Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,057, Jabez Cowles, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Cowles, Jabez
815057
CONTENTS
carded

9802 Connecticut
order to pay 15 Nov. 1836
Nathan Goules of Hartford in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company by Captain [blank] of the [blank] command by Col Bull in the Connecticut Line for State Troops 72 days 12 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 24 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of June 1803 and Lieut. G. W. Southworth, Hartford Ct. Arrears to the 4th of March 33 3/4, 0 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 11 112 6 $ 56.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by Ed. Bullock Book [blank] Vol. 3 Page 8

State of Connecticut Hartford County.
ss. Berlin August 13 th 1832.
On this 13 th day of August. A 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Berlin, now sitting, in said Hartford County, Jobez Cowles, a resident of said Berlin in the County aforesaid, aged 76 years, who being first sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st
In the month of January 1776 I enlisted under capt m Selah Hart in Col l Walcutts Regiment, we went to Roxbury in Massachusetts near Boston I was on Dorchester Hill at the time it was besieged were employed in guarding the lines &c. I served at this time three months.
2 nd
The Troop of Horse under the command of Capt m Slocum was called out, I was a member of his company and went with said company to New York, in Col l Bull's Regiment I served at this time three weeks. This was in the month of July 1776.
3 rd
In the same year, viz, about the first of October 1776. The company of Horse under capt m Slocum was again called into service I went with said company, we went to Pechskill - then to White Plains - I served at this time about three months. Col l Bull commanded the Regiment.
4 th
In the year 1778 in the month of Jan y I went with the company under Capt m Ichabod Norton to Albany after the artillery of Burgoyne - which we

brought to Farmington I served at this time two weeks -
5 th I was called out at the New Haven Alarm in the year 1779 under Capt m Seth Loring of the Cavalry served at this time one week.
Interrogatory 1 st - Answer in Farmington
" - 2 nd - do - none
" - 3 rd - do - I have always lived where I now live in that part of Berlin, formerly Farmington
" - 4 th - do In my declarations
" - 5 th - do do do do
" - 6 th - do I never had any discharge
" - 7 th - do - Thomas Hart
I have no documentary evidence of my service -
I hereby relinquish every claim, to a pension, or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the army of any State. Jobez Cowles
Sworn to and subscribed The day and year aforesaid
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District

State of Connecticut } Hartford County }
Berlin August 13 th 1832
I Thomas Hart of Berlin in the county aforesaid certify, that I have always lived a near neighbor to John Cowles, who has signed, and sworn to the foregoing declarations. I was in the United States Service with said John Cowles, at Roxbury in the year 1776, but not in the same company. I was also with said Cowles, at the New Haven Alarm, in the year 1779 - I also know that Mr. Cowles was in other campaigns, but not with me. John Cowles is a man of good character - I have no doubt but he did all the service he has stated in his several declarations - he is respected, and known in our neighborhood, as a soldier of the Revo- lution, and it never has been doubted by those who know him, I also believe him to be 76 years of age.
Thomas Hart
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Thomas Lee Judge Probate
State of Connecticut } Hartford County }
Berlin District. Is Berlin August 13 th 1832,
I Samuel Cowles of Berlin in said County of Hart- ford, certify, that I was with my Brother John Cowles in the United States Service in the year 1776, at Peekskill, and also at New York under Capt. Storer, where were at New York three weeks - and at Peekskill and near that part of the State of N.Y. three months. - I was with others, assisting in carrying some of the traps to Roxbury in 1776, I went with a sleigh and carried my Brother John Cowles I also know he was at the New Haven alarm in 1779 - I believe he did as much service as he has stated in his declarations.

Remember he went to Albany after the in 1778 Artillery, we both lived with our Father, and were often called into the United States Service, during the Revolution. I am 79 years old. Samuel Cowles
Sworn to, and Subscribed, the day & year aforesaid.
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District.
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 Thomas Hart who has signed the foregoing certificate is a resident of Berlin, a man well known to the court, as an honest, upright man, a man of truth and a near neighbor of the applicant - he is also an applicant himself - his statement is entitled to credit. That Samuel Cowles, who has also signed & sworn to the foregoing certificate, is an Elder Brother of the said applicant, well known to the court as a worthy honest man - a man of truth as well known farmer of Berlin his statement is also entitled to credit.
The court would further state that Samuel Higley whose certificate accompanies this application is the same Samuel Higley who has in several cases been a witness, whose character has been placed by the court before your Honor, his statement is entitled to credit - and he being an applicant from Milford where he is lately better known - and from whence in this application his character will be better established at the War Department than from Berlin.
Certified by me Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District

State of Connecticut Hartford County
{ Is Berlin December 15 th 1832
On this 15 th day of December A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for Berlin District, in said County of Hartford, now sitting Job Cowsles who being first duly sworn according to law - doth on his oath, make the following declaration - as an amendment - and explanation - and further proof of his former declaration - dated August 13 th 1832 to which this is an addition - to accompany the former application for a pension.
First In proof of my former first declaration I had the certificate of Samuel Nighy of Milford taken before a Justice of the Peace which was not duly authenticated. I have now obtained his evidence before the court which accompanies this amendment to my former application, which with my former certificate from Thomas Hart (who is now dead) proves my service in this town as a private, three months.
Second In addition to my former 2 d declaration I would state that we mustered for this town the first of July 1776 under Capt. Stephen South Dorrance was Lieut. in Col. Babb's Regiment of Horse, we marched by the way of New Haven - Horse Neck to New York at Jaggars Tavern on the 6 th day of July we here heard of the declaration of Independence which passed on the 4 th of July, we went to New York and then were sent to Warrenton Plains & we saw the ship which conveyed Lord Cornwallis up the river, we then returned home where we arrived as near as I can recollect the 20 th of July I served at this time three weeks which is

proved by the certificate of my Brother Samuel Cowles in my former application I do not know of any other person living who was with me in this time.
Third. - In my former 3 d declaration I stated I was in service about three months. I have no memorandum, or any document to refer to - as to this time, I well remember I went with the same Regiment, & company, as stated in my 2 d declaration as a private in the forefront of October and according to my recollection it was the first of October in the year 1776. and that I returned home the first of January 1777. which would make 3 months and as it was stated by memory, I said about three months - I well remember of being at Peekskill on the 25 th of December from the circumstance of it being the day the Hessians were taken at Trenton New Jersey, which we soon heard of, I will say that I served at this time three months which is proved by the certificate of my Brother Samuel Cowles in my former application and he is the only person I know of, living, who was with me in this time of duty.
Fourth. This short time to Albany, under Capt. Norton I have nothing to add, I don't know of any person living who was with me, I went as a private in Norton company as stated, after the artillery - which is well recollected by my Brother Samuel Cowles & by him stated in his certificate accompanying my former application I served at this time two weeks.
Fifth. I have nothing to say further as to this short time nor any other proof but my Brother Samuel as formerly stated.

I belonged to the company of officers & was sent many times on express which takes more to shoot for one to look for proof I cannot recollect the names of other officers distinctly enough to add. I have no documents or memorandum to refer to - not expecting until lately of ever being paid for these services. In further answer to Interrogatory first. I answer I was born in Farmington November 1755
In answer to No 5. - I knew Gen Worthington in Boston and at Pehkskill, I carried him express several times. I knew Gen Wadsworth, Gen Putnam, Gen McDayle In answer to the 7 th I would add to my former answer, the certificate of the Rev Samuel Goodrich and Seth Stanley Esq s near neighbors of mine to The length of service in the different towns is 7 months and two weeks that I served my country in the Revolutionary War and I have exhibited all and the best proof in support of my services that I could obtain & submit the decision to your Hon.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District
State of Connecticut } ss. Berlin December 15 th 1832 Hartford County. }
We Samuel Goodrich a clergyman residing in the town of Berlin and Seth Stanley a magistrate residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Lowles who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: That we believe him to be 76 years of age. That he is respected and believed in in the neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Samuel Goodrich
Seth Stanley
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District

State of Connecticut Hartford County } Is Berlin December 15 th 1832
I Samuel Higby of Milford in the county of New Haven Testify depose and say that I am well acquainted with John Cook of Berlin who is the foregoing named Applicant for a pension I was in Colt Silah Marts Company, in Colt Wolcotts Regiment in January 1778 with said John Cook who was a private in said Company in the United States Service on a march to Newbury near Boston, and at Dorchester we were employed in erecting the lines & returned here in April we both served in this town three months according to my best recollection. Mr John Cook is a man of good moral character and a man of truth. I am 74 years old.
Samuel Higby
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Thomas Lee, Judge of Probate
Berlin District. —
And the said Court would state in addition to the statement of August 13 th that Samuel Higby whose certificate was not then duly authenticated is now in court & his certificate as to his character was mentioned in the application of August 13 th 1832 And the court further certifies that it appears to them that that Samuel Goodrich who has signed the preceding certifi- cate is a clergyman resident in the town of Berlin and that Seth Stanley Esq. who has also signed the same is a magistrate residing in the same both well known to the court as credible persons their statements is intitled to credit certified by me Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District
I George W. Southworth Clerk of said court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of John Cook for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 15 th day of December
A 1832.
Geo. W. Southworth Clerk

21,715
Jabez Cookes. Connecticut.
e. i.
Admitted Pwato 7 mo & 12 day,
Geo. W. Southworth, Clk. Hartford County, Connecticut.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjóined 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, showing the Service of Izaac Bowles, of Hartford Co., Conn.
   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.     Enlisted '76. 3. Pr. Capt. Hart. Col. Walcutt. Kaaterskill New York. Hartford County, Conn. Aged 76 years. Living witness and testimony.   Served '76 21 Do. Capt. Hooper. Col. Bell. New York.   Served '76 about 3. Do. " " Peckers Kill: thence to White Plains, Albany.   Served in '78 44. Do. Capt. Norton.   Served in '79. 7. Do. Capt. Seth Deming.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that 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 time to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. A. Burdett

15057 INVALID.
to be removed by Asst. Atty. Genl. Use Nov 2 1892.
File No. 15.057
James Cowles Rev. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 79
[Arrangement of 1870.]
5

Nov 14
Jacobus Canale Cham
9802
J
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Pension Agency
Hartford 10 Nov 1836.
Sir
The enclosed papers of Dabaz Cowles (a pensioner who has not claimed his pension for more than twelve months) are transmitted for your special directions authorizing the payment
I am very respectfully
Your Obed Serv t
J. H. H.
Agent
J. H. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Jober Cowles
Berlin Conn
N o 1870.

I George Washington Southworth, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Berlin, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Carlos for a Pension - and I also certify, that Thomas Lee, who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing as above, is Judge of Probate for Berlin District - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of Office, this 15 th day of August A 1832.
Geo. W. Southworth Clerk
Returns requested to New Britain Post Office Hartford County Conn