Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16084, Thomas Comming, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Conning, Thomas
S. 16084
CONTENTS
carded

Paid at ... asury ... the Act of the ... Apr 38 ... 4. Sep 1839 to March 1840 Age Notified 9 Dec 1840 Let to Mr Dore ... April 14 1841
The ... of ... ... of ... ... of ...
24740 New York
Thomas ... of Oneida Co in the State of New York who was a ... in the Comp ... by Captain ... of the Regt ... by Col ... in the ... time for 1 month & 12 days ... 5 months 29 do ...
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 25 Dollars ... Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Feb 1834 and sent to ... Richland N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $62.50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 12.50 $75.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by ... Clerk Book ... Vol. 4 Page 130

COMMING, THOMAS (MASS.) 5-16084

13.453 Thomas Cummings
Application for a Pension for services in the Massachusetts Militia
1-3 Mo
6 weeks
6 - Mo
6 weeks
6 - Mo
1

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832
State of New York County of Oswego
On this twenty fourth day of September in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Oswego, now sitting: Thomas Cummings, a resident of the Town of Richland in the County of Oswego and State of New York, aged seventy seven, 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
That in the month of September the day (not recollected) in the Year 1796; he entered the service in the Company of Capt Wright in the Regiment of Militia, from Massachusetts  attached and under the command of Col Brooks - That the militia according to the best of his recollection (as he then understood) were called out, and were to furnish a certain number of men from each company, and within a certain district to form a Regiment - That they were called upon to go the defence of New York - That he volunteered as one of the number to be taken or drafted from the militia company to which he then belonged - That the soldiers thus drafted or who volunteered were embodied in a Regiment - That he was belonged to the company which after being embodied was placed under the command and of Capt. Jacobs Wright and in the Regt of Col Brooks

That he entered the said service in the Town of Westford in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, and marched from that Place by land through Connecticut to Kingsbridge in New York: about ten or twelve miles from the City of New York where the Regiment formed and was stationed a few days - That he does not remember what brigade he belonged or was attached - that the name of the Lieutenant of his company was, Spaulding - Ensign not recollected - Orderly sergeant, John Hancock - That he does not recollect the name of any other officers of the Regiment except Col Brooks - That after remaining at Kingsbridge a few days they marched to White Plains and there had an engagement with the British troops. That he was in the Militia of the detachment under Genl McDougal on the the day of the engagement - and that they were forced to retreat from the hill where they lay to the army army - That after remaining a few days at this place they removed to North Castle, where they remained a short time (and according to his best recollection about a fortnight) and were then dismissed and returned home - That he cannot recollect the precise day when he was dismissed but remembers that he was in the service at this time about six weeks; That he cannot remember the continental Regiments or companies with which he served - or the names of the Regular officers except Genl Putnam who came to reinforce them at the battle of White Plains - He also remembers seeing Genl Lee - That he did not receive a discharge in writing; and has no documentary evidence in relation to his service and knows of no person by whom he can now living whose testimony he can procure: who can testify to his service at this time
220 That in the month of May or June, 1777, the Militia were again (the precise day he does not recollect) he volunteered to go out  enlisted in the Company of Capt Miner in the Massachusetts

State troops (as he supposes but is not certain as it may have been Militia ) for six months - the Regiment to which he belonged, and to which Capt Miner's company was attached, he does not recollect - They were raised as a guard to defend the shores, and called out as he understood for six months and did not form as a Regiment - but each company was stationed by itself - That he cannot be Positive that they belonged to any Regiment, but if they did he cannot remember the Col's name - That the name of the Lieutenant in the Company was (as he thinks) Fletcher - That he does not remember the name of any other of the officers of the Company - That he enlisted and entered the service in the Town of Westford in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, where he then resided - that they were  then had orders to proceed to Providence to which place he repaired, and there joined the Company - that they remained at that place about a week, and then removed to Warwick, and were there stationed at that place and Greenwich, during the whole of the said six months service - that he served in said company as a fifer fifer - That at the expiration of their term of service, the day he cannot remember but think it was the end of Oct. or the beginning of Nov. he (with the rest of the company) was discharged by the Captain at Warwick, and returned home to Westford that they received no discharges in writing, but were merely dismissed - That he has no documentary evidence in relation to his service and knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure who can testify as to his service at this time
That in the summer of the Year 1778 (he thinks but is not positive that it was -78) in the Month of July or August (the precise day or month not recollected) he entered the service again in the Company of Capt John Nutting, in the Regiment of Militia from Massachusetts, under the Command of Col. Gaccheus Wright (his former Captain) - That a call was made for the Militia, or a certain number from each company - That he resided in Westford, in Massachusetts at the time, and volunteered as one of the number to be taken from the Militia Company to which he belonged - That the Capt of the Company to which he belonged after the

being called out (Capt. Mating) was from the Town of Pepperell in Massachusetts. that the company met at Providence - and proceeded from there to where the Army then lay Newton, and there formed with the Regiment, and in a day or two afterwards moved to the Island and marched to on near Newport, to which place they laid siege: that they lay there a number of days - and then retreated off the Island - That he was taken sick and on the day of the or the day before the retreat the was ordered to the hospital: that he took a violent cold during a storm which happened while he was on the Island - and was afterwards taken sick as above stated and did not recover until some time after the regiment was dismissed - That he cannot tell the day when the Regiment was dismissed, but thinks it was in Sept - that he understood the Militia were called out for six weeks - That after recovering from his sickness he he returned home. and that he was in in this service about six weeks - That he does not now remember the names of any other of his the Company or Field Officers, except the Captain & Colonel - or of the Continental Regiments with whom he served (although they there was was a large army there on the Island) - That he does not remember any of the Regular Officers in command - except that he saw Genl La Fayette at the time of moving to the Island - That he received no discharge in writing, and has no documentary evidence in relation to his service and knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service at the time.
That again in the following year (as he thinks in the Year 1779, but may be mistaken) in the month of June he thinks (the precise day not recollected) he volunteered to go out  enlisted in the Company of Capt. Joshua Parker in the Regiment of Colonel Robinson in the Massachusetts State Militia. That the Militia were called upon to go on to the shores as a guard - and were called out for six months. That he resided in the Town of Westford aforesaid at the time and went as one of the number required from his company.

That the name of the Lieutenant was in the Company was Andrews  and and the name of the Orderly Sergeant was Parker (a relative of the Captain) - That he cannot recollect any of the officers of the Regiment except the Col - That they were raised as a guard as above mentioned - and went to Providence where the company formed; and received orders to go to North Kingston to South Kingston  during the whole period of its service were the company was stationed - That the Regiment of Col Robinson was stationed was stationed in different towns along the stores - that the company of Capt Parker remained at N. Kingston the whole of the six months except about about a fortnight week when they were at Point Judith; Point unloading a couple of British vessels as here at their place and seizing conveying the prisoners to Providence he served in said company during the whole of the period and - That at the expiration of the six months  they was dismissed at N. Kingston with the rest of the company in  about the month of December - That he did not serve at this time with any continental soldiers - that after being dismissed he returned home that he received no discharge in writing and has no documentary evidence in relation to his service - and knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service at this time - That his memory is very much impaired and is very indistinct (particularly as to dates in which he may be very mistaken). That he has stated all he can remember as to the particular mode in which he entered the service - That he is unable to state (positively) whether it was in the State Troops or Militia that he served during his service at the time he was out 6 months
That (as he has understood) he was born in the Town of Middlesex Westford in the County of Middlesex in Massachusetts on the sixteenth day of June in the Year 1775 - Has no Record of his age - That since the Revolutionary war he has resided in the Town of Westford in Massachusetts and in the Town of Cavendish in Vermont and in the Town of Argyle in Washington County in New York in Stafford in Seneca Co New York in Rush in Livingston Co New York and

in the Town of Richland in Oswego County New York his present place of residence - That he is known to many persons in said Town - and particularly to Ira Dene & Almon Mason persons residing in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution -
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 J. McPherson Dep Clerk of Oswego Co. N.Y. } H. C. CUMMINGS
We Ira Dene - a Clayman residing in the Town of Richland in the County of Oswego and State of New York, and Almon Mason residing in the same place, hereby certify: That we are well acquainted with Thomas Cummings, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy 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 & Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid J. McPherson Dep Clerk } Ira Dene Almon Mason
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 Ira Dine who has signed the preceding certificate. is a clergyman resident in the Town of Richland. and that Almon Mason who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place; and is an credible persons. and that their statement is entitled to credit. That it also appears that there is no clergyman to whom the said Applicant is known residing in the said Town of Richland
Lawson Johnson Judges of Samuel Freeman and board of Nynolds
J. Eric Poor. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Oswego. Do hereby certify That the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Cummings for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this Twenty fourth day of September A.D. 1832 Eric Poor Clerk By A. M. Hanson Deputy Clerk
of Capt. Jacobs Wright and in the Regt of Col Brooks

Thomas Cummings Affidavit to amend declaration
of said County of ... the ... day of June 1833 Eric Post Smith By O. McElwain Dep. Clerk

State of New York Oswego. County of
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace of the Town of Richland in the said County of Oswego: Thomas Comming 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 period mentioned below, and in the following grades;
For six weeks I served as a musician (fifer) under Captain Wright in the Regiment of Colonel Brooks: the names of the other field officers I cannot recollect -
For Six months I served as a musician (fifer) in the Company of Captain Miner, in what regiment I cannot recollect -
For six weeks I served as a musician (fifer) in the Company of Capt. Nutting in the Regiment of Col. Wright (my former captain).
For Six months I served as a musician (fifer) in the Company of Captain Parker in the Regiment of Colonel Robinson - the names of the other field officers I cannot recollect
And for such service I claim a pension -
That there is no clergyman in my vicinity with whom I am acquainted: as I have not resided in the Town of Richland over one year & six months: and from my infirmities have not been much abroad.
That in my declaration, I intended to state and wish to be understood as stating: and now declare that I have no documentary evidence of my service and that I cannot obtain the proof of a living witness as to my service - not knowing that there is any person living with whom I served or who can testify to my service - and that such proof cannot be had
That in my declaration (as read to me) it is stated that I was born on the sixteenth day of June 1775. whereas it should be 1755. it being as I suppose a

mistake of the person who drew up my declaration; in writing 1775 for 1755 -
Subscribed and sworn May 21 st 1833 before me
Thomas Cummings
Hiram H. H. H.
State of New York, } I, Erie Poor Clerk of the said County of Oswego do hereby certify that Debor Hiram H. H. H. Esq. whose name is subscribed to the within affidavit and before whom the same depositions to have been taken was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and that the signature of the said Justice to the within affida- vit is genuine - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this Eighth day of June 1833
Erie Poor Clerk By D. McPherson Dep. Clerk
Thomas Cummings Affidavit to amend declaration

13.453
Thomas Cumming Oswego co N. York
5.16
Adm. (1857)
Fifteen 1 mo $12.00
Private 5 - 29 do
4 May 1857
A. Z. Marty Richland co N.Y.

13.415-3
BRIEF in the case of Thomas Cummings Town of Richland in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  How old is he? 77 years — born on the 10 June 1775  State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
1832 77 1755
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Sep r — In 1776 about — 42 Private Genl. Col s Brooks Reg t Majors Mil l Volunt rs   May or June 1777 — 6 — do Capt s L. Wright Co y do   July or Aug t — thinks 1778 — 2.29 — do Capt s Mimer do do   thinks June 1779 — 0203 — do Col s L. Wright Reg t do   Col s Robinson Co y do   Capt s Josh s Parker Co y  
 In what battles was he engaged? at White Plains  Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? only the traditional evidence of two witnesses — Certified to be credible persons —  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not attached according to the regulation 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Thence commencing in file 16084
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 1776 6 mos. Serjeant Jonathan Hough Brooks Mass.   Mar. or June 1777 6 mos. " John Minot Josiah Whitney   Sept. or Aug. 1777 6 mos. " John Cutting Franklin Wright   June 1777 6 mos. " Joshua Park Robinson  
Battles engaged in, White Plains: Siege of New York Residence of soldier at enlistment, when at Milford Middlesex Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Sept. 24 1852 Residence at date of application, Wellesley, Middlesex Co. Mass. Age at date of application, born at Milford, Middlesex Co. Mass. June 16, 1755 Remarks: He takes a note family.
* from Mass. Report

16.084 INVALID.
1909 May 10 Hist. Soc. Mrs. R/R. Wilson V.L.M.
File No. 16.084
Thomas Cumming & Fifer Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 '39
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 439
[Arrangement of 1870.]

RECORD DIVISION:
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Thomas Gummings
Service _____
Additional Service Rev. War
Served Lived to be over 90 years. under Col. Willett
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190__
No claim, combination records _____, 190__
REMARKS:
No claim Try I-#16084* W-#5252  R.I. Service died when 88 yrs old

Plymouth, Wis., April 22, 1909.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir - In reply to your letter dated Oct 9, 1908 - I will say that I have been making every effort to gain the facts you ask for -
My mother was Eliza Cummings - the daughter of Jeremiah Cummings who was the son of Thomas Cummings -
Jeremiah Cummings was twice married and my mother was the daughter of the first wife. It was from one of the step-aunts I learned that my grandfather's name was Thomas - and that he served

in the levies under Col Willetts - for a short time also that he was a prisoner. For a time he lived near Pulaski, N. Y. with his son Jeremiah - and at one time lived near Utica - He lived to be over ninety - Family records have been lost in moving from one state to another - and I have to depend on relations I know little
for names and dates - Please to send me the records you have of Thomas Cummings & enclose an outline of all I know of him
Respectfully -
Fannie Reed Nelson
Mrs. R. R.
352139 No. 2923 " 5252 R.R.
J. F. 16084 c

Fannie Read Wilson
Eliza Cummings B. Aug. 12, 1811 Richland N.Y. M. Sandy Creek, N.Y. D. 1884. M. Samuel Read Came to Wis. 1846
Jeremiah Cummings - B. New York state 1776 - D Aug. 22 1859 Dunn Co. Wis. M. (1) — Sabena (2) Fannie Syms
Thomas Cummings B. M. D. Served as private in the Rev. War under Col. Killett. Had a pension said to be over ninety and was a child again - used to run away when his pension
was due and went to Utica - Served for a time with his son near Pulaski - N.Y.
Sabena B(?) D(?) M(?) Children - Orin John Eliza Jane Mary (2) Fannie Syms { Mary Hannah Rachel Sarah La Fayette
722091

My Care.
Thomas Cumming
Wm Deveraux Off: Com. Indian Affairs.

Thomas Conning who served as Fifer in the revolutionary war, got his papers during his residence in Onondaga County State of New York, his certificate is No 24740, and was obtained under an Act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832, upon which he receives $25 per Annum.
I wish you to ascertain for me, what Corps said Conning belonged, if to a regular Regiment - what time he entered the service - how long he served - what his pay was, and if his pension could be increased.
April. 1 st 1874.
William Devereaux, Indian Officer

13453

13.453
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Cummings which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? — no — date & length of each term must be shown, with the names of the field officers under whom served. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 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? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?
See Affiant

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 Clergyman - but others
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? none -
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? no
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? none
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?
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."
See certificate of the Court attached to the original declaration - also affidavit - now returned
the affidavit is corrected by the annex to the foregoing paper
corrected

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.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
November 30 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Thomas Conning, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839, to the 4 th March, 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Lattig
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, October 11 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 Thomas Cummings as a private is found on a Pay Roll of Capt. John Minot's Company, in Col. Josiah Whitney's Regt. where he is allowed from May 10 th to July 9 th 1777. for services and travel, two months and nine days. m. d. 2-9
Thomas Comings ' name as a private is found on a Pay Roll of Capt. Joshua Parker's Company, in Col. Robinson's Regt. where he is allowed from August 2 d , 1777. two months and three days. — — — — — 2-3
Thomas Commins ' name as a private is found on a Pay Roll of Capt. John Nutting's Company, in Col. W m McIntosh's Regt. where he is allowed from July 30 th to Sept. 12 th 1778. One month and seventeen days 1-17
Thomas Commins ' name as a fifer is found on a Return of Capt. Zachariah Wright's 5-29

Amount brought Over m a 5 = 29
Company in Col Brooks' Regt. Oct r 31 st 1776. no time of service mentioned.
Thomas Cummings claims for further services under Capt. Minot in 1777. also under Capt Parker in 1779. the rolls of which are not found in this Office
Ex d
Edward D. Bangs. Secy
42
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]