surrogate of the said County do certify that the said Abner Carswell, to me well known, appeared before me in open court & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 19 th day of November 1832, and I have also affixed a like seal at the interstition of the tape binding this affi- davit to the declaration. John Willard, Surrogate

One 24 stamp to envelope P.S. Rev War one
4153 Aldrich Ave. So., Minneapolis, Minn.
Jan. 23, 1920.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir, -
Have you in your office any record of the military service in the Revolutionary War of one Abner Carswell, who entered the service from Salem, Washington Co., New York?
Thanking you for any information in this matter,
Respectfully yours,
Mrs. J. J. Louis

1314 CORCORAN STREET,
Washington, D. C.
May 27, 1893.
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I wish to obtain a transcript of the record on which Abner Carswell, probably a relative of mine, was granted a Revolutionary pension. His name appears in the Pension List published in 1835, Vol. 2, p. 446, as a resident of Washington County, New York. He served as private and sergeant in the Massachusetts militia. His pension was granted Nov. 29, 1832, when he was 78 years old.
It will greatly oblige me if you can furnish me such parts of his record as describe his term of service and especially the men with whom he served.
Very respectfully,
Frank Baker