Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29072, Thomas Charles, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Charles Thomas
S. 29072
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for contents]
[Blank lined area for contents]

15.897 Massachusetts
Thomas Charles
of Winfield in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Robins of the Regt commanded by Col. Hewer - in the Mass line for 9 Mo.
Mrs
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 30 Dollars  Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Aug. 1832 and attested H. B. Stetson Winfield
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. '31 $ 60 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep. '32 15 $75
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. C. Stiles Clerk Book 6 . Vol. 2 . Page 13
75 Hampden

Thomas Charles application for a Pension Aug. 1882
3 papers viz.
No 1739. 1 st Declaration 2 o Certificate of Selectmen 3. Depositions of Thompson & Fuller 4. Depo. of Nelson 5 th Amendment & clergyman's certificate
Terms of Service
4 mo. or more at Roxbury 1775
3 mo. at Ticonderoga 1777
2 3 mo. near White Plains 1776
total about 9 months
Please direct to
Francis B Stebbins
Brinsfield Mass.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Hampden }
On this Eighth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. Oliver B. Morris Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the county of Hampden Thomas Charles a resident in Brimfield in said County of Hampden & State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn in open court, according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of June 7 th 1832
That in 1774 my brother Aaron Charles enlisted into a company of Minute men under the command of Capt. Joseph Thompson of Brimfield ; that said company was called out into actual service in the Spring of 1775; that my said brother being then lame from the falling of a tree upon him I took his place & marched with said company & joined the army at Roxbury, that the Regiment in which I served was commanded by Col. Timothy Danielson of Brimfield, that I served in said company upwards of four months when I was taken sick of a camp throat distem- per; that my father came to see me & hired some one to take my place for the remainder of my time the substitute was a stranger & I can not remember his name & that I know of no person by whom I can prove said service - that in Aug. or Sept 1776 I volunteered & went as a private soldier in a company of Militia under Capt. Joseph Brown- ing of Brimfield, that after joining our Regiment we march- to Fairfield Conn. where we fell in with several other regiments, under the command (as I think of Gen. Lincoln & we marched from thence to East Chester where our army had a skirmish with the enemy & also at White Plains, that I continued to serve in said Com- pany for two or three months, that our Regiment

was commanded by Col. Howe of Belchertown & that John Bliss of Wilbraham was Lieut. Col. & that we were dismissed from service at a place called North Castle, that in Dec 1776 or Jan. 1777. I went as a private soldier in company of militia from Brimfield & the towns in that vicinity for the term of three months service at Ticonderoga the officers of the company were my father Capt. Aaron Charles of Brimfield, Lieut. Simeon Keep of Monson & Ensign Gardner the officers of the Regiment were Col. Robinson Lieut. Col. Locke & Major Dickinson & that I served in said company for the full period of three months when said company were dismissed; & that at this last term of service he went as substitute for James Witting of Brimfield I further hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Thomas Charles
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolution- ary soldier & served as he states. And the Court fur- ther certifies that it appears to them from the certificate of the Selectmen of Brimfield, viz. F. Foster J. Coye, R. Wales & A. Lumbard, made by them under oath all of whom are credible persons that the statement of the said Thomas Charles is entitled to credit
I Justin Willard Register of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application Thomas Charles for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this eighth day of August A.D. 1832
Justin Willard

We the Subscribers Selectmen of the town of Brimfield in the County of Hampden. hereby certify that Mr. Thomas Charles of said Brimfield sustains a good character for veracity & that we should give full credit to any statements he may make respecting his services in the Army of the Revolution. Brimfield Aug. 6. 1832
Festus Foster } Selectmen Simeon Coyo } of Royal Wales } Abraham Lumbard } Brimfield
Hampden Jy. Aug. 6 th 1832 Then the above named Festus Foster, Simeon Coyo, Royal Wales & Abraham Lumbard made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by them subscribed. before me Francis B. Stebbins, Justice of the peace

Thomas Charles Application for Pension 1739 & Amendments thereto
5 Papers viz
1 st Declaration 2 nd Certificate of Selectmen 3 rd Depo n of Thompson & Fuller 4 th Depo n of Geo. Nelson 5 th Depo n of Jer h Sherman with the Clergyman's certificate & amendment of the Declaration
Service
4 mo. at Roxbury - 1775 2 mo. at White Plains 3 mo. at Ticonderoga
9 months total
He has procured the testimony of George Nelson & Jeremiah Sher- man in addition to what he before transmitted, but can find no witness to prove the first 4 months service

State of Massachusetts
County of Hampden ss. On the twelfth day of January A.D. 1833, personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Hampden, Thomas Charles a resident of Brimfield in said County, (aged seventy four years on the thirty first day of October last past,) who being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age & loss memory he cannot testify on oath with greater precision as to the length of time for which he served in the Revolution as a Soldier than he has already stated in his Declaration; but that he well remembers that he did serve as a private Soldier for at least the whole length of the several times & in the several Companies here in after mentioned viz. That in the Spring of 1775, I marched from Brimfield in Capt. Thompson Company soon after the Battle of Lexington & served as a private in said Company for at least Four months near Boston, & that in September following I on account of sickness went home after my father came to Boston & hired a man to take my place: that in 1776 I served at least two months in the company of militia under Capt Joseph Browning near the North River: that I stated this term of service "two or three months" in my Declaration, because one or two old persons said that the Company served three months, though I could not feel willing to state, I knew it to be more than two months; that in the winter following viz 1776-7 I served three months at Ticonderoga as a private Soldier in a Company commanded by my father Capt Aaron Charles. & that for these several terms amounting in the whole to Nine Months for which service, I claim a pension
Thomas Charles
Sworn to and subscribed before me this twelfth day of January A.D. 1833
Francis B. Stebbins Justice of the peace

We Joseph Vaill a clergyman residing in the town of Brimfield in the county of Hampden & Marshall S. Durkee residing also in said Brimfield, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mr Thomas Charles of Brimfield who has lately made application for a pension; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age last October; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War; & that we concur in that opinion.
Joseph Vaill
Marshall S. Durkee
State of Massachusetts, Hampden County ss January 12 th 1833. Personally appeared before me the subscribers, the abovenamed Joseph Vaill, & Marshall S. Durkee & made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by them subscribed. I further certify that said Joseph Vaill is a clergyman residing in said Brimfield & that Marshall S. Durkee also resides in said Brimfield & is a credible person.
Francis B. Stebbins Justice of the peace

State of Massachusetts Hampden County ss. I Jeremiah Sherman of Holland in the County of Hampden, aged Eighty two years, testify & say, that I have been acquainted with Mr. Thomas Charles, of Brimfield ever since his childhood; that in the revolutionary war I served as a soldier in the same Company with him for three months at Ti- conderoga, during the winter previous to the capture of Gen Burgoyne. We marched from Brimfield together in a Company of Militia under the command of Capt. Aaron Charles (who was the father of said Thomas Charles) in the month of December previous to the taking of Burgoyne. Simeon Keep of Monson was Lieutenant of the Company. Col Robinson commanded the Regiment to which we belonged. I well remember that said Thomas Charles marched with me to Ticonderoga & served three months in said Company as a private soldier & that after the three months expired the whole Regiment was disbanded together, our time having expired Jeremiah Sherman
State of Massachusetts Hampden County ss. Jan. 10 th 1833 Then the above named Jeremiah Sherman, who is known to me as a person of good character for truth & veracity, personally appeared before me & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed Francis B. Stebbins Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court for the County of Hampden being a Court of Record in said County of Hampden do hereby certify that Francis B. Stebbins Esq. before whom the affidavit of Thomas Charles & the certificate of Joseph Vail & Marshall S. Dethier and the deposition of Jeremiah Sherman were severally verified is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hampden and that his name thereto subscribed is his true & genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this Eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three John Ingersoll Clerk

Thomas Charles
Forw? by
Frances D. Stetson
Brimfield
Mass
Nov 7 th 39-
Private 9 Mo.
5. 11. 12. & 14 inter- rogatories in the brief not complied with
Nov 15 1832
To B. Stetson Esq
Brimfield
Mass

BRIEF in the case of Thomas Charles of Brimfield in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Cont  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy Three  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 17 75 = 4 = Private Gen. Col Timothy Danielson   76 = 2 or 3 Months " Col Howe   77 = 3 = " Col Roberson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective as to form & authentication Living witnesses not stated as credible 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
ELH Woodson Examining Clerk.

Samuel Thompson & Stephen Fuller Depositions
Sam l Thompson & Stephen Fuller Dep

I Samuel Thompson of Amherst in the county of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify & say that in the month of December 1776 or January 1777 I went with a company of Militia under the command of Capt Aaron Charles of Brimfield to Ticonderoga on a tour of duty for three months. The other officers of the company were Lieut. Simeon Keep of Monson & Ensign — Gardner. The officers of the Regiment were Col. Robinson of Granville. Lieut. Col. Locke. & Major Dickinson of Deerfield. I served in said company three months at Ticonderoga. Mr Thomas Charles of Brimfield a son of Capt. Aaron Charles was also in said Company and performed duty as a soldier under his father at Ticonderoga for the term of three months and further the deponent saith not
Samuel Thompson Hampden Jp. Aug 2 nd 1832
Then the above named Samuel Thompson personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me
Francis B. Stebbins
Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden Jp. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Francis Stebbins Esq. before whom the above & within depositions were executed is a justice of the peace for the County of Hampden and that his name thereto subscribed above & within is his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two John Ingersoll Clerk

I Stephen Fuller of Brimfield in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify & say that in August or September 1776 a company militia was raised in the towns of Brimfield & Monson in said County & the towns in that vicinity. The company was commanded by Capt. Joseph Browning of Brimfield. The Lieut. was Reuben Hoar of Monson. I was a private soldier in said Company. I marched with my regiment & joined the army near the City of New York & continued in service with the army two or three months. Mr. Thomas Charles of said Brimfield served as a soldier in Capt. Brownings Company with me during the whole of that time. The Regiment to which we belonged was commanded by Col. Howe of Belkertown in Hampshire County. Our Lieut. Col. was John Bliss of Wilbraham. During the time of our service we marched to East Chester where our army had engagement with the enemy - From East Chester we marched to Valentines hill & from thence to White Plains, where there was another battle. After remaining some time near White Plains we marched to North Castle where we remained until discharged. And further the deponent saith not.
Stephen Fuller
Hampden Jy. Aug. 2 nd 1832
Then the above named Stephen Fuller personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed before me
Francis V. Stebbins Justice of the peace

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Samuel Thompson now of Amherst & formerly resident in Brimfield, & with Stephen Fuller of Brimfield who subscribed & made oath to the foregoing Depositions before me & that I know them to be credible persons -
Brimfield Jan y 12 th 1833
Francis B Stebbins Justice of the peace

29072 Rev. INVALID.
File No. 29072
Thomas Charles
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870.]

George Nelson's Deposition
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text from the reverse side of the page]

George Nelson of Stafford in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut aged seventy six years, do hereby say that the last of September 1776 I was in the service of the United States as a drafted soldier. I was drafted at South Brimfield in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, the latter part of the month of September 1776 for the term of two months. I then joined Capt. Joseph Brownings company in Col. Hones Regiment. I further say that Thomas Charles of Brimfield in the County of Hampshire was drafted and joined the Capt. Brownings company at the same time that I did for the same term of time (to wit) two months. That within about three days after myself & the said Thomas Charles were drafted as aforesaid we both joined the said Capt. Brownings company at South Brimfield and were marched under his command to East Chester in the State of New York, where a skirmish soon ensued between a part of the British army and a part of the American army. myself and the said Thomas Charles were both in the said Capt. Brownings company and both engaged in the skirmish or battle, the American forces retreated from East Chester to a place called mile square, and from thence to White Plains, where we joined the American army, and myself & the said Thomas Charles were both in the said Capt. Brownings company and were both engaged in the battle which took place at White Plains not long after we joined the American army at that place. I know that myself and the said Charles served in the American army two months from the time that we were drafted as aforesaid. I was in the said Capt. Brownings company with the said Charles during the whole term of the two months, I think we were discharged or dismissed the last of Nov r 1776 - and further the Deponent saith not - Stafford Jan y 5 th 1833 - George Nelson
State of Connecticut } To Stafford January 5 th A D 1833 - Tolland County } George Nelson who has subscribed the foregoing Deposition, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same - sworn before me Rodolphus Woodworth Justice Peace I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with the character of George Nelson of the County of Tolland for more than thirty years last past who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition. He sustains a good character for truth and veracity, and his testimony in my opinion is entitled to full credit - Rodolphus Woodworth Justice Peace

Tolland County Ct. S.S. Tolland
I Jeremiah Parish, Clerk of Tolland County Court do hereby certify that Rodolphus Woodworth Esq. before whom the within deposition of George Nelson was sworn and authenticated on the 5th day of January 1833. was at that time & still is a justice of Peace within & for the County of Tolland aforesaid duly appointed and qualified to administer oaths & and take depositions and that the signatures to the within certificates purporting to be his are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office — at Tolland this 7th day of January AD 1833 —
Jeremiah Parish, Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Charles, Thomas GRADE Private LINE Rhode Island
WARRANT NUMBER 3039 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Apr. 20, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.