Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22187, Samuel Cook, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
hook, Samuel
NUMBER
S. 22187
CONTENTS

Vermont - 31,567
Samuel Cook, of Rutland in the State of Vermont who was a Pn. in the Inf try commanded by Captain Bliss of the Reg t commanded by Seymour in the n Cont nt line for 7 months 27 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensioners at the rate of 26 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Oct r '38, and sent to and J. G. 10 th St. J. G. of R. H.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept - $ 198. 12 Semi-ann. allowance ending / 2 1. 7 $ 210. 19
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. G. H. Elliot
Recorded by H. D. Dyer Clerk, Book E 2 Vol. - Page 60
Examined with Orig. Rolls 2 Sept. 1883. M. G.

State of Vermont Rutland County ss.
On this 8 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Probate Court for the district of Fairhaven in the County of Rutland now sitting Samuel Cook a resident of Orwell in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont aged seventy eight years & six months 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 after stated
As near as he can recollect in the month of May in the year 1775 he resided in Canterbury in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut and in said May voluntarily enlisted into the service of the United States in a company commanded by Mr. Abadiah Johnson. He does not recollect of any Captain except Major Johnson as he had the care of the company. One Ephraim Lyman was Lieut. in said company. One Willis Clegg was second Lieut. and Almon Robinson was Ensign. He belonged to Col. Dureys Regiment. Who the Brigadier Genl. was, he does not now recollect, but remembers he was under the command of Genl. Putnam and cannot say but he was then a Brigadier Genl. He enlisted for the term of eight months and served out his full time - That immediately after he enlisted, he marched to Boston or Cambridge, and was stationed there during the whole time of his service and when it expired he received a written discharge, which is lost, not having seen it for many years. That afterwards he enlisted in Capt. Almon Robinsons company for the term of one

months, but cannot remember what year but recollects it was the same year the British were in possession of Philadelphia. That immediately after he enlisted he joined his Regiment commanded by Col. McLean or Mr. Allen and served out the term of his enlistment and was dismissed.
2 nd . That afterwards he enlisted for the term of three months in a company commanded by Capt. Rust commanded for New London, crossed the River to Groton and was employed in repairing Fort Griswold under the command of Colonel Ledyard, Col. Col. Legare Hezekiah Huntington was Major. - He served out his full term of three months, and was dismissed. The month or year he enlisted he can not now remember but he recollects it was in the fall of the year, and one or two years before New London was burnt by Genl. Arnold. That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.
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 and subscribed this day and year afo. - ?
JAMES COOK.
I Pliny Smith residing in Anson hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Samuel Cook who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and that I believe him to be seventy eight years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion Sworn and subscribed the day and year afo.
Pliny Smith

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 Sherman Kellogg, who signed the accompanying certificate is a clergyman lately united in Orwell aforesaid, and that Pliny Smith who has signed the foregoing certificate is a resident in said Orwell and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Silas H Merrill Clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Cook for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this
8 th day of September A D 1832.
S. H. Merrill
On the 14 th day of January 1835 personally appeared in open court before the Probate Court for the district of Lebanon Fairhaven in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont Samuel Cook ap d who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following additional declaration.
After much reflection he is confident that he performed the service for one month as stated in his first declaration in the year 1778 in parts of the months of September & October under the command of Genl. Spencer - The object of raising the Regiment to which he belonged at that time was to drive the Enemy from Rhode Island - But in consequence of high winds the American Army was prevented from crossing the Bay.
The declarant further says that he performed the three months service as stated in his first declaration in the year 1779 & is confident he entered the service in the month of September.

He further says he was Born on the 18 th day of February A.D. 1754 at Plainfield in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut.
He has a record of his age in a book in his possession made by his Father. The second & third times he was entered the service as before stated he resided in the town County of Windham & State of Connecticut
In the year 1788 he moved to Brattle in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont.
That each time he entered the service as stated in his declaration he voluntarily belonged to Troops raised under the authority of the state of Connecticut
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid.
Samuel Cook
183-14
General Cook Subscription
I Selah A. Merrill Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of Fairhaven hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Cook for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of Feb- ruary A.D. 1835.
S. A. Merrill

Samuel Cook Prattland 6 th March
d. m.
adm 7 mo. 29 ds.
$26.53/100
Hon. Wm Slade Ho. Rev.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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, showing the Service of Samuel Cook
   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.     May 1775 8 Capt not rec collected Major Johnson Col Brigadier Genl Putnam Col W'blennin Col Ledyard March to Boston or Cambridge then the whole time of his enlistment 78 years Windsor Conn 60 years To a testimony a clergyman  
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 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 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. 3
[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.
[i] 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. 3

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
only Samuel Cook of Conn. troops found on Rev. War pension roll. Cook. S.F. 22187.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1775 8 mos. Maj. Othniel Johnson Durkee Conn.   Sept. 1778 1 mo. Capt. Abner Robinson McLellan "   Sept. 1779 3 mos. Rust Ledyard "            
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Canterbury, Windham Co., Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 8, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Brattle, Rutland Co., Vt. since 1788
Age at date of application, Feb. 18, 1754 at Plainfield, Windham Co., Conn.
Remarks: no data as to family.

Howard, Kansas.
June 27, 1908.
Bureau of Pensions. Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
If possible, I should like to ascertain from what town in Connecticut, Samuel Cook, a Revolutionary Soldier, came.
I have been told that he went to Westport, New York, to get his first pensions, but he lived in Connecticut.
Respectfully, Katharine Cook Gregg.

Ho. of Reps Dec. 7. 1838
Sir
Herewith I send the pension papers of Samuel Cook, among which you will find a late certificate of the Comptroller of public accounts of Count. proving service of Mr. C. to the amount of 7 m. 29 d.
Please report to me
very respectfully
William Slade
J. L. Edwards Esq

Comptroller of Compt. Certificate Case of Saml. Cook.
Write to Samuel Cook Jr. Middlebury.
Hon. Wm Slade Middlebury Vermont
Hon. W Slade RR

Camptriollers Office Stafford Conn s , Oct 17. 1838
I certify that on application for evidence of the Services of Sam l Cooke, I have examined the Books, Papers remaining in this Office relating to the War of the Revolution and find his name on a "Pay Roll of the 4 th Co y 3 rd Reg t raised by order of Gen l Assembly Conn t in 1775" where he commenced Service as private May 21 st Time of Discharge Dec r 15 Making 6 mo s 24 days, And on "Pay Roll of the Eight Months Men who served in the 1 st Conn t Reg t in the year 1782." Sam l Cooke commenced Service Nov r 1 st Time of Discharge Dec r 5 making 1 mo s 5 day s — That no Pay Roll of Capt Alner Robinson can be found in this Office. On Pay Table Books is the following entry. "Capt Alner Robinson D r Jan y 28 1779. To order on Treas r on a/c his Co y as p t Rec d $1200-6-8. To Cash rec d in Continental Chucks $455-13-0 C o By his a/c render d $2855-19-18 M c Clellans Reg t and under the head of "War D r To order on Treas r p t Capt Alner Robinson for his Co y Col t M c Lellans Reg t for 1778 & 79 $2378-19-8" & on Pay Table Books under the following heading "Militia under Gen l Spencer to Rhode Island in 1776 1777 & 78" Col t M c Lellans name appears — The services of Capt Rust cannot be found on the Books or papers in this office —
Henry Kirbourn Compt
6-24
1-5
7-29

Hartford Oct 17 1838
Sir
enclosed you have the certificate for survey of land books as far as I can find him in our records. I have stated the names of Capt. Abner Robinson for the years 1777, 78 & 79 which will go to coordinate books declaration for service in 1778. You will see by the Certificate that Mr. Lellan was under Genl. Spencer in 1778.
How William Slade
Yours Respectfully Henry Wilbourn Comp

Mr. La. Pa.
Revolution
22 187 INVALID.
Jan. 5/98. History to Sam R. Curry, Phi
1918 July 9. Hist. 28 Mrs. Katharine Cook Gregg. a.P.
File No. 22,187
Samuel Cook
Rev. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]

26 5 5 7
18 5 8 5 12 27
19 8 1 2

War Department Pension Office
March 10. 1835.
Sir.
Claims cannot be admitted, unless supported by proof, if it is attainable - The services stated in your declaration, may be verified by the Rolls and Records, in the office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts of Connecticut at Hartford - The papers are returned, for proof from that Source.
Very Respectfully
Your obed t Servant.
J L Edwards
M c Samuel Cook Orwell Vermont

I Shurman Pillsbury a clergyman residing in the town of Orwell County of Rutland and State of Vermont hereby certify that from my acquaint- ance with Mr Samuel Cook who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that I believe him to be in the seventy ninth year of his age that he is respected and believed in the high neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that I fully concur in that opinion and further certify that the said Samuel supports a good character in the town where he resides and whose testimony I fully believe would bear full weight in every cause and in every court where he is best known
Shurman Pillsbury
State of Vermont } Sworn & subscribed Rutland County } at Orwell September 6 th 1832 in due form of Law before me
Thomas D. Hammond Justice Peace
State of Vermont } Rutland County } ss
I Robert Peipoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that Thomas D. Hammond is a justice of the peace for said County and that the above signature is his hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 20 th day of Sept. A.D. 1832 R Peipoint