Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12453, Nathaniel Cheney, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Cheney, Nathaniel
S 12453
carded
CONTENTS

5250
1542 New Hampshire
Nathaniel Cheney
of Haverhill in the State of N. Hampshire who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Sawyer of the Regt. commanded by Col. Pickett in the Campaign there for 14 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire at the rate of 10 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of June 1833 and to Mr. N. P. Rogers Plymouth
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. '33 $83.32 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep. '33 23.33
$106.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Geo. C. Diley Clerk
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 1, Page 10.

Walt Disney bat
25250

State of New Hampshire } On this fifth day of September Grafton County ss - } anno Domini 1832 personally
appeared before Arthur Dimesmore Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said State, the said Cherry being unable by bodily infirmity to appear in said Court. Nathaniel Cherry aged eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to law with an oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 that he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War under the following officers & served as herein stated viz - that he enlisted at Haverhill in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the month of March in the year 1775 for nine months under Capt. Sawyer & Lieut. Johnson in the regiment commanded by Colonel Hays of the Massachusetts Line, that he marched to Cambridge near Boston in Massachusetts was in Bunker Hill battle James Mitchell was Lieut. Colonel of the Regiment - Col. Genl. Stark was in the same battle - that he remained in at about Cambridge the full nine months for which he was enlisted & was dismissed at Cambridge & returned home to Haverhill - that he passed muster at joining the army at Cambridge under the inspection of Col. M'Nutt - that in August 1776 he enlisted again for four months under said Johnson then become a Captain that he enlisted at said Haverhill - went to Fairfield in Connecticut - from there to a place called Horonack - thence to North Castle thence to a place called the Sawpit & remained there til the end of said four months - that the army appearing the officers proposed to form a society

company & that he engaged in said service & was in it for one month - That previous to his entertainment for nine months, as before stated he had enlisted as a minute man & shall serve four months as such, holding himself in readiness to march when called on & providing himself with equip- ments & ammunition - That he served in all nearly sixteen months including said service as a min- ute man - That he was in no battle but Menotomy Kill battle - That he was born in Newbury new- town in the month of October, fourth day in the year 1747 lived there til five or six years old removed to Haverhill & remained there about twen- ty four years - moved there to Scarborough in New Hampshire remained there about forty two years - moved there to Moyan in Vermont lived there seven years & moved to Campton where he now resides, & has since resided - That his birth he supposes to be recorded in his na- tive town & is also recorded in his family bi- ble that he hereby relinquishes any claim to any pension or annuity beside the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state - In further de- clares that the commanders in the Scout- ing service was Col M c Intosh - Peck Capt. Cushing first Lieut, & Merrill second Lieut.
his Nathaniel J. Cheney
mark Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above mentioned

ed - Before me Arthur Livermore
We Daniel Cheney & Otis Whitney both resident in the said town of Hampton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Cheney who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be eighty four years of age - a man of truth - that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Grafton ss Court of Common Pleas Sept. 6. 1832
Sworn to in open court N. Woodworth Clerk
Daniel Cheney Otis Whitney
And the chief justice aforesaid of said Court hereby declares his opinion after investigation of the matter after putting the interrogatories proposed by the War Department being put to said Cheney the applicant in his presence - that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states, and that said applicant was unable at time of making & swearing said declaration by reason of great age & bodily infirmity to appear in open court to testify & make said declaration - that said Daniel Cheney & Otis Whitney, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in said town of Hampton are credible persons & their statement entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of September anno Domini 1832 Arthur Livermore
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss I George Woodworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county do hereby certify that the Hon. Arthur Livermore is Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of New Hampshire & that the above are his genuine signatures.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 6th day of September 1832 N. Woodworth Clerk

No 25-2 50
Nathaniel Cheney Grafton Co N. Hampshire
Nathaniel Cheney
911 Revats 14 Mar 1832 1833
N. P. Rogers Esq Plymouth N. H.
George Woodward Colts Grafton Co N. Hampshire

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. These 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.
C. H. Hampshire
A Statement, shewing the Service of Nathaniel Cheney Grafton Esq
   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'd 1775 9 Private Capt Sanger 84 years Witnesses stated credible by the Judge   Enl'd Sept 76 4 Col Pinkerton Flail Traditional evidence stated credible also   1 Capt Johnson Massachusetts   previous to the service of 9 months where he served four months as a minute man Col Metcalf  
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 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. As to the facts of my service, I am, 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.
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.
[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.
35687 John N. Atkinson

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MRR/eel
November 20, 1929
Mrs. G. L. Greenfield Douds Iowa
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.12453, it appears that Nathaniel Cheney was born October 7, 1747, "in Newbury new town", name of state not shown.
At the age of five or six years, he moved to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he resided when he enlisted, date not shown, and served four or five months as a minute man.
At the very beginning of the Revolution, he enlisted, served nine months in Captain Sawyer's Company, Colonel Frye's Massachusetts Regiment, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
He enlisted in August, 1776, and served four months in Captain Johnson's Massachusetts Company, and in 1876 he served one month in a scouting party in Captain Peck's Company, Colonel McIntosh's Massachusetts Regiment.
After the Revolution, he lived in Haverhill, Massachusetts, in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, in Moyal, Vermont, and in Campton, Grafton County, New Hampshire.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, while residing in Campton, New Hampshire.
The above noted is the only Nathaniel Cheney, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

MRS. G. L. GREENFIELD DOUDS, IOWA
Sept 23 1929
Pension Department Washington, D.C.
Will you please send me the pension of the following man who was in the Revolutionary war.
Nathaniel Cherry , order of wife Elizabeth (Ela) Cherry . He was as soldier from Warhill, Mass.
Sincerely,
(If there are any charges let me know in advance) Mrs. G. L. Greenfield.

Act. and Ward Ser
12,453
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Nathaniel Cheney a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     ✓ 4 mos as a minute man Mass.   March 1775 9 mos Sawyer Faye   Aug. 1776 4 mos. Johnson   ✓ 1 mo. Peck McIntosh  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill Residence of soldier at enlistment, Haverhill Mass. Date of application for pension, Sept. 5-1892. His ch. was ad. Residence at date of application, Campton Grafton Co. N.H. Age at date of application, at Newbury (new town) Oct. 7-1747. Remarks: There is no data as to his family
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

WATERTOWN, S. D.
Rev Geo Nov. 7- 1901
Pension Dept.
Washington D. C.
Will you please send me a copy of the pension record of
Nathaniel Cheney of Sanbornton - N. H. He was born in Haverhill, Mass. Oct 7 th 1747. and died Aug 3 d 1833 He was a soldier in Revolutionary service being at Battle of Bunker Hill in James. Ennis Regiment. All of these records are taken from Rumbels History of Sanbornton - N. H. I would like these records to prove my identity into Daughters of American Revolution.
Very Respectfully
Mrs. Fay. J Archibald
Watertown
315. H 7 th Ave. N.E.
S. D.
over

Nathaniel Cheney married Elizabeth Elna of Haverhill. Mass. She was born, Aug 4 - 1746 - died Jan. 12 - 1832

Reborn
12.453 INVALID.
1912 Dec. 12 Hist. to Mrs. E. W. Beatty. V.L.M. Letter in W. F. 22 affo 8 Pily Shearman or Shrinen 1917 Nov. 15 Hist. to Mrs. Fay L. Archibald. 1929- Nov. 19, Hist to Mrs. G. L. Greenfield, M.E.E.
File No. 12,453
Nathaniel Cheng Dis. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. a , Page 66
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Sanders

I John Sanders of Sandwich in the county of Stratford State of New Hampshire aged Seventy five years do hereby say that I enlisted into the revolution ary service of the United States in the month of March in the year Seventeen hundred & Seventy five at the town of Haverhill in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. I enlisted for nine months under Capt Sawyer & Lieut. Ferguson in the Regiment command ed by Col. Frye in the Massachusetts Line - I went to Cambridge near Boston in said commonwealth & was stationed there about two months - was then taken sick & was absent from duty about two weeks - returned to my duty & served out the full period of my enlistment at Cambridge & in the vicinity - I was discharged from the service - I was at the time of my enlistment at the town of Haverhill - I further say that Nathaniel Cheeny now of Campton in the County of Graf ton in said State of New Hampshire, but then of said Haverhill, enlisted at the same time with me, into the same company, & was not with me during the same service, & the same time, enlisted for the same term, & served un der the same officers, - I was discharged from the service & discharged at the time I was - John Sanders
State of New Hampshire } September 3 1832 Then personally appearing Stratford ss } said John Sanders whom I know to be a man of good character for truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me Parker Plummer - Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Secretary's Office September 3. 1832
The within named Parlor Parker Plumer is a Justice of the Peace for our County of Strafford, duly constituted and sworn, and his signature as such genuine. In testimony whereof I hereto set the Seal of the State.
Ralph Metcalf Secretary.