Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12646, John Curtis, N.H.

SERVICE
N.H.
burtis, john
NUMBER
S. 12646
CONTENTS
carded

6622
New Hampshire
John Curtis
of Manchester in the State of M. Hk. who was a pr. & Sog t in the company commanded by Captain Ellis of the Reg t 2 commanded by Col Scamnell in the New Hampshire line for 3 Months 7 days Private 2 " 23 " Sog t
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 31 Dollars 27 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of March 1833 and sent to John H. Hubbardston Me
Arrears to 4th of March 1833 $62.54 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 15.63
$78.17
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 Page 148

10,425
John Curtis
Winchester
5 Months 7 days Pm 2 23 " " " "
8 - Mr. 30
5 Mr. 7 days. Private 2 " 23 " " Surge
8 Mr 31,27
allied
Hon. H. Hubbard
PR Ellis
Thos. B. ... Scammon
Reene
(N.H.)

BEREEF in the case of  John Curtis,  of Winchester  Cheshire Co  in the State of New Hampshire  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Ninety one years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.   Years, Months, Days.     enlisted In 1777 May 1 8 Capt. Stephen Ellis, Col. Scammon Lt. Col. Coburn, Major Dearborn  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Winchester  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? an authentic copy of a list of witnesses & a certificate of Capt. Ellis.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Kutz Examining Clerk.

Proclamation of John Curtis — 10.4.25

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June A.D. 1832
State of New Hampshire
County of Cheshire
On this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the Justice of the Court of Common Pleas  Justice of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid, John Curtis, a resident of Manchester in said County of Cheshire, aged ninety one 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 7 th A.D. 1832 - That he enlisted at Manchester in the County and State aforesaid in the Army of the United States (Regular Troops) on the first day of May A.D. 1777 with Dan Whipple of Richmond in said County and State and served in the 3 d Battalion of the New Hampshire line of Troops, under the following named officers: William Ellis Captain - Moses Belding 1 st Lieutenant - Benjamin Ellis 2 d Lieutenant - and ensign Hays Field officers - Colonel Alexander Scamell - Lieutenant Colonel Colburn - and Major Scarbrough - That he was stationed for a month or more at Ticonderoga New York - That he left Ticonderoga in June or July and was next stationed at Fort Miller New York - That from thence he went to Still Water New York and was next stationed at Bemis Heights New York - That he was engaged in the Battle at the last mentioned Place in which Burgoyne surrendered - That from thence he marched to Albany New York and from there he went to Fish Kill New York - where he hired a man to take his place, the evidence of which is found

in the Certificate of Capt William Ellis which is hereto annexed - That he served in the above time eight months - That he knows of but one living witness to the above term of service, and that one is Dan Whipple of Richmond upon said whose deposition is hereto annexed - That he has no written evidence of the above service, except the certificate mentioned above, and a Serjeant's Warrant under the signature of Col Alexander Scamwell, which is hereto annexed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or an annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any state.
John Curtis
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid: before me Aaron Morton, Judge of Probate
Was born in Topsham Me. in the year 1741 - Has a record of his age in his Bible, and there is one in the records at Topsham - He lived in Winchester New Hampshire when he was called into the service, has resided there since the revolutionary war and now lives there - volunteered with others when he went into the service -
and the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. Aaron Morton Judge of Probate
I the Park-Registrar of the Court of Probate for the aforesaid County of Cheshire do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Curtis for a pension -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto

set my hand and seal of office This twenty second day of August A.D. 1832
Isaac Parker Reg. of Probate Court

Madam:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of John Curtis , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. John Curtis
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Enlisted at Manchester N.H. May 1, 1777 8 mos. Priv. right. William Ellis Alexander Scammon N.H.                                                                 
Battles engaged in, Bunker's Hill Residence of soldier at enlistment, Manchester, N.H. Date of application for pension, Aug 22, 1832  Her claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Manchester, Cheshire Co., N.H. Age at date of application, 91 years.  No dates as before.
Remarks: The above is the only John Curtis or Curtiss of N.H. service found on the Revolutionary War Records in this Bureau.

May 4, 1907 History So Mrs. M. Col. Stevens V.L.M.
1924 June 5 - Mrs. E. T. Barclow ad- vised to ap. to Treas. Dept. for date of death cum.
Rev. (handwritten)
✓ 12,646 INVALID.
File No. 12,646
John Curtis
Sergt. Rev. War
Act: June 4, 1832
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

SF 12646 John Lantier N. H.

Left Miln & Brewster's at 12:30 PM this may satisfy whom it may
Comes out that Kinley Harvey has been lifted into the Continental Service in my company for three years to serve for John Bartol who has hired him to do the work for him Mr. Ann Ellistay

Sullivan
To Alexander Scamner Esq: Col: of the 5 th Battal n of Troops raised by the state of New Hampshire for the defence of the American cause. To John Curtis GREETING.
WHEREAS By the authority to me given by the General Court of the state of New Hampshire. Reposing special trust and confidence in your ability courage and good conduct, do constitute, and appoint you the said John Curtis to be the first sergeant in the 8 th Company in my Regiment when led by William Ellis Esq: and you are hereby authorised, and commanded to do the duty of a sergeant, and you are to observe, and obey all such orders, as from time to time you shall receive from your superior Officers, for the benefit of the American cause.
For the doing of which, this shall be your sufficient WARRANT.
Given under my hand this 8 th day of October Annoque Domini 1777
S. File 12,646.

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Revol War Pension Dept., Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
Can you supply date of death of John Curtis, Manchester, N.H. Sergeant in Res. War? Date wanted for D.A.R. papers.
Yours truly, (Mrs.) E. J. Barclough, 10 No. 8 th Ave., New Brunswick, N.J.
May 3, 1924.

Deposition of Dan Whipple
9.6.615

I Dan Whipple of Richmond in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire depose & say, that I enlisted in May 1777 in Capt. William Ellis' Company of Regular Regular troops  Continental & do know, that John Curtis enlisted at the same time, in the same company, that I was with him & know that he was stationed & did service at those places mentioned in his Declaration.
Dan Whipple
State of New Hampshire } July 12 th 1832 Dan Whipple personally appeared & Cheshire } made oath that the above deposition by him signed is just & true before me Henry Pratt, Just. Peace
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Dan Whipple above mentioned thirty years & have no doubt of the truth of the above deposition
Henry Pratt, Just. Peace
I know Henry Pratt well he is a Justice of the Peace and the above is his signature
H. Pratt

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 Coorlis which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? ay II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? ay 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? ay 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? ay VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? ay VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? ay VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? ay IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? ay 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? ay

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1 2 6 7 -
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 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 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 shewn 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.
†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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
May 1, 1907
Searched by Mill
Original No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant, or Curtis
Soldier, John Curtis
Service, G. H. Service
Rev. War
Remarks: _____
No claim as above except Inv. 12,646.
_____ Chief of Division.

0.11.44 Hilton N. H.
April 17, 1907
Dear Sir
Will you kindly ascertain for me, if a John Curtis (or Curtice) who enlisted in the Revolutionary war, from Keene N. H. ever drew a pension, or if his wife (giving her name) or children ever drew a pension, or if the records state if he died or was killed while serving as a soldier. I understand that a John Curtis or Curtice also enlisted from Winchester N. H. but am sure that the first one is my Great Grandfather. any facts that you may find on record, even the least, about

both of them, as some of my people think they are the same person. if you will kindly copy and send to my address. I will be very thankful, and will remit to you payment for your trouble if you will state the amount.
Thanking you in advance.
Yours Truly,
Mrs M. C. Stevens
Hilton
Monroe Co
N. Y.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
June 5, 1924.
Mrs. E. T. Barclow, 10 N. 8th Ave., New Brunswick, N. J.
Madam:
I have to advise you that for the date of last payment of pension and date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Curtis, S.12646, you should apply to the Pension Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E St., N. W., Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data:
John Curtis, certificate 6622 issued March 5, 1833, rate $31.27 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New Hampshire Agency.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Curtis, John GRADE Sergeant LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8767 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED January 18, 1790 to be not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.