Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17384, Elijah Dewing, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Dewing, Elijah
S. 17384
carded
CONTENTS
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21.669 Massachusetts
Elijah Knowing of Medway in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stevens of the 1st Regt commanded by Col Lamb in the Mass. line for line for 6 months & 15 days out of which time 6 months of Artillery and Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $45 Dollars - 36 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Feb 1833 and sent to Mrs. Mary Knowing, Massachusetts
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $13.90 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 1, - 22.78 $136.68.
Revolutionary Claim. Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Adams Clerk Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss. On this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable John M. Williams of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Dedham in and for said County, Elijah Dearing a resident of Medway in said County, aged seventy one 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 7th, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Dedham in said County on the eleventh day of July A. D. 1761, and that there is no record of his birth
: that he was in the United States service from the day of December A. D. 1777, to the day of January A. D. 1778 as a substitute in the for Asa Fisher a private of infantry
: that he was residing at Dedham when he entered the service; that he volunteered for three weeks and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Brooks,
: that he marched from Dedham
: that he served with
of the regular troops; and
regular officers
were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received a discharge verbally
: that he left the service on or about the 1st of January 1778 and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Dover & Medway & Dedham in said County of Norfolk
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 1778, to the day of December A. D. 1778
as a private in the infantry that he was residing at Dedham in that part which is now Dover when he entered the service; that he enlisted for three months
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Served until he was taken sick & discharged under Capt. Abal Richard : that he marched from Dedham
: that he served with
of the regular troops; and
regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
that at the end of his service he received a discharge verbally and left the service on or about the first of November
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the about the first day of November A. D. 1779, to the first day of February A. D. 1780
as a private in the infantry that he was residing at Dedham when he entered the service; that he enlisted for three months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of
: that he marched from Dedham to Greenbush thence down the River to Schoodick & thence back to Greenbush
: that he served with
of the regular troops; and
regular officers were known to him; that he was in no battle
that at the end of his service he received a discharge verbally at Greenbush and left the service on or about the first day of July 1780,

Elijah Deering
15207

Also that he was in the U. S. Service one month immediately succeeding his discharge last, mentioned as a substitute for Nathan Dwing of Dedham at Newport Rhode Island under Capt. Horace Lucas. During which time he was put on board a flag of truce that came from New York to guard them during their time of service.
Also that he was in the United States Service from about the first of July A D 1780 to the first of January 1781 as a private in the artillery that he was residing at Dedham when he entered the service, that he enlisted for six months & served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. William Stephens & a part of the time in Capt. Joseph Swayer's Company in Col. John Sumbel's Regiment & Gen. Knox's Brigade of Artillery that he marched from Dedham through Hartford to Nelson's Point opposite West Point, & served in New York State & New Jersey - saw Andre when he rode out to be hung in the rear of Gen. Washington's army in no battle, but fired at the British shipping on the North River, & received a written discharge at what is now called Newburgh, which discharge he gave to the town of Dedham in order that the town might get the pay he was due.
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.
Elijah Dewing
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
John M. Williams, J. C. Pease
We Jacob Ide a Clergyman residing in the Medway in County of Norfolk and Stephen Melvery a Justice of the Peace, residing in Bellaryham in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elijah Dewing who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy one 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.
Jacob Ide
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Sept 21. 1832 Before Josiah D. Fiske Justice of the Peace
Stephen Melvery
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Jacob Ide who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Medway; and that Stephen Melvery Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in Medway and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John M. Williams, J. C. Pease
I James Ware Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Elijah Dewing for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
James Ware

To the U.S. War department Washington City
I, for a Pension State Deering of Medway in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, in explanation and addition amendment of my declaration of September 21 st 1832, declare - That I have served as a soldier of the Revolution as follows -
Viz - Three weeks, since at Cambridge, as a Private to guard the prison troops of Gen d Burgoyne as prisoners of war at that place - under Cap t Brooks, this service commenced in the month of December 1777 Terms of service months . weeks 0 . 3
Also - I enlisted for three months, as a Private in a company of Infantry commanded by Cap t Abel Pickards and served at Foot hill in Boston, as a soldier a considerable portion of that Period was then discharged on account of sickness & returned home to Dedham where I then lived - in this term of duty I wish not to disclose for a day more than I served, but having no means to determine the exact time, I state it at six weeks, feeling satisfied I served for that period at least - this service ended in the month of November AD-1778 1 . 2
Also - Three months service, as a Private at Schoharie & Greenbush in the State of New York under Officers I have not been able yet to recollect, but will recollect that I mustered at Neekham near said Dedham, then marched to Greenbush on the Hudson River under the Command of Sergeant Daniel Ware of said Neekham - This term of service began about the first day of November AD-1779 3 . 0
Also - One month service, as a Private rendered in the Company of Sparty commanded by Cap t Hascall at Newport in the State of Rhode Island - I believe this service was in - the month of February and March in the year 1780 1 . 0
Also - Six months service, as a Private in the Artillery beginning on the first of July - 1780 - in the Artillery company commanded by Cap t William Stephens & was afterwards transferred to Cap t Joseph Savage, Company Col. John Lamb, Regiment of Gen d Knox Brigade. I performed this six months service in the State of New York - and New Jersey - 6 . 0
Making a service of one year and one week rendered by me as a soldier of the Revolution -
12 . 1
I have not been able to obtain any more Evidence to support my claim than is herewith communicated - there is a man by the name of John Dean (if living) who went some years ago to the State of Maine, and who served with me during the said six months service in the Artillery - but know not whether he is living or where

or at what particular place the said John Dena resides — I am not able to give any further evidence or Explanation — Medway Mass - June 18 th 1833 — Elijah Dewing
Norfolk S.S. June 18 th 1833 — Then the above named Elijah Dewing personal appeared and made Oath that the foregoing statement by him subscribed is true —
Before me W m Ellis Clerk of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk S.S. I James Ware Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that William Ellis Esquire above named is a Justice of Peace in and for said County duly appointed commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office and that his signature as above is genuine & true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Common- wealth at Dedham this nineteenth day of June A.D. 1833 James Ware.
Supplementary Indorsement

Elyah Daring
15.20 y
  Print of Whilly  6 Months     Dr. " " " "  6 - 5       12 - 5 days  
I V.H. Ob
May 29. 1835
P 140
  1110  20.56     25.00  
45.56 2
  91.12    22.78     
113.90
I Wall
Didham Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Elijah Dowing  of  Midway  in the State of  Illinois  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 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.     Recd In 1777 21 Private Gen. Col. Brooks   Win 1778 1 14 " Col. Richards   Win 1779 Salisbury 3 "   July 1779 Salisbury 1 "   July 1780 Chattanooga 6 early " Gen. Stevens Col. Lamb   12 5  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Verdun Village  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Nicholas Cloutier Examining Clerk.

17. 384 INVALID.
File No. 17,384
Elijah Dearing
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 95
[Arrangement of 1870.]

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.
I, JAIRUS WARE, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that
John William Ellis & Jonathan H. Cobb Esquires
are is Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that their respective  his signature, to the affidavits annexed are genuine and true.
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth hereunto at Dedham, this twenty first day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Jairus Ware

I Elenaga Gay of Needham in the County of Norfolk of seventy seven years of age do hereby say that I was in the Revolutionary service with Elijah Dearing of Medway from about the first day of November A D 1779 to about the first of February A D 1780. as a private & he was a private in enlisted for three months & marched under Sargent Daniel Warr to Greenbush N.Y. thence down the River to Schooduck & thence back to Greenbush where we were discharged on or about the 1 st of Feby 1780.
Elenaga his  mark Gay
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk Sept. 21 1832
Then the above named Elenaga Gay personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. I further certify that said Gay is a credible witness.
Jonathan H. Cobb Justice of the Peace

I Herzeiah Turner of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being eighty years of age, hereby testify and say - that I have for many years been acquainted with Elijah Dewing formerly of Dedham, now of Medway in said County of Norfolk, and that I was knowing to said Dewing's serving the term of six months in the Revolutionary war in the year 1780 in the States of New York and New Jersey, and I further testify and say that said six months service was rendered in an Artillery Company in Col John Lamb's Regiment, of which I was a member at the same time, and that said Elijah Dewing and myself were both recruited at said Dedham by Captain William Stephen in the summer of the same year 1780 - and we went together into the Service.
his Herzeiah Turner mark
Dedham September 10. 1832
Norfolk SS. Sept. 10 th 1832 Then the above named Herzeiah Turner personally appeared and made oath that the above declaration by him made and subscribed is true -
1833 June 18 th - Norfolk SS. I hereby affirm further certify that Herzeiah Turner who made and subscribed sworn to the above affidavit before me on the tenth day of September 1832 is a credible Witness - Wm Ellis

Elijah Lundy
15-207
I have De. John Mab

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elijah Dewey  Medway Mass 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? 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? No 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? as XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? as 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? as  NO  (supplied) Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? as 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? as XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? as 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."

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.
This name does not appear on the rolls of Col d Lamb's Rgt t in Capt d Stephen's Company as stated in his declaration. The witness must be stated as credible & if he can be had better produce another witness.