Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12556, Nathan Cobb, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
bobb, Nathan
S. 12556
CONTENTS
carded

Vermont. 180755
Nathan Cobb
of Windsor co. in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Abby. of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Jacob in the Mass. M a . line for 10 mo. 14 day.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont.
at the rate of 34 Dollars 87 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Sept r 1833. and sent to W. Palmer. Woodstock. Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 33 $ 87.18 Semi-ann. allowance ending Mar. 34 17.43
$ 104.61
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. Brown Clerk.
Book E. Vol. 3. Page 58

Nathan Cobb Declaration
20505

STATE OF VERMONT, } WINDSOR COUNTY, ss. }
On this 29 th day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford District now sitting, Nathan Cobb a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged sixty nine 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In the year 1776 he lived in Sandwich Massachusetts the last of April or the first of May in said year he volunteered & went to Neshannick Island Mass. Joined Capt. Gossoms Company stationed there at a Fort. Stephen Fish was Lieut. of said company was only one company on the Island at that time - staid there till the last of October or the first of November the said year then returned home in the year 1779 or so he enlisted into Capt. Toleys company (State Troops) for three months marched to Bruts Hill Black Island & joined Colo. Jacobs Regiment staid there a short time then went with twelve or fourteen others to Bristol ferry staid there six weeks or more then went to Bruts Hill staid a short time then went to Howland ferry R. Island staid there till his time was out then returned home between the time of his going to Neshannick & his going to Black Island he enlisted into Capt. Toleys company (as a minute man so called) during said time that he stood as a minuteman he was called out on an alarm went to Falmouth Mass. twice served during both times six or seven weeks. He has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services except the testimony accompanying this -

He was born in Sandwich Mass. the 17th day of August 1763 when it is recorded & he also recorded it in a Book kept for that purpose in the year 1780 He removed to Sherburne New Hampshire staid there till 1804 or 5 then removed to Norwich Vermont staid there two years then removed to Hartford Vermont where he has ever since lived as known to many of the inhabitants in particular to Rev Joseph B. White & Mr. Thomas Savage who can testify to his character for honesty & his belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
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. }
Nathan Cobb
L. Marsh, Register
We, Joseph B. White a Clergyman residing in Hartford and Thomas Savage residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathan Cobb — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 69 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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. }
Joseph B. White Thomas Savage
L. Marsh, Register
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 Joseph B. White who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Hartford and that Thomas Savage who has also signed the same, is a resident in Hartford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Lyndon A. Marsh, Register of the Court of Probate of the District of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan Cobb for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 29 day of November A. D. 1832
L. Marsh, Register

State of Vermont } Woodstock June 29th 1833 Windsor County } Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of peace within & for the County of Windsor Nathan Cobb who being duly sworn Deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his Services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below in the following grades — For ten months & fourteen days I served as a Private & for such Service I claim a Pension & for the time during which the Service was performed I was not employed in any civil pursuit that I served with an embodied Corps called into Service by compelled auth- ority & performed the Service as I have stated in my said declaration which this is an addi- tion or amendment thereto. I further depose & say that I cannot now recollect whether it was in 1777 or 1780 that I served in Colo Jacobs Regiment on Rhode Island but thinks it was in 1780 — I further depose & say that no further testimony can be obtained to prove either of my terms of service that I know of no person living that can testify for me —
Nathan Cobb
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year first above written Before me Edwin Hutchinson Justice of the Peace.
The foregoing "1780" is written on erasure before signing Nathan Cobb Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont Windsor County
I Benjamin Swan clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby Certify that Edwin Hutchinson who has affixed his name to the with- in is a Magistrate duly qualified & that the same is his genuine Signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Woodstock this 29th day of June A D 1833
Benj. Swan
Nathan Cobb

I Jacob Cobb of Randolph in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged seventy four years, testify and say that Nathan Cobb of Hartford in Windsor County and State of Vermont aged sixty nine years last August is my brother - I and the said Nathan lived in Sandwich Massachusetts at the commencement of the Revolutionary War. In the month of April or first of May 1776 at the time I enlisted to go to Boston Mass. the said Nathan had enlisted or was talking about enlisting to go to Naskawon Island for six months - soon after my return from Boston I saw the said Nathan in Sandwich in the fall of 1776 and then understood he had just returned from Naskawon Island. I have always believed and now have not the least doubt but said Nathan served as a soldier on said Island the term of six months - I further testify & say that in the month of July 1779 or 1780. I now think in 1780 the said Nathan I enlisted at said Sandwich for the term of three months in Capt. Toby's Company I think, we went to Rhode Island and he served the term of three months in the same company with me - Some two or three years after the commencement of the Revolutionary War volunteer or minute men companies were formed for the purpose of protecting the inhabitants on the Cape from the enemy and guarding the sea coast. The soldiers belonging to such companies, were obliged to keep themselves constantly armed & equipped for the service - a company of this kind, who formed in said Sandwich, commanded by Capt. Joshua Toby if I recollect right, into which company the said Nathan Cobb enlisted - This company & others formed for the same purpose, as I suppose, were frequently called out upon military duty upon alarms, and whenever the British ships appeared along upon the coast. The company in which said Nathan enlisted was often called out on such occasions, and the said Nathan was called out with them - Most of the times they were called out, occurred when I was absent from home, but I was informed of them when I returned home, and then I now verily believe that my said information was correct - Once or twice the Refugees attempted to

burn Falmouth Mass. once the British attempted to land at Barnstable Mass. and at some other places, as I understood —
Jacob Cobb
Subscribed and sworn to at said Randolph this 10th day of September A. D. 1832
Daniel Cobb } Councillor & } Jus. Prov. & Officer
I hereby certify that the above named Jacob Cobb is a credible person and to me well known —
Subscribed by me      Daniel Cobb } Councillor & } Jus. Prov. & Officer
State of Vermont      Orange County      Clerk's Office September 10th 1832 I H. E. G. B. Laughlen Clerk of Orange County Court hereby certify that Daniel Cobb before whome the foregoing affidavits were taken is a Judge of Orange County Court duly authorized to administer Oaths, and that the several Signatures thereto, purporting to be his are genu- ine — In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office the Day & Year above written —
H. E. G. B. Laughlen Clerk

State of Vermont } I Harry Hale Orange County } Clerk of Orange County
Do hereby certify that Daniel Gold who has affixed his name to the within affidavit is a Commissioner of Justice of the Peace & officio & duly qualified to administer oaths as that I know the signature purporting to be his to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Chelsea in said Orange County This fifth day of July A.D. 1833-
Harry Hale, Clerk

I Ellis Fish of Randolph in the County of Orange & State of Vermont aged seventyseven years testify & say that I have been well acquainted with Nathan Cobb of Hartford in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont who is about applying for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 for more than sixty years, said Nathan Cobb was born in Sandwich Ms. where I lived when said Cobb went to Nashua Ms & served on said Island as a soldier in the year (to the best of my calculation) 1776 - I cannot recollect how long said Cobb was gone from Sandwich to Nashua but to the best of my recollection he did not return from Nashua to Sandwich till the fall of 1776 - Previous to the attempt of the Refugees to burn Falmouth, which from the record of the birth of my second son Peter Fish I think was in the year 1779 the said Nathan Cobb according to the best of my recollection & belief enlisted or volunteered in Capt Joshua Doby's Company (I think) but but for how long a time said Cobb enlisted I know not. During his enlistment in said Company I saw said Cobb at Falmouth Ms at the time the Refugees attempted to burn said Town where & on the sea cost said Cobb remained & did service as a soldier as I merely believe about six weeks for I have no recollection of seeing said Cobb in Sandwich till about six weeks after I saw him & left him in Falmouth Ellis Fish
Subscribed & sworn to at Randolph in Orange County this 9 th day of September
A 1032
Before
Daniel Cobb Commissioner for Peace & officers
I hereby certify that the abovenamed Ellis Fish is to me well known &
is a credible person Certified by
Daniel Cobb Commissioner for Peace & officers

20,605- Nathan Cobb.
Admit 10 mos 14 d
Walter Palmer Woodstock Vermont

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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. These 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 Nathan Cobb of Windsor County Vermont
   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.     Vol. 1776 first of May to last of Oct 0 6 0 Pri Capt Grames No field officers mentioned in 1st tour None from Sandwich to Batt. Hill R. Island Sandwich Massachussetts Living Witnesses   1779 0 3 0 " Toby Col Jacob   " 0 6 or 7 weeks 0 minute man Toby aged 69 years  
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.
[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.
□ The notes from [a] to [e] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] 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.

20,605- Nathan Cobb.
admit- 10 mo's 14 d
Walter Palmer Woodstock Vermont

1906 Jan 15. History, to Mrs F G Avery. M. B. H.
Revised
12556 INVALID.
File No. 12,556
Rathbone
Phil. Rev. par.
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]

O.M. & D. PENSION OFFICE JAN 2 1906 U.S.
OLD SOLDIERS & SAILORS JAN 4 1906 FILES.
January 1st 1906
Pension Office Washington D.C.
Can you give me any information in regard to Nathan Cobb enlisted in the Revolutionary war from the State of Massachusetts I think. Twice enlisted, and granted a pension about 1832. Also any information in regard
Information from Card Nathan Cobb MISC

to Jacob Cobb, Nathan's brother and supposed to have enlisted in his same company, in July 1779. I shall be very much obliged for any assistance you may give me, in assembling facts in regard to these my ancestors.
Close addres
Mrs. F. C. Avery
142 Grove St. Hartford Conn.