Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2395, Samuel Cowles, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born.
bowles, Samuel
R. 2395
CONTENTS

State of Connecticut Hartford County
ss Berlin September 19 th 1832
On this 19 th day of September A 1832. Personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for Berlin District now sitting, Samuel Loveles, a resident of Berlin, in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, aged 79 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 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st I was called out with the Regiment commanded by Col Butt of Danbury into the United States Service, our company was commanded by Capt Sloper of the Cavalry, we marched to New York & quartered in the city of New York, & were in service at this time about 3 weeks. This was in July 1776.
2 nd In the month of September of the same year, viz, 1776 I was called out in the service of the United States in the same company & Regiment of Horse, commanded by Col Butt, & the company by Capt Sloper, we marched to Peekskill, & thence to White Plains, in the State of New York, was there when Fort Washington was taken, and I served at this time three months.
3 rd In the month of October 1777 I was called into the United States Service in the same company but do not remember whether we had our Capt Sloper at

This time, or his Lieutenant Seth Downing, we marched to Pehskill again at this time, and to Red Hook, in the State of New York, & served at this time two months.
14 th In the month of October in the year 1779 I was again called into the United States Service with Capt. Storer's Company, at the New Haven Alarm, we marched to New Haven, and served at this time one week, making just six months service in all. I have no documentary evidence of any of my service. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Interrogatories - I was born in that part of Farmington which is now in Berlin in December 1752. I have no record of my age. I have lived in the same place to this time and was called into the service with the company of Horse as stated in my declaration & do not recollect other officers, and had no written discharge, & in answer to the 7 th Interrogatory would mention Royal Rohlings and Samuel Gales Hosea Haskell
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District

State of Connecticut Hartford County ss
Berlin September 19 th 1832
I John Cowles of Berlin in the County of Hartford Certify, That I was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War, & served in the same company of Horse with my Brother Samuel Cowles who has signed & sworn to the foregoing declara- tions - in the following terms - I was with said Sam- uel Cowles in Col Butts Regiment in Capt Slopers Com- pany of Horse in July 1776 we served at this time about three weeks at New York - and about the month of September in the same year we again went into the service together in Col Butts Regiment & Capt Slopers Company of Horse, we went to Peekskill & White Plains in the State of New York, and served at this time about three months - and in the year 1779 I was in the same company with my Brother at the New Haven Alarm & served about one week
I remember my Brother went into the service in the year 1777 as he has stated but I was not with him at this time, but have no doubt he served the time he states in two months
John Cowles
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District

State of Connecticut } ss Berlin Sept 19 th 1832 Hartford County }
I Amos Woodruff of Southington in the county of Hartford, hereby certify that I was in the service of the United States in the year 1777 in Captain Daniel Shepers company of Horse, which was at this time commanded by Seth Dunning and served at this time two months, and well remember that Samuel Cowles of Berlin was in the same company with me and served the same length of time in three months. I have always been acquainted with the said Samuel Cowles from that day to this time and he is a man of good moral character - a man of truth - and I have no doubt but he did all the service he has stated in his other declarations.
Amos Woodruff
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District
State of Connecticut } ss Berlin Sept 19 th 1832 Hartford County }
We Royal Robbins a clergyman residing in the town of Berlin, and Horace Haskell residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Cowles who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declarations: That we believe him to be 79 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion, he is a man of truth & sustain a good moral character. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Royal Robbins Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin Dist { Horace Haskell

13/52 Samuel books 6, t
Rejected
2395

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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, shewing the Service of Samuel Bowles 6t
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     July 1776 called above 21 Infantry Private 6th Hooper Col Dull Marble City N.Y. 79 born in Berlin 6t entered there, and now lives in same place   Sep 77 11 months 3 Infantry " " Pike's Hill White Plains N.Y.   Oct 1777 11 2 6th Storer Col Dunning N Haven   Dec 1779 11 7 Horse " "  
two surviving widows of soldiers his service Certificate of burgymen and a Citizen
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that 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 made. 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.

J. R. 7V.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
2395 - Sur
Bureau of Pensions,
Rev. War - Reg
Washington, D. C.,
January 22, 1901
Madam
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Samuel Bowles , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1776 21 days Pvt Slaper Bull Conn   Sept 1776 3 Mos " do do "   Oct 1777 2 " " do do "   Oct 1779 7 days " do do "  
Battles engaged in, None mentioned.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Berlin Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 19, 1807
Residence at date of application, Berlin Conn.
Age at date of application, 79 Years
Remarks: His Claim
Six m

7395 - Reg Samuel Cowley
Berlin ch Sept 19, 1832 - 79
Aug 76 Berlin ch Cape Shopper Cal Bull Pvt. 3 wks
Sept 76 Cape S Cal B Pvt 3 mos
Oct. 77 Cape Shopper Cal Bull Pvt 2 m
Oct. 78 Cape Shopper Cal Bull Pvt 1 wkr
Ref. Nat 6 m. service

on the State line between Barstow and Danbury, on the direct road. I am a D. A. R. through the said Samuel Cowles.

✓
J. R. 77
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Oct. 8, 1901
Madam
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or of the war of 1812 unless he or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land; and that under the rules such a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes.
The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers.
In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are requested to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
I am unable to trace the ancestry of Samuel Cowles. I do not find only one son of my grandfather Samuel Cowles. There are five Samuel Cowles in our family. I am unable to trace their names. Very respectfully,
Mrs. Rosalia R. Barker
H. Clay Grand
Commissioner.
Madison NY
Full name of soldier, Samuel Cowles
Where did he enter service? I do not know. Conn.
Under what officers did he serve?
Place of residence after service, Madison County Town Bridgefield New York State
Approximate date of death, 1836 or 38.
Given name of widow, Do not know
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? Do not know
Additional information, He died in town of North Brookfield Madison Co. New York State. Buried in town of Sangerfield was carried on the shoulders of his sons
Three miles for burial Mrs. Rosalia R. Barker
Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State, Madison Madison Co. New York

Oct. 9-1901 Mrs. Rosalie R. Barker Madison N.Y.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
2575.
P. O.
Samuel Cowles
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis.
Searched for _____
, 18

B.752 Samuel Lowden
Berlin Conn
Walt _____

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 the Rev. Royal Robbins who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Berlin - and that Horace Haskell, who has also signed the same is a resident of said Berlin. Both of them well known to the court, as credible persons, and their statement is entitled to credit, and the court would further state that Julius Cowles, who has signed and sworn to the foregoing certificate, is a Brother of the applicant, and an applicant himself - a resident of Berlin, man of good moral character - his statement is entitled to credit - Asaas Woodruff who has also signed & sworn to the foregoing certificate, is a resident of Southbridge - an applicant for a pension - is to the court personally unknown - upon whom, is referred to his application, as to his character there established before the Probate Court of Southbridge.
Certified by me Thomas Lee - Judge of Probate Berlin District

I George Washington Southworth Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Berlin do hereby Certify, that the foregoing contains the Original proceeding of the said in the matter of the application of Samuel Coreles for a Pension: And I also Certify, that Thomas Lee who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing, as above, is Judge of Probate, for Berlin District.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 19 th day of September A 1832. —
Geo. W. Southworth Clerk
Return requested to New Britain P. O. Hartford City Conn.