Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30328, Joseph Cheney, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Cheney, Joseph
S. 30328
CONTENTS

10537
Massachusetts
Joseph Cheney
of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Mayo of the Regt commanded by Col Wells in the Mass line for 11 May 12 Days
Indt
75- Norfolk
Inscribed on the Roll of spas at the rate of 37 Dollars 98 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Apr 1833 and sent to S J Kendell Westminster Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $75.96 Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Feb 1899 $94.95
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H Sp Blair Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 10

Joseph Cheney
15229

I, Ralph Sanger of Dover in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being of lawful age, and the only resident Clangyman in said Dover, hereby testify and say, that I have been acquainted with Joseph Cheney, the within named Applicant for a Pension, for the last twenty years — that he was, when resident in Dover, a member of my Church — a man of morality and good character in all respects and I believe, that he now sustain the same character — Dover Sept- 3 1832 Ralph Sanger
Norfolk SS. September 3 d 1832. Then the above named Ralph Sanger personally appeared and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true.
Before — W m Ellis Justice of the Peace From personal acquaintance, I hereby further certify that the above Rev Ralph Sanger who made and subscribed the above affidavit, is esteemed a man of the first character and standing in this vicinity, and his reputation for veracity undoubted W m Ellis
We Ralph Sanger Clangyman residing in Dover in the County of Norfolk and Jeriah Dyer residing in said Dover in the County of Norfolk and in the neighborhood of said Joseph Cheney hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Cheney who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age and he is reputed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion. Ralph Sanger Jeriah Dyer

Application of Joseph Cheney to the U.S. War Department for a Pension, under the Act of Congress, pass'd June 7 th 1832 —.
State of Massachusetts—County of Norfolk ss. On this twenty first 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 Williams of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Dedham in and for the said County of Norfolk Joseph Cheney a resident of said Dedham aged seventy three years, who first being 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 7 th 1832 —
I Joseph Cheney of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts declare, that according to the family Records in my possession, I was born in the westerly section of said Town of Dedham, (now the District of Dover) on the twenty fifth day of December 1758, and was seventy three years of age December 25. 1831. and resided in the place of my nativity till the month of June 1813, then removed to the Town of Newport in the State of New Hampshire, where I resided thirteen years, and then removed to the Town of Dedham in the month of December 1826, where I now live. — Soon after the commencement of hostilities in the forepart of the season in the year 1775, soldiers were called for, — I volunteered, went to the camp and was joined to a body of militia Stationed at what was called the Brindley place in the Town of Roxbury (the same spot understanding now occupied by Genl. H. A. S. Dearborn) This was the first service I was in, and I am not able to state from recollection the name of the captain or under Officer, under whom I served at this place, nor have I been yet able to find any person that can testify to this tour of service, but I will remember that I served at this Brindley place as a Soldier for the term of two months, and that Col. Wells of Roxbury, (I think his name was Elizer Wells) gave directions from time to time to this body of militia while served at that place. — At sundry other times during the confusion and alarms in the summer and Autumn of 1775, I turned out as a Soldier went to Cambridge or Roxbury where I remained for short periods of time, the amount of which, I can not now substantiate by proof. Again in the month of October 1777 I volunteered and entered as a Soldier in the Company of Capt. Thomas Mayo of Anbury Col. Wells' Massachusetts Line Regiment, and served in said Company eight months at Cambridge near Boston, and was dismissed therefrom early in the month of July 1778. — This service was to guard the troops of General Burgoyne, while prisoners of War at that place.
Again in the month of November (commencing Dec 1778)  October 1779 I enlisted into a company of Militia Commanded by Capt Eben n Battle of the west part of Dedham (now Dover) and I think this company was attached to said Col. Wells' Regiment, under said Capt. Battle I served as a Soldier  for the term of  nineteen days  on Castle William in Boston harbour building Fortification keeping Guard &c — and was dismissed and returned home, in the month of December  January following. — I do not recollect of receiving a written discharge.
And I further declare, that while living at said Newport in the State of New Hampshire, I made application to the War Department for a Pension under the Act of March 18 th 1818, and was answered that my service was not doubted, but that it was not continental service, and that I had not performed nine months service at any one tour of duty, so my claim was rejected, and I have never received any Pension from the United States or from any State.
And I further declare, that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, and that I hereby relinquish every

Claim or annuity for revolutionary services, except the one I now make application for.
Deerham September 3 1832
Joseph Cheney
Signed in Presence of — Martin Richards
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, & the Court further that Ralph Sanger who has signed the preceding certificate is a Congregational minister in Dover aforesaid & that Frank Drown who has signed the same is resident in said Dover & is a credible person. Their statement entitled to credit.
J. M. Williams, J. G. C. P.
I James Ward 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 Joseph Cheney for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have unto my hand & seal of office on the day & year first aforesaid,
James Ward

I, Ralph Sanger of Dover in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being of lawful age, and the only resident Clangyman in said Dover, hereby testify and say, that I have been acquainted with Joseph Cheney, the within named Applicant for a Pension, for the last twenty years — that he was, when resident in Dover, a member of my Church — a man of veracity and good character in all respects and I believe that he now sustains the same character — Dover Sept- 3 1832 Ralph Sanger
Norfolk SS. September 3 d 1832. Then the above named Ralph Sanger personally appeared and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true.
Before — W m Ellis Justice of the Peace From personal acquaintance, I hereby further certify that the above Rev Ralph Sanger who made and subscribed the above affidavit, is esteemed a man of the first character and standing in this vicinity, and his reputation for veracity veracity undoubted W m Ellis
We Ralph Sanger allersymmar residing in Dover in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Cheney who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age and he is reputed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion. Ralph Sanger Jeriah Draper

Joseph Cheney 15229
Plats H.W.M. 12 day
5.6 v 16 06
July 26 1833
$37.98
P-224
Hon J. G. Kendall
H.W. St. Asaph Wales

15229
BRIEF in the case of Joseph Cheney of in the State of (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 73  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775 vol Sundry times 1775-11 2 not stated Gen. Col Welds   Octobr 1777 8 Capt Thomas Mayo Col M o   Novem 1779 enlisted 19 Capt Eben Battle. Col Welds  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norfolk Co Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional & witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. H. Waugh Examining Clerk.
Jan'y 22 nd 1833

30 328 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30,328
Joseph Cheney Rev War
Act: June 1 st 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870.]

15229 Joseph Cheney & Sedona M. C.
Hm: J. G. Kendall PR

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joseph Cheney further proof or explanation.
which require
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? No 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? Yes
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?
witnesses
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No — surplus
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
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? yes
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 5, 7,
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 the 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.
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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Feb 7 21 st 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Joseph Cheney's name is borne on a Roll under Capt Ebenezer Batchelder, in Col. McIntosh's Regiment, from Dec 11 th 1776, to Dec 30 th 1776, when he was allowed nineteen days service, on duty at Castle Island — Mass.
Ex
Edward D. Bangs, Secy

I Aaron Whiting of the District of Dover in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, aged eighty six years hereby Testify and say, that I have been acquainted with Joseph Cheney formerly of said Dover, now of Dedham in said County of Norfolk, from his youth to the present time, a term of seventy years or more. I have this day been shown his application for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832. with regard to said Cheney, services I can only say that I recollect, that he went as a Soldier to guard the troops of General Burgoyne at Cambridge when they were prisoners of war at that place. I think in the year 1778 but how long said Cheney continued in that service I can not say — And I further say that I know of nothing to impeach said Cheney, Character for veracity and truth —.
Aaron Whiting
Dover Sept 2nd 3-1832.
Norfolk SS. Sep 3rd 1832. Then the above named Aaron Whiting personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is True.
Before W m Ellis } Justice of the Peace 3 Justice continue on the other side

Norfolk ss. Feb y 11 th 1833 I hereby certify that Saram Whiting (who made and testified the within Affidavit before me Sept. 3 rd 1832. in solution to his knowledge of the character, age, &c. of Joseph Cheney, is a credible Witness and entitled to credit —.
W m Gollis Justice of Peace

Ebenezer Dyer
Statement
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal statement or letter.]

Dedham Sep r 19 th 1832
To all whom this may concern
This may certify that I Elisha Union of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being upward of Seventy two years of age, do say that in the year 1777 I was in the Revolution ary  service at Cambridge, in Col. Wells Reg t & Capt. Mayo's Company, in guarding Burgoyne's Troops, and that Joseph Cheney of Dedham then (but Dover now) was in the same Company with me and that I left the said Joseph Cheney there, after my serving for one to two Months.
Elisha Union
Norfolk ss. Dedham Sept r 19 th 1832
Then the above named Elisha Union personally appeared and made oath that the above Declaration by him subscribed was true. Before me George Ellis Justice of the Peace Dedham Feb y 18 th 1833, from personal knowledge I do hereby further certify, that Elisha Union who made and subscribed the above affidavit before me Sept r 19 th 1832 is a credible witness —.
George Ellis Justice of the Peace

To the U.S. War Department Washington City
I Joseph Cheney of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy four years, and according to my best recollection and belief, hereby again declare and on a state my revolutionary services to accompany my application for a Pension dated September 3-1832.
Viz- Two months service at the Brimley Place in Roxbury near Boston under officers whose names I can not recollect only that Col. Eleazer Wells of Roxbury from time to time gave directions to this body of Militia while I remained with it.
Also - Three weeks service at Cambridge and Roxbury in the summer and Autumn under officers whose names are totally lost to my memory.
Also - eight months service at Cambridge near Boston, in Col. Thomas Mayo's Company, Col. Eleazer Wells Reg t - to guard the troops of Gen l Burgoyne prisoners of war at that place This service commenced late in October, 1777, and ended about the first of July 1778.
Also - nineteen days service on Castle William in the Company of Capt. Ebenezer Battle and I believe Col. Eleazer Wells Reg t Dec r 1778 - making a service (as a soldier) of eleven months and twelve days - I do not recollect of receiving written or printed discharges from them terms of service, if I did, they have long since been lost.
In answer to the question in the Brief N o VI, I have given the names of all the Officers under whom I served, in my application so far as my powers of memory will admit, I have made inquiry and used every exertion on this point and can do no more.
It seems that the affidavits of my neighbors viz, Rev. Ralph Sanger - Aaron Whiting and Josiah Draper are not so satisfactory to the Department as I had expected, I therefore will name several other persons in my neighborhood to whom I am known, and who I believe if requested will testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Viz - Capt. Daniel Mann & Calvin Richards Esq. of Dover - John Fisher - Nathaniel Capen - Martin Richards - Lemuel Gay - and Col. Abner Ellis - all of said Dedham.
And whether my claim is rejected or allowed I pray that I may be informed of it as soon as may be, after this reaches the War Department, for in addition to the weight of declining years, I am laboring under a serious bodily indisposition.
Dedham Feb y 15-1833 -
Joseph Cheney
Norfolk ss. Feb y 15-1833 - Then the above statement subscribed by Joseph Cheney, was sworn to by said Cheney before
me Abner Ellis Justice of the Peace

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
William Ellis and Esquire George Ellis Esquire
are 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 his signature to the annexed affidavits respectively  are genuine and true.
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twenty first day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jairus Ware