Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29708, Pliny Chamberlin, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Chamberlin, Pliny or Chamberlain, Pliny Martha
S. 29708
B.L.Wt. 17724-160-55
CONTENTS

dropt: see letter to P. W. G.
Oct. 23. 1834 do. L.P.
Chamberlain, May 1. 1835 =
let to James Stebbins Aug 22. 35
let to F. Henshaw March 6. 1831
3 rd Auditor " " "
71 Hampden
Resold on the 1st of ... Sept at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Resold on the 27th day of Feb to ... House at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Resold on the 27th day of Feb to ... House at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

St. H. ... Jan 15 1856
... 1856 ...
May 4/55
Martha Chamberlain ... Mary Chamberlain ...
Col. Starr ... A. ...
No 17724 ...
Rev. Wan
at ... Feb. 25 1856,
... B. ...
Vol. ... 102.
Foster ... Present

12.782

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden J.S.B.
On this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared Pliny Chamberlain in open Court, before the Hon. Oliver B. Morrill Judge of the Court of Probate (the same being a Court of Record) now sitting, in Springfield in said County. Pliny Chamberlain a resident of Palmer in the County of Hampden aforesaid aged sixty nine 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.
In the month of May in the year 1780 I enlisted as a soldier into the Connecticut Militia under Capt. Mathew Bowen of Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut for the term of six months and forthwith reported myself with them to Lt Col Thomas Grosvenor of Pomfret in Conn. who took our names and we were returned as belonging to the Regiment commanded by Col. Hazz of New Milford in the Brigade of Genl Huntington of Norwalk Conn. and we marched immediately to Danbury in Conn. and drew provisions and a Cantine and thence by the most direct route to Nelson's point near West Point and joined the Continental Army. When I was put under the command of Capt - Shumway of Mansfield in Conn. in the said Regiment & Brigade. We were drilled and manoeuvred for a month or six weeks at Nelson's point & then marched into the State of New Jersey - We were employed in service in various parts of New Jersey until we went late in the fall of the year into winter quarters at Nelson's point where I was discharged by a written discharge signed by an officer (whose name I do not recollect) in the month of December next following. I passed the guard by exhibiting my written discharge to several sentries and returned home to Woodstock aforesaid. I continued in the service for the term of my enlistment and was detained by my officers for one additional month to go out under command most of the time for the purpose of taking forage and provision for the supply of our Army and to prevent the same from falling into the hands of our Enemies in this duty we marched as far South as Woodbridge The term of my service as a Soldier was Seven months When I entered the service I resided in Woodstock aforesaid. My native place (as I have been informed by my Parents) was (1763) in Willington in the State of Connecticut - I was a volunteer -

I do not know that record of my age was ever made or now exists. I was in 20 battles or engagements in said service.
Of the Regular officers I recollect Genl Washington and Genl Parsons & Genl Patterson & Genl Knox of the Artillery Lieutenant Allen & Engr. Tiffey had a command in our Company - our Regimental Adjutant was - Army of New London or Norwich. Our Sergeants were Browning & Hendy & our Serjeant was Corporal
When Major Andre was taken out by the guard at Tappan to be executed I saw him & the guard & was near him when executed. Not knowing that my discharge would be of any further use to me I carelessly lost the same. Since the Revolutionary War I have lived for the whole time in Woodstock & Killingsly and Pomfret in Conn. and in Monroe, Ware, and Palmer in Massachusetts.
I was born as I am informed in 1763.
I have no documentary evidence and that I know of no person in this vicinity except Rufus Bangs whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service as a Soldier, except Silas Johnson whose deposition accompanies this declaration - Rufus Bangs and Rufus Shaw are the names of persons to whom I am known in my present neighborhood & who can testify to my character for truth & morality and their belief of my service as a Soldier of the Revolution.
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.
Pliny Gurneelin
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid

I Reuben Shaw residing in Palmer in the County of Hampshire hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Pliny Chamberlain who has submitted an oath to the above declaration that I believe him to be sixty nine years of age and that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion
Reuben Shaw
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
And the said Court, after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department do hereby declare their opinion that the above named Pliny Chamberlain was a Revolutionary soldier and served as his Master, & the said Court do further certify that it appears to them that Reuben Shaw who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in said Palmer - & is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
I Justin Willard Register of said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Pliny Chamberlain for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two J Willard Register

DECLARATION FOR WIDOW
Who has never received Bounty Land.
STATE OF Massachusetts
County of Worcester
} ss.
On this 23 rd day of April 18 55 , personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, (duly authorized by law to administer oaths,) Martha Chamberlain , aged 93 years, a resident of Brimfield in the County and State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Pliny Chamberlain , deceased, who was a Soldier , in the company commanded by Captain
commanded by Col. _____ in the war with with Great Britain Dedham July 4, 1876
That her said husband entered the service of the United States at Worthington Conn. on or about the _____ day of _____ 18____, for the term of Six months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of at least fourteen days, and was honorably discharged from said service as will appear by the Muster Rolls of said company, not having any knowledge of the manner of her said husband's discharge. She further states that she was married to the said Pliny Chamberlain in the County of Wingham State of Conn on or about the _____ day of _____ 18 88 , by Williams a Justice of the Peace , and that her name before her said marriage was Martha Billon , that her said husband died at Brimfield , on the 9 th day of August , 18 40 , and that she is still a widow.*
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1855, never having received Bounty Land under this or any other act, nor made any other application for Bounty Land except the present.
Wester Henshaw of Washington D.C. is hereby authorized to prosecute this my claim and to receive any warrant that may be issued hereon.
Martha Chamberlain
AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.
We, Martha Chamberlain and Rachel R. Hodges residents of the County and State aforesaid, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the above Martha Chamberlain , in our presence; and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. And we further declare that we were well acquainted with the said Pliny Chamberlain and Martha Chamberlain his wife (now the widow) during the life time of the former, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to have been so generally reputed. That her said husband, the said Pliny Chamberlain died at Brimfield on the 9 th day of August 18 40 , and that she is still a widow; and that they have no interest in this claim.
Martha Chamberlain
Rachel R. Hodges
MAGISTRATE'S CERTIFICATE.
The foregoing declaration, and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
James S. Davis J. P.
COUNTY CLERK'S CERTIFICATE.
STATE OF Massachusetts
County of Worcester
} ss.
I hereby certify that James S. Davis Esq., before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, is and was, at the time of taking the same, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County  office , this twenty sixth day of April A.D. 18 55 . Jo. Mason Clerk.
* If no public or private record of the marriage exists, or can be procured, state the fact in the declaration, after the word widow; and in such case, such other evidence, such as the testimony of persons who knew the parties in the lifetime of the husband, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to be so reputed, will be admissible.
If a public or private record exist, an authenticated copy thereof must be furnished; if it be a private record, the authenticated copy thereof must be accompanied with the affidavit of some disinterested person, proving the genuineness of the original, and that the copy certified is a true and correct copy of it.
A certificate from the clergyman or magistrate who solemnized the marriage is not competent evidence, unless the genuineness of the certificate be proved, and the person who gave it be shown to have been authorized to solemnize marriages.

(Copy)
Pension Office. March 6. 1857
Sir:
I enclose herewith, the vouchers in the case of Pliney Chamberlain, deceased, for arrears of Pension.
Mr. Chamberlain was inscribed on the rolls, under the Act of 7 June 1832, at the rate of $23 \frac{33}{100} per Annum, for Seven Months' Service; but, upon a re-examination of his case, it was found that he served but five months & eleven days. He was accordingly dropped from the rolls, on the 23rd. of October 1834.
Very respectfully your Oblt Servt. J. G. Heath. Commr of Pensions
Mrs. S. Gallagher Esqr. Third Auditor

Washington May 3 d 1855
Dear Sir
I herewith enclose the application for bounty land for Martha Chamberlin. As she would not give the names of the officers under whom her husband served, I return a letter to you which I received from the Pension Office in March 1851 which may establish her claim.
Yours & c
Hon. L. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions
Foster Henshaw

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden Co.
I Rufus Bugbee of Palmer in the County of Hamp- -den of lawful age do testify and say that I am within two days of being eighty three years of age and I have always been told by my parents that I was born in Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut and have seen my birth recorded on the town Books in said Woodstock so as to make me of the age aforesaid My home has always been in Woodstock until about nine years since I removed to Palmer aforesaid. When I lived in said Woodstock and in Palmer I familiarly knew Pliny Chamberlain now residing in said Palmer. I have known said Pliny from boyhood. I also knew his father Peter Chamber- lain of Woodstock and his Grandfather John Chamberlain of Woodstock who was a Deputy Sheriff. said Pliny worked for me when he was a young man. In 1700 I remember that Capt Matthew Brown of Woodstock enlisted troops for the army - and that Capt Brown came to said Pliny and proposed to enlist him as a soldier - said Pliny told him he had no coat - then Capt Brown took his own coat from his back and said to Pliny take it - and thereupon the said Pliny agreed to enlist as a soldier. On the first day of May 1700 the troops enlisted by Capt Brown went off to join the army From that time said Pliny was absent from the town of Wood- stock for more than six months. It was currently reported and believed in the neighborhood where we resided that said Pliny was with the Army and that he made a good soldier after
being discharged for a while. Rufus Bugbee That is Pliny is a son of Peter and Mary his wife Full legal of his coming to the place of his birth Hampden Co. August 21 1832. The Rufus Bugbee above named personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Before me James Stebbins Justice of the Peace

Warrington ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss
I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampshire do hereby certify that James Robbins Esqr. before whom the within deposition was verified is a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampshire and that his name thereto subscribed is his true & genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

No 12. 782
Pliny Chamberlain Palmer Mass
Admitted
7 th private
Capt Dowe's Col. Grossman
Enlisted 5 July 1860 - discharged 16 Dec 1860 - 5 mo & 11 day
on roll
July 5: to Dec. 16. 1860
Rejected. 1 st Clio to claimant 10 Jan
Hono. Isaac C. Bates 1834
H. Re. Palmer Mass

BRIEF in the case of Henry Chamberlain of Hampden County, in the State of Massachusetts. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 69 Years.  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. As a Gen.     X In 1780 — 7. — private Capt. Matthew Bowen, 60 th Mass.   X enlisted for six months but served seven —  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wingham Connecticut.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Service proved by Elias Johnson & Rufus Briggs —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No. 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
B. F. Pleasant Examining Clerk.

Brimfield Massachusetts July 14. 1856.
I Martha Chamberlain hereby certify that I was married to Pliny Chamberlain in the County of Pomfret State of Connecticut by a justice of the peace by the name of Williams I was married in the year 1786 in the month of June I am now ninety four years old I further state that I cannot find any record of my marriage neither can I find any living witness who was present at the wedding. I further state that I am the widow of the iden- tical Pliny Chamberlain who was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army and was dropped from the pension rolls because his service was only five months and eleven days. Attest Hiram C. Brewster Justice of the Peace
Henry F. Brown of Brimfield Reuben Rogers of Palmer Mass (W. B. Bartol) Justice of the Peace State of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss. February 14 th 1856 Then the above named Martha Chamberlain who is well known to me and who I know to be the widow of Pliny Chamberlain made oath before me that the above statement is true
Henry F. Brown Justice of the Peace
We the undersigned hereby certify that we have long been acquainted with Pliny Chamberlain and his wife Martha Chamberlain and we know them to live together as husband and wife and they were so considered and that they brought up a large family of children and her husband Pliny Chamberlain is dead and his wife Martha Chamberlain is still a widow we further certify likewise that this

Identical Pliny Chamberlain was a soldier in the revolutionary army and was dropped from the rolls as we have always been informed because his service was only five months and eleven days
Attest
Hiram C. Powers Reuben Rogers
Henry F. Brown of Brimfield Norman S. Powers of Brimfield
State of Massachusetts County of Hampshire ss February 14 th 1856 Then the above named Hiram C. Powers & Reuben Rogers made oath before me to the truth of the above statement
Henry F. Brown Justice of the Peace

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN, ss.
I, George B. Morris, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that
Henry J Brown Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, 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 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 I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said
Henry J Brown and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine: also that the instrument hereto annexed, purports to be duly executed and acknowledged, according to the laws of this Commonwealth, for the purposes therein expressed.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said Commonwealth, this fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six
Geo B Morris
Clerk.

29 708 INVALID. Rev
File No. 29 708
Pliny Chambelain Rev Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870.]

✓ 17.724
S Newtons

Em: Act 32, map:
Boston

Commonwealth Bank Pays H. Boston Oct 27. 1834
Sir
I have dropped the name of King Chamberlain from the Roll as directed by Yours of Dec r 3 rd inst. He has been paid nothing at this Agency.
Very Respectfully Yours m c . ob t S r .
John R. Simpson Dec r 5
To J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Palmer (Mass) August 13 th 1835
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
Mr Pliny Chamberlain of the town of Palmer has received from the proper Officers of the Govt a Pension Certificate as a Revolutionary pensioner with directions to receive his money at the bank of Govt deposits at Boston - He has executed a power of attorney to get the money but the Officers of the bank say that they have no orders to pay over the money - Some mistake has occurred which prevents his getting the money & he requests, to know why the amount due upon it is not directed to be paid - You will confer a favor upon the poor old man

by making such arrangements, as to enable him to secure the money. He would be pleased to hear from the Commission of persons expecting it. - The above is written for him at his request.
Yours Respectfully For Mary Chamberlain James Stebbins

Dear Sir
Ware April 27. 1835
Pliny Chamberlin of Palmer Mass. has received a certificate of his right to a pension of $23.33. per yr. He has sent twice to Boston to obtain obtain his money but has been refused. The Pension Agent says that no such name has been forwarded to him & he can not pay without orders from you. Will you have the kindness to forward the requisite orders to Boston
I oblige Pliny Chamberlin By Stebbins & Hyde his attys

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Phiney Chamberlain 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 clergyman, but a citizen
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."

Adams
Free
280 c. 1633
Power and Office
Palmer Method Dec 24 th
Hon: Lewis Cass Secretary of War, Washington City, District of Columbia
Palmer Method Dec 24 th

Palmer December 21 st 1833
Hon. Lewis Cass
Sir
I made application to the Government for time under the late general service or a pension for Revolutionary services & sent forward all my papers to your office with the boundaries of time & received no return from them. Be good as to inform me by mail whether the papers have been passed upon - or what further is required of me
Yours Respectfully
Phoebe Chamberlain
The name is spelled Phoebe Chamberlain

Pension papers
Free 12.782 Lewis Capps Secretary at War Washington City (D.C.)
Palmer B Sept 7
Hon. Lewis Capps
Sept 23

Palmer Sept 1832.
Hon Lewis Cass
Sir
I herewith send my papers Claiming a pension under a late act of Congress. Be pleased to give them early attention & should there be any defect in them give me immediate notice. Should my application be denied my country will do me late Justice & assist me in my poverty to obtain support for myself & those connected with me in life. Drafts payable at the Boston branch bank of the United States bank will accommodate me
Yours Respectfully
Pliny Chambl
lin

I Silas Johnson of Stockbridge in the County of Hampshire, & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty nine years, do testify & say; I enlisted into the Continental Army, at Woodstock in Connecticut, for six months, in July 1780 - I went di- rectly to New York Point, East of the North River, opposite to West Point, where I was mustered by Col. Ebenezer Slocum, & ordered into Sherman's Regiment & Puffin's Brigade - our Company being called the Col's Company - Lt. Benjamin & Captain Matthew H. Gregory - We marched through Peter- kill to Kings Ferry, then we crossed the River, to Smith's Whitehouse - then to various places in New Jersey - some of places to which we went were, Hightstown, Hopewell, Assun- pink, Shippensburg - we were near the place when Andree was executed - afterwards we crossed the River & marched to the Highlands, into Winter quarters, where we were after- wards discharged; after having served out my full term of six months. I further testify, that King Chamberlain was an applicant for a Pension, and a resident of Pal- mer in the County of Hampshire, who was then a resi- dent of Woodstock aforesaid, a townsman & acquaintance of mine, was out in the same service, in Huntington's Brigade - his company & Regiment I do not remember - but I knew him well, often saw him - we were inti- mates & often visited each other, & I do know, that he served the full term of his months, at this time, with me - though in another Brigade. Silas Johnson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. Aug. 25. 1832 Personally appeared Silas John- son, subscribed to the above, well known to me as a cred- ible witness, & made oath to the truth of the same.
Before me Samuel F. Dickinson justice of the Peace

United States of America. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hampshire Co. ss. August 25. 1832.
Be it known that I Edward Dickinson Notary Public, by letter patent under the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, commissioned and qualified, residing in Northampton in the County of Hampshire, do certify that Samuel F. Dickinson Esq. whose signature is annexed to the within certificate, is a justice of the Peace within & for said County duly & regularly appointed - and that to his acts & attestations done in that capacity, full faith & credit is & ought to be given. - and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and know the signature of said the to be the hand writing of the said Samuel F. Dickinson.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal, the day & year abovenamed.
Edward Dickinson Notary Public.