Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 29745, Vinson Curtis, Mass.

SERVICE
Kurtis, Vinson
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S 29745
CONTENTS

6962 Massachusetts
Pinson Curtis
of Hamp d Co in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Snow of the Reg t commanded by Col Gage in the War time for 2. years
72 Hampshire
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Jan y 1833 and due from 36 Date 4 th of Sept
Arrears to the 4th of Jan y 1833 $160 — Semi-ant l allowance ending 4 Sept " 40 — $200 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by S H S t Clair Clerk, Book D. Vol. 2 nd Page 94.

9290 Vinson Curtis
Private
2 years
Alma
Ha. L. C. Bates
$80-
A. P. Huntington Northampton Mass

9290  BRIEF in the case of  Vinson Curtis of Hampshire Co in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? about  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? no  3. How old is he? 71  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     75 Decr. 1 12 private Gen. Capt M c Coe Carey   76, thinks June In 17 6 " Capt Prufy Col Marshall   78-1 st July 3 " Capt Keith Col Sprout   78 June or July 8 " Capt Ellis Col Root   79 Augt. 1 12 " Capt Bonny Col Porter   80 July 3 " Capt Sheldon Col Murray   81 July or Augt. 3 " Capt Strong Col Sears  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bridgewater Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 6 living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Right 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk. 16 July 1833

9290
Vinson Curtis.
Stale troops.
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

DECLARATION,
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 7TH OF JUNE, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE. }
ON this thirteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before Samuel Hunkley Judge of the court of Probate now sitting, Vinson Curtis a resident of Plainfield in the County of Hampshire, and State of Massachusetts, aged 71 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 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
(In 1775 in December he served at Roxbury in Capt Knowl's company Col. Cane's regiment 6 weeks, but does not rely on this campaign for pension.)
In 1776 in June he thinks, he enlisted at Bridgewater Mass. as a private for 6 months & marched to Boston, thence by water to Noddle's Island, there stationed & there served six months in Capt Prentiss company, Col Marshall's regiment. The lieutenants were Gurney & Parks. 3 companies only were on the Island. In 1778 the first of January he enlisted again at said Bridgewater as a private to go to Rhode Island, marched to North Kingston R.I. & there stationed & served three months keeping guard on the shores in Capt Joseph Leth's company Lieuts Shaw & Packard Col. Sprouts regiment. In the same year, on the first of June or July he enlisted at Stoughton Mass as a private to go to the State of New York. He marched through Hartford, Danbury to White Plains where they joined the army, thence to West Point, there stationed about 6 months, thence to Stoney or Verplanck's point & there dismissed having served eight months . till the 1 st of February or March. He belonged to Capt John Ellis company Lieuts Griggs & Glover Col Poor's regiment, not annexed to a brigade. In August 1779 he enlisted at Farmington N.H. where he had removed, as a private to go to New London. He marched thither through Norwich to New London & there stationed & served 6 wks in Capt Bonney's company Lieuts Meach & Mitchell Col Porter's regiment. In 1780 in July he enlisted again at Farmington for 3 months, marched to West Point, there joined the army & there stationed & served three months in Capt Sheldon's company Lieuts Smith & Gates, Col Murray's regiment. In 1781 he enlisted for 3 months at Hatfield Mass. to go to Saratoga, there stationed & served 3 months in Capt Strong's company Lieuts Gates & Judson, Col Bears regiment at Schuylers Mills. He enlisted in July or August he thinks August. He sends proof of each term of service - Never received a written discharge.
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.
Before Samuel Hunkley Judge of Probate  Vinson Curtis
We, Vinson Curtis residing in the town of Plainfield and
well acquainted with Vinson Curtis hereby certify, that we are who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbor- hood 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 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 Samuel Hunkley who has signed the preceding certificate, is Judge of Probate resident in and that Vinson Curtis who has also signed the same, is a resident in and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Samuel Hunkley  Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Vinson Curtis for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Samuel Hunkley  Register

29 745 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29 745
Binson Curtis
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 94
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I, Philip Packard of Plainfield in the County of Hampshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawfull age do hereby and say that I am acquainted with Vesper Curtis of Plainfield in the County of Hampshire and common- wealth of Massachusetts and I am throwing to his service as a Private three months in the war of the revolution in the months of January February & March in the year 1778 in the Company Commanded by Capt Joseph Smith and Col Sprouts Regiment as a volunteer State troops in the vicinity of Rhode Island and the said deponent served in the same Company and same regiment and was Discharged about the same time Philip Packard
Hampshire ss. August 6 1832 Personally appeared Philip Packard above named and made Oath to the truth of the above evidence by him. Subscribed before me Asa Packard Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Philip Packard and that he is considered and reputed to be a person of truth and veracity.
Asa Packard Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire I Solomon Stoddard Clerk of the Inferior Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do hereby testify that Isaac Richman Esquire whose signature is affixed to the within Certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Hampshire duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Com- monwealth - and that full faith and credit is, and ought to be given to him and his attestation done in that ca- pacity - and that the signature to said certificate is known by me to be the hand writing of the said Isaac Richman
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Com- monwealth this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty two
S. Stoddard Clerk
Philip Packard.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. I Solomon Stoddard Clerk of the Inferior Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do hereby testify that Isaac Richman Esquire whose signature is affixed to the within Certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Hampshire duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Com- monwealth - and that full faith and credit is, and ought to be given to him and all the things done by him that au- thority - and that the signature to said certificate is known by me to be the hand writing of the said Isaac Richman
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Com- monwealth this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred thirty two
S. Stoddard Clerk
Philip Packard.

9290 Vinson Curtis
L.P. Huntington Northampton Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Pension Court which require further proof or explanation.
 I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes  II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes  III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____  IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes  V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes  VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes  VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes  VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes  IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes  X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes 

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant's period of service, 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 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the 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.
† QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

I Zachariah Gurney of North Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am acquainted with Winslow Curtis of Plainfield in the County of Hampshire and Common- wealth aforesaid and I am knowing to his serving as a private, six months, in the War of the revolution in the year 1776 in the company commanded by Capt. Smith and in Col d Marshall Regiment as a Volunteer, in the vicinity of Boston Massachusetts and I the said deponent served in the same company and same Regiment and was discharged about the same time. Zachariah Gurney
Plymouth ss. July 28 1832 Personally appeared the above named Zachariah Gurney and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him Subscribed before me
George Clark Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am acquainted with the above named Zachariah Gurney and that he is considered & reputed to be a person of truth and veracity
George Clark Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Wormwood. I John B. Brown Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court being a Court of Record in the County of Wormwood. I hereby certify that George Clarke Esq before whom the within affidavit was sworn is a Justice of the Peace in the County of Wormwood. And that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court at Wormwood on this thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
John B. Brown
Technical Survey

I William Melick of Cammington in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts having arrived to the age of eighty two years testify and declare that in the Month of August as near as I recollect 1779 I was honorably & Vindicated entering the service of the State of Massachusetts in a Regiment Commanded by Col Porter and a Company commanded by Capt Bonney and in which I served as Lieutenant and Marched to New London in the State of Connecticut and that we were gone from home on the expedition six weeks. William Melick Cammington August 10 1832
Hampshire ss August 10 1832 Personally appeared William Melick and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed before me Elizabeth Parkard Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that Wm Melick signer of the above affidavit sustains a good character for truth and veracity E Parkard Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire
Solomon Stoddard Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do certify that Elizabeth Packard Esquire whose signature is affixed to the within certificates was at the date thereof an of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County duly Commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth - and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity and that the signature to said certificates is known by me to be the hand writing of the said Elizabeth Packard
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
S. Stoddard Clerk

I believe Oliver Conney of Fossilborough in the County of Norfolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do hereby and say that I am acquainted with Simon Conney of Pleasant County of Hampshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts and I am knowing to his Service as a private in Capt. Ellis Company 1st Mass. Regiment State Troops of Massachusetts in the revolution war for the term of Eight months in the years 1778 and 1779 that I the said deponent served in the same Regiment for the same term of months and was discharged about the same time Oliver Conney
Norfolk ss July 28th 1832
Personally appeared the above named Oliver Conney and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me
Benjamin Russell Justice of the Peace
I here by certify that I am acquainted with the above named Oliver Conney and that he is considered & reputed to be a person of truth and veracity
Benjamin Russell Justice of the Peace

Norfolk ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Cairns Ware Clerk of the Judicial Court within and for the County of Norfolk hereby certify that Benjamin Reynolds Esquire is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly appointed Commissioned and sworn and that his signatures to the Certificates within are genuine and true.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth at Dedham this first day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Cairns Ware.

I Joseph Varimore of Goshen in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am acquainted with Vinson Curtis of Plainfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid and I am now knowing to his serving as a private three months in the War of the Revolution in the year 1791 at Saratoga State of New York in the Company commanded by Capt. Strong and in Col. Sears Regiment of State Troops and the said Deponent served in the same Company and same Regiment and was discharged at the same time Joseph Varimore
Hampshire ss. August 15 th 1832. Personally appeared the above named Joseph Varimore and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me
Frank Parkard Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Hampshire ss.
I Solomon Stoddard Clerk of the Inferior Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do certify that from Packard Ege whose signature is affixed to the within certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County duly Commissioned and acting under the authority of said Commonwealth and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity - and that the signature to said Certificate is known by me to be the hand writing of the said Irem Packard
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth this thirteenth day of August in the year of our L.C.O one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
S. Stoddard Clerk

I Lisa Gurney of Cummington in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts having arrived at the age Seventy three years testify and declare that I was personally knowing to Vincent Curtis entering the service of the State of Massachusetts in the Month of July 1788 and marched together from the County of Hampshire to West Point in the State of New York and served the term of three Months in Col Murray's Regiment of Artillery and Capt Sheldon of Southamption Company Cummington August 10 1832. Lisa Gurney
Hampshire ss August 10 1832 Personally appeared Lisa Gurney and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Statement by her subscribed before me Elizabeth Parkhurst Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that Lisa Gurney signers of the above affidavit bears a good character for truth and veracity Elizabeth Parkhurst Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss
I Solomon Stoddard Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do certify that Elphalet Park and Eguon whose signature is affixed to the within Certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County duly Commissioned and acting under the authority of the Commonwealth - and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity - and that the signature to said certificate is known by me to be the hand writing of the said Elphalet Park and
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
S Stoddard Clerk