Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17345, Eliphas Clap, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Clap, Eliphas.
S. 17345-
CONTENTS
carded

15402
Massachusetts
Eliphas Clap
of Norfork in the State of Mass who was a M t Fifer in the Company commanded by Captain Plympton of the Reg t commanded by Col. Miles in the Mass line for T mo s H ay Private 7 th V t Fifer
Mass
74 Norfolk
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 49 Dollars 58 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June 1833 and sent to Clap Nathaniel Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $99.16 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept th 24.79 $123.95
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by L. H. Addison Clerk Book E Vol. 2 d Page 12

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this first day of November in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court
before the Honorable Thorman D. Daland Judge of the Court of Probate for
sitting at Elliphas Clap in and for said County,
of Walpole in said County, aged seventy two 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 A. D. 1832. That he was born at said Walpole on the thirteenth
of September 1760 & that there is a record of his birth in the Town Records : THAT he was in the United States service from
the eighth day of December A. D. 1776 , to the twenty ninth day of Decem A. D. 1776 twenty one
as a fifer in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was
residing at Walpole
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Joshua Clap in Col.
Whulock's Regt.
: that he marched from Walpole to
Warwick , from Rhode Is to land from to where he served with other
Militia troops
at the end of his service received a verbal discharge & that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Walpole
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from
the twenty ninth day of December A. D. 1776 , to the twentieth day of January A. D. 1777 twenty two
as a private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was
residing at Walpole
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Joseph Lovell (no regt)
: that he marched from served at to Warwick
being there , from when he to enlisted from to with other Militia troops
the end of his service he recd a verbal discharge : that he was in no battle & at
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from
the twenty second day of April A. D. 1777 , to the twelfth day of May A. D. 1777 twenty
as a private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was
residing at Walpole
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Sabin Mann in Col. Whulock's
Regt
: that he marched from Walpole to
Pautuxet , from R Island to from to where he served with
other Militia troops
the end of his service received a verbal discharge : that he was in no battle & at
THAT he
upon the pension roll under the act of 18 as a in the
and that at the time
of his application, he was residing at
Also, that he was in the United States Service from the twentieth day of June A. D. 1778 to the fifteenth of July of the same year as a fifer in the Massachusetts Militia that he was residing at said Walpole when he entered the service that he was a volunteer & served for the period aforesaid under the command of Lieut Ezekiel Ware of Col. Ware's Regt. that he marched from Walpole to Rhode Island where he was stationed & served with other Militia troops. that he was in no battle & at the end of his service he received no written discharge.

Also that he was in the United States Service from the third day of November 1777 to the eighteenth day of April 1778 five months & fifteen days as a fifer in the Massachusetts Militia; that he was residing at said Walpole when he entered the service that he was drafted & served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Baker of Plympton in Col. Ebenezer Weld's Regt that he marched from Walpole to Boston & served in the neighborhood of Boston with other Militia troops; that he was in no battle & at the end of his service received a verbal discharge; that he has no documentary evidence of this service nor is there any person living by whom he can prove it.
Also: that he was in the United States Service from the twenty second day of June 1780 to the fourteenth day of December 1780 five months & twenty two days as a private in the Continental Army; that he was residing at said Walpole when he entered the service; that he enlisted & served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Reuben Bates in Col. Jemots Regt that he marched from Walpole to West Point through Springfield & from West Point to Jersey, & that he was at the taking of the Hessians, & at the end of his service he received a written discharge which is lost.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
1.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Elapho Clap
We Harvey Clark Esquire
residing in the said Walpole
and Jonathan Wiles
residing in said Walpole
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Eliphas Clap who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy two 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 as aforesaid.
Jonathan Wiles
2.
And the said court  judge do hereby declare their  his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court  judge further certify that it appears to them that Harvey Clark Esquire who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said Walpole ; and that Jonathan Wiles who has also signed the same is a resident in said Walpole and they are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit, the said judge further certifies that the said Eliphas Clap, by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend court for the purpose of making the above declaration  Elapho Clap
I Samuel Hovey, Register of the Board of Pensioners do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Eliphas Clap , for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
fourth day of June, A.D. 1833.
Samuel Hovey

22 He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary and served as he states,
I _____ of the _____ 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 hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day _____ year first aforesaid.

I Asa Kingsbury of Walpole, in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts age sixty five years testify and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, & served as a private in the company of Massachusetts Militia, stationed at Cambridge, under the command of Captain Ezekiel Plympton, for five months, com- mencing about the first of November 1777. That Eleazar Blake of said Walpole was also a soldier in the revolutionary war, & served several times with me, generally as a fife & although I cannot positively state the fact, I have no doubt that he served as a fife in the company of Captain Plympton, with me, for the time above mentioned.
Asa Kingsbury
Walpole 15 May 17 th 1833 I hereby certify that said Asa Kingsbury is a credible witness
Isaac D. Perkins
Eleazar Blake
EL

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Dec 7 th 1832.
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 the name of Eliphaug Clapp is borne upon a Master Roll of Capt Joshua Clapp's Company in Col. Whilock's Regt & is therein stated to have served as a piper for the period of twenty one days commencing December eighth 1776, also upon an Abstract of an Independent Company detached from the 4 th Regt of Massachusetts Militia under the command of Capt Joseph Lowell for in which he is stated to have served as a private for the period of twenty two days commencing December twenty ninth 1775. That the name of Eliphaug Clapp is borne also upon a Pay Roll of Capt Sabin Mann's Company in Col. Whilock's Regt in which he is stated to have served as a private for the period of twenty days commencing April twenty second 1777 also that the name of Eliphaug Clapp is borne upon a pay roll of Lieut. Stephen Wares Company in Col. Wadsworth's Regt & is therein stated to have served for the period of twenty five days commencing June twentieth, 1778 as a piper & also upon a Roll of the six months men raised by the Town of Walpole to reinforce the Continental Army & is therein stated to have served five months & twenty two days commencing June twenty second 1780.
I further certify that there upon an examination no Rolls of Capt. Ezekiel Plympton's Company were found of or the period of eight months commencing
Jonathan D. Wells
And the said Judge court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and

25.320
Clifford Clapp Walpole Mass
Private James 4 days Fife 7 " 1 "
Admiral
 23.33  -45  25.87  .13  49.58 
Harvey Clapp Walpole 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 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 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.
Ebenezer
A Statement, shewing the Service of Ebenezer Clap - Norfolk Mass
   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.     8 th Dec. 1776. vol d ✓ 21 fifer Capt Clap Col Mudgett 72 born at Walpole - Mass   29 th " " ✓ 22 Pr Cpl Local no Regiment entered the service at said place and now resides in same place   20 Apr. 77. ✓ 20 private Cpl Mann Col Mudgett   July. 78 ✓ 25 fifer Ware Col Wade   3 rd Nov. 77 ✓ 5 15 fifer Cpl Plympton Col Wild traditional   June '80 ✓ 5 22 private Duty Col Snoddy Documents   1 2 5  
50 120 14 120
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
7700 days service 7-4

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) _____, who has 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 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.

17 345 INVALID.
File No. 17 345
Elphas Clap
Pr Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 431
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Wapakoneta, O. June 5 th 1863
Dear Sir,
Hon J. L. Edwards, Com r of Pensions, Washington D. C.

Walpole, Massachusetts June 5 th 1833
Dear Sir,
I herewith forward you Eliphas Clapp's application for a Pension under the Act of June 7 th 1832. and let me assure you that it would be a deed of charity if the same could be immediately acted upon he is poor and has been confined ever since last August by a shock of the Palsy and is dependant upon relations, for assistance, who are not able to render the same without distressing themselves & families.
Hon J. L. Edwards Com r of Pensions Washington D.C.
Yours very Respectfully
Harvey C. Clapp Post Master Walpole Mass.