Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10447, Joseph Cleaveland, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn. Continental
Cleveland, Joseph
S. 10447
carded
CONTENTS

20.956 New York
Let to Hon. D. B. Lenard, Jan 12. 1836
Joseph Clavelland
of Broomfield in the State of New York who was a Dragoon in the Conn. commanded by Captain Lynn — of the Regt. commanded by Col. Johnson in the Connecticut line for 3 Mos: Sufy. $ 10 — 19. Dragoon } 79.04 $ 89.04
Conn. and Continental Feb 24/15. Received completed.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 89 Dollars 04 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 d day of Oct. 1833 — and sent to Geo. Park Binghampton
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 222.60 Pension allowance ending Apr. 34 44.52 $ 367.02
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Job Stiles Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 , Page 93 .

Joseph Clearland Declaration 10,773.
Geo Park Agt Binghamton N.Y.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. } COUNTY, Broome
On this 30 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Joseph Cleveland a resident of Union in the County of Broome and State of New York, aged 81 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He entered the service of his country at Canterbury in the county of Windham, and State of Connecticut where he then lived on the first of May in the year 1775 in a Company commanded by Capt. Ephraim Lyon (in what was called Putnam's Regiment) Col. Obadiah Johnson commanding - he was marched to Cambridge where he was stationed and did duty for the period of seven months, and was then discharged, he cannot at this time state who gave the discharge, and the same is lost. - In the year 1777 he enlisted into a company of horse for the term of three months marched to Plainfield then to Albany, Skene's borough and Scituate - the foot companies were under Col. Brown - was at the taking of Scituate, then marched to Hubbartown, Castleton & Pickets in the state of Vermont where he was discharged having served three months the full period of his enlistment. This last enlistment was under Capt. Steward -
He enlisted again in the year 1782 and as applicant thinks, in the month of March in a company commanded by Capt. Charles Miles in Col. Canfield's Regiment, was marched to Stamford Fort on the line of New York and Connecticut - did duty at that place until March 1783 when he was discharged from service

at Stamford having served during this enlistment the period of one year - his discharge is lost and the applicant cannot at this time state who gave it -
He has no documentary evidence of his said service nor is there any person by whom his services can be proved. -
He was Born on the 18 th day of February 1758 at Canterbury Windham County Connecticut - he lived at the close of the War in Litchfield County of Windsor Vermont - lived there 18 years, then lived in Ithaca bush Albany Co. N.Y. 9 years, then in Chenango Broome Co. N.Y. one year and then removed to Union County of Broome where he now lives
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.
B. Marvin Clerk
Joseph Cleveland
We, Oliver Russell a Clergyman , residing in the town of Union and Brian Stoddard residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Cleveland who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 81 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 day and year aforesaid.
Oliver Russell
B. Marvin Clerk
Brian Stoddard
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 Oliver Russell who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Union Broome Co., and that Brian Stoddard who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town - and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, B. Marvin - Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County of Broome do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Cleveland for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 30 day of August 1832
B. Marvin Clerk

State of New York Broome County } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace of said County of Broome Joseph Cleveland who being duly sworn deposeth and saith (in amendment to his original declaration) that he served as a Private soldier in the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary War, One year and ten months as follows -
He enlisted at Canterbury in the State of Connecticut on the first of May 1775 in Putnam's Regiment, (so called), his officers were Col. Obadiah Johnson, Capt. Ephraim Gage, Lieut. John Durgée, Ensign Abner Robertson; immediately after his enlistment he marched to Cambridge, Massachusetts and encamped on the Commons near the College - A Regt. of Militia under Col. Green lay in sight, and a Regt. under Col. Brown within a mile - On the night of the 16 June 1775 he worked on the entrenchment and next day was engaged in the Battle of Bunker's Hill - after the battle retreated to Prospect Hill where he remained 3 Days working on the entrenchments at that place - then returned to Cambridge Commons - He recollects Genl. Warren & Putnam, Cols. Johnson, Green, Brown among the American Officers at that Battle, but is now unable to state the names of any others. He remained in Camp at Cambridge until the first of December 1775, having faithfully served Seven months in the Militia when he received a discharge & returned home. -
His second term of service was in a company of horse in which he served three months - He stated in his original Declaration that he "enlisted" under "Capt" Steward he amends by declaring that in consequence of a call for troops to go on to the North, he and 23 others Volunteered for 3 Months on the first of April 1777 and formed a Company of horse, under the command of Lieut John Steward and Ensign William Bingham (of Capt. Samuel Halls Company of Cavalry). - This

Company started from Plainfield, thence marched to Albany thence to Lansingburgh where they joined a body of horse under Col. Sheldon (about 500) and about 600 Infantry under Col. Brown they marched to Plattsburgh and the applicant was at the taking of that post - his Company then marched to Hubbardton, Castleton and Potts Vt. where they were disbanded and the applicant discharged - He served in this campaign a little more than three months (he claims however for only three months). -
In the month of March 1832 he enlisted into a Company of Infantry under Capt. Charles Miles in Col. Canfield's Regiment for the term of one year - marched to Stamford Fort where he remained in Garrison until the term of his service had expired and was then honorably discharged.
He further says in amendment as aforesaid that he has no record of his age, other than an entry made in his Family Bible - and further that he did state to the court the names of the Hon. Priest Stoddard one of the judges of said court, and Oliver Russell his neighbors, who did testify agreeably to the instructions of the War Department - He further says that there is no Clergyman living near him with whom he is acquainted - at the time of making his declaration and that he was not informed nor did he know it was necessary that one of the persons should be a Clergyman if one lived in the immediate vicinity, which he assigns as the reason why he did not state in his original declaration that there was no Clergyman living in his neighborhood - he further saith not -
Sworn & Subscribed this 8th May 1833 before me Geo. Parks Justice of peace
Joseph Cleaveland

1 Brief N o 10,773
Joseph Cleveland
March 24. 1833
Co. 4 -
Why
More detailed account of services, etc.
11.12.17.
Schmidt
Private Dragoons Troop do Infantry 14
7 Dec
Feb 27
135 P. 321
Geo. Park Binghampton NY

N o 10773
BRIEF in the case of Joseph Clearband of Union County of Broome — in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
Before a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
81 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.     In 1775 May 1 st — 7 — private Gen. Capt. Ephraim Syon — Colo. Obadiah Johnson   1777 — 3 — trooper Capt. Steward   1782 March 1 — — — Capt. Col. Miles — Col. Canfield  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
at the taking of Ticonderoga.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
at Canterbury — Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
by traditional Evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
th
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James Wood
Examining Clerk.

Rev. M...
10447
INVALID.
File No. 10447
Joseph Cleveland Dragoon Reg't Wis.
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: — Vol. A , Page 69
[Arrangement of 1870.]

2 Brief N o 10773
Joseph Cleveland
Admitted
Private 3 months do Dragoon 19 mo
 416  19  3744  416  8904  17808  44.52  22260 
Geo. Park agb Binghamton N. York

N o 10,773.
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Blevland 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?
No.
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
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?
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?
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?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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?
No
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."
Interrogatories not answered

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 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 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.
† Declarant must give a detailed account of his services in order to substantiate his claim — Vide Regulations of the Department. B in the margin

Dec. 21.
Mr. Cleveland N.Y.
20956
Jan 22
J. L.
Edward, Esq.
Wm. S. Leonard HN
Commiss. Public Works Washington

House of Reps.
Dec. 22 d 1835
Dear Sir,
There is a pensioner on your records, by the name of Joseph Cleveland. — He was an officer in the Revolution. — His Regt. Comp. Line, &c. I do not know, and cannot find out without writing to him, unless it can be done thro' your Dept. — I wish to know the time of his enlistment & length of service, in order to see whether he is not entitled to Bounty Land. — May I ask you to cause an examination to be made, and to inform me of the result? —
Yr. ob t Serv t
Hon. J. S. Edwards.
S. B. Leonard

State of New York } Broom County } No. 3
I B. Marvin Clerk of said county do certify that Geo. Park Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been taken was on the date then of a Justice of the peace in and for this county, also I am well acquainted with his hand writing & believe the signature is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26. day of June 1853
B. Marvin Clerk