Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10474, John Cotes, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born.
bates, John
S. 10474
cardeed
CONTENTS

28.7471 New York John Coles of Allegany in the State of New York who was a Private in the Corps commanded by Captain Ingall of the Regt. commanded by Col. Duryea in the N. York line for 12. Mo. 18 Ds.
Pen. Feb. 13/35. Issued service
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 41 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Oct 1830 and Martha M. Baker Springfield
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 77 $104.16 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1st No 24 20.83 $124.99
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. J. C. [Signature] Clerk
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 1, Page 95

State of New York County of Otsego ss.
On this 16 th day of October A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Otsego now sitting John Cotes a resident of Springfield in said County of Otsego and State of New York aged seventy five 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.
That in the year 1775 he enlisted for the term of seven months under Capt. Jedediah Waterman in Col. Grosvenor's regiment of Connecticut troops. That he enlisted at Pomfret in Connecticut in the Spring of the year, but does not remember the month or day. That after enlisting he went to Roxbury where he joined the regiment. That Capt. Waterman did not belong in the town of Pomfret where this applicant resided, but belonged in Canterbury, but Col. Grosvenor and Genl. Putnam resided in the town of Pomfret where this applicant resided when he enlisted. That they remained at Roxbury a month or six weeks. That he does not remember the names of the other company or field officers who commanded at Roxbury except those mentioned above. From Roxbury they marched to Cambridge, and remain

State of New York
ed at Cambridge until the expiration of his term of seven months. That he does not remember that he received any dismission discharge. That while this applicant was at Cambridge Genl. Washington arrived and Col. Grosvenor's Regiment with other troops then present under the Command of Genl. Putnam escorted Genl. Washington across Cambridge Common to the Camp. The battle at Bunker's Hill also took place while this applicant was at Cambridge.
This applicant was not in the battle. The day before the battle orders came that all who could use the needle should appear at Genl. Putnam's headquarters at Borland's house near the College.
That this applicant had been an apprentice to the tailors trade and accordingly went to the place appointed, and was with others set to making bandages and kept at it all day, no one in the room where he was working having any knowledge of what was to be done with them, or what designs were on foot. The next day they were ordered to be ready at the Camp at a minute's warning to march. That they remained at camp till about four o'clock in the afternoon, when they were marched to Prospect Hill, and remained there on guard during the night, and the next day they returned to Camp. That on the day of the battle they distinctly heard the firing of small arms at the battle, but they were not ordered to march until after dark.

That two soldiers belonging to Capt. Waterman's Company were wounded, the name of one of them - he thinks was Sheubel Badlock of Canterbury
That after this applicant's seven months had expired, volunteers were called for to remain until other recruits came in, and among others - this applicant volunteered and staid one month longer when he was discharged having served eight months.
That in the Fall of 1776 this applicant still residing at Pomfret Connecticut, the militia were called for and this applicant turned out a volunteer with the entire Company of Capt. Zebediah Ingalls. That he does not remember the particular day on which they marched but they marched first to Hartford, thence to New Haven, thence to the North river, and crossed the north river a little South of Fort-Washington, and landed near Fort Lee. That they saw the light of the burning of New York when at Horse Neck on their march as above mentioned. That after landing on the west side of the river, they marched through English Neighborhood to Bergen where Williams's Regiment to which this applicant's Company was attached, encamped with Col. Dugre's Regiment of the Regular Line. Roxbury They marched to Cambridge, and remain

at Pumbiden until the expiration of his term of seven
That they remained & encamped here for a fortnight or more, during which time the British got possession of Paulus Hook, and the redoubt lying between their Camp and the last mentioned place and - they were then obliged to retreat, and did so - in the night to English Neighborhood, west of Fort Lee. That they remained at English Neighborhood until they were discharged at the expiration of three months, and fifteen days from the time they marched from Poughkeepsie. That while they were at English Neighborhood the British got possession of Fort Washington. That he did not receive a written discharge at English Neighborhood. That they were allowed three rounds apiece to go home with.
That in the Summer of 1781 at Falls this applicant believes at the time when Genl. Arnold massacred the American garrison at Fort Griswold, the militia were called out, and this applicant volunteered, and went to Fort Griswold immediately after the massacre. That the blood and fresh appearance of the late massacre was plain to be seen on the platform and about the fort. That for there joined a Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wales. The Garrison was then commanded

by Major Mc. Claren That this applicant re- mained in actual service at the fort on this occasion • One month and fifteen days, when he was discharged and returned home to Pomfret.
That while he was at Fort Griswold he remem- -bers that a public rejoicing took place on the occasion of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis
That he does not remember any officers of the regular army being at the Fort at the time above mentioned. That he has no documentary evidence of his services. That he was born in the town of Pomfret in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut.
That he resided in the said town of Pomfret until 1792 at which time he removed to Springfield Otsego County when he has resided ever since Sworn & subscribed in Open Court the 15 th day of October 1832 John Cote Abner Lathrop Clerk
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of any agency in any State.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. John Cote
Thereafter they marched to Cambridge, and remain

We Joseph Craft and Don F. Herrick and of Otsego in in the said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Cotes who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age. That he is re- puted and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the any year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Horace Lathrop. Clerk, Don F. Herrick Joseph Craft
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 appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
J. B. Moon } Judges E. Root } J. Page - }
John Cotes
State of New York } Otsego County } ss. I, Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that the fore- going contain the original proceedings in the matter of the application of John Cotes for a Pension testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal this 19 th day of October 1832. Horace Lathrop By J. K. Core Deputy

Otsego County ss. Josiah Arvill of the Town of Springfield in the County of Otsego aforesaid being duly sworn dep- oseth and saith that he is sixty nine years old - that he lived in Poughkeepsie in the State of Connecticut in 1775 and continued to reside there until 1785 at which time he removed to Springfield Otsego Co N.Y. where he has resided ever since - That he knew John Cotes of Springfield in Poughkeepsie in 1775 & has known him ever since - That he is a man of respectability & that full faith and credit is due to his statements under oath -
And this deponent further saith that when he resided in Poughkeepsie aforesaid he lived within about a mile and an half of the said John Cotes That he read the property will of said Cotes leaving him in 1775 for Cambridge near Boston That Stephen Arvill now deceased a brother of this deponent went with the said John Cotes to Boston - That said Cotes was gone from him a number of months how many this deponent does not recollect - That this deponent's brother aforesaid Stephen Arvill enlisted for seven months and this deponent always understood from his said Brother that the said John Cotes served out the term of his enlistment - And this deponent saith that the said John Cotes after 1775 was from home some months at a time on a number of occasions but in what years & for how long he does not recollect. - That he has frequently understood that he was in the army during his aforesaid absence And further this deponent saith not -
Subscribed & sworn This 13th day of Nov AD 1832 - before me
Josiah Arvill
Isaac Harris Justice of the Peace

State of New York Otsego County } ss: I Horace Lathrop, Clerk of the said County, do hereby certify, that Selah Havens Esq r before whom the fore- going Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace, within, and for the said County of Otsego: And that I am acquainted with his hand writing, & verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit, to be his proper hand writing & signature. Witness my hand, and Seal of Office this 14 th day of December 1832.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk.
I Selah Havens the Justice of Peace before whom the within affidavit was taken and sworn do hereby further certify that Josiah Averill whose signature appears to the said affidavit was when living and at the time of making said affidavit a credible person and that the said Josiah Averill is now deceased. Dated June 6 th . 1833.
Selah Havens Justice Peace
John Bates. 20493 State of New York } ss. I Horace Lathrop Clerk of Otsego County } the said County do certify that Selah Havens Esq r whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said certificate to be his proper hand writing & signature. Witness my hand & Seal of office this 19 th day of June 1833.
Horace Lathrop By G. H. Luce Dept y

No 20493
In o botu
Ostego N.York
i.j.
Admitted
Priate 12 mo 215 days
83 3 3 20 8 7 104 1 6
Wm Baker Sgt
Springfield N.York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 29 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 Cotes Ostigo 60 N. York
   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 1795 7 Private Capt Ma Corporal Col Ems Lt Gen Paton Gen Washington Norway Cambridge Pocumt Mill Stanford New Haven N. River Fisher Stratford Seymour Hoback & Pa Grimsby Age 75 Pocumt Colt Traditional   Col 1776 1   Col 1776 3   Col 1781 1 15 Josiah Smith  
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 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 is 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.

Rev. War
10474
INVALID.
File No. 10474
John Cotter Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 17
[Arrangement of 1870.]