Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,635, Gains Bliss, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass
Bliss, Gains
NUMBER
S. 29,635
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents
Blank lined area for contents

Let. to Hon. W.B. Calhoun W.L. June 8. 1836.
II Duplicate certificate is and forward to Rich d D. Morris, Springfield Mass s Sept r 6 th 36
73 Kampsen
15.976 Massachusetts
Pension Slip of Nimpdenk in the State of Mass s who was a Mate, in the (Company) commanded by Captain Strong of the (Ship) commanded by (C. Allen) in the (Navy) line for 6 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of (Mass s ) at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Aug y 1833 and (Rev. George) Colton Springfield Mass s Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept r 11.00 $50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by (N.H. Wilson) Clerk, Book Vol. 2 a Page 8

92/5 Gaines W. P.'s Declaration and Depositions of Theodorus Foss Eli Crandall & Calvin Root —
Geo Colton Springfield Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss.
On this fourth  twenty seventh day of August 1882. personally appeared in open court before Oliver Schorriss Esq. Judge of the C. of Pleas at Springfield Francis Gavis Bliss a resident of Longmeadow in the County of Hampshire and State of Mass. aged Seventy one 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. 1882.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as hereinafter stated - viz -
First. Enlisted in a Company of State Troops commanded by Capt. Carpenter and stationed at Springfield Massachusetts as a guard for the public stores, where I served three months in the year 1779. Thaddeus Dyer belonged to the same Company and his deposition is presented as proof of this term of service.
In the year 1780. I enlisted in Capt. Mornings Company of Cannon or Springfield in Col. Munn's Regiment of State Troops, the Capt. names were John Cotton and Jesse Warner, we march d to West Point and were stationed there at the time General Benedict Arnold traitor and served there three months, at the expiration of the term was dismissed, Levi Brantell and Calvin Brant both of Longmeadow in said State and County whose depositions are annexed served with me in the same Company during said term of three months.
Born in the year 1761. in Springfield Longmeadow Parish and his birth is recorded on the town records -
Was living in Longmeadow when called into service, has lived there ever since and now resides in said town -
Enlisted for both terms - and served in all six months -
Has no recollection of ever having received a written discharge

and never held a Commission
And 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 in
Gains Bliss
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
We Levi Crandell of Longmeadow and George Cotton of Springfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gains Bliss who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy one years of age, that he is reputable and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion -
Levi Crandell George Cotton
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 Levi Crandell who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of Longmeadow and that George Cotton who has also signed the same is a resident of Springfield, that they are both credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full credit -
I Justin Willard Register of said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gains Bliss for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
Justin Willard Register

I Thaddeus Fernald of Springfield in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, testify and say that I served three months in Capt. John Carpenter's Company of Mass. Militia in the year 1849. Said Company was stationed at Springfield Mass. to guard the Public Stores - and I further testify and say that Gadsby Wip of Longmeadow in said County served with me at the same time and place the full term of three months -
Thaddeus Fernald
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss -
In this fourteenth day of August 1852.
Personally appeared Thaddeus Fernald and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
I further certify that the above. Before me George Colton Justice of the Peace named deponent is a person of truth
and vicinity Geo. Colton - Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that George Colton Esq. before whom the above two annexed depositions were verified as a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that his name thereto manually subscribed is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred & fifty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

I Levi Crandell of Longmeadow in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts testify and say that I served in Capt. Muzzey's Company of Massachusetts Militia in Col. Morris Regiment in the year 1780, that I served three months at West Point and was there when General Arnold turned traitor, then Cotton and Depe Warner were sent in our Company - and I further testify and say that Gains Bliss of Longmeadow in said County served in the same Company with me during the said term of three months -
Levi Crandell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss.
On this fifth day of August 1852 - personally appeared Levi Crandell and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me
George Cotton Justice of the Peace
And I further certify that the above named deponent is a person with whom I am well acquainted and that he is a man of truth and veracity -
May 22. 1853
George Cotton Justice of the Peace

I Calvin Root of Longmeadow in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, testify and say, that I served in Capt. Mornings Company of Massachusetts militia in Col. Shumans Regt. in the year 1780. and that I served three months at West Point and was there  came down the river and saw General Arnold pass down the river in his boat and go on board a British vessel of War at the time he turn. traitor, John Cotton and Dea. Massie were Lieut. in our Company and I further testify and say that Gains Wife of Longmeadow in said County passed with me in the same Company during the term of three months. - Calvin Root
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. On this Seventh day of August 1832. personally appeared Calvin Root and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed. Before me
George Cotton Justice of the Peace.
I further certify that the above named deponent is well known to me as a person of truth and veracity -
May 22. 1833 -
George Cotton Justice of the Peace

9278
Gains Bliss
Prob 6 Months
14-1606
May 14 1833
S 395
Geo Colton Springfield Mass

9278  BRIEF in the case of  Gains Bliss  of  Hampden  in the State of  Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? about  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? no  3. How old is he? 71  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.     1779 10 3 As a guard for public stores private Gen. Capt Carpenter   '80 3 Capt Browning Col Munn  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Springfield Longmeadow Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 3 living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not properly authenticated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton Examining Clerk. 16 Feb 1832

29 635 Rev INVALID.  Rev
File No. 29,635-
Grains Bliss
Rev Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Payments to be made at Boston Mass by the Trust of W. S. D. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass.
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 2 Page 8 by N. N. Williams Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Gains Bap of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty dollars and _____ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of _____, in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Eleventh day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three
Leah Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edward Commissioner of Pensions.

9278 Gains Bliss
Geolcott Springfield Mass.

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Gain, Bliss which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Y II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Y 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? Y 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? Y VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Y VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Y IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Y 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? Y

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 ?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
No
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 ?
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 ?
Yes
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 ?
No other as required
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct ?
Yes
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 ?
Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
The Clerk's Certificate includes the whole in one —
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.

Merchants Bank, Pension Office, Boston, 26. Sept. 1838.
Sir,
I enclose herewith the Pension Certificate of Gains Bliss supposed to be lost which has been returned to this Office. - A new one was issued in lieu of the same on the 7 th Sept. 1836.
Very Respectfully Your obedt Servt
Franklin Hawn
P. a.
J. C. Edwards Esqr. Comm r of Pensions Washington, D.C.

Home of Repose
June 5, 1896
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir,
The accompanying paper has been sent to me for the purpose of obtaining a new pension certificate for Gains Bliss, in the place of one accidentally lost.
I am well acquainted with all the persons named except the pensioner. They are of the highest respectability. If the testimony be sufficient to warrant the issuing of a new certificate, I will forward it when issued.
Yours Respectfully
Yr obed Servt
W. D. Calhoun.

Gaines Bliss Pri. $20. per Ann. Act June 7. '32 Maps to Roll. - For what time was he cash paid? He was paid to the 4 th Sept. 1835
JH

Springfield Mass ts
July 23 d 1836
Sir
I herewith return the declaration of Gaius Bliss for a New pension certificate together with an additional declaration made to conform to the regulations of the department so far as possible. I well know Mr. Bliss and that he has had a certificate, and I have no doubt he lost it as he says. Mr. Bliss is a very honest conscientious Man and entitled to full confidence. I hope the application may be granted and that a certificate may be forwarded to me for him
I am very respectfully
Your Ob t Serv t
J. L. Edwards Esq
Richard D. Morris

Gains Cliffs
Chap 74 for New Eng.

Application for a New Certificate Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss
On this twentieth day of July 1836, before me the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Hampden personally appeared Gann Babb of Longmeadow in the County of Hampden who, on oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Carpenter and was stationed at Springfield performing duty as a Guard to the public Stores for Three Months  during the Revolutionary War, that he does not recollect that he was attached to any Regiment - And that he is the same person who formerly belonged to a Company commanded by Capt. Browning and served at West Point three Months, that he does not now recollect who commanded the Regiment to which he belonged, that the above specified Service was performed by him for the United States during the Revolutionary War in the Massachusetts Militia, that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts and that he received a Certificate of the fact under the signature and Seal of the Secretary of War, which Certificate according to his best recollection bore date about the last of the year 1832 or early in the year 1833 - That the same is lost as specified and set forth in his declaration annexed made before Oliver B Morris Judge of Probate within & for the County of Hampden on the fourteenth day of May 1836. And the original declaration made by him which is now in the Pension Office and the

testimony therein produced, together with the annexed declaration & affidavit he refers to as a part of the declaration and evidence in support of the same
Gaius Bliss
Sworn and subscribed to before me this day and year aforesaid -
Richard D. Morris. Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss. John Ingersoll Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record within for said County of Hampden do hereby certify that Richard D. Morris is a Justice of the Peace within for the County of Hampden duly Commissioned & qualified agreeable to the laws of this Commonwealth and that full faith & credit are and ought to be given to all acts done by him in said capacity and that the signature of Richard D. Morris above is his true & genuine hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twentieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty six
John Ingersoll Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin County ss
On the Fourteenth day of May in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and thirty six personally appeared before me Oliver B Morris Judge of Probate within and for the County of Hampshire, Gains Bliss of Longmeadow in said County a Revolutionary Pensioner aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his oath make the following Statement, That there was granted to him a pension certificate under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 sometime the latter part of the year 1832 or early in the year 1833. the date of the said certificate he has forgotten, and has not the means in his possession of ascertaining the same. That the said certificate entitled him the said Gains Bliss to receive twenty Dollars per annum during his natural life. That under said Pension certificate he has continued to draw his pension semiannually up to the fourth day of September AD 1835 inclusive. That when the last semiannual payment became due on the fourth day of March last, he looked for his pension certificate in the place where he usually kept it, and it could not be found, and he has since repeatedly made thorough search for it and is wholly unable to find it or gain any information concerning it, and that he fully believes said certificate is lost or destroyed. That he has no recollection of seeing it since last September when he had it at the Office of Richard D. Morris Esq in Springfield for the purpose of making out his power of attorney in order to draw his semiannual payment then due; that he recollects receiving it from said

Morris after having executed his said power of Attorney, but has no further recollection concerning it, and he now now does not recollect the date or number of said Certificate; And he now makes this declaration in order that he may obtain from the War Office a new certificate, and he therefore prays that a new certificate may be granted to him to conform to the one he has lost, and he hereby relinquishes his claim to the one 10 lost as stated in this declaration. And he has examined the deposition of Richard D. Morris Esq in corroboration of his statement as to the truth of his having such a certificate heretofore in his possession - Gaius B Bliss Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
And I Alvin B Morris Judge of Probate within and for the County of Hampshire do hereby certify and declare my opinion, after investigating the matter, and from my personal knowledge, that the above named Gaius Bliss has held a pension certificate as he states, and my full belief that he has lost the same as he states in the foregoing declaration, which he has made oath to before me, and that he is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit. I further certify that Richard D. Morris whose deposition is hereto annexed, is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
Alvin Morris

I Richard D. Morris of Springfield in the County of Hampden of Lawful Age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Gains Bliss of Longmeadow who has signed the foregoing declaration, and that I have full confidence in the statement therein made And that I personally know that the said Gains Bliss has had such a pension certificate as he has therein described by having several times taken the oaths of Identity and executed his power of Attorney before me one of the Justices of the Peace within & for the County of Hampden, for the purpose of claiming his pension and payments when they became due. I further say that he had his certificate with him at my office in Springfield in September last, when he took the Oaths of Identity & executed his power of Attorney before me as stated in his declaration
Richard D Morris
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden County ss. On the fourteenth day of May A D 1836 Richard D Morris above named personally appeared and made solemn oath to the deposition aforesaid before me
W W Morris Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden County ss. I Justin Willard Register of Probate within & for said County do hereby certify that Oliver B. Morris Esq. is the Judge of Probate for said County & that his name which is subscribed to the two foregoing certificates, is his genuine signature and proper lawful writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Probate Court for said County at Springfield this second day of June A D 1836 Justin Willard