Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,342, Matthew Copley, Mass. Mass Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Copley, Matthew
S. 30,342
Mass Mass Service
CONTENTS

10,5219
Massachusetts
Matthew Copley
Handwritten text describing service: "in the State of Mass who was a Seaman in the company commanded by Captain Ely of the regt commanded by Col Brown in the Mass line for 60 days Seaman"
11 " Private State Infantry"
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 57 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of Apr 1833 and sent to Nathl Spring Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Apr 1833 $114.66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep " 28.66
$143.32
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk, Book 10 - Vol. 2 Page 10.
See letter 16 June 1835 to S. Lathrop
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 th Sept 1838 to 13 Feb 1839 the day of his death. Notified 16 June 1840
82
Hampden

2515 Matthew Copley
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, likely from the original letter.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. County of Hampden }
On this eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the court of Probate for said county now sitting Matthew Copley a resident of West Springfield in the county of Hampden aforesaid & state of Massachusetts aged eighty years who first being 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 & served as herein after stated. That in the summer of the year 1776 he entered into the service for the term of five months. He thinks it was in July, into a company commanded by Saml Flower of said West Springfield - Col. John C. Hovey was Lieutenant & Col. Miller was Ensign. That he went immediately to Tienderoga & remained there for five months. & was discharged some time in December. That while at Tienderoga the company was employed in building redoubts, clearing the surrounding country of the brush that the Indians might not approach us unseen. - That he had no other service to perform this campaign, except that which was performed at & about the fort at Tienderoga.
That he was born in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 20 th February 1752 at a place situated not very remote from that in which Genl Braddock was defeated. That his father has told him, that he was driven off by the Indians. That he was very young when his father left Pennsylvania & came to Suffield in Connecticut. That about the year 1774 he removed with his father's family to the immediate neighborhood in which he now lives, which then constituted a part of the town of Westfield, but has since been annexed to West Springfield. That the only record of his birth, of which he has any knowledge, is the one made by his father, on the title page leaf of his Bible, which is now in the possession of his brother Benjamin. That when he entered into the public service during the Revolutionary war, he lived in the town of West Springfield & has ever since made it his home there, & lives there still. Though, having no family, he has frequently labored in other towns, & passed several consecutive months in various other places. That in every instance of Revolutionary service, he entered voluntarily. That he does not recollect having ever rec d a written discharge.
The said Matthew further declares, That very soon after his return from the service abovementioned & in the month of December 1776 he again enlisted for the term of three months, under Capt. Nathan Rawley of this town, and marched through Bennington & Skeneborough, where they crossed the lake on the ice to Tienderoga. That Capt. Rawley's company was stationed on board some vessels on the Lake, which were drawn in, between the fort & Mount Independence. That they performed garrison duty on board the vessels for nearly or quite the whole time. That he remained there till the period of his enlistment had expired, which must have been as late as the latter part of March.

as the ice had then nearly or quite disappeared on the Lake - that Colonel Robinson of Granville, if he recollects right, was his Colonel - that his brother Benjamin Cobley, & John Egerton of this town were both with him in this lastmentioned service - We all enlisted at the same time, marched together & returned together.
The said Matthew further declares, that in the month of June 1780 he again enlisted for the term of three months under Capt. Levi Ely of this town to go up the Mohawk river - for the purpose of protecting the inhabitants upon the frontier against the incursions of the Indians - that Fowler & Stiles, were Lieutenants in our Company - Brown of Pittsfield in this State was Colonel - That we were employed some part of the time in guarding the public stores in their transportation to the troops at Fort Stanwix - That on or about the last day of the time for which he had enlisted, they were attacked by the Indians, & defeated - that Col. Brown was killed, & also Capt. Ely & nearly twenty of his company - This battle took place not far from the 26 th October. & that immediately after the battle he was discharged & returned home - That there was a larger number of young men from this town in that engagement, & more were slain, in it, from this town, than in any other battle during the war - That Josiah Loonis of this town was with him in this term of service, from the commencement of their march till after the engagement.
The said Matthew Cobley further declares that in the spring of the year 1777 he enlisted as a marine on board the Brig Hazard, commanded by Capt. Smith - that the brig sailed from Boston - carried 16 guns - that they took one prize & sent her into Boston, & that he received his share of the prize money - that he enlisted for six months, & that the brig returned into port same time in the fall - & that after the six months were out he was discharged - he recollects that when he was returning home, the farmers were engaged in their corn harvest - That he cannot now recollect the name of any other person on board, except the Captain, nor does he know whether any person is now living -
The said Matthew states that he is well known to Roland Burbank Esq. Alfred Flower Esq. Samuel Palmer, Fredericks Palmer & Uriah Loonis, who can testify to his character for veracity & to their belief of his services as a soldier in the Revolution.
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 known to a subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Matthew Cobley

We Frederick Palmer & Spencer Flower both residing in West Springfield, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Matthew Copley who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be eighty years of age. That he is reputed & believed to have been a soldier of the revolution. & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Frederick Palmer -
Spencer Flower
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department, that the abovenamed Applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. Since the Court further certifies that Frederick Palmer & Spencer Flower who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the town of West Springfield in said County & are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. Present Hon. Oliver B. Morris Judge of said Court
I Justin Willard Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Matthew Copley for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty two
Justin Willard

No 2515
Matthew Copley of W. Springfield Ill.
Seaman 6 Months - Parole 11 Do
The official character & signature of the Magistrate not certified
Mr 7/18/82
$57.33
Saml. Lathrop Just. W. Springfield Prof.

BRIEF in the case of Matthew Copley of the County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 80 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 July — 5 — Private Gen. Capt. Saml. Flower, St. L. Chapin   1776 Decr. — 3 — do Capt. Nathan Rowley   1780 June — 3 — do Col. Brown, Capt. Lewis Ely   1777 in the Spring — 6 — Seaman Brig. Hazard, Capt. Smith  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? in taking a prize at Sea  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? West Springfield  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses no written discharge  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Regular 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

30 342 REV INVALID.
File No. 30 342
Matthew Copley Rev War
Act: June 1 st 89 n
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 82
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 10 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Admin on of the widow of Matthew Copley, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Fifty Seven Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1838, to the 13 th Feb'y 1839, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Edward B. Parsons
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

2515-
Matthew Copley
Samuel Lathrop Jr W Springfield Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Matthew Lopley 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 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, — but two others 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes  The officer chose not to sign as the magistrate not certified 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 XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes —
 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.
† 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ 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.

I Josiah Loomis of West Springfield of lawful age depose & say that in the month of June 1780, I enlisted into the service for the term of those months, but did not leave home till some time in July - That Matthew Copley enlisted at the same time with me, went into the service with me under the same officers & returned at the same time - th We enlisted to go up the Mohawk river, under Capt. Levi Ely of this town. Bildad Fowler, & Stiles of this town & Martin Smith of Westfield were Lieutenants of our company - the company consisted of 72 men & we had three Lieutenants - Brown was Colonel & Root was Major of the Regiment to which we belonged - They both belonged to Pittsfield in this State - that we were employed as guards to protect the inhabitants from the incursions of the Indians - & protect the stores the provisions & cattle which were sent on from time to time to Fort Stanwix - that in the month of October, we were attacked by the Indians - that Col. Brown Capt. Ely, & about twenty of his men were killed - others were wounded - Matthew Copley was in the engagement with me - Our time of service expired on the time of this defeat on the 18 th of October, which was the day of the battle - th I remained there one or two days after Copley returned homeward: & he set out, if I recollect right on the second day after the battle.
Josiah Loomis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss. On the fourth day of August October 1832 the above named Josiah Loomis, who swears the reputation of a man of truth & veracity personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Sam Lathrop Justice of the Peace
Hampden ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Samuel Lathrop Esq. before whom the above and the two annexed depositions were verified is a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that his name thereto subscribed is his true and genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

I John Egleston of West Springfield in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose & say that in July 1776 I enlisted into the United States service for the term of five months & that Nathan Copley of this town enlisted with me - That we marched immediately from this town directly to Ticonderoga in the state of New York - That while we were there we were engaged principally in camp duty, building redoubts, & repairing forts &c - We had no engagement with the enemy while there but were discharged about the 20 th of December when our time had expired & we returned immediately home -
I further say that I had been home but about a week when there was another call for the militia to go again to Ticonderoga - I immediately enlisted again & went from this town to Albany in the state of New York & from thence marching through Bennington in the state of Vermont from thence to Skeneborough & from thence across the lake on the ice to Ticonderoga - after we arrived we were stationed aboard the ships which were frozen in the lake where we remained until we were discharged which was about the first of April 1777 - Nathan Copley above mentioned enlisted with me at the same time in both of the above expeditions, went on in company with me - were both of us in one company & in the last expedition he was a messmate of mine - & in both cases we were discharged & returned together - The first expedition was under Capt Samuel Howells of this town - the last under Capt Nathan Rowley also of this town - John Egleston
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss On the fourth day of August 1832 - The above named John Egleston, who has the character of a man of truth & veracity personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed -
Before me Sam Lathrop Justice of the Peace

I Benjamin Copley of West Springfield in the county of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose & say - That in December 1776 I enlisted into the United States service for the term of three months & that Matthew Copley of this town enlisted with me for the same time. That we immediately marched from this town to Albany in the state of New York from thence through Bennington in the state of Vermont & from thence to Skeneborough & from thence crossed the lake on the ice to Ticonderoga in the state of New York. After we arrived we were stationed as guards aboard the ships which were frozen in the lakes where we remained until we were discharged which was about the first of April 1777. Matthew Copley abovementioned enlisted with me & went on in company with me, was stationed aboard the same ship, & was a messmate of mine, & was discharged & returned at the same time. Robinson of Granville in this county was Colonel of the Regiment. Nathan Rowley was captain of the company. Bedwell of Westfield Lieutenant & Jesse McIntire of this town ensign.
Benjamin Copley
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss. On the fourth day of August 1832, the above named Benjamin Copley personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Saml. Lathrop Justice of the Peace