Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,054, Hezekiah Coburn, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Coburn, Hezekiah
S. 15054
CONTENTS
Carded

Decd. See letter to Wm. Olcott Esq. April 3. 1835
In the Ex. of William 20 July 1835
New York 28. 610
Hezekiah Coburn of Essex Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Masely of the Reg't commanded by _____ in the Connecticut Mi- line for 9 mo. 12. days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 31 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate & Pension issued the 26 th day of April 1834 and sent to Hon R. Whallon H. Rufs
Arrears to the 4th March 1834 $ 93 99 Fem-ant. allowance ending Sept  4/34 15 66
$109.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book 8
Sam l H. Page
Clerk,
Vol. 4
Page 131

Herzschah Lobun
22238
Abud 9. mo. 12 ds pr

State of New York day of On this 10th January 1833 County of Essex ss. Personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex now sitting at Yorktown to be sworn a President of the Town of New County of Essex (and State of New York) who aged Eighty two Years (and upon oath) 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 An- gress Passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he entered the service in the Year 1775 in the month of May by Enlisting for Seven months under Captain Ebenezer Moseley Lieutenant Aaron Ensign Moses Ordway Sergeant Isaac Dodge at Hampton in the State of Connecticut and went immediately to Cambridge Massachusetts says he was employed at Cambridge aforesaid the whole of the time aforesaid in building Forts and Redoubts and that after the expiration of the aforesaid term, he returned to Hampton aforesaid.
That he was drafted for One month to go to New London Connecticut but he went and served for the term of One month under Lieutenant General William Howard but did not remain in the other Company Officers named says he was employed in keeping guard and building Redoubts and then at the end of the month returned home to Hampton aforesaid having been absent on said duty One month.

That on the July following he again entered the service, drafted for Providence and then seven weeks work under Commandant William Howard Lieut. Daniel Fuller is all the Company Officers that he remembers & was employed during his service in the place afterwards in building Redoubts and on keeping Guard, and at the end of the six weeks was relieved and returned home to Hampton having been absent on said duty the term of six weeks
And that he has no documentary Evidence of his Service and that he knows of no Person whose Testimony he can Procure who can Testify to his Service
He hereby Relinquishes Every Claim Whatever to a Pension or Annuity Except the Present and declares that his Name is not On the says that there is a clergyman Presiding in his Town
3 When were you living when called into service; when have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and when do now live? Says he was living in Windham, Windham County and State of Connecticut, Has lived since the Revolutionary War immediately succeeding the war. Removed to Williamstown, County of Orange, State of Vermont and there lived eleven or twelve years and then removed to Lewis, County of Essex State of New York, and moved from Lewis to Holland Purchase, and from there moved to Lewis where he now lives

That on the July following he again entered the service, drafted for Providence and then served sea works under Commandant William Howard distant from his house about five miles and that he is not acquainted with him and is the reason he is not present Pension Roll of the Agency of New York State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid This being attached at the time of his declaration Benjamin Colburn
The following interrogations were put by the Court
 1 When, and in what year were you born? Was born in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty, in the Town of Windham, County of Windham, State of Connecticut as he was informed.  2 Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? Says he has a record of his age in his bible at home.  3 Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Says he was living in Windham, Windham County and State of Connecticut, Has lived since the Revolutionary War immediately succeeding the war. Removed to Williamstown, County of Orange, State of Vermont and there lived eleven or twelve years and then removed to Erie Lewis, County of Essex State of New York, and moved from Lewis to Hallam Pacheco, and from there moved to Lewis where he now lives. 

4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute And if a substitute, for whom?
18 says he enlisted the first term and drafted the remaining terms - was not a substitute
5 State the names of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service;
Spent under Lieut Commandant William Howard & Isaac Dodge being all that he can remember Does not recollect either the Con- tinental or Militia regiments - The general circumstances attending his service, were building Forts and Redoubts &c. as heretofore mentioned in his Declaration
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given
Never received any written discharge but was verbally dismissed by Captain Ebenezer Hovey Captain of the company he last served in.
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and the length of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
John Pippett Alexander Steel the distance being so great and his extreme age is the reason he is not ac- quainted with the subject of his Town

The John Tappett Residing in of the Town of Lewis County of Essex And State of New York and Alexander Steel Residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hosea M. Coburn of Lewis County of Essex And State of New York who has been sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about eighty five 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 Given under our hands and subscribed the day and year aforesaid John Tappett Alexander Steel Simon Shaw clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary War and served as he states And the court further certifies that it appears to them John Tappett and Alexander Steel who has also signed the same are residents in the Town of Lewis County of Essex And State of New York and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Leonard Shaw Clerk of the Court Common Pleas of the County of Essex do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the Original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Hosea M. Coburn for a Pension
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Clerk's Office this Ninth day of January 1833. Simon Shaw clerk

22238
Mycheah Coburn
e.v.
adm a
22 41.66 2083 2 41.66
274166 2 20.83
Hon. R Whallon
Edmund J. Williams
Elizabeth City County
Newport

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 subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Nehemiah Coburn, Lewis, Essex County New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 1775 Enlisting " 7 " Capt Masey Lt Brown { Cambridge Hampton   March " 1 " Lt Howard None None New London   July discharged ditto ditto 12 Howard Lt Fuller ~ age 82 years Laconia  
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 day 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 he 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 fix 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.

Elizabethtown July 6 My
free
crumb 13 July 1835
J. S. Edwards Esq. Com r of Pensions Washington

15054 INVALID.
File No. 15,054
Hezekiah Coburn New River War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 79
[Arrangement of 1870.]
5

Check? & Farnie's Bank Albany Pension Agency March 23 rd 1835.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Sir,
Enclosed are Vouchers presented at this agency on behalf of two of the children of Hezekiah Coburn a deceased pensioner - Will you have the goodness to instruct us, whether they are sufficient to warrant the payment of all or any part of the arrearage due to the deceased pensioner - It will be seen that Russell Coburn, one of the children, claims the shares of three children who have not executed powers of attorney -
I am, Sir, very respectfully Yours ob t Serv t
Thos M c Cluskey

Jonathan Flint of Braintree in Orange County & State of Vermont being of lawful age do testify and say that I am acquainted with Henrich Coburn of the Town of Lewis County of Essex and State of New York and for- merly of Hampton Connecticut and was knowing to his enlisting into the service in the Connecticut State troops in Capt. Ebenezer Mosely's Company and Col. Israel Putnam's Regiment for the term of six months, he enlisted in a part of Windham in Connecticut, then called Cannader now cal- led Hampton in the month of April in the year 1775 and in the month of May remarched to Cambridge where he remained and did duty till his six months expired and for- the more the Deponent saith not Jonathan Flint
State of Vermont
Orange County ss.
Braintree April 14 th 1834.
Then personally appeared Jonathan Flint and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned, made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before me Jonathan Buss Justice Peace

Braintree April 14 th 1834.
Therby certify that I am a neighbor to Jonathan Flint the forgoing Deponent and that he is considered a Man of truth & veracity in the neighborhood where he resides
Simmi Nichols Town Clerk
Braintree April 14 th 1834
Therby certify that Jonathan Buss is an acting justice of the Peace in Orange County & State of Vermont
Simmi Nichols Town Clerk

Elizabethtown Essex Co. N.Y. July 6. 1835.
Sir
Will you have the goodness to have or see the enclosed Pension Papers Examining and if consistently have the amounts of the same paid by the Pension Agents in Albany.
I presented them a short time since the agents was in the act of paying them, but found some little Err and I took them back and had the Err corrected sent them on but now declines paying them because the whole of the Children has not signed the Power of Attorney which you will see by the Proof is out of the Power of Mr. Osborne to do both from the distance they reside from him and his pecuniary means been so limited.
Mr. Russell Osborne a short time since received a letter or some one of the family did bringing the intelligence that Elizabeth Osborne had died in Upper Canada this news of course is since appearing in Court and making out the papers.
Mr. Nathaniel Osborne never drew any thing having died before I obtained his Certificate and I have been endeavouring to obtain the pension ever since but without any kind of success as objections of some sort are always raised by the pension Agents in Albany of some new character.
Your attention to this will greatly Oblige
Your obedt. Servt J. Williams
Col. D. H. Edwards