Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12555, Oliver Collier, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Collier, Oliver
S. 12555
carded
CONTENTS

Vermont 18.738
Oliver Collier
Georgia St. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Porter - of the Regt. commanded by Col. Bradley in the Brigade line for 18 mo. down
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 60 Dollars 00 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Sept 1 1833 and dated W. Bridges Jr Albany
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833. $100.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 34. 30.00
$130.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 57

Oliver Collier's Declaration — 4/3/19.

DECLARATION. Revolutionary claim, under an Act of Congress, Passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT, } DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, ss. }
Franklin County Probate Court, September 13 th A. D. 1832.
Personally appeared in open Court, being the Probate Court for the County of Franklin, and a Court of Record for said County, and State of Vermont, as will appear by the first section of a Statute Law of said State, entitled "An act, constituting Probate Courts Courts of Record,"—passed November 15th, A. D. 1821, [see 1st. section of said act,]
Oliver Collier aged 68 years, resident in Fairfield in said County, 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 7th, A. D. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
The year Fairfield in Connecticut was burnt by the invaders he volunteered at New-Hartford, Ct under Capt Holmes, in the month of November or first of December for two months; march d to a place called Greene Farms in Connecticut, there stationed, for the term aforesaid, employed in guarding the stores and at the Guard House at the Shore, was dismissed in the month of February same time in the latter part of the month according to his best recollection.
The winter following he volunteered at New-Hartford for two months under the command of Capt Porter of Woodbury in Connecticut march d in February to Stamford Ct and there stationed about one month, and from thence to Horse- 2 2 neck was there stationed till April following at which time he was discharged
That again at New-Hartford Connecticut aforesaid his father Oliver Collier enlisted for six months, that his father op d served as a private soldier about three months the same year that Arnold left West Point, and then returned home, when the applicant, immediately repaired to the army and took his place as a substitute and served under Capt Pray, does not recollect the names of the other company officers, Col Bradleys Regt. Gen Huntingtons Brigade joined the army at P'keepsie, soon after left and moved to a place called Totonway and there stationed till his time expired, which

that Arnold left West Town, and went home, when the applicant, immediately repaired to the army and took his place as a substitute and served under Capt. Pray, he does not recollect the names of the other company officers, Col. Bradleys Regt. Gen. Huntingtons Brigade joined the army at P'keepsie, soon after left and moved to a place called Totonway and there stationed till his time expired, which 3 he thinks was three months or more — Volunteered again in the summer of 1781 under Capt. Shepard, marched from New Hart- ford to New Haven and there stationed for two months, troops commanded by Major Mills  Mass 2 he thinks —
In the year 1782 in the month of February or March he enlisted at New Hartford for 13 months under Capt. Coanger, Lieut. Wilson 2 d Lieut. How. & Ensign Tibbets, Col. Canfield Regt. march, and joined the troops at Stamford Fort, and was there stationed during the term of thirteen months, had 13 a number of skirmishes with the Refugees, 22 nine men out of his company killed in service
He has no documentary evidence whatever.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Oliver Collier
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
William Bridges Judge
I, John Gates, jr. Register of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid, do here- by certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matters of the application of Oliver Collier for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of September A. D. 1832.
John Gates Jr.
Register.

Oliver Collier Declaration

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 27th, 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT, } ON this 23 day of July 1833, personally appeared in open FRANKLIN COUNTY, ss. } Court, before the Court of Probate, now sitting, Oliver Collier a resident of Fairfield in the county of Franklin, and State of Vermont, age 68 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated,
He was born in the Town of Kent, New York in the year 1764.
Has no record of his age.
Was a resident of New Hartford, Connecticut when he entered the service where he resided during the war. He moved from thence to Fairfield, where he now resides.
The year Fairfield, in Connecticut was burnt by the invaders he volunteered at New Hartford Count under Col Holmes, in the month of November or first of December for two months marched to a place called Greens Farms, in Count, there stationed for the term aforesaid; employed in guarding the shores, and at the Guard House at the shore, was dismissed in the month of February, some time in the latter part of the month according to his best recollection.
The winter following he volunteered at New Hartford, for two months, under the command of Capt Porter, of Woodbury, in Count marched in February to Stamford, Count and there stationed about one month, and

from thence to Horse Neck, was there stationed till April following at which time he was discharged.
Again at New Hartford, County aforesaid his father Oliver Collier, enlisted for six months, that his father aforesaid served as a private soldier about three months the same year that Arnold left West Point, and then returned home, when the Applicant immediately repaired to the Army and took his place as a substitute and served under Capt Prayer, does not recollect the names of the other company officers, Col Bradleys Regt Genl Huntingtons Brigade; joined the Army at Paines, soon after left and moved to a place called Tazaway, and there stationed till his time expired, which he thinks was three months or more.
Volunteered again in the summer of 1781, under Capt Shepard, marched from New-Hartford to New Haven, and there stationed for two months, troops commanded by Major Lucasa Skillls he thinks.
In the year 1782 in the month of February or March he enlisted at New Hartford aforesaid for thirteen months under Capt Granger, Lieut Wilson, 2 d Lieut Neaw, Ensign Tibbetts, Adjutant Bull, Major Beebe in Col Canfields Regt, marched and
joined the Troops at Stamford Fort, and was there stationed during the term of thirteen months, had a number of skirmishes with the Refugees, nine men out of his company killed in said service

joined the Troops at Stamford Fort, and was there stationed during the term of thirteen months, had a number of skirmishes with the Refugees, nine men out of his company killed in said service
He received no written discharge at the end of either of his campaigns.
He is acquainted with the following named Gentlemen residents in the Town of Fairfield who can testify respecting his character for veracity and their belief that he was a Revolutionary Soldier (Viz) Rev Benjamin Wooster, Bradley Barlow, Post Master Aaron Burr Esq, Leah Smith, Joseph Saule, and Meicah Hoyt Esq.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Oliver Collier
We Benjamin Wooster and Bradley Barlow residing in Fairfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Oliver Collier who has been known to us to be 68 years of age.

joined the Troops at Stamford Fort, and was there stationed during the term of thirteen months, had a number of skirmishes with the Refugees, nine men out of his company killed in said service
He received no written discharge at the end of either of his campaigns.
He is acquainted with the following named Gentlemen residents in the Town of Fairfield who can testify respecting his character for veracity and their belief that he was a Revolutionary Soldier (Viz) Rev Benjamin Wooster, Bradley Barlow, Post Master Aaron Burr Esq, Loab Smith, Joseph Saule, and Meicah Heoyt Esqrs
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Oliver Collier
We Benjamin Wooster and Bradley Barlow residing in Fairfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Oliver Collier who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 68 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.
Bradley Barlow Benj n Wooster
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation 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 that Benjamin Wooster who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Fairfield and that Col Bradley Barlow who has signed the same, is a resident in the town of Fairfield a Post-Master and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Stephen S. Brown Judge
I, Aaron S. Beeman Clerk of the court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Oliver Collier for a Pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 24 th day of July A. D. 1833.
Aaron S. Beeman Clerk

State of Vermont } St. Albans June 12 th Franklin County ss } 1833. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county afo d Oliver Collier 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 two months I served. For two months I served. For three months I served. For two months I served. For thirteen months, I served as a private at each of the above named terms of service for which I claim a Pension. Sworn to, and subscribed } this 12 th day June afo d } Oliver Collier Before me
William Bridges Justice of the Peace

Please direct to Mr Bridges St. Albans

Rev. Mr.
12,555 INVALID.
Rev.
File No. 12, 5-5-5-
Oliver Collier
Phil. Rev. nar
Act: June 3 rd 1832.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Benjamin Adams of South Hero in the County of Grand Isle and State of Vermont nearly 67 years of age being duly sworn testify and say that in the fore part of March 1782 at Lumsbury in the State of Connecticut where I then resided I enlisted in the Col Samuel Canfield's Regiment for the term of thirteen months (said Regiment was raised by the State of Connecticut) and some short time after I joined said Regiment at Stamford Garrison at the South west Corner of said State of Connecticut and was placed in Capt Grangers Company and when and at the time I joined said Company and Regiment Oliver Collins now of Fairfield in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont was there doing duty as a private in said Capt Grangers Company and there remained to my certain knowledge doing duty as such until the first day of April 1783 (as he and I living in the same room the whole of said term) We were then discharged by Col Canfield at the head of his Regiment as our term of enlistment had wholly expired and the war ended And further the deponent saith not
Ben n Adams
State of Vermont } South Hero September Grand Isle County } 11. 1832
Then personally appeared Benjamin Adams the subscriber of the above deposition to me well known and made solemn Oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth and I further certify that the above named Ben n Adams is a person of truth and veracity
Before me Calvin Fletcher

Benja Adams Affidavit in support of Oliver Collar's claim
11.12.35

State of Vermont Grand Isle County ss
I Joel Allen Clerk of Grand Isle County Court do hereby certify that Calvin Fletcher who has affixed his name to the within deposition, is a Magistrate duly qualified to administer oaths, and that I believe the same to be his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have here- unto affixed subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at North Hero in the County of Grand Isle this 12 th day of September A.D. 1832.
Joel Allen Clerk

Stephen Fox's
Affidavit in support of Oliver Elllier claim

I. Stephen Fox of Fairfield County of Franklin & state of Vermont aged sixty six years do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Oliver Collier now of Fairfield aforesaid, formerly of New Hartford, state of Connecticut where I became acquainted with said Collier, I lived a neigh- bour to his Father and was particularly acquainted with the said Oliver, I was often at his Father's house. That during the Revolutionary war I was pay- ing attention to one of the said Collier's Sisters, whom I afterwards married, that during the war I was knowing to the said Oliver going into the service of the United States three different times but how long I am not able to say. Should think that the said Collier was out in the service of eighteen months or more, I have often conversed with said Collier about the war and particularly about his own service at the times and although I was not with him, I have no doubt but that said Collier served at least eighteen or twenty months accord- ing to my best recollection Stephen J. Fox
State of Vermont } St. Albans September 14 th Franklin County } 1832 Then personally appeared before the under- signed authority the above named Stephen Fox a credible witness of the age of 66 years who made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed, is true according to his best knowledge information & belief Before me William Bridges Judge

State of Vermont } S. John Gates Jr Register Georgia District } hereby certify that William Bridges before whom the with- in affidavit was taken is Judge of the court of Probate within and for the District aforesaid and the signature subscribed to the within certifi- cate is his own proper signature
In testimony where- of I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Probate court, this 14 th day of September 1832
John Gates Jr. Register of the court of Probate for the District aforesaid

Oliver Collins
Admiral 18 months

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Oliver Collier 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? no Clergyman and one witness
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?
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? 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
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes no No See page 16
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 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.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Collier, Richard GRADE Private LINE Lamb's Artillery (New York)
WARRANT NUMBER 6990 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Sept. 24, 1790 to Thomas Lawrence, assignee
*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.