Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30958, John Coomer, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Cooner John
S 30958
CONTENTS

6157
Massachusetts
John Corner
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Richardson of the Reg't commanded by Col Jacobs in the Mass line for 10 months
Bristol 85
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Feb 1833 and Nat Wm J. L. Woodgill House of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $50.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 th Mar '33 16.66 $66.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by A. Madison Clerk Book 20 Vol. 20 Page 94

John Coomer.
19727
J. L. Hodges NRE

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss
On this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honourable Wadsworth Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Dighton in and for said County at  the  residence ; John Coomer a resident of Seekonk in said County, aged eighty four 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 A. D. 1832
That he was born in the Town of Johnston, County of Providence and State of Rhode Island in the Month of March A. D. 1748. That he knows of no record of his Birth; That he in the fall of A. D. 1777 was in the Rhode Island State Service, that he was drafted and served one Month at Providence and Gaskattun Hill in said State, was engaged in throwing up a breast- work; - When he entered the Service, he was drafted as a private and served for the period aforesaid, but does not recollect any of his officers, or know of any person by whom, he can prove the aforesaid Service, That he marched from said Johnston to said Providence, , and at the end of his Service he received no written discharge: and that he was in no battle.
1 mo. Also that he was in the State's Service from the first day of July A. D. 1778 to the first day of January A. D. 1779 and 6 mo. served Six months as a volunteer in the Rhode Island State Militia, that he was residing at Smithfield in said State when he entered the Service; that he enlisted, and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Richardson, That he went to Fall River & there

joined Said Company, and served in Col. John Saco's Regiment, in General Cornells Brigade, from thence marched to Rhode Island, from thence to Liverton and remained there, and in Swansey, untill the expiration of six months, under the command of General Sullivan, does not recollect any of the regular troops, and at the end of Said service he received no written discharge. — and was in no battle also; that he was in the States Service, from the first part of the month of June D. 1780. to the first part of September D. 1780. as a volunteer in the Massachusetts State Militia, that he was residing in Nehoboth in Said Massachusetts when he enlisted and entered the Service, and served for the period afore- said in the Company of Capt. John Perry, Amos Brown Lieutenant & Phillipe Walker Ensign in the regiment of Col. Mitchell and Brigade Comm- anded a part of the time by General Smith and a part of the time by Col. Saco, that he marched from Said Nehoboth to the Island of Rhode- Island, and was there Stationed at a place called 3 one Brattle Hill, for the term of three months, that he does not recollect seeing any of the regular troops, that no regular troops were known to to him, that he was in no battle. and at the end of his Service does not recollect receiving any written discharge: that since the Revolu- tionary war he has resided in Nehoboth and now resides in that part of Said Nehoboth since called Seahorse.
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 his Witness Alpheus John L Coomer mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day, and year first aforesaid H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
We, Allen Hunt Esquire, and William Ormsbee both residing in the Town of Seekonk aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Coomer, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty four years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we do concur in that opinion
Allen Hunt W m Ormsbee
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories herein prescribed by the War department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Allen Hunt & W m Ormsbee who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in said Seekonk and are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Providence ss.
Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probates in & for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the applica- tion of John Coomer of Seekonk in said County for a pension — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written. Anselm Bassett

16,727 John Coomer
Private 10 month Alma
J. L. Woody, H.R.

16,727  BRIEF in the case of  John Coomer  of Bristol Co  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 84  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.     fall of 77 to 17 1 private Gen. Don't recollect his officers   1 July 78 to 1 Jany 79 6 " Capt. Richardson - Col. Jacob   1 June 80 to 1 Sep 80 3 " Capt. Perry - Col. Mitchell  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Smithfield R.I. Rehoboth  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Right 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.  13 Feby 1833

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Coomer a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. B.F. 30958
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Fall 77 1 mo. Priv. ✓ (not recollected) ✓ R.I.   July 1. 78 6 mos. Richardson John Jacobs.   * June 80 3 mos. John Perry Mitchell Mass.  
Battles engaged in, none
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Smithfield, R.I. * Rehoboth, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 5, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Seekonk, Bristol Co., Mass.
Age at date of application, B. Johnstown, Providence Co., R.I. in Mch. 1748.
Remarks: This claim was allowed under the "Act of June 7, 1832, cert. 6157 issued Feb'y 23, 1833 paid at Mass. Agency". For date of last payout - name of beneficiary -
Very respectfully,

30958 Rev INVALID.
1907 Apl. 20 History to Doctor Mrs D. Foster letter in L.F. 40068 Frederick Kemmerer.
File No. 30958
John Coomer Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

16,727
Mr. Coomer
L. L. Hodges A.R.C.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of He 225  John Coomer 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? Y 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 ? 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 ? —
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 ? Yes
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 ? 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 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.

I James O. Barney a Clergiman residing in the Town of Seekonk County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn according to law, do testify and say that I am well acquainted with John Coomer of said Seekonk, who has this day made application for the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th A. D. 1832 to which declaration this is to be annexed, that I do believe him to be eighty four years of age, that he is believed and reputed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the revolution and I do concur in that opinion
James O. Barney
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss.
Seekonk October 3 rd A 1832
Then personally appeared the Rev. James O. Barney, who made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him Subscribed
Before me Minerva Frost Justice of Peace

I, John Viall of Seekonk in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 72 years being duly sworn according to law, do testify and say, that in the year A. 1778 I was engaged as a teamer and attached to Col. John Jacobs Regiment. Genl. Cornells Brigade, and General Sullivans Division, Stationed on Rhode Island and at Howlands Ferry, and Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island, for the term of six months , that I frequently saw John Coomer, now resident in said Seekonk, on duty as a Soldier in said Regiment; But to what company he belonged I do not now recollect although I have been acquainted with said Coomer since the term aforesaid
John Viall
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss
Seekonk September 24 th A. 1832
Then personally appeared John Viall, who after being duly cautioned, made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me Minot Hunt Just. of Peace
And I further certify that the aforesaid John Viall is a credible witness
Minot Hunt Just. of Peace

I. Nathaniel Viall of Seekonk in the County of Bristol, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 70 years, being duly sworn according to law, do testify and say that, some time in the month of June in the year A. 1780. John Coomer, now residing in said Seekonk, did enlist into the Company with me then commanded by Capt John Perry, Lieutenant Amos Brown and Ensign Phillip Walker and Marched to Rhode Island and was stationed at a place called South Hill on said Rhode Island, and there served with me three months at the aforesaid places, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Mitchel, Lieut. Col. Richardson, and Major Clapp; in the Brigade commanded a part of the time by General Heath, and a part of the time by Col. Jacobs of Scituate Massachusetts
Nathaniel Viall
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County, ss
Seekonk September 24. A. 1832
Then personally appeared Nathaniel Viall who after being being cautioned made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me Alvin Hunt Just. of Peace
And I further testify that the above named Nathaniel Viall is a credible witness
Alvin Hunt Just. of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bristol ss. I Anselm Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Allin Hunt is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol and that the foregoing signatures as such to the annexed affidavits, purporting to be his, are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this twenty second day of October A.D. 1832 Anselm Barrett -