Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 24108, John Chapman, Conn.

SERVICE
1000
Chapman, John
NUMBER _____
S. 24108
CONTENTS

24.406.
New York
John Chapman late of Ontario Co. in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Wright of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Miller - in the Cont l - line for 1 year
{ Elizabeth Chapman widow died 10 th June 1832 - }
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of $40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Dec r 1833 - and to D. M c Neil Phelps -
Arrears to the 4th of Mar ch 32 $ 40 ( General ) allowance ending 10 th June 1832 5.14
$45.14
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Geo. Little Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 4 Page 94
111 16 3/4 4.98 15 5.14

John Chapman Declaration
1984
Passed

State of New York } Ontario County } ss  On this twenty eighth day of August 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County now sitting, Horace Peck and William Otter, both, residents of Phelps, in the County of Ontario and State of New York, who being first duly sworn according to law, do on their oath make the following Certificate That John Chapman (deceased) was the same person mentioned in a Declaration herewith attested, made before Stephen Tilton, Honorable Judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut, in which Declaration appears the names of Thomas Bidwell and Joseph Scott, as witnesses to his having served in the Revolutionary War in Captain Samuel Wright's Company, in Col. Samuel M'Call's Regt in the Brigade commanded first by General Joseph Spencer and afterwards by General Samuel Holden Parsons - And that he served from January 1776 until January 1777 - That he then resided in Glastonbury, in the State of Connecticut, and joined the Army at Roxbury, Massachusetts, That the said John Chapman died on the 10th day of June 1832, aged 79 - Phelps, County of Ontario and State of New York, his then place of residence and where he has resided most of his time for the space of thirty - years past - That they make this Certificate for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that said benefit may go to the widow of the said John Chapman, whose name is Elizabeth Chapman - That they have frequently heard him speak of his service in the Revolutionary War, and it is their opinion and also the opinion of many of their neighbors that he did serve in the Revolutionary Army as above stated sworn to and subscribed this day 7 And year above said in open Court - Chas. Crane, Clerk. Horace Peck Wm Otter
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, that the above John Chapman deceased, was a revolutionary soldier, and served as a bold soldier, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Horace Peck and William Otter, who have signed the preceding Certificate, reside in Phelps, County of Ontario and State of New York, and are credible persons and men in good standing, and that this Certificate is entitled to credit and the said court further certifies that it appears to them that the said John Chapman died on the 10th day of June 1832, that the said widow of John Chapman deceased, in whose behalf the said benefit is asked, is yet living and not again married and that her name is Elizabeth Chapman
I, Charles Crane, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application for a pension to John Chapman deceased. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and sealed office this twenty-eighth day of August A.D. 1832 Hundred and thirty five Charles Crane

Subscribed to the preceding declaration marked A, & the certificate thereof is by proper persons written & signature
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court on this 19 th day of January 1820. - - - - -
W. W. R. Clerk
Utah County H. S. I, Charles Crane Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that the three lines in my hand the within certificate of the court

State of New-York, Ontario County ss.
I, Charles Crane Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that the three lines in my hand writing in the within certificate of the court, were added by me after the within had been returned from the War depart. accompanied with a brief requiring the proof of the facts contained in my said addition; and I further certify that the facts aforesaid so certified by such addition were originally proven in open court by the testimony of the within witnesses Peck & Otley which proof I at the time of making such addition did and now do distinctly remember. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 23 d day of September 1833.
Charles Crane
John Chapman Peacham
1984
Peck

No 7984
John Chapman (Deceased)
Admitted
Parole 12 mo compute pension to 10 th June 1882
Certificate to be issued to Elizabeth Chapman Court required to certify the day of his death & existence of widow
18 Sept. 1882 24 Nov.
Page 83.
David M c Neil
Ag t

No 7984.
BRIEF in the case of John Chapman (deceased) of late of Phelps, County of Ontario in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
The declaration of John Chapman is attested but in the declaration of Thos. Bidwell and Joseph Scott - before a Judge -
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
Yes
3. How old is he?
79 years (see deposition of Horace Peck & Wm. O'Neil)
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.     From 1776 Jan'y 1 — — private Capt: Saml. Wright, Col: Saml. Willis. Genl. Joseph Spencer Genl. Saml. Holden Parsons   To 1777 Jan'y  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
none mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
at Glastonbury Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
2 witnesses associates in the same company
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
They appear to be correct - One seal not discernible
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James Ord
Examining Clerk.

Rejection
24108 INVALID.
File No. 24108
John Chapman Pr's Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.]

2 nd Brief: C 16 7984
John Chapman (dec.)
solely
David McNeil Agf

No. 7984
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Chapman (deceased) further proof or explanation.
which require
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
he did reside at Phelps -
H. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
The proceedings were in completed at Phelps -
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?
The period is stated -
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?
The length of service is deposed to have been from Jan'y 1776 to January 1777
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
The Officers are named
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
~~~~~
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? no
yes but not so as to be distinguished from any other

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?
True for years
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes No Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
Yes The court should certify the day of his death and the name & continued existence of the widow.
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?
The seal is not distinguishable from any other
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 the 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.
†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 claimants 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 authenticated 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 end 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.

7984
John Chapman deceased
David McNeil Phelps New York
Commissioner of Pensions.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Aug 8 th 1833
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 subjjoined 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 John Chapman deceased
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, and 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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants who are 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] 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.
The declaration in this case seems to have been altered if so please state under what circumstances —

State of Connecticut vs. Anattitoton.
a. On the 19 th day of January 1820, before me the Rubenches Subga of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut, personally appear Thom as Bidwell & Joseph Scott both of Glastenbury in the said State, persons of good character & worthy of belief, who being by me first duly sworn according to Law do, on their Oaths, declare & say; That they served as Soldiers in the revolutionary army from December 1776 to January 1777, in the Company commanded by Capt. Samuel Whipple, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Hurlbut, in the Brigade commanded first by Genl. Joseph Spencer afterwards by Genl. Samuel Holden Parsons. That in some part of the month of January 1776 John Chapman then of Glastenbury in the said State, now of Phelps in the County of Ontario, State of New York, joined the army

at Roxbury in Massachusetts, as a Soldier in the aforesaid Company commanded by Capt. William Wright & I served in the said Company as a Soldier during the said year 1776 - until January 1777, when we were discharged from Ser- vice, and returned before the Arm- y in the State of Connecticut, at which time the said John Chapman was sick & in the hospital at Ham- ford aforesaid.
Sworn to & declared before John Warner - the day & year aforesaid
I John Fish Clerk of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut, do certify, that the Hon.
Stephen Fitz Worsmer of Ansonia in said State is Vice Judge of the said Superior Court; & that his name