Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29637, Solomon Blair, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Blair, Solomon
NUMBER
S. 29637
CONTENTS

18-995 Massachusetts
Solomon Blair
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Pvt in the Company commanded by Captain Dale of the Regt commanded by Col Drake in the Mass line for 3 Mos in of Infantry 5 " " " Artillery 8 " " " " Cavalry
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 77 Dollars 50 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug 1835 and sent to Memphis Stebbins Brookfield Mass Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $153.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 38.75 $193.75
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. D. D. Long Clerk Book E Vol. 2 Page 8
1837 March D. Rev. 10.1839 ms. A. B.

I the subscriber a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the same being a Court of Record, having a Clerk and Seal do hereby certify that on the third day of August 1832 I proceeded to Brookfield the place of residence of the above named Solomon Blair, to take his examination for a pension. The said Solomon Blair from old age and bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court. The said Solomon Blair signed the above declaration interrogatories and answered in my presence, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me. I am well acquainted with Reverend Micah Stone the clergyman who signed the annexed certificate and know him to be a highly respectable person.
Solomon Strong, Judge C. C. Pleas.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. I Abijah Biglow, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said Commonwealth, for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the Honorable

Solomon Strong, Esquire, is one of the Justices of said Court, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate, and his signature to his certificate, that the said Solomon Blair, in his opinion, was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he has stated, &c. and that his certificate of the oath administered to Micah Stone and Solomon Gilbert, are all his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court, this fifth day of September, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this third day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me  Solomon Strong Esq. one of the justices of the Court of Common Pleas Common Pleas, Solomon Blair a resident of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty six 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 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I was born in Western in the County of Worcester aforesaid on the twelfth day of July O.S. A.D. 1746. I have no record of my age in the town records, my father kept a register of the ages of his children in his family bible, which register I suppose is in the hands of my brother Seth Blair in Madison N.Y. At the commencement of the Revolutionary War I was a resident in the town of Norwich in the County of Hampshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; since the war I have lived a small part of the time in Western, County of Worcester aforesaid but most part in Brookfield aforesaid. In the Spring of 1775 there was a Company of minute men made up from the Company in Norwich aforesaid and the two companies in the neighbouring towns of South and West Hampton - I belonged to said Company - said Company marched in April 1775 to join the main Army at Cambridge Mass. - For my arrival, I believe I enlisted or agreed to stay eight months, I staid in Cambridge about a fortnight, then marched to Roxbury, where I lay till the battle of Bunker's Hill - that day our regiment lay at the end of Lamb's Dam, between Dorchester and the neck, afterwards our Company was sent down to Preston's Point a mile or two beyond Dorchester meeting house, I staid my term of service and was dismissed at Dorchester Mass. in January 1776. - I had a Sargeant's warrant which is lost, and did performed the duty of a Sargeant during all the aforesaid term - The officers under whom I served this term were, Col. Fells, Lieut. Col. Ayer, Major Tupper, Capt. Abner Pomroy - Lieut. Waite - Ensign Daniel Gattland - Sargeant Samuel Root & Jacob Pomroy. Privates John Elliott. Iene Sgt. Isaac & Chas. Williams. In July or August of 1776 there was a call for two Soldiers from the Company in Norwich aforesaid, said Company was a very small one, I volunteered with one Williams (since dead) to go. I joined the main Army at Dorchester in August 1776. I was on guard at Dorchester point, I afterwards worked upon the barracks in Dorchester, afterwards there were a great many sick in the Barracks and I helped to take care of them, - I performed a term of five months service as a private soldier - The officers under whom I served this term were, Colonel Dyke, - Capt. Oliver Symonds Lieutenant Woodbridge. Privates Isaac Williams - Harkness of Pelham
In December or January 1777 I was transferred into the Artillery, it being a rule in the Army that the Militia might enlist into the Artillery - I went into Boston and was employed in the Laboratory most of the time, I served till into May 1777 and was dismissed; this term was about six months - I belonged to Colonel Lee's Reg. and Capt. Bales's Company, not being marched with the Company, but being at work as above stated I did not become sufficiently acquainted with the names of the officers of the Company, except the Capt. to remember them. I do not know of any person whose testimony I can prove to be true to my service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Solomon Blair

We Miah Stone a Clergyman residing in the town of Brookfield and Solomon Gilbert residing in Brookfield in the County of Worcester hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Solomon Blair who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty six years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Miah Stone Solomon Gilbert
And the said Judge do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Judge further certifies, that it appears to them that Miah Stone who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Brookfield aforesaid and that Solomon Gilbert who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Brookfield and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Solomon Strong Judge G. A. Bliss
I, [blank] , Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court, this [blank] day of [blank] in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty
Interrogatories put to Solomon Blair, by the Judge.
1. Where and in what year were you born? Answer. I was born in 1746 in Western County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 2. Have you any record of your age? Answer. No. 3. When were you first called into service? Where have you been since the Revolutionary War and when? Do you now live? Answer. I first called into service in Norwich in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts, since the Revolutionary War. I have lived in Brookfield and Western both in Worcester County Mass. and I now live in said Brookfield. 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or was you a substitute? Answer. I was a volunteer in all the cases. 5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recall and the general circumstances of your service? Answer. Col. Folsom. Col. Eagan. Major Tappan. Capt. Oliver Pease. Lieutenant Dabbs. Ensign Gortland. Can I get you more service a discharge? Answer. No. 7. State the names of persons to whom you are tender in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character as a soldier of the Revolution. Answer. Miah Stone a Clergyman and Solomon Gilbert.
Solomon Blair

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Norfolk Solomon Bliss aforesaid, who being duly sworn, deponeth 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 last named in his declaration, which was per- formed in Boston in the Winter & Spring of 1777 in Capt. Bale's Company. But to this term was, according to the best of his recollection, which he then and there served, not less than five months and in the following grade —
For the term of five months and days I served as a private, and for such service I claim a pension Solomon Bliss
Subscribed and sworn to This 27th day of May 1833
Before me Heman Hobbins Jus. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, fs. I, Abijah Bigelow, a clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Worcester, do certify — That Warren Stebbins, Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Solomon Blair was sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Worcester — and that the signature of said Justice, affixed to the certificate of the oath of said Blair, appears to be in his own proper hand writing. And the papers hereto attached with a ribbon, under the seal of said Court, being now furnished to me, for authentication, I have caused the same so to be done.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the seal of this County, at Worcester, this fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. —
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.

10. 441
Solomon Blair
Augt 8 Mon
Pinch ref 5.
" Anty 5
5. 16 06
May 11 1833
P. 396
   40.00    12.50  11.17    8.33  20.83    20.83  77.50  
By Herman Stobbin's Brookfield Me

BRIEF in the case of  Solomon Blair  County of Worcester  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Justice of the Peace  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Advanced age & bodily infirmity  3. How old is he? Eighty six years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted as a volunteer In 1775 8 Sergeant Gen. Col. Folsom Lieut. Col. Agui   Volunteered Aug 1776 5 Private Maj. Lemuel Root   May 1777 3 Private Col. Duke Cap n Batchelder  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampshire Co. Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Improperly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
John L. Watson
Examining Clerk.
26 Feb -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss - Aug. 10. 1832 I Reuben Blair of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid of lawful age do testify and say. After being duly sworn according to law - That My Brother Solomon Blair of Brookfield - but formerly of Dorchester Mass. was a Soldier in the Army of the United States in the Massachusetts Militia in the summer of 1775. That he left home some time in April of that year, he went away with Enos  for  to  Keokuk  Keokuk and my Brother to Hetchcock's Tavern in Brookfield to join the Company - My Brother was sick in June, and sent to me to come down to Roxbury and take his place awhile, I went to Roxbury, and arrived there a day or two before the battle of Bunker's Hill, but when I arrived in Roxbury said Solomon had so far recovered as to be able to do duty and I left him on the day of the battle of Bunker's Hill, and heard the guns on my way home, - and did not see said Solomon again till the last of December, at which time I had selected to receive the eight months men, I then saw him at Roxbury and exchanged guns with him, the one that I carried down was a light hunting gun and the one that my brother had was a fowling gun. - my Brother then returned home - And further the said deponent saith that the said Solomon went again into the American Army in August 1776. - into the Mass. Militia, and he returned home again some time in the fore part of the winter, and staid a week or two days and then he returned, with us a fortnight, and staid till our trip in May 1777. I saw him in Dorchester in December 1776. - and further the deponent saith Reuben Blair
Not. Subscribed and sworn to by the said Blair on the day and year first above written before me Heman Hobbins Jr. Esq. I hereby certify that Reuben Blair who has subscribed the above affidavit is a person of veracity Heman Hobbins

Rev. Solomon P. Hildreth
Wadsworth College
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester ss. I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Court, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that Herman Stetson, Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was made and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Worcester, and that his signature thereto appears to me to be in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County Seal, this fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk
Ms. A. 9. 2. 1

April 4, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Car
Solomon Blair, S. 29637
Mrs. A. F. P. Corson 12 Brewster Road Framingham, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 29637, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Solomon Blair.
He was born July 12, 1746, in Western, Worcester County, Massachusetts. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Norwich, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, and belonging to a company of minutemen he enlisted in April, 1775, and served until sometime in January, 1776, as sergeant in Captain Abner Pomeroy's company in Colonel Fellows' Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted in July or August, 1776, and served five months as private with the Massachusetts troops under Captain Oliver Lyman and Colonel Dike. He enlisted in December, 1776, or January, 1777, and served until sometime in May, 1777, as private in the Massachusetts artillery under Captain Balch and Colonel Revere and was employed most of the time in the laboratory in Boston.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and he had lived there since the Revolution with the exception of a short while when he lived in Western, Massachusetts.
Solomon Blair died November 10, 1839.
In 1832 his brother, Seth, was living in Madison, New York, and his brother, Reuben, was living in Brookfield, Massachusetts. The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

29 637 INVALID. Rev
1936. Apr. 4. Inst. to Mrs A. F. P. Corson. See cones. in Rev. ch. Samuel Wilbur M.C.D. 2.21577.
File No. 29,637
Solomon Blair
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 1 st 1897
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 42
[Arrangement of 1870.]

April 4, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MCS
Solomon Blair, S. 29637
Samuel Wilbur, S. 21577
Mrs. A. F. P. Corson 12 Brewster Road Framingham, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information in regard to Revolutionary War pensioners, Solomon Blair and Samuel Wilbur.
You are furnished herewith, the records of Solomon Blair, S. 29637, and Samuel Wilbur, S. 21577, as shown by papers on file in their claims for pension.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Hon. J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm te of Pensions

Brookfield June 10th 1833
Sir Herewith I return the papers of Col. Blair, with the certificate of the Sec. of the Com tte . — The Certificate of Newman Hartsh was read on Saturday Your ob t Serv t Norman Stebbins.
Hon. J. L. Edwards Esq. Com r . of Pensions

Free for Certificate, $2.00

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 6 th , 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Solomon Blair, as a Serjeant, is found on the Muster-Roll of Capt. Abner Pomeroy, in Col. Fellows' Regiment, - having enlisted April 27, 1775, and serving until August 1, 1775, - where he is allowed for service and travel, three months and twelve days. - - - The said Blair claims for further service in the above Company; - but the rolls do not extend beyond August 1, 1775.
Solomon Blair claims also for services under Capt. Balch, in Col. Revere's Regiment; and also in Capt. Oliver Lyman's Company, in Col. Dikes' Regiment, &c. &c. The rolls for which are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 6 th , 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Solomon Blair, as a Serjeant, is found on the Muster-Roll of Capt. Abner Pomeroy, in Col. Fellows' Regiment, - having enlisted April 27, 1775, and serving until August 1, 1775, - where he is allowed for service and travel, three months and twelve days. - - - The said Blair claims for further service in the above Company; - but the rolls do not extend beyond August 1, 1775.
Solomon Blair claims also for services under Capt. Balch, in Col. Revere's Regiment; and also in Capt. Oliver Lyman's Company, in Col. Dike's Regiment, &c. &c. The rolls for which are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

10441
Solomon Blair
Heman Stebbins Brookfield Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Solomon Blair which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes  No. Last term 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? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? he judge has not been able to find a record of the court's decision 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? No 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 each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Application should be made to E. K. Hays Secy of the State of Miss for evidence of the claimants service