Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 20,331, William Colburn, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Colburn, William
S 20331
Carded
CONTENTS

10. 753 Maine
William Colburn was a Private in the State of Maine who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Elmer of the Regt commanded by Col. Lander in the Maine line for 9 years
Date of death not on list
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of April 1833 and first Col. J. Thomas Washington H.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $100.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept. $100.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. B. Addison Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 55 Page 7

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. Penobscot
ON this Sixth day of October A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon W D Williamson Judge of Probate of said County of said State, William Colburn a resident of Orono in the County of Penobscot and State of Maine, aged Seventy two 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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States, in the year 1776 with Captain St Andrew Gilman and served in Col. Benjamin Dowlan , regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Gilman
Brigadier General. In Oct 1776 he enlisted in the guard commanded by St Andrew Gilman at Bangor for the purpose of protecting the inhabitants from the encroachments of the Canadians &c. This guard consisted of 20 white men and 20 Indians. He continued in that service on the Penobscot River at what is now Bangor two years & two months & was finally discharged in Dec 1778. State Service In 1781 he enlisted with Capt Walker, Colonel Major - under Gen. Hawsworth for nine months and served at Camden & was there when Gen. Hawsworth was taken Prisoner. He served out his time and on each instance was finally discharged by writing which he has lost.
And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war department he answers:
He was born in Castleton Massachusetts in the year 1760 when he finished the second of his age to be. He resides at what is now called Orono at the period of his revolutionary service & now resides there. He enlisted in the service there were no regiments stationed near him. The only General Officer he remembers was Gen. Hawsworth. He was finally discharged by writing, in his last service which he has lost. He advised, disproof of his same the deposition of Mr Mansell the present occupant of his neighbors - Mr Bennett & Holland & Great
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
William Colburn William D Williamson Judge of Probate for the County of Penobscot
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. in open Court
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
William D Williamson Judge as aforesaid

the County
of Penobscot hereby that John Bennoch is a justice of the peace in the County of Penobscot and that the above is his genuine signature.
In evidence of which I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and my name this 19th March 1833
Alexander Savage
State of Maine.
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and 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 John Bennoch who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Orono and that Park Williams, Nathaniel Williams who has also signed the same, is a resident of the Town of Orono and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William D Williamson Judge of Probate
State of Maine.
Probate ss.—I, Alexander Savage, Regulator of Probate for the County of Penobscot hereby certify that the William D Williamson before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Judge of Probate of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of William Colburn for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 11th day of October A. D. 1832
Alexander Savage
William Colburn

State of Maine.
WE the subscribers of Orono a Clergyman, residing in the town in the County of Penobscot and residing in the same town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Colburn who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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.
John Bemrose Post Master Park Hillard Let. D. P. M. 5 th Mass. Reg. Ashuelot Heavy Artillery Elective Not Bemrose of Orono
STATE OF MAINE.
Penobscot ss. Sworn and subscribed this fourth day of October
A D 1822
Before me,
John Bemrose Justice of the Peace. Penobscot ss. I Alexander Savage Registrar of Probate for the County of Penobscot hereby certify that John Bemrose is a justice of the peace in the County of Penobscot and that the above is his genuine signature. In evidence of which I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and my name this 19 th March 1833
Alexander Savage

24339 William Alburn Stains
That 2 years
C. J. Thomas Present

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Colburn  Penobscot County State of Maine
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enl. 1776 2 2 11 Pvt Lieut. Libbman Col. Lander 72 years State of Mass Traditional Evidence and witness to his first four of service   Enl. 1781 — 9 — " Capt. Walker Genl. Wardworth Mass  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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, deposes 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
Note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

January 7, 1933
BA-J/EEI XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX William Colburn-S.20331
Mr. Edward K. Gould 375 Main Street Rockland, Maine
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in regard to William Colburn, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.20331, based upon the military service of William Coburn in that war.
William Colburn was born in 1760, at Dunstable, Massachusetts.
While residing in Orono, Massachusetts(Maine), he enlisted in October, 1776, served in a company commanded by Lieutenant Andrew Gilman, Colonels Brewer' and Lowder's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged after serving two years and two months. He stated that he was one of a guard of twenty white men and ten Indians who were stationed at what is now Bangor on the Penobscot River for the protection of the inhabitants; he enlisted in 1781, and served nine months in Captain Walker's Massachusetts Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 6, 1832, while residing in Orono, Penobscot County, Maine.
There are no data as to his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.
Date of death not on up

3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Geo. M. Moore
Claim No. Jan 5, 1910
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier William Colburn
Service _____ Rev.
Additional Service. _____
No _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
S. D. W. S. W. or R. as above except S. F. 20331.

Revolution 20 331 INVALID.
File No. 20 331
William Colburn
Br Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1821
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 76
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1910 Jan 12 Hist. to Gannett Co. Fernald. V.P.M. 1916 Dec. 20 Hist. to J.R. Colburn 1933 Jan 7- Hist. to Edward K. Gould-Brab

Bureau of Pensions, Rev Sec Washington
Gentlemen -
I am anxious to get any information I can about William Colburn (or Coburn) born Oct. 20, 1760 married Abigail Whitmore. They lived in Bronx, Me. Any official record that will show this marriage will be greatly appreciated. Very truly
J. A. Colburn 43 State House Boston, Mass.

# 2217 Capitol Ave., Omaha, Nebr., Dec. 31, 1909.
Mr. J. L. Davenport, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:
As I expect to join the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, I am gathering data relative to my ancestors, who served in the Revolutionary War.
I wish to verify, if possible, the statement

that "William Colburn was a Revolutionary pensioner", found in the "Bangor Historical Magazine."
I would also be much pleased to receive information concerning his father, Jeremiah Colburn of Maine, who served as a lieutenant during the latter part of the war, but later was known as "Capt. Colburn", I think.
Thanking you in ad- vance, and hoping to hear from you at an early date, I am,
Very respectfully, Fannie Colburn Fernald.

EDWARD K. GOULD ATTORNEY AT LAW 375 MAIN STREET ROCKLAND, MAINE
Dec. 18, 1932.
Commissioner of Pensions, Revolutionary and 1812 Wars Section, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me the data in the Revolutionary Pension Case of William Colburn who was a private in the Massachusetts Militia and whose residence was Orono, Maine, and greatly oblige?
Very truly yours,
Edward K. Gould

Joseph Mansell a soldier of the Revolution aged eighty five two years say that I well know W m Colburn of Orono - that in Oct 1776 or 1777 there was a company stationed at what is now Bangor for the purpose of protecting the inhabitants from the Indians &c. Lt Gilman commanded. William Colburn was in this service under the command of Lt Gilman. I was then over your right mouth among all which Mr Colburn was in the service - I left received a lieutenant's commission and left the service. Mr Colburn still remained on the station & remained six months more as I believe. I was at this station during the six months I refer to & he was then there. He is a man of truth & integrity, and one in whose word I should place confidence. Joseph Mansell
Penobscot 6 Oct 1832 Sirens to be for me and
John Appleton Esq I hereby certify said Joseph Mansell to be a man of unquestioned character for truth & veracity - John Appleton Esq
Penobscot to J Alexander Savage Register of Probate hereby certify that John Appleton whose name is hereunto annexed is a person of the Penobscot County that the above is his genuine signature. In witness of which I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court My name this 29 th March 1833
Alexander Savage

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. William Colburn Ser. File 20331
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Oct 1776 2yrs 2mos Pvt Lt Andrew Gilman on guard at Penobscot { Brewster Sowder Mass.   1781 9mos Walker  
Battles engaged in, ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓ Date of application for pension, Oct 6 1832 His cl. was at Residence at date of application, Orono Penobscot Co. Me. Age at date of application, born at Dunstable Mass. in 1760 Remarks: No data as to family
Very respectfully,
For Cols see Mass. Vol 9. p. 1036 Brewster & Sowder have the Penobscot Regt Commissioner. aw