Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,734, Moses Craig, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass
Craig, Moses or Craige
L 29734
CONTENTS

10682  Massachusetts
Nasaw Wang
of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a S t Corp t in the Company commanded by Captain Abel of the Reg t commanded by Col Robinson in the Mass line for 20 months & 4 days Private 1 " 45 " Corporal
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $71- Dollars - 38- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of April 1833 and Sept. 8 1833  Island of Nantucket Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $42.76 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept., 35.69 $178.45
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Atkinson Clerk Book 2 Vol. 20 Page 10

Mrs. Gray 75-50 19
Old Care
Edwin S. Leland.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss. On this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Wrentham in and for said County, Moses Craig a resident of Wrentham in said County, aged seventy eight , 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 was born at Wrentham in said County on the fourteenth day of June A. D. 1754, and that there is a record of his birth in the Town Records of Wrentham : that he was in the United States service from the last day of June A. D. 1776, to the last day of Decr. A. D. 1776 (6 months) as a Private in the Militia of Massachusetts : that he was residing at Wrentham aforesaid when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Lewis Whiting in Col. Ephraim Wheelock's Regt : that he marched from Wrentham to Medfield , from there to Kurnitt  N.H. from there to Scituate : that he served at Scituate with The Jersey Blues (so called) of the regular troops; and Col. Baldwin & Gen. Gates of the regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Wrentham aforesaid , & that he has no documentary evidence of this service.
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the first day of January A. D. 1777, to the first day of April A. D. 1777 (3 months) as a Corporal in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Wrentham aforesaid when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Thomas Pitts (no Regt): that he marched from Wrentham to Providence from there to Fort King  from  there to St. Kingston : that he served at St. Kingston with none of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge. & that he has no documentary evidence of this service.
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the 24th day of Jan'y A. D. 1776, to the first day of April A. D. 1776, 2 months 4 days as a Private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Wrentham when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Samuel Grew of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Robinson : that he marched from Wrentham to Rotbury , from  to  from  to : that he served at Rotbury with none of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge. & that to the best of his knowledge by whom he can prove this service nor has he any documentary evidence of it.

THAT he was — — — — — upon the pension roll under the act of 1818 as a Private in the Continental Army — — — — — and that at the time of his — application, he was residing at Wrentham aforesaid, but has since been stricken from the Rolls Pension List Roll, on account of property
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from — — — about the twenty fifth day of September A. D. 1777, to the fourth day of October A. D. 1777 1 5 as a Corporal in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Wrentham aforesaid when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Samuel Cawd in Col Benjamin Hovey's Regt : that he marched from Wrentham to Pocumtuck from — — — to — — — from Wrentham to Little Compton : that he served at Little Compton with none of the regular troops; and
no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge. That there is no person living by whom he can prove his service. That he has no documentary evidence of the same. And that there is no other documentary evidence except that which is to be found upon the Pay Rolls in the Secretary of the War Department
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 first aforesaid. Moses Craig
We Elisha Fish a clergyman, residing in the Wrentham
and Calvin Fish Jr residing in — — — Wrentham hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Craig who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 78 — — — 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 as aforesaid. Elisha Fish Calvin Fish Jr
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 abovenamed appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Elisha Fish, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Wrentham; and that Calvin Fish Jr who has also signed the same is a resident in Wrentham and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
the said court further certify that Calvin Fish Jr is a justice of the peace for the county of Plymouth & that the name subscribed to the certificate is the true signature of the said Calvin Fish Jr
Samuel Hovey, Regt, of the band of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Moses Craig, for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Hovey 3

Moses (raig) class
Old case
Private 20 Men & 4 Days Captured 1  5- 21 9
E. S. Leland Roxbury Mass

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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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 Moses Craig County of Norfolk State of Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol 1776 6 22 Priv Capt Whittier Col. Whittier 78 years Documentary   Vol 1777 3 Capt Pitkin M c Col. Nrenthem Mass Evidence   1776 2 14 Capt Ladd Col. Robinson 3 Witness who   1777 1 5 Corporal Capt Ladd Col. Hawes Papers correctly authenticated  
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 days 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 , 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.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration;

I Moses Coaige of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Oath declare, that in June A D 1776. I enlisted a Soldier in the Service of the United American Colonies to join the Northern Army under Gen l Gates I served in Capt d Lewis Whiting's Company in Col t Wheelock's Regiment, and was discharged at Tioughnioga in December in 1776. I received no discharge in Whiting. Afterwards I enlisted in June A D 1778. in the Continental Army at Watertown for nine months in Col t Nixon's Regiment in Massachusetts line, and being a Carpenter by trade, was during that time Attached to a Capt d Blake's Company of Artificers and served in the same till my time expired; I was honourably discharged at Verplank's Point on the North River in March A D 1779, having served nine months. I received no Certificate of my Discharge in Whiting. Am now Sixty Three years of Age and reduced in my Circumstances: and have need of assistance from my Country for Support. Moses Coaige
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss. In this 8 th day of April A D 1818 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the S th Circuit personally appeared Moses Coaige above named who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his Oath made the foregoing declaration by him subscribed in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service"

service of the United States in the revolutionary war.
And I do certify that to my satisfaction it appears that the said Mark Craig did serve in the revolutionary war as he has stated in his said declaration for the term of nine months on the continental establishment. And I now under seal transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of said act of Congress.
Jairus Ware Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for S d Circuit

We Lewis Whiting & James Whiting both of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that we have been personally acquainted with Moses Coage who made the affidavit aforesaid. He is & has been a prudent and industrious man but owing to much and continued sickness in his family is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of assistance from his country for support.
Lewis Whiting James Whiting
No. 1088. On this 8 th day of April A.D. 1818. The aforesaid Lewis Whiting & James Whiting credible witnesses personally known to me made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by them subscribed. Before me Lucius Ware Judge of Probate Court for said County

29 734 INVALID. Revy
File No. 29,734
Moses Craig Coupl Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 87
[Arrangement of 1870.]

9085 [Signature]
See letter 12. Nov. 1832 to E. S. Leland.
Massachusetts
Moses Craige
of Wrentham in the state of Mass: who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Nixon of the Mass: line, for the term of 9 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 3 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 of April 1819 and sent to Judge Ware at Wrentham, Norfolk Co. Mass:
Arrears to 4th of March 1819. 10 mos \frac{23}{30} \cdot \frac{9}{31} . 87.16
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 11 Sept: 1819 — 48 —
$135.16
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Elias Ware of Wrentham in the county of Norfolk State of Mass, on oath do depose and say that Moses Craig of said Wrentham, went to Secondaroga as a private Soldier in the Six months Service in Col. Wheelock's Regt. and Capt Lewis Whiting's Company in the year 1776, and further that the said Craig went to West-point in July in the year 1778, and served the term of Nine months, with Capt. Goodell's Company, in Col. Dixon's Regt. - and the said Craig is a Person, I am well acquainted with and his Age is about Seventy nine years.
Wrentham Augst. 21 st 1832. Elias Ware
Wortham Augst. 21 st 1832. Then the above named Elias Ware personally appeared, and made solemn Oath, that the above deposition by him Subscribed is true.
Before me Calvin Fisher Justice of Peace

Eliza Ware of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Bille Mann of Stratton in the County of Windham in the State of Vermont, do depose and say that Moses Cragg of Wrentham in County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, did in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven, enlist into the service, under Capt. Thomas Potter, and did serve the full term of Three Months, and was stationed at North Kingston, in the State of Rhode Island,
Eliza Ware. Bille Mann
Norfolk ss. July 16 th 1832. Then the above named Eliza Ware and Bille Mann, made solemn Oath to the foregoing Deposition, by them submitted before me Calvin Fisher Justice of the peace
July 16 th 1832. The above Eliza Ware and Bille Mann are Men of Truth and Veracity according to my best knowledge of them.
Calvin Fisher

Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of Septem r next, in Boston, at the US Branch Bank -
Recorded

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818,
Moses Craige late a Private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to com- mence on the eighth day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this fifth day of April one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Dec 20 th 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Moses Craig is borne upon a Pay Roll of Capt Samuel Lowell's Company in Col Benjamin Haws's Reg d , & is therein stated to have served as a Corporal, for the period of thirty five days, commencing Sept twenty fifth 1777 —
I further, certify , that upon an examination no Rolls of Capts Lewis Whiting & Phoebe Patten were found upon the files. & none of Capt Sam l Lowell for three months from January 1 st 1775
Edward Bangs Secy