Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,000, Richard Chase, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Chase Richard
S. 5000
carded
CONTENTS

75 Berkshire
15-761 Massachusetts
Mehari Chase
of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Thompson of the Regt commanded by Col Maunton in the Mass. line for 9 Years
R. J. State R. J. Lim. Records corrected Apr 16 '04
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of Feb 1832 and sent H. W. Bishop D. D. D. D.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1843 $160.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov. 40.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. G. B. W. Clerk Book { Vol. 59 Page 12

Richard Chan Otis Mass Application for Pension - June 4 1897 25635

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE, ss.
ON this Fourteenth day of June A.D. 1833. personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. William P. Waller, Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Berkshire in said County Richard Chase a resident of Otis years, who in the county of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Seventy three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832:—That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. to wit:—
In January 1777. he enlisted in the Rhode Island State Troops at Westerly in said State of Rhode Island for a term of Fifteen Months. in the Company commanded by Captain Thomas Thompson. Six days after the expiration of said term he joined said Company at North Kingston or at a place between S d North Kingston & East Greenwich in S d Rhode Island. & from thence in said vicinity marched to Diviston in said Rhode Island. when said Company was annexed to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Stanton in which Regiment William Barden was Major, or Lt Colonel. — During this term the Troops at Newport under command of Genl. Spencer to take Newport from the British but failed. Said Barden during said term with the aid of forty two men selected from the Company surprised Genl. Prescott of the British Army at his quarters in the night time & took him. He was discharged in March 1778. — the exact time of his enlistment & discharge he is unable to state, nor fully by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory. He did not receive a written Discharge — he was stationed during the whole of said term at said Diviston —
He again enlisted in said Rhode Island State Troops at said Diviston. fifteen days before the expiration of the term above mentioned for the term of one year. to commence at the expiration of said first term, in the Company commanded by Captain Joshua Babcock. in the Regiment commanded by Colonel John Toppin. in the Brigade commanded by General Cornwall. Was stationed at said Diviston during the whole of said term — the Troops under command of Genl. Sullivan attempted to take Newport in the Month of August 1778. — but failed and retreated to said Diviston — At the expiration of said term was discharged at said Diviston to wit in March 1779. but did not receive a written Discharge — For the reason above stated is unable to state the exact day of his enlistment & discharge — he enlisted in March 1778. was discharged in March 1779. as above stated —

He enlisted also enlisted in the Continental Army for the term of one year from the twenty sixth day of February 1776. - At this time he re-enlisted on said twenty sixth day of February 1776. for said term of one year, at South Kingston in said Rhode Island in the Company, commanded by capt Benjamin Pierce during a part of said term & the residue by Capt Simeon Martin, in Col. Babcock's Regiment. Was stationed at Newport until September of the same year when we went to Fort Washington on York Island - from thence we marched to a place called Miles Square, where we met Genl. Washington - from thence we marched to White Plains - where a Battle took place - then marched into New Jersey to Trenton where a Battle took place, - retreated to Princeton where another engagement took place - then went to Chatham in said New Jersey, where he was discharged on 18th January 1777. - had no written discharge - During this term in March 1776. while at Newport was wounded in the leg and is now inscribed on the Pension list. Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, as an invalid Pensioner -
He was born in North Kingston in said State of Rhode Island on the twenty ninth day of October 1759.
He has no record of his age. -
He resided in 1776. at South Kingston in Rhode Island at the time of his enlistment - After his term of Service had expired he returned to said South Kingston, where he resided about four years. then removed to Stockbridge in Berkshire County in Massachusetts, where he lived twelve years. - then removed to Brattle in said County of Berkshire, where he lived ten years then removed to Otis aforesaid where he now lives & has ever since lived. -
He enlisted as before, in this Declaration, is mentioned -
He served at each term of enlistment as a private Soldier, never received a written discharge.
He has procured the deposition of James Harris, which is hereto annexed, in proof of the two first terms of Service hereinbefore stated. Also the deposition of William Ross, which is hereto annexed, in proof of the first term of service -
He is acquainted with the Rev. Alvan Hyde A.D. of Brattle in said Berkshire County & Henry W. Bishop Esq. of said Brattle, who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution.

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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. his claim as an Invalid Pensioner except on the Pensionist Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, as an Invalid Pensioner, as aforesaid.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
S. W. P. Walker J. Probate Richard Chase
We, Alvan Hyde a clergyman residing in the town of Lee in P County and Henry M Bishop residing in Lenox in P County hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Richard Chase who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three 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.
S. Alvan Hyde Henry M Bishop Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Alvan Hyde
is a clergyman resident in the town of Lee and that Henry M Bishop who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Lenox in P County and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William P. Walker J. Probate
I. Henry M Bishop Regista of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Richard Chase for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three.
Henry M Bishop Regista of Probate

No 25635
Richard Chase Berkshire County Massachusetts
Wath I Mass
L. W. Bishop Lenox Massachusetts
Mass

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. Those 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, showing the Service of Richard Chase, Berkshire County Massachusetts
   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.     Enlisted - 1776 1 - - private Capt. Paine 73 years Traditional evidence. Two Witnesses   Enlisted Jan'y 1777 1 6 - private Capt. Thompson, Colonel Kentucky papers correctly attached   Enlisted - 1778 1 - - " Stanton, Col. Babcock, Colonel Dopkin, Genl. Bromwell Rhode Island Battle of White Plains & Trenton Princeton  
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. 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 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.
[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 [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.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel
March 1, 1929
Mr. F. C. Bissell 1009 West Boulevard Hartford, Connecticut
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.5000, it appears that Richard Chase was born, October 29, 1759, in North Kingston, Rhode Island.
While residing at South Kingston, Rhode Island, he enlisted and served as a private with the Rhode Island Troops as follows:
From February 26 or 27, 1776, in Captains Benjamin Peirce's and Simeon Martin's Company; Colonels Henry Babcock's and Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, in March, 1776, when moving a cannon at Newport, his left leg was broken, he was at White Plains, Trenton and Princeton when the battles were fought at those places, and was discharged, January 18, 1777; from in January, 1777, fifteen months in Captain Thomas Thompson's Company, Colonel Joseph Stanton's Regiment; from in March, 1778, one year in Cap-

tain Joshua Babcock's Company, Colonel John Topham's Regiment.
He was allowed pension from March 4, 1795, on account of disability resulting from the above mentioned wound.
In 1830, he was seventy years old and a resident of Otis, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, his wife was eighty years of age at that time and two daughters are referred to as single women. The names of his wife and daughters are not given.
There are no further family data.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Rev Wm
5000
INVALID.
No. 5000
Richard Chase
Prison Life etc.
Act: June 14. 1832
Index:—Vol. M , Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]
R.S. Line. Records corrected Apr 16 '04
1929. Much of H. & F. C. Russell's

Rev War
5006 INVALID.
See File 5000
File No. 5006
Richard Chase
Brit Rev. War
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. M , Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts
Richard Chase Private
Captain Martins company of the Regt commanded by Col. Babcock  Regt army
Ratio of disability, one half
Date of discharge,
Time of closing the testimony,
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at $2.50/100 - dollars per month, to commence on the increased to $4 pr. mo by Act 24 April 1816 to take effect from the passage of the act
Formal Certificate of pension issued on the 16 of Oct 1830 and sent to Charles Sedgwick Esq. Lenox. Massachusetts
Arrears to 4th
Semi-annual allowance ending
$4276-
Act of the
Pension increased to $4 pr. month commencing the 16th 1830, & certificate of pension sent to Charles Sedgwick Esq. 16 Oct 1830 at Lenox. Mass

State of Massachusetts } ss County of Bristol }
Be it known that before me Horatio D. Dighton a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Richard Chase of Otis in said county and made oath in due form of law that he is the identical Richard Chase named in the act of Congress passed on the 20th day of April A.D. 1796 entitled "An act authorizing and directing the Secretary of War to place certain persons therein named on the pension list that he is entitled to a pension of four dollars a month on account of wounds and disabilities received and incurred while in the service of the United States during the revolutionary war. That he served in Capt Benjamin Dyer's Company, afterwards commanded by Capt Simon Martin in the Second Regt of Rhode Island commanded by Col Henry Haberkorn that he is now disabled at least one half by wounds received in said service in the year A.D. 1796 that he now resides in Otis in said County and has resided there for twenty one years past and previous thereto he resided in Bristol in said County Richard Chase
Sworn and subscribed this fifth day of September A.D. 1829 before me Horatio D. Dighton Justice of the peace
State of Massachusetts } ss County of Bristol }
Confirmably to the regulation of the war department of the 19th of June A.D. 1828 I Horatio D. Dighton a magistrate in the county above named do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence viz the declaration of said Richard Chase on oath before me that Richard Chase who signed and made oath to the preceding affidavit and who has this day appeared before me to take the oath of identity is the identical person named in the act of Congress passed on the 20th day of April A.D. 1796 entitled "An act authorizing and directing the Secretary of War to place certain persons therein named on the pension list" That said law was passed for his benefit and by virtue of the same he has heretofore received a pension. Given under my hand at Northbridge this
5th day of September A.D. 1829
Horatio D. Dighton Justice of the peace

Know all men by these presents that I Richard Chase of Otis in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint Charles Sprague of Boston in the County of Suffolk my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to receive from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in Boston in the State of Massachusetts my pension from the 1 st day of March 1829 to the 1 st day of Sept 1829 Witness my hand and seal this 5 day of Sept - 1829 Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Horatio D. Brigham Charles Sprague
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Berkshire
Richmond Sept 5 th 1829
Be it known that on the 5 th day of Sept 1829 before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Richard Chase above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned
State of Massachusetts
October 9 th 1830
Berkshire County
I hereby certify that I have for a
number of years last past made out the papers for the above named Richard Chase by which he has received his pension semi-annually from Boston and that the above is a true copy with no other variation than the necessary ones of dates and witnesses and I further certify that the above named Richard Chase has this day appeared before me and under the solemnity of an oath declared positively that he never had a pension certificate to his knowledge or if he ever has had that it has been long since lost and that he has no recollection now that he ever had one in his possession that he is the identical Richard Chase mentioned in the documents above and likewise mentioned in the act of Congress passed on the 20 th day of April 1796 entitled "An act authorizing and directing the Secretary of War to place certain persons therein named on the pension list" that he enlisted Feb 27 th 1776 under Capt Benjamin Pierce in the company afterwards commanded by Simon Martin in the regt of Col Henry Babcock afterwards commanded by Christopher Siptut in the second regt of Rhode Island
And also once in two years in addition to the above was the Physicians certificate of the continuance of his disability & the County Clerks certificate of my being a magistrate
Horatio D. Brigham Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that George J. Tucker Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fourth day of June A. D. 1833.
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire.
I James Harris of Berkley in the County of Berkshire aforesaid aged twenty nine years do testify & say that in the month of December 1 st 1846. or January 1 st 1847. I enlisted in the Rhode Island State Troops for the term of Fifteen Months in the Company under command of Captain Thomas Thompson. - was marched to Dighton in said Rhode Island & annexed to Col. Stanton's Regiment and soon after I arrived to said Dighton, I saw Richard Chase, who now resides in Otis in said Berkshire County in Massachusetts. & who during said term of Fifteen Months belonged to the same Company with myself & was discharged or dismissed at the same time in March 1848. I again enlisted in said State Troops, at said Dighton, fifteen days before the expiration of said first term, for one year, to commence at the expiration of said first term & served during said year at said Dighton - Said Richard Chase also enlisted on or about the same day in the same Company, which was commanded by Capt. Joshua Babcock, & belonged to Col. Fossin's Regiment, & Genl. Cornwall's Brigade & the said Richard Chase served out his said term of one year in said Company, & was discharged at the same time with myself in March 1 st 1849.
During the first term I was a Corporal in said Thompson's Company & during the second term I was orderly Sergeant in said Babcock's Company & I find the name of the said Richard Chase on my orderly book, which is now in my possession -
James Harris
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire ss. Seron June 3 rd 1833. Then the said James Harris made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true. Before me Geo. F. Dutton, Justice of the Peace.
Berkshire ss. June 3 rd 1833. I do further certify that the said James Harris is a man of truth & veracity & a credible witness. - Geo. F. Dutton, Justice of the Peace.

I William Ross aged Seventy Four years do depose and say that I was in the army of the Revolution & that I am now now a pensioner under the Act of June 7, 1832. That in the month of January 1777 I was stationed at Swertown on the Eastern side of Rhode Island, where I re- mained until March 1778. And I further declare that during the whole of period from the month of January 1777 to the month of March 1778 Richard Chase served with us tho not in our company. He served in Capt Thomas Thompson's Company and in Capt Pileg Boxey's our colo was Joseph Stanton and further this deponent saith not.
William Ross
Berkshire June 4. 1833.
Then the above named William Ross came personally before me and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed And I further declare that I am well acquainted with William Ross and that implicit confidence may be placed in his declarations, and that his character is good for truth & veracity
Lawson D. Bidwell Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Lawson Bidwell Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well ac- quainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Sig- nature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix- ed the seal of said Court this fourth day of June
A. D. 1833.
Henry W. Bishop. Reg r of Probate

Richard Chase application for Pioneer of Pension
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

25th May 1830 INCREASE OF PENSION.
United States.
DISTRICT, SS.
of Massachusetts
To Doctor
Royal Fowler
of
Stockbridge
and
Doctor
Alfred Perry
of
Stockbridge in
Massachusetts
in said district.
Pursuant to an act of Congress of the United States, passed the 4th of February, 1822, entitled "An act to revive and continue in force 'An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war, and for other purposes,'" you are hereby appointed and authorized
to examine
Richard Chase of Otis
who is inscribed on the Pension List of the United States, and is claimant for an increase of pension, conformably to the 5th section of the act of the 10th April, 1806, revived as aforesaid; and you are to report in writing, and on oath or affirmation, your opinion of the nature of his disability, and in what degree it prevents him from obtaining a subsistence by manual labor; and in your proceedings in the premises you are to be regulated and governed by said act.
Given under my hand and seal, at
Boston
this
seventh
day of
August
in the year one thousand eight hundred and
thirty
J. Davis U.S. District Judge Massachusetts Dist.

ORIGINAL CLAIM.
United States.
DISTRICT, ss.
I, Joseph Story Judge of the District Court of the United States of America for the Massachusetts District, by AUTHORITY of an act of Congress, passed the 4th of February, 1822, entitled "An act to revive and continue in force An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War, and for other purposes, do HEREBY ESPECIALLY AUTHORIZE AND COMMISSION  Alfred Perry Royal Fowler of the county of  Wiltshire and district of Massachusetts to take all evidence pursuant to the rules and regulations of the said act, for substan- tiating the claim of Richard Chase of the town of  Wadsworth in the county of Wyoming and district of  Massachusetts to be placed on the Pension List of the United States, by reason of known wounds received in said war, or since, (as prescribed in the fourth section of "An act concerning invalid pensioners," passed the 25th of April, 1808,) while in the actual service of the United States, and in the line of his duty. And when the same shall be completed, to return the evidence, affidavits, certificates, and proceedings had hereupon, together with this commission, to the Secretary for the Department of War.
Given under my hand and seal, at the _____ day of _____ the year one thousand eight hundred and
in

Moran of Pension
United States
By virtue of the annexed Commission to us the undersigned directed It is hereby certified that Richard Chase formerly a private in the company commanded by Captain Benjamin Pearce afterwards commanded by Captain Simon Martin in the second regiment of Rhode Island commanded by Col. Harry Beebe & who it appears by an Act of Congress passed the twentieth day of April A.D. 1796 entitled "An Act authorizing and directing the Secretary at War to place certain persons therein named on the Pension list," was placed on the Pension roll at the rate of four dollars a month or half a pension on account as he states of having received a wound in his left leg, in the year A.D. 1776 on New Port Island in the State of Rhode Island in removing a cannon at which time the bone of the leg was broken & his leg has continued a running sore ever since, which wound he received while in the line of his duty & in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary war at the place & year above

stated in the month of March & he is not only still disabled in consequence of the said injury, but in our opinion is entitled to four dollars a month more than he already receives as a pensioner being disabled to a degree amounting to a total dis ability & in our opinion his wound is incurable In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands, at Stockbridge September 11 th 1830 — The words "four dollars a month," in the third line from the top were interlined before signing by us
Royal Fowler, Surgeon Alfred Perry Surgeon

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss. Sept 11 th 1830 Then personally appeared before me Royal Fowler & Alfred Perry above named and made oath to the truth of the above written certificate by them subscribed And I do certify that the above named Royal Fowler & Alfred Perry are personally known to me, that they are respectable Surgeons & Physicians - And I further certify that the words "four Dollars a month," interlined above in the third line from the top were interlined before the above certificate was subscribed or sworn to Ms Chase states that he never had a certificate Horatio Brigham Boston. Mass

We hereby certify in addition to the above, that the wounded leg of the above named Richard Chase, is in a very painful & offensive state of ulceration. About six inches of the leg up & down being occupied by from three to six ulcers of various dimensions. That we are satisfied, that the above named Richard Chase is a man of the temperate habits, and that he is not chargeable with the prolonging of his disease, by his own imprudence. That he is constantly in a state of suffering, by day & by night & that he is occasionally confined to the house for many days in consequence of the above mentioned wound. That we have examined it frequently, within eight or ten years last past, and give it as our opinion, that he would be better off with a sound stump & a wooden leg, than with this mass of corruption.
In witness whereof, we hereunto set our hands, this ninth day of October 1830
Alfred Perry Surgeon Royal Fowler Surgeon
Berkshire ss: Octo 9 th 1830 Then personally appeared before me the above named Alfred Perry & Royal Fowler & severally made oath to the truth of the above written certificate by them subscribed & I certify that they are personally known to me to be respectable practicing Physicians & Surgeons. My testimony whereof I my hand the day & year aforesaid. Horatio Brigham Notary Public

State of Massachusetts } ss Berkshire Co. County }
After 1 st 1830 Then personally appeared before me Richard Chase of Otis in said County & made oath that he is the identical Richard Chase mentioned in the Act of Congress passed the 20 th day of April A.D. 1796 & referred to in the preceding certificate & that he is the same Richard Chase men- tioned in said certificate & examined by said Royal Fowler & Alfred Berry In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year above written Horatio D. Lyngton Nat. Clerk
State of Massachusetts } ss Berkshire County }
I hereby certify that the within named Alfred Berry and Royal Fowler are persons to me well known and they are at this time practicing Surgeons and Physicians of the first respectability in this vicinity.
I likewise certify that the within named Horatio D. Lyngton is a person to me well known and that he is a Magistrate of talents and integrity and of fair reputation as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this fourteenth day of September in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred thirty.
Chas. Sedgwick

25 etc. for pay for... INCREASE OF PENSION.
United States.
DISTRICT, ss. of Massachusetts
To Doctor Royal Fowler of Stockbridge and Doctor Alfred Perry of Stockbridge in Massachusetts in said district.
Pursuant to an act of Congress of the United States, passed the 4th of February, 1822, entitled "An act to revive and continue in force 'An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war, and for other purposes,'" you are hereby appointed and authorized to examine Richard Chase of Otis
who is inscribed on the Pension List of the United States, and is claimant for an increase of pension, conformably to the 5th section of the act of the 10th April, 1806, revived as aforesaid; and you are to report in writing, and on oath or affirmation, your opinion of the nature of his disability, and in what degree it prevents him from obtaining a subsistence by manual labor; and in your proceedings in the premises you are to be regulated and governed by said act.
Given under my hand and seal, at Boston this seventh day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty
J. Davis U.S. District Judge Massachusetts Dist.

Chas Sedgwick Left Relativ to R. Chase.

Senoy Oct. 8. 1830. —
J. L. Edwards Esq. Dr. Sir. I am aware that you have been frequently troubled with an application for a pension by Mr. Richard Chase & I sh d forbear to put you to any farther trouble on his account if I did not believe that he is one of the most worthy & deserving applicants that has ever applied to his country for Relief & that there is some confusion in the case arising from the fact of his having made an application under the Law of 1818 which failed from his having property just beyond the sum required by the act to bring him within the denomination of a poor man. — Mr. Chase was in several of the hard fought

battles of the Revolution in many skirmishes - He fought bravely & was sorely wounded & has been in constant suffering & greatly disabled ever since - he is an upright & temperate man & greatly afflicted in his person & family - By Yr letter of 1820 which will be herewith returned you say that the original declaration was sent to Judge Hooker & has not been returned - That declaration can not be found but it has no reference to his claim as an Invalid pensioner - As a wounded man he gets what got his pension in no other way - As such he now applies for an increase of his pension - If he ever had a certificate for such a pension he is ignorant of it - but any rate

he can find no such. He hopes that by reference to the law providing for Invalid pensioners, & the subsequent regulations in such case, of June 19 1824. That his present papers will be deemed sufficient - If they are not may his friends trouble you once more & for the last time to point out what other evidence if any will avail him in his present application - I am Sir with great respect Yr Obdt Servt.
Chas. Sedgwick -

Richmond - Berkshire County Massachusetts
Sept 9 th D 1830
Dear Sir
I have procured a supplement to the D s certificate which I hope will prove satisfactory and with regard to the pension certificate he thinks he never had any - I send you a copy of the papers by which he has always obtained his money from Boston by which you will perceive that he receives his present pension by a special law as an invalid pensioner on turning to which you will find his name incorporated in the body of the act together with his rate of pension and his oath of identity seems to be a substitute for a copy of the pension certificate which is the present method of procedure with more recent pensioners - Should it still be impossible to go on without the certificate will you have the goodness to inform us how to proceed as I can think of no testimony that we can procure at this time equal to that now in possession of the department upon which he was originally entered upon the pension roll
I would mention as reasons why his pension should have a retrospective effect if consistent with the rules of your office that not knowing of the law to which you directed him for relief and age (and infirmity in consequence of his wound) rendering him nearly helpless Mr Chase petitioned Congress for assistance at the last term of President Adams administration - The petition was presented and referred to a committee but before they had acted upon it the new regulations of your department of Dec 26 th 1828 (since revoked by President Jackson) were published which would give him a pension without farther difficulty he then ceased to urge his petition and made preparation to obtain the "door mans pension" but before the papers were com

completed he received news of the revocation and found himself again as the sailor expresses it " Upon his beam ends " He however again makes another effort and I cannot but hope in that if it is in any manner consistent with the duties of your office you will not suffer him any longer to remain destitute of that assistance which he so greatly needs and to which he is without doubt so fairly entitled from his country
I am respectfully your O bt Servant Martin Griffin
James L Edwards Esq Pension Office City of Washington
P.S. I enclose a letter from the department of Jan'y 4 th 1820 - Judge Hooker is long since dead - we were informed that his papers were left with Esq. Ducker at the Register Office of this County but on application there of Mr Chase cannot be found - M. G. -
I would further add as a reason for pressing the claim of Mr Chase more urgently that the circumstances of his family are peculiarly calamitous. That his family at this time consists of himself his wife and two daughters, single women - Himself rising of seventy years of age and a cripple - his wife eighty and entirely blind and his two daughters through excessive hardships so reduced in health as to be totally unable to provide for themselves one of which has not been able for three years to speak a loud word or to see the light of the sun and that his property at present is but barely sufficient to disqualify him from receiving a pension under the act of May 8 th 1820 and to all human appearance he must with his afflicted family be soon reduced to absolute begging unless he can obtain assistance from some quarter. Martin Griffin

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. Oct. 9. 1830. Then the within Martin Griffing to me well known personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing letter by him subscribed. Chas Sedgwick Just. Peace.
I. Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County that I am a magistrate within said County duly empowered to administer oaths & I further certify that I am & have been for several years acquainted with the said Griffing & that he has the most unquestionable reputation for integrity veracity & honor. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 9 th day of October A D 1830 Chas Sedgwick Clerk
Sir Will you have the goodness to direct the answer to the within document to me and should Mr Chase succeed at this time will you give us some form or some clue or other by which to proceed in future without being obliged to as necessarily to trouble yourself as well as the applicant. Yours &c Martin Griffing

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss. I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County do certify that under the Law of 1818 many applications were made for Pensions by persons residing within this County before the Hon. John Hooker then a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas presiding in this County - that among those applicants was Richard Chase who had previously who does now receive a pension as an Invalid soldier for wounds received during the Revolution. That many of those applications are on file in the Clerks office in this County but that I have made diligent search for the papers in the case of said Chase but that I can find none & that said Hooker is now deceased. —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this ninth day of October AD 1830. —
Chas Sedgwick K.W.R.

War Department,
Pension Office,
January 4 th 1826.
Sir,
It appears from the records of this Office, that the declarations of Richard Chase and Barabas Pike, were returned to Judge Hooker, at Springfield, Massachusetts, on the 29 th of March, 1819, and that they have not been sent back. — The former is an Invalid pensioner at the rate of $4. per month, and from the circumstance of his not being able to draw his stipend at the last semi-annual term of payment it is presumed, that his original certificate of pension was sent with his other papers and is now with them, if however, on application to the Judge he does not obtain it, a duplicate will be issued in his favor, to enable him to draw his Invalid pension, provided, he will make affidavit that the original is not now in his possession, and state the company, regiment & lines in which he served. —
I am, respectfully, Your obed. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
(Signature)
Hon: Henry Shaw, House of Representatives.

THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY of the SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION
 President  GEORGE S. GODARD State Library, Hartford  Vice-Presidents Maj. CHARLES H. SPRAGUE Bridgeport  DENNIS A. BLAKESLEE New Haven  FRANK E. SANDS Meriden  Secretary  ROBERT F. BRADLEY 306 Meigs Bldg., Bridgeport  Treasurer  HARRY H. PRITCHARD 886 Main St., Bridgeport
 Registrar  F. CLARENCE BISSELL 1009 West Boulevard, Hartford  Historian  FRANK A. CORBIN 185 Church St., New Haven  Chaplain Rev. ORVILLE A. PETTY 395 Englewood Ave., New Haven  Necrologist  LEVERETT BELKNAP P. O. Box 734, Hartford  Trustee to National Society  WILLIAM W. BUCKINGHAM 444 Humphrey St., New Haven
 F. CLARENCE BISSELL, Registrar 1009 West Boulevard, Hartford
Feb. 19. 1929
DELEGATE AT LARGE
TRACEY B. WARREN
DELEGATES
WILLIAM G. BAXTER ELI BIRDSEY DENNIS A. BLAKESLEE CLARENCE BLAKESLEE WILLIAM H. BURR F. JOSEPH CHATTERTON FREDERICK A. DOOLITTLE ARTHUR C. KLOCK ARTHUR S. LANE A. MCCLELLAN MATHEWSON FREDERIC T. MURLLESS, JR. HANS C. OWEN JOHN M. PARKER, JR. EDGAR L. POND SEYMOUR N. ROBINSON ERNEST E. ROGERS FRANK E. SANDS CHARLES E. P. SANFORD WILLIAM A. SCHENCK JOHN A. SPAFFORD ALFRED SPENCER, JR. MARTIN WELLES HERBERT H. WHITE CLARENCE HORACE WICKHAM ARTHUR E. WOODRUFF
OTHER MANAGERS
WILLIAM H. ALLEN JOHN C. BRINSMAD ORLANDO H. BROTHWELL ALBERT F. CORBIN WILLIAM H. CORBIN REV. J. ROMEYN DANFORTH FRANK B. GAY WILSON H. LEE ROBERT W. LOVELL FRANCIS MAXWELL EDWARD J. MORGAN GEORGE C. ROSS EARNEST C. SIMPSON WILBUR F. TOMLINSON HARRY R. WILLIAMS DR. GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS
Secretaries of Local Chapters, ex-officio
WILLIS N. BARBER, Meriden F. JOSEPH CHATTERTON, New Haven FREDERICK A. DOOLITTLE, Bridgeport EARLE M. WOOD, Norwich ADRIAN L. MULLOY, Waterbury CHARLES A. QUINTARD, Norwalk MALCOLM D. RUDD, Salisbury ELMER H. SPAULDING, New London CHARLES G. STONE, Hartford HARRY E. TARGETT, Danbury
Comm. P. ...
Phan ... Phan ...
Richard Chase, born 1701; died 1815, a R.I. soldier, in Otis, Mass.
Feb 1929 F. P. ...