Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12524, Thomas Couch, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nav
ouch Thomas
S. 12524
CONTENTS
Carded

2
Connecticut 3090 Thomas Gruchy 50907 Hartford in the State of Ct who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Noble of the Regt. commanded by Col Wood in the Ct line for 8 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 26 Dollars 67 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of March 1836 and sent to Genl. L. Phelps Sec. of War
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $146.68 Permanent allowance ending 4th March 13.33 $159.96
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by Wm Adams Clerk Book EE Vol. 3 Page 8
d. Aug 31. 1839

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 State of Connecticut } So. Norf'k. Probate District Litchfield County } On this 9th day of August 1832 Personal appearance appeared in their Court now sitting Michael P. Miller Esq. vice judge of the Court holding the same Thomas Court of Norfolk in Litchfield County aged Seventy five last April 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. 1832.
That in the year 1775 he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer for two weeks was at a place called Haverstrom village on the North River under Samuel Walcutt Esq.
That in the year 1776 he enlisted for the term of Eight months in the company of Capt. Smith in Col. Wood's Regt. in the month June and and was marched to Fort Hill White Plains That My ancestor came to Fort Hill where he saw more than once the alarm that the Enemy was coming up from New York and the Regt. to which he belonged marched to White Plains as fast as they could while he was at White Plains the Enemy came on so fast so that the American threw up a breastwork

The British fired some Cannon Balls but did not come so near as to fire with small arms was marched down to a place called Turkey Hill The British nearly surrounded the party as near with that they were about all night to get back to their place where the time was out the Col led them out and said to us now men you must take care of yourselves.
That in the year 1777 he again served as volunteer under the command of Capt. Elijah Dimes afterward in Capt. Wheeler's Comp. in Col. Ashley's Regt. was marched and joined the Northern Army near Fort Edward in the month of June served there two months.
and that he was born in Methuenfield in the State of Connecticut left there when about four years old and moved with his Father to Landerfield where he resided until about the year 1800 was President of Landerfield in the State of Massachusetts at the time he performed the service above mentioned That since 1800 he has resided in the Town of Boston near the Cambridge River line that he is well acquainted with Rev. Rufus King Babcock, Congregational and Samuel Phelps Esquire of said Cambridge who can testify as to his

Character
and that he hereby relinquishes every claim what- ever to a pension or annuity except the present emoluments that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Thomas Cook
Sworn and Subscribed before me
the day and year first above Michael F. Miles Judge of the Court of Practical District
We Messrs Babcock Clergymen and Samuel Phelps Esq. all residing in the Town of Caldecote do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Cook of Norfolk who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that he believe him to be the same person as that he is related and to have in the neighborhood and when he resides to have been a leader of the Rivalries and that we concur in that opinion and further that he sustains a fair character for truth and veracity and his statement is entitled to credit
Rufus Babcock
Samuel Phelps
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year
first above me
Michael F. Miles Judge of Practical
And the Court do hereby declare that upon after investigating the matter and after hearing the inter- rogations presented by the said Department that the above named Thomas Cook has been was a member on the and has as he states and the Court

Further certifies that it appears to them that Stephen Brubank who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman a Resident of the Town of Calabash and that Lomelet Phelps Esq. who has also signed the same is a Resident in and lawyer of Calabash and that they are credible persons and their Statement is entitled to Credit.
Michael F. Miller Judge of Probate
I Jon a H. Pettibone Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Thomas Couch for a Pension under the acts of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 9 th Day of August A.D. 1832
Jon a H. Pettibone - Clerk

Thomas Crouch of Sandwich in the State of Massachusetts being first duly sworn according to Law Testifies and says that he is brother to Thomas Crouch of Norfolk that he was knowing to his entering into the arms in 1776 that while he was at a place called Wheel Plains he visited the said Thomas Crouch he then being a soldier in the army as he has stated in his Declaration Samuel Crouch
Subscribed and sworn before me in open court now sitting on this 9 th day of August 1882 Michael D. Miles Judge of Probate
Enos Sage of Caldecott in Suffolk County being first duly sworn according to Law Testifies and says that he is well acquainted with Thomas Crouch for more than sixty years that in the year 1776 he the said Sage was in the United States army at White Plains and that Thomas Crouch was there as a soldier that in the year the year 1777 he the said Enos Sage was in the Northern army most of the time under Elijah Denny part of the time under Col. Washburn in Col. Ashley's Regt. and the said Sage says

That Thomas Cough was in the Company with him as a leader
Ebenezer Dyer
Sworn and Subscribed in their cause now sitting before me this 9th day of August 1832.
Michael D. Miles Judge of Probate
and I hereby certify that it appears to said Court that Thomas Cough who has subscribed and sworn to the within deposition is a Resident of Sandwich in the State of Massachusetts and that Ebenezer Dyer who has sworn and subscribed the other within deposition is a Resident of the Town of Calverbrook in Litchfield County and that they are both Respectable and Creditable persons and that their statements are entitled to Credit.
Michael D. Miles Judge of Probate

State of New York } Delaware County } Silas Underwood of Poughkeepsie in said County being duly sworn deponeth that he this deponent was born in the Town of Sandisfield in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1762 according to a memo- randum made by his father in an Almanac of that year now in the possession of this Deponent. That this deponent lived in said Town of Sandisfield till the year 1803 - And this deponent further saith that he knew Thomas Cook of Sandisfield aforesaid, (he understands is an applicant for a pension) and served with him in the revolu- tionary war in Capt. Enoch Noble's Company, in Col. Ezra Wood's Regiment of Massachusetts militia for the term of eight months - in the year 1778 - at White Plains and afterwards in Connecticut and were discharged in February 1779 in Poughkeepsie N.Y. - That this deponent was in the same Company and most of the time in the same mess with the said Thomas Cook, and knows that he served as a private soldier, in the war of the Revolution in the Company and Regiment above mentioned, for the term of eight months - That previous to this deponent's leaving Sandisfield the said Thomas Cook had removed from Sandisfield aforesaid to the Town of Norfolk, Litchfield County & State of Connecticut - I further saith not -
Subscribed & sworn to } this 14 th day of June } 1836 before me }
Silas Underwood
John Lusk Commissioner of Oaths & Justice of the peace

State of New York
County of Delaware ss
I Simon Lusk do hereby certify that Simon Lusk to whom the person before whom the within affidavit purports to have been taken was at the time of the same a justice of the peace and a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County of
Delaware duly Commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to take the same and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and that the name subscribed to the said written affidavit is his proper handwriting and signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County June 17th 1836 - Simon Lusk
State of New York
Delaware County ss
I Simon Lusk do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Elias Underwood the within named deponent. That he is a man whose character for truth and veracity stands fair, and full credence is to be given to his affidavit - Certified this 6th day of August 1836 - Simon Lusk
Subscribed to the within affidavit this 6th day of August 1836 - Simon Lusk
Simon Lusk

State of Connecticut Litchfield County
ss. Norfolk Probate District
The Court of Probate held at Norfolk on this 9 th day of November A D 1836
Present Michael F. Mills Judge holding said Court on this day personally appeared before this Court Thomas Couch of Norfolk oppositor aged 71 years
who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in addition to his declarant's heretofore made in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 that for increasing age and infirmity he acknowledges that he is forgetful and may have been mistaken as to dates but he is confident that he served an Eight Months Service of Furlough in the army of the army of the United States that it was in the Company of Capt Enock Noble in Col Ezra Gann Regiment in Massachusetts Militia and that he is now satisfied that it was in the year 1778 that he served the above service

at which Plains & Bear Peak hill in the state of New York and nearly the time in Connecticut And I further say that I remember a number of the names that were in the company with me as a Mr. Stone - Samuel Bates Abideah Bush Samuel Davis Porley Stone Mr. Fletcher Mr. Lacey John Raymond Daberman Shaberg Lot Smith - Silas Underwood Gustavus Stator James Sheen Timothy Inscott Edward Tapp Agur Wright Joshua Witham - I also also remember one of the sergeants names was Hays Thomas Colock Sworn and Subscribed the day and year afore said before me Michael F. Miller Judge of Probate for the District of Norfolk
I Michael G. Mills Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Couch for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 9 th day of November A.D. 1836
Attest Michael G. Mills Clerk

27. Cb.
On Roll.
8mo pri. Cap d S. Stobee of Colwoods Regt.
in 78- not found on Rolls of Wolcott '75 or of Hemeny '79.
8mo
8mo
26.66
Hm L Phelps RR Dec 12

Oct 30-96 To Mr. R. Munson Fairfield Ct. JHS
see d. 13995
Clerk has
12521 INVALID.
File No. 12,524
Theresa Kowalski
Rule Rule Rule
Act: June 9th 1852
Index: Vol. 12 Page 77
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Connecticut Thomas Condit
Connecticut
Suspended
See letter Mr. F. Mills
2 Sept 1849
Hand P. Wines 24 July 1855

Thomas Lynch 75 2 weeks Capt. Walcut 293. 12 days not on - - 77 2 mo. Capt. Fleming Col. Ashley 396, 197, 98.

No 9211 Thomas Bauch
Impounded on acct of length of devin at Fidele 1776 Sh d - must be paid -
M. F. Mills Esq. Norfolk 65

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Baugh 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  No. See quere 5 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? yes
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 Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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, all but 15 days
XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no. Rule given 16
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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.