Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2593, David Currier, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Currier, David
NUMBER
R. 2593
CONTENTS
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8 ✓

e 10.24.53
David Cumier Caledonia County Vermont
f
Rejected
Hon. B. F. Deming ans. apt. 18. - 1834 Hudson Rail, Danville Vermont

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
11 June
1833
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 subjoined 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: 3 ). 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 David Currier Caledonia County Vermont
   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.     Draft Sept 1776 - 2 - private Col Johnson, Colonel Cooswell, 76 years Bradford Traditionary evidence Vbergimans Certificate, Witness certificate credible, papers correct   Sub - Oct 1777 - 1 - " Col Gage, chapachunt   Enlisted Dec 1777 - 2 - " Col Gage,   Enlisted May 1778 - 6 - " Col Sanford, Col Carlton,  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
It cannot readily be admitted that the above service is insusceptible of proof, and the regulations require that the best to be had be produced.

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, (1) 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 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 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of my Vermont } District & County, of Caledonia ss } In this fourth day of Febru- ary A. D. 1833 personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate now sitting David Currier a resident of Peacham in said District and County of Caledonia aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits 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 1776 at Bradford in the State of Massachusetts (his then place of residence) he was drafted for the term of two months and marched to Fairfield Conn. by way of Worcester Mass. Hartford and New Haven, Conn. under the command of Col. Timothy Johnson of Haverhill, Mass. and he thinks under Col. Hagswell of Ipswich - was stationed at said Fairfield then at Rye N. York & at North Castle, N.Y. from which last place he returned home after having served the said term of two months.
At said Bradford about the first of October 1777 he was hired by a man whose name he thinks was Parker, as his substitute for the term of thirty days - marched by the way of Concord, Mass. Northampton, Mass. & Bennington Vt. to a place called Battenkill about three miles from Saratoga where Gen. Burgoyne surren- dered, at which place he arrived a few days before the surrender of Burgoyne and where he was stationed at the time of said surrender in guard of certain Tories, Indians, and Canadians who had been taken prisoners. He served in the company of Cap. Mathew Gage, but under what Col. if any, he does not recol- lect. From thence marched in the guard of the prisoners, who had surrendered under Gen. Burgoyne by way of Northampton & Worcester Mass. to Cambridge near

Boston where he was discharged by Gen. Brickett - having served according to the best of his recollection and belief one month.
That at said Bradford in the month of December 1777 he enlisted for the term of three months, marched to Winter-hill near Boston and was employed in guarding the prisoners who had surrendered under Gen. Burgayne, in the Reg t . of Col. Gerrish of Newbury, Mass. and he thinks in the company of the same Col. (Gage) under whom he served the last preceding tour - after having served according to the best of his recollection and belief not less than two months another man was procured to take his place and he returned home on account of a misfortune which had befallen a brother of his.
That at said Bradford in the month of May 1778 he enlisted for the term of nine months by contract with the town and authority of said Bradford as one of the quotas which said town was required to furnish to fill up the Continental Reg t . with an understanding that he might join any Reg t . of the Continental line, he was detained by sickness and did not march until after the others who went from the same town, he marched alone by way of Springfield Mass. Litchfield Conn. to Fishkill N.Y. where he reported himself to Col. Sanford of the N. York troops who commanded the previous guard stationed at that place. He joined said guard and served under said Col. Sanford until some time in October when other troops came to take the place of said guard. He was then ordered to follow in the route of Nixon's brigade who were then marching into the State of Connecticut. Before reaching said Brigade was ordered to work on a bridge over New Milford river called Carlton's bridge under the direction of Col. Carlton - while there their names were reported to Nixon's Reg t . Nixon's brigade (then lying near by) in order to draw provisions. From thence he went to Hartford West division and there joined the Reg t . of Col. Wesson, Gen. Larned's brigade, Col. Dix's Company and in said Company and Reg t . marched back to Fishkill after which he went to West Point on an alarm that the

British ships were coming up the river and returned to S t . Fishkill About the first of December he had information that unless he enlisted for three years or during the war he was to be arrested and tried on a charge of having deserted from Nixon's Reg t in consequence of which information he left the service without leave and returned home that previous to leaving the service he had served according to his best recollection not less than six months. That he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Was born in Haverhill in the State of Massachusetts in the month of September, 1756. Has no record of his age. Was living when called into the service in Bradford, Mass. removed from said Bradford to Sanbornton N.H. in 1781 & from said Sanbornton to Peabody in 1787 has ever since resided at said Peabody. Never received a written discharge.
David Currier
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Benja o H. Deming Judge Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrog- atories 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 Leonard Worcester who has signed the accompanying certifi- cate is a clergyman resident in said Peabody, and that Lon a Elkins who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Peabody, and is a respectable magistrate, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of David Currier for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 22 d day of February A.D. 1833. Amos Paul Register
David Currier
24/3/53
despatched 11 Oct 1718
written 6th 1718
David Currier Paine 60 Miers' Reg

2593. J
P. O. _____
Harold Currier
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Vermont
David Currier
Reprinted -
ans? An. B. F. Deming, abt. 19 & 1834.
2598

I Stephen Morse 2 d of Haverhill in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire and formerly of Bradford in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts being Twenty Six years of age make solemn oath before and say that I was well acquainted with David Cernier now of Peacham in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont and formerly of Bradford in the Common- wealth of Massachusetts at the time of the revo- lutionary war and was well knowing that the said Cernier was a Soldier in the revo- lutionary war as I was at said Bradford at the time said Cernier was absent and according to the best of my recollection for the term of six or nine months and I further before and say that I have been acquainted with the said Cernier ever since the above mentioned time and he is a man of undoubted truth and veracity and I have no doubt of his having served the several terms as he has testified. . . . Haverhill March 8 th 1834 Stephen Morse
Grafton ss Haverhill March 8 th 1834 Personally appeared the above named Stephen Morse 2 d well known to me as a man of truth & veracity, and made solemn oath that the above Deposition by him signed contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth relative to the cause for which it is taken. before me John L. Chipman Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss
I Stephen P. Webster Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature do hereby certify that John L. Gorham Esq r , before whom the within Deposition was taken, is an acting Justice of the peace within & for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature within written is genuine. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Hanover in said County this eighth day of March Anno Domini 1824
S. P. Webster Clerk
John L. Gorham Esq r Stephen P. Webster

We Leonard Worcester a clergyman residing in the town of Peacham in the county of Caledonia, and Jonathan Elkins residing in the same Peacham do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Currier of said Peacham, that we believe him to be seventy six 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. We also certify that said Currier sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Leonard Worcester.
Jonathan Elkins
State of Vermont } Caledonia County ss } Peacham, February 19th, 1833 Personally appeared the above named Leonard Worcester and Jonathan Elkins, and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing certificate.
Before me
George W. Clark
Justice of the Peace.
State of Vermont } Caledonia County ss } I Benjamin H. Dunning clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that George W. Clark is one of the Justices of the Peace for said Caledonia County and I believe that the foregoing is his genuine signature. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 22 d day of February A.D. 1833.
Benj a H. Dunning Clerk.

I John Mattos of Panton County of Caledonia & State of Vermont do hereby say that I have been acquainted with David Curries of Panton for many years thirty or more he being the same David Curries who has adopted for a pension that I consider him a man of truth & veracity as much so as any other man of my acquaintance I also say that I am now one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of this State
Panton 29 th Mar 1874
John Mattos
State of Vermont Caledonia County ss
Panton 29 th Mar 1874
Personally appeared John Mattos the bearer of the above affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
Bradlee Justice of Peace

State of Vermont } Caledonia County ss }
I Amos Paul Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Nehemiah Bradley is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 7 th day of April A.D. 1834
Amos Paul Clerk
Judge Matthews certificate