Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19239, Solomon Churchill, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Churchill, Solomon
S. 19239
carded
CONTENTS

274221 Massachusetts
see letter to J. Bartlett Nov. 10. 18124
Simon Churchill of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Churchill of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cotton in the War line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 10 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March; 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of May 1834 and sent  to Mr. Simon Churchill Esq. P.S.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $ 120.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 st Sept.  20.00 $140.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. G. Adams Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 3 Page 15
71 Pym

23095 Solomon Churchill
Depositions William Burges John Burges

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this seventeenth day of Augt 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Solomon Stickney  Judge of the Court of Common pleas now sitting at Plymouth within and for said County of Plymouth, Simon Churchill a resident of Plymouth in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 69 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, 1832. 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That as a substitute for one of his brothers, he entered in the Revolutionary war into a company commanded by Capt Stephen Churchill, & afterwards by Lt John Washburn, he thinks sometime in the year 1777 & did duty as a private in the garrison & fort on the Gurnet where stands Plymouth Light, at the entrance of Plymouth harbor full two years. He was in that service when the Brig - Gent - trademan Capt Magee was wrecked in said Harbor, & lost 80 of his men.
If he ever had a discharge there is lost
He was born in said Plymouth, where he has always lived, but

— but have no record of his birth
There was substitute for Maudal Churchill
My name is on no pension Roll, & I narrowly escape pension but the present.
For character he refers
Major Joseph Thomas & Dr James Thacher of Plymouth
Solomon Churchill
Sworn to and subscribed on the seventeenth day of August aforesaid before the Court of Common Pleas Attest W. B. Warner Clerk

We, James Hendall a clergyman, residing in the town of Plymouth and Zachary Bartlett residing in the Plymouth hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Solomon Churchill who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 69 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. James Hendall Z Bartlett before the Court of Common Pleas
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 soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that James Hendall who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Plymouth and that Zachary Bartlett who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Plymouth and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the Court W. Morris Clerk
I, W. Morris Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Solomon Churchill for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
W. Morris Clerk

I Solomon Churchill of Plymouth Massachusetts — In Explanation of My First Declaration of the date Aug 17 th 1832 To Testify that I did Not Intend In Said declaration To — affirm, as Government seems to have understood Me — To say, that I Enlisted at once For two years & Served two years. Under that Enlistment, For I am unable to declare Under the Oath that I have taken — that I Subscribed any Enrollment at the time of Entering that Service, Being a substitute For My Brother Mendeal Churchill — My Belief & Certain Knowledge is that, fulfilled His Engagement & that, after that Engagement was fulfilled I served on my own account in that Garrison enough to complete two years on the Whole —
& that I have taken long & Expensive Pains to find other Living of Testimony, & the Evidence of Records to Sustain my Claim in Vain, Unless the Gross Deficiency of My officers as to Returns & the Consequent Silence or absence of state Records Will answer My Purpose P s — Solomon Churchill
Plymouth Mass, Feby 6 th 1834 Then said Solomon Churchill, was sworn & made oath to the truth of this declaration, before me Lachin Bartlett Justice of peace

Solomon Church Ills
New Declaration
Leahy Bartholm Switzer perce

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Christopher Sprague Thomas Clerk of the Superior Court for said County, of Plymouth, hereby certify that Zacharias Bartlett before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn is a justice of the peace for the County of Plymouth - And that I believe his name there subscribed to be his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Superior Judicial Court on this eighth day of February A.D. 1834.
C. Sprague Thomas

23095 Solomon Church Hill
Printed Sheet
Surf
MC
John B Thomas Plymouth Massachusetts

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
188
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 Solomon Churchill  Plymouth Mass
   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.     1777 2 — — private Capt Bob Churchill Served at the fort at the entrance of Plymouth Bay harbor none mentioned Mass 64 years Two living witnesses  
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) _____, 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him; two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must 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.
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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Solomon Churchill , 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. S file 19239
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     77 Versa in all at various times Pvt. Stephen Churchill Lt. John Washburn (Rts at the Gurnet) (Plymouth harbor) Mass                        14 term + Sub. for brother Mendeal Churchill
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Plymouth, Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug. 17, 1832.  Allora S. Residence at date of application, Plymouth, Mass. Age at date of application, 69  Plymouth, Mass.
Remarks: _____ _____ _____

Record Division.
November 30, 1909.
Mr. A. H. Churchill, # 99 John Street, New York City, N. Y.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 17" and received the 18" instant, relative to Solomon Churchill, Sur. File No. 19,239, Revolutionary War, whose history was furnished you under date of January 22, 1907, you are advised that it is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one statement of service to the same person.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War pension records fails to afford any information in regard to Amaziah Churchill described by you.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

99 JOHN STREET,
NEW YORK CITY.
Nov. 29 th 1909
Hon. Vespasian Warner, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Some time ago I wrote to your Department asking for the war records of two pensioners of the War of the Revolution. Not having received any response I assume that my former letter went astray and now give you once more the names and dates of the parties about whom I am enquiring;
Solomon Churchill of Plymouth, Mass. (Born July 27 1762 Died Apr. 10 1835)
Amaziah Churchill of Plymouth, Mass. father of above { Born Nov. 29 1721 - Died May 21 1813
Thanking you in

advance for this information, I am Yours truly,
A. H. Churchill - 99 John Street New York City -

(Revolutionary Records)
99 JOHN STREET,
NEW YORK CITY.
Nov. 17 th 1909
To The Honorable The Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Kindly oblige me with a transcript of the records in your Department covering the war service of Solomon Churchill (Born July 27 th 1762) Died Apr. 10 th 1835) of Plymouth, Massachusetts, a private in the War of the Revolution.
Please also search for a possible war service in the case of his father, Amaziah Churchill (Born Nov. 29 th 1721) Died May 21 st 1813)

Also of Plymouth, Mass.
A prompt response will be greatly appreciated.
Yours very truly,
A. H. Churchill.

99 JOHN STREET,
NEW YORK CITY.
January 21 st 1907
Hon. Vespasian Warner Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Kindly furnish me with whatever information your records may contain concerning the service, regiment, (or vessel, if found to have been in the naval service,) and disability of the pensioner indicated below.
Any other facts, of personal or genealogical interest, revealed by your records, would also be gratefully appreciated.
Yours truly,
Arthur H. Churchill -
Revolutionary Claim under Law of 7 th June 1832 Solomon Churchill of Massachusetts; - private. Certificate dated May 23 rd 1834 and recorded in Book E. Volume 2, Page 15.

P 19239
INVALID.
1907 Jan'y. 28. History to Arthur H. Churchill c
1909 Nov. 30 - To above - dupli- cate hist. not furnished - P
File No. 19239
Almon Churchill
Rev. New York
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 68
[Arrangement of 1870.]

We the undersigned, inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth, and Magistrates of the County of Plymouth in the state of Massachusetts, hereby represent. That we are personally well acquainted with William Burdick John Burdick and Solomon Churchill - That they are natives of this Town and vicinity, and have lived among us during their whole lives, or nearly so. We can further say without qualification, that their characters for truth and integrity are entirely unexceptionable - and their statements of any matters within their personal knowledge, with or without oath, would be fully relied on in our community.
Plymouth 8 th April 1834
Wm. Thomas Joseph Bartlett Junr Hoseter Cottora M c M c Manus Nath l Lee Davis

John L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of pen- sions
Washington D.C.

Plymouth, Mass. Nov. 4. 1834
Sir
Solomon Church of this town lately pensioned for military service in the Revolution, has requested me, to ask you to transmit to him, or to me, all his documents about pension. He gives as his reason for thus troubling you in the matter, that he has a hope he shall yet be able to satisfy Government that his whole claim should be allowed.
Since my note of the 8th ult, informing you, that a copy of a State warrant in favor of Solomon Bartlett, & others applicable to the petitions of W m & John Burgess for a pension, was forwarded to you in Augt. I have seen my son from Boston, who mailed it there at the time stated. If you have rec d it, & have decided in the claims of said son of John, short of amount of what

— they still think is covered by their de- clarations. They beg with their docu- ments to be returned, for the same rea- son as Solomon Churchill.
Regretting to trouble you so much upon this subject, I am with great respect your obedt. Servt. Leachey Bartlett

John Burgess for Solo Schwanke

I John Burges of Plymouth, Massachu- setts, a private in the war of the Revolu- tion under the command of Lt John Washburn for two years at the Gurnet, so called, in a garrison at the entrance of said Plym- outh harbor, where stood the light house and where were six mounted cannon during the said war - testify that when I entered said company Solomon Churchill of the same Plymouth, now a prisoner for a pension, was a private in the same company and for one year after. From a clear recollection of conversation with a brother of mine, who had been in the same company a private for one year before I joined it, I feel no doubt that said Churchill had been there as a soldier during the pre- ceding year. To the best of my memory memory the war was in 1780- John Burges
Plymouth, Mass. December 2 - July 17. 1832 Then said John Burges subscribed to an affidavit to the truth of this deposition & I deal one him a credible witness. Zacheus Bartlett Just of peace

No 6 - W m Burgess for Sole Churchmen With his petition

I William Burges of Plymouth, Massachusetts a soldier in the war of the Revolution, at various times & places, testify that I was a private in a company commanded by Lt John Washburn of said Plymouth. I believe in 1779, in the garrison at a place called the Gleanet at the entrance of Plym- outh harbor where stands the lighthouse. At the time I arrived in said garrison I will re- member that Solomon Churchill of the same Plymouth was a private in the same company into which I was placed in said garrison. To the best of knowledge & recollections I believe he must have served over two years -
William Burges
Plymouth, Massachusetts July 16 1832 Then William Burges above said subscribed & made oath to the truth of this deposition before me, and I declare him a credible witness
Lachens Brewster Justice of peace

207 Sam Bartlett for Solomon's hill

I Samuel Bartlett of Plymouth, Mass. in which setts, sixty five years of age - testify, that I have always lived in said Plymouth, & was often at the Garrison on the Grevet at the entrance of said Plymouth harbor in the time of the Revolution, & sometimes passed the night there with some of my relatives, who were soldiers in the Gar- rison, I have a clear recollection of seeing Stephen Churchill there as Commander of the company, & John Walbridge as his Lieutenant, & from time to time saw Solomon Churchill, now applying for a pension, there as a soldier in the Garrison, but have no knowledge in what year of the war, but it seems to the best of my recollection that these visits must have covered more than a year. Samuel Bartlett
Plymouth ss. Massachusetts, Feb. 5th 1834 Then said Samuel Bartlett subscribed & made oath to the truth of this affidavit and I declare him to be a credible wit- ness. Lecheus Bartlett Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Know all men by these presents: I Nathaniel, Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of Plymouth, do hereby certify that Laurens Bartlett signed before me the foregoing deposition as true in all parts of the whole for the County of Plymouth, and that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his free act & proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and impressed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court on this eighth day of February A.D. 1834
Nathaniel

DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
PENSION OFFICE, June 27, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted by the Secretary of War for carrying into effect the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, entitled "an Act supplementary to an "Act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution."
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.
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 exists in this Department, all person 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 before the of the _____ A. B. a resident of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District _____ aged _____ years, who being first duly sworn, ac- cording to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to ob- tain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year _____, with _____ and served in the _____ regiment of the _____ line, under the following nam- ed 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.]
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, 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, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
1
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.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will receive detailed instructions, respecting the nature and form of the testimony, they must produce, to secure their being placed on the Pension Roll. As the presumption will, in such cases, be against the applicants, in consequence of the omission of their names in the muster rolls, they will be required to furnish, as near as may be, the same evidence as has heretofore been required, by the Regulations and practice adopted for carrying into effect the act of Congress, of March 18, 1818, and the acts supplementary thereto; with such relaxations as have been from time to time, sanctioned by the Department, on account of the rapid decrease of the survivors of the Revolutionary Army, and the consequent difficulty of procuring direct positive testimony in every case.
Wherever an officer or non-commissioned officer is now in the receipt of a pension, he should make application, if entitled to the benefits of this act, by letter merely, setting forth his rank, and the regiment, corps or vessels, in which he served, and his present place of residence. His pension certificate must accompany his letter.
In those cases where the applicants have once been on the pension roll, under the act of March 18, 1818, and have been dropped therefrom on account of property, or for any other reason, or where applica-

tion has been made under the act of May 15th, 1828, and the evidence of service is in the Departments, or having made application and proof of service, and having been rejected, instead of the above declaration they will make a statement, setting forth, under oath, their having been previously on the pension roll, and their having been struck from the same, showing their rank, the regiment, corps or vessel in which they served, their present place of residence, and their place of residence when the first application was made, or of their application under the act of 15th May, 1828.
In a case where a claimant may make personal application at this Department, and can produce satisfactory proof of service, and of his identity also, at the seat of government, he may make his declaration before a justice of the peace.
2. The case of the State troops volunteers and militia is different. There are in the Department no rolls of the State troops, except those of Virginia; and no rolls of the militia, except those of New Hampshire.
Applicants, who served in the State troops of Virginia, and applicants, who served in the militia of New Hampshire, will be required to produce the same proof, as is prescribed for those, who served upon the Continental Establishment. But, with respect to the other State troops and militia, there is no record to advert to, and no presumption to be rebutted. The nature of the case, therefore, demands a different rule of proceeding.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except as is above provided, will make and subscribe the following declaration:
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State, Territory or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of _____ now sitting, A. B. a resident of _____ in the County of _____ State, Territory or District of _____ aged _____ 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; the day (if possible) and the month and year when the claimant entered the service, and the time when he left the same; (and if under more than one engagement, he must specify the particular periods, and the rank and names of his officers;) the town, and County or State, in which he resided, when he entered the service; whether he was drafted, was a volunteer or a substitute; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; the country through which he marched; the continental regiments or companies with which he served; and the names of some of the Regular Officers whom he knew, together with such farther particulars as may be useful in the investigation of his claim; and also, if the facts be so, that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency of the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
C. D.
And then will be annexed the following certificate:
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 _____ 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 _____ 18____ &c.

The form of the proceedings and of the certificates will be so varied, as to meet the case, when the declaration is made out of Court, before a Judge, as hereafter provided for.
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, 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, 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 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? 
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 service 
 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. To require from the applicants positive proof of service from a contemporary survivor would, after the lapse of so many years, be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law. And as no presumption is raised against the Militia by the existence of Rolls in the Department, there is no good reason why this requisition should be extended to them. On the other hand, to receive the declaration of the parties, as a sufficient ground for placing them upon the Pension Roll, without corroborating circumstances, would be to open the Treasury to great frauds. A just medium seem to present the best rule for carrying into effect the objects of Congress.
If the two persons, whose certificate is required, cannot be produced in Court, without too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant, then the statement of the facts and opinions, above mentioned, will be made under oath before some Judge or Justice of the Peace, and the certificate of the Court to the situation and credibility of the persons making the statement will be given.
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.
 3. Persons serving in the marine forces.  4. Indian Spies. 
Each of these two latter classes of cases will produce proof, as nearly as may be, conformably to the preceding regulations, and authenticated in a similar manner, with such variations as the different nature of the service may require.
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.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Jan ry 29, 1834.
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 names of Mendal Church & William Bartlett are on "A Return of the Company mustered under the command of Andrew Sampson stationed in the Fort on the Gurnet" dated May 20, 1777. the above Company were mustered before G. Partridge Muster Master for the County
Annexed to the above is another "Return of the number & state of the Company stationed at the Gurnet Commanded by Capt. Andrew Sampson " containing Fifty six men, without their names, being mentioned - "Some of this Company havin enlisted into the Continental service is the reason of its not being full." Signed, The o Cotton Col o of the 1 st Reg t Plymouth 30 th Sept r 1777. - in the County of Plymouth.
It also appears by a record in this Office that Stephen Churchill was appointed Captain of a Company at the Gurnet April 8, 1778, and John Washburn a Lieut t of the same Company, Jan ry 3, 1778. By another Document signed by Stephen Churchill as Captain,

is "a List of my Company in the fort on the Gurnet- Head at Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts Bay. and the Ration they Draw Viz. 1 Capt, 1 L t & 49 Privates."
Ex o M.
but not a name given except the Captain who signs
Boston June 9 th 1778. H s Stephen Churchill Captain.
Edward D Bangs. Secy