Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29718, John Collester, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Colleser, John
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S 29718
B.L. Wt. 34944-160-55
CONTENTS

21.452  Massachusetts  John Colleser
of Framingham in the State of Mass who was a Sgt. Vc. in the Corp. commanded by Captain Warner of the Regt. commanded by Col. Holman in the Mass'tts line for 3 M. Sep. } $ 15 - 3. 14. D. Corp. } 12.66 17. 16. p.m. } 56.06 176 $85.18
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of $85 Dollars 18 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Sep. 1833 and unto S. Sathrop Springfield Springfield
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $212.95 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. 4. 34 42.59 $255.54
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } Co. A. Stiles Clerk,
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 2. Page 19.
Date of death not known
215621

215. 621.
18! / 29 ) 55.
31,
John Colchester
Pri: Capt. & Serg.
Capt. Richard Col. Henry.
   11  Ent. Oct. 1780  Dis. Dec 16. 1780    2 Ser.  Ent. 27, 1781  Dis 3 "  Capt. Cutler  Col. Denny  Corporal.   
Revolutionary War.
Mop June 32-21482
AD: 16 Oct, pg. 28/86
BBY/DA
VM
James W. Brooks Springfield Mass.
Vol. 62-29.

John Collier 5737

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } County of Hampden }
On this twenty seventh day of August personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting John Collesler a resident of Blanford in the county of Hampden aforesaid & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy five years last April 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 & served as herein stated - That about the first of September 1775 he entered into the service of the United States He then resided in the town of Westfield in the county of Worcester - as a substitute for Nathan Wood of the town of Westfield - That he went down to Roxbury in this state for the purpose of seeing the army - & at the request of Nathan Wood of Westfield he took his place as a substitute in the company of which Matthew Gray of Westfield was Lieutenant. The other company officers he does not recollect - At the expiration of two weeks Wood returned & I then entered as a substitute for him Crane of the same town into the same company for two weeks more - at the expiration of which time I returned home, making just one month's service - We were engaged principally in camp duty keeping guard &c - The army at this time were on Boston neck - Generals Ward & Thomas were in command there - Larned was Colonel - Grafton Hays Lt Colonel & Holman Major of the regiment to which he belonged -
The said Collesler further states that in the latter part of December 1775 he again enlisted as a militia man to go to Roxbury in this state - That he went from Westfield to Spencer in this state where he passed muster & was immediately marched under Lieut. Edward Brooks of Westfield to Roxbury - The Captain of the company he does not recollect - Hatheway was orderly sergeant - Larned was Colonel - Hays Lt Colonel & Holman Major of the regiment - That he was engaged in camp duty making fast  fast &c until the time for which he enlisted which was for two months had expired - Before this two months had expired Lieut. Brooks was taken sick & died - Immediately after he was discharged he again volunteered for one month & remained in Col Larned's regiment - That he was in different companies while he remained being changed from one company to another as he supposed for the purpose of keeping the number of men in each equal - That the night before his time expired he marched to Dorchester point & was engaged in

building breastworks there. That in the morning the British shipping commenced firing upon us & continued firing the most of the day - But his time having expired he received a written discharge & returned home - He further states that in July 1776 he again enlisted into the service from Western into the company commanded by Capt Daniel Loarne of Hardwick in this state for the term of six months - The company mustered at West Brookfield & marched from thence to Springfield where he passed muster. From thence we passed through Hartford in the state of Connecticut to New Haven where we went on board a sloop for New York City - when he joined the regiment under Col Holman - Coney was Lieutenant Col & Sears Major - He remained in the city until the army retreated & the British took possession - at this place there was a call for volunteers & he volunteered He retreated from New York City to Harlem Heights & was in an engagement with the British near that place - Major Knowlton of Connecticut & Major Leach of Pennsylvania were killed in this engagement - From Harlem heights we retreated & passed Fort Wash- West ington, & afterwards crossed Kingsbridge & from thence to West Chester where we halted for a few days - we again retreated to White Plains - while at White Plains I volunteered with two or three hundred others & had marched to near the Court House where we had a skirmish with some British horse & were obliged to return to our regiment - the main army lay at this time in the fort - The regiment to which he belonged together with the one commanded by Col Brooks & one other, were stationed Southwest of White Plains where we had an engagement with the enemy in which a great number belonging to Brooks' regiment were killed - We then retreated across the Plain where we met the regiment commanded by Col Mc Dougall. & we were marched to Tuckahoe hill - At this place we had another engagement with the enemy in which a number belonging to of our regiment were killed & we were obliged to retreat when we returned to the fortifications & joined the main army - After a few days the army left this place & after stopping at various places the remainder of which he does not now recollect he came to near Stoney Point when his time had expired & he received a written discharge & returned home - General Washington was chief in command at this time - Generals Putnam & Lee & others were there.
He further states that in July 1777 that he again enlisted from Western, into the service for the term of two months into the company commanded he thinks by Capt Goodell & marched to Bennington in the state of Vermont & continued at Bennington & Manchester guarding the public property at those places until the time of his enlistment had expired & he returned home -
He further states that the next day after he returned from the last mentioned expedition & sometime in September 1777 he again enlisted into the service into the company commanded by Capt Joseph Culler of Western & marched from that place to Bennington in the state of Vermont - from thence to Falls Mills near which

place we joined the Regiment commanded by Col Stone of Western. From thence to Half moon where we remained a few days & then returned to Bennington & arrived before the morning after the battle at that place. Thence we returned passing through Teller's Mills & proceeded up the east side of Hudson river to nearly opposite Saratoga where we remained a few days & then went to Fort Edward where we remained until the next day after the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga - when we again returned to opposite Saratoga where we were dismissed & returned home. He was absent on this expedition he thinks a little more than a month - General Lincoln was present some of the time on this tour. The other officers he does not recollect.
He further states that in the Month of March 1778 he again enlisted for the term of three months & marched to Roxbury in this state. When we arrived at Roxbury that part of the Regiment which had had the small pox were detached from the rest & were marched to Boston to guard the prisoners which were confined on board the guardships & to guard the public stores at that place. The small pox raged at this time in Boston. He remained there on that duty until his time had expired he cannot say the day that he returned but it was not until after his enlistment had expired - Nestor of Boston was our commander while we were in Boston.
He further states that on the nineteenth day of October 1779 into the army he enlisted for three months into the service into the Company commanded by Capt Joseph Richardson & marched to Kinderhook in the state of New York where the regiment was formed after staying there a short time we were marched directly to Albany where we remained in the barracks for some time when we were marched up the river five or six miles & remained there until we were discharged  discharged . He was discharged on the ground where the city of Troy now stands. He was discharged before his time had expired he thinks about a month. He was an orderly sergeant on this expedition - Samuel Denney was Colonel of the Regiment - Matthew Brown & Joseph Thurston Lieutenants of the company.
He further states that in the  the spring of 1780 he enlisted into the continental army for the term of eight months from the town of Western. That he marched from that place as commander of the troops enlisted in the town of Western until they arrived at Springfield where he passed muster & was marched under Capt White he thinks, to West Point. He was then attached to the company commanded by Capt Marshall & was attached to a Massachusetts regiment commanded by

Col Marshall - He cannot recollect the number of his regiment. He remained at West Point for several weeks & was then marched into the state of New Jersey & spent most of the summer & fall in various places in that state; English Neighborhood, near Totteway & others. He was present at the execution of Andre & was guard over him the day before he was executed. Late in fall or in the fore part of winter he returned to West Point to go into winter quarters. He was stationed about a mile & a half from the Point & was engaged principally in repairing the barracks & in fitting the huts for winter quarters. At which place he remained until his time had expired & he received a written discharge.
He further states that in July or August 1781 he again enlisted as a militia man for the term of three months under Capt Cutter of West Brookfield & marched under him to West Point where we joined the Regiment commanded by Col Sery of this state. While there we were engaged principally in guarding the public property & in building a stone provost to keep prisoners in - He was orderly sergeant of the company a part of time, when the quarter master being taken sick he was appointed to that office. Gen McLaughlin was chief in command at that time. He remained at this place until after his time of enlistment had expired. He first I received a written discharge signed by Col. Sery.
He further states that he enlisted at each time from the town of Western in this state & that he retained his written discharges for some time after the war but they were destroyed by being accidentally left in his vest pocket while the vest was washed. He also states that he knows no one now living who was present with him on any of their tours except Timothy Blair of Blanford whose deposition accompanies this.
He further states that he was born in the town of Western in this state on the 22 nd day of April 1757. He thinks there is a record of his birth in the town of Northborough. He has always  understood that his parents were That in the year 1782 he removed to Blanford in this county & has lived there ever since.
He further states that he is known to Mason Knox Esq. D.D. Hamilton Esq. Jacob Loomis & Lebedea Waterman who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of 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 Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John Collester
We Lebedee Waterman residing in Blandford & Jacob Loomis residing in Russell adjoining the town of Blandford, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Collester who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be seventy five years of age - that it is generally reported & believed in the neighborhood where he has resides that he was a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion - Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid
Jacob Loomis
Lebedee Waterman
And the said Court - Present Hon. Oliver D. Morris Judge - after investigating the matter and after putting the questions prescribed by the War- Department, do hereby declare their opinion that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and sword as he states - And the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jacob Loomis, who has subscribed the preceding certificate is a resident in Russell Blandford in said County and that Lebedee Waterman who has subscribed the same certificate is a resident in Blandford in said County & that they are both credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit
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 John Collester for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Justin Willard Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, Sept. 22 d 1855.
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 John Collister is borne on pay roll of Capt. Joseph Richards Comp. Col. Samuel Denny's Regt. from Oct. 19 to Nov. 23. 1779 (1 month 12 days) as Sergt. Also on abstract of Men raised for the Continental Army by the Town of Western for six months in 1780 from July 6 to Dec. 16 1780. 5. mos. 22 days travel included. Allowed in Council Feby 2, 1782 for the said service of 5 mos. 22 days. Also on pay roll of Capt. John Cutler's Comp. Col. Luke Denny's Regt. from Aug 27. to Dec. 3 rd 1781 (3 mos. 14 days), as (original from Western).

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Winston
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston,
18
Sir :
Be pleased to file a declaration in this office, agreeably to the accompanying regulations, and search will be made for the revolutionary service of and the result forwarded to your address. Particular attention is called to the second regulation.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

The following REGULATIONS, to be observed in the examination of the Revolutionary Rolls in this office, have been rendered necessary under the rules which are established in the Pension Department at Washington, viz:—
1. Every application requiring search or certificate must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant; and the signature to the application must be attested by some magistrate.
2. In all cases where the application is made by any person other than the claimant, a power of attorney, attested by a magistrate , authorizing such person to act in the claimant's behalf, must accompany the application.
3. The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence and service of the soldier, and the names of the officers under whom he served; and no search will be made until after the filing of such written application.
“Regulations to be observed in the examination of the Massachusetts Revolutionary Papers in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.”
“The application must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant, by a written power of attorney, attested by a magistrate. The signature of the claimant must in all cases be attested in like manner.
“The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence of the soldier, &c., at the time of the service, and the names of the various officers under whom he served, as well as the nature of such service.
“The certificate of the Secretary must show that the search was made, after the filing of such application, by himself, or by one of his Clerks, alone, and must be accompanied by the original application of the claimant or of his attorney, and by a detailed statement, under the signature of the Secretary and the Seal of the State, of the circumstances which satisfied that officer of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.”
The following is an extract from a letter received by the Secretary from J. E. Heath, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions, dated March 19, 1852:—
“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d inst., accompanied by a copy of the Regulations now in force in your office in the examination of your Revolutionary Rolls; and, in reply to your questions, have to state that, in my opinion, the said Regulations could not be relaxed in any particular without serious injury to the Government and the rights of individuals justly entitled to the benefits of the Revolutionary Pension Laws. Indeed, even with those guards around your rolls, I am satisfied they are frequently used by unscrupulous individuals to sustain applications not embraced by the laws, and as a means of obtaining exorbitant fees.”

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES.
Made by the attorney
of the party who rendered the service.
County of Hampden
State of Massachusetts Town of Springfield
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of John Colliston in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Western (now Warren) in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts .
He enlisted from the Town of West Springfield (Warren) in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts in the year 1779-80, as a private in the Company commanded by Captain James Smith Regiment the Hampden County Militia
and he served as follows,* viz:—
and served for the most part of four years & for a more particular account of his services he begs leave to refer to the Certificate of Service hereto annexed from the history of State of Massachusetts.
* Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

State of Massachusetts, ss. Hampden County ss.
On this twenty sixth day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred & fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of State of Mass John Collister aged ninety eight years a resident of Hampden in said County of Hampden & State of Massachusetts, who, being duly sworn according to law, declare that he is the identical John Collister who was a sergeant in Capt. Nichols company Col. Denny's Regiment in 1779, - for which service he volunteered at Westover , in formerly called Western in the County of Worcester - he also enlisted at said Warren (then Western) for six months in 1780 & served in the Continental Army, from July 5 th to December 15, 1780 and that he again enlisted at said Western from Sept. 27 to December 3, 1781, three months & fourteen days, in Capt. Cutler's Company, Col. Denny's Regiment, as a corporal & that he also enlisted & performed two other terms of service after all his terms of service he was honorably discharged.

He further declares that he continued in actual service in this War of the Revolution for more than two years and for proof of much of his said service he would refer the Department to such evidence & proof as he has obtained from the Rolls of Revolutionary service in the office of the Secretary of State of State of said Massachusetts & is hereunto annexed, and he further declares that his residence before & sometime after the said War of the Revolution was in said Western, now the said town of Warren.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855.
He also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
John Colleton

We John Mann and Ann Collister residents of Haverhill in the County of Hampden State of Massachusetts upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by John Collister in our presence, & that we believe from the appearance & statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.
John Mann Ann Collister
The foregoing declaration & affidavit were sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, & that I have no interest in this claim.
James M. Cook Justice of the Peace

was a substantial person he represents himself
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN, ss.
I, George B. Morris, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that
James W Brooks Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is, and ought to be given, to his acts and attestations, done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said
James W Brooks and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine: also that the instrument hereto annexed, purports to be duly executed and acknowledged, according to the laws of this Commonwealth, for the purposes therein expressed.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas, for said Commonwealth, this Twenty fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
GB Morris
Clerk.

5737
John Collier
Supt. 3 Months Capital 3 - 14 Pr 17 - 16 24
16 & 16 ob
Jany 24 1833
16 ob not remitted return 20 Apr 1833 - 16 ob not- coupled with - Return 6 214 Mr Lathrop 18 July 1833
Samuel Lathrop
J. Ingersoll W. Springfield
Prof 1098 165 1266
170 36 142 55 21 45 313 36

5737
John Collier
Sergt. 3 Martha Cabin 3-14 Pm 17-16 24
16 1/2 16 ob
Jany 24 1833
16 ob not rem'd return
20 Apr 1833 - 16 ob not-
coupled with - Rel'd 6 214
Mr Lathrop 18 July 1833
Samuel Lathrop
J. Ingersoll
W. Springfield
Mass 10988 1266
170 36 42 55 21 19 5

BRIEF in the case of John Colles ter  of Hampshire Bty in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75 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 1775 Sept 12 — 4 1/2 — As a priv Genl. Putnam. Col. Learned   " 1775 — — 1/2 — " " E. Brooks " "   " 1776 July — — 6 — " Capt. D. Warner Col. Holman   " 1777 Sept — — 2 — " " Goodall " Stone   " 1778 Jan — — 1 1/2 9 " " Butler —   " 1778 Oct — — 3 — " " Austin —   " 1779 Oct — — 3 1/2 — " " Richardson   " 1780 July — — 5 13 " " J. Marshall Col. Marshall   " 1781 July — 3 14 Corporal " Butler " Drury  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Harkness Heights. White Plains  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Western  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence, living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective not properly connected 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

May 3, 1932
John Collester-S.29718 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX RA-J/REL
Mrs. Frederick H. Benton Fort Lauderdale Florida
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to John Collester, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.29718, based upon the military service of John Collester in that war.
John Collester was born April 22, 1757, in Western, Massachusetts.
While residing in Western(later Warren) Worcester County, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served with the Massachusetts Troops, as follows: From about September 1, 1775, one month as a private under Lieutenant Matthew Gray, Colonel Learned's Regiment; from late in December, 1775, three months as private under Lieutenant Edward Brooks' Colonel Learned's Regiment; from July, 1776, six months as a private in Captain Daniel Warner's Company, Colonel Holman's Regiment and was in the retreat from New York, the battle of Harlem Heights and White Plains and at Tuckahoe Hill; from July, 1777, two months as a private in Captain Goodell's Company; from September, 1777, one month as a private in Captain Joseph Cutler's Company, Colonel Stow's Regiment; from March, 1778, three months and guarded prisoners and public stores at Boston; from October 19, 1779, two months as orderly sergeant in Captain Joseph Richardson's Company, Colonel Samuel Denny's Regiment; from the spring of 1780, or from June, 1780, eight months in Captain Marshall's Company, Colonel Marshall's Regiment; during the last named tour, he acted as a guard over Major Andre the day before his execution and witnessed said execution; from August, 1781, three months as corporal, orderly sergeant and quartermaster in Captain Cutler's Company, Colonel Drury's Regiment.
In 1782, he moved to Blandford, Massachusetts, of which place
There was a state report but I need soldier's statement
He said Learned but as it was Col. Learned who was a Col. in 1775 I used Learned. On this serv. he said a "Austine of Boston" was commander as I could not find an Austine who might have been the one, did not use it.

he was a resident when he was allowed pension on his application executed August 27, 1832.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
One Ann Collister was a resident of Blandford, Massachusetts, in 1855, no relationship to soldier stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.
Date of death not on AB

J. L. Edwards Esq.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
I again return the papers of John Collister, & hope that I have been able to discover & to procure a remedy for the defect. I am yours &c Samuel H. North
W. Springfield
July 26. 1833

No.
Minch Commission of Revenue Washington D.C.
215.621

V.P. 34.944
5
160 Acres

10 14 16 Hon. Samuel Lathrop West Springfield

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 2/1833.
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 Nathan Wood appears as a private on Capt. John Granger's Roll of a Comp'y in Col. Larned's Reg't doing duty at Roxbury - that he enlisted April 29 th 1775 and served three months and 10 days . —
That John McColister's name appears on a Roll of Capt. Joseph Guller's Comp'y of Volunteers to join Genl: Gates, served as a private from Sept. 24 th 1778 - (and was allowed thirty two days service. —
John Collister's name also appears as Sergeant on "A Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Richardson's Company Col. Samuel Denny's Regiment of Massachusetts Bay Militia in service of the United States raised for three months 1779" - Commenced Oct 19. discharged November 23 1779 (and allowed for service (and travel One month and twelve days .
John Collister's name also appears on a Town Roll of the Town of Western of men raised to reinforce the Continental Army - marched July 6 - 1780 - discharged Dec. 12 1780 (and was allowed for service as a Private : five months and thirteen days .
John Collister's name also appears as a Corporal

in Capt. John Butler's Company in Col. Dury's Regiment in service of the United States: marched 314 August 27th - (and) discharged Dec. 3. 1781, (and) was allowed for Service three months and fourteen days .
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

Boston, Sec. Offic. April 27. 1833.
Hon. Samuel Lathrop.
Dear Sir,
I send you a Certificate of every thing which, after a diligent examination I can find relating to the Service of John Collister. On one of the rolls you perceive the name is John Mc Collister - probably it means the same person. As you mention his having been a substitute for Nathan Wood I also have certified all that appears with regard to Wood's service. There is no expense -
Very Resp d your old. Servant Edward D Bangs Secy

I Timothy Blair of Blandford County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Gentleman; of Lawful age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with John Collester of said Blandford and was on fatigue with him in the month of January in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and seventy six in the town of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Also the said John Collester enlisted in the town of Weston in the month of June in the year seventeen hundred and eighty to fill up the Regiments of the United States Army for eight months. And further
The said John Collester again joined the army in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one in the summer of that year and returned late in the fall or beginning of the winter ensuing.
And further the deponent saith not.
Dated at Blandford aforesaid this twenty third day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty two
Timothy Blair
Hampden ss August 23. 1832
Then Timothy Blair personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed
Before me. Lyman Gibbs Just. of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Lyman Gibbs Esq. before whom the above deposition was verified is a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that I believe his name then subscribed to be his true & genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty seventh day of August in the year of Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

Hampden Jp. Aug t 23 1832 I hereby testify that I have always been well acquainted with the within opponent Tim o Blair from my youth he has always sustained an unspotted character, & is a man of strict truth and veracity, & fully entitled to credit when under oath or not.
Lyman Gilb. Ind. Par.

John Collier 5/3/7
The declaration is not properly authen- ticated.
Samuel Lathrop John Ingersoll Esq West 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
John Collett 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? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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? NO Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? NO
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
X XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 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."
* This Regulate has not been complied with

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.
Application should be made to E D Bangs Secy of the State of Mass for evidence of the claimants service

Is No. 34. 944-160-38
Callisto
Reg 181981 (2)
see Locke
9
A. L. Lynde Warren NY

Warsaw New York
Nov 21, 1856
Dear Sir
I sent you more than one year ago the claim of Isaac Collister for bounty land under the old law for services in war of 1812 to 1815 , which was acknow- ledged as No 181.981 under act of March 3, 1855
I wish to hear from this claim at your early convenience
Respectfully A. L. Lynde
April 12 th Pawtucket
Nov 25 th 1856

218,621.

Springfield Sept. 27. 1855
Hi
Please find enclosed the declaration of the declaration re - of John Collett of Housatonic. I knew Mr. Collett to be a Revolutionary Division. I have been well acquainted with you many years. He desires that his Warrenton may be sent to me for his benefit.
I am respectfully Yours Aff. Servt Samuel Brooks
Dear Mr. Minot Yours Aff. Servt

Lyme, N.H., Dec. 7, 1909.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.,
Dear Sir:
Please give information on the following subjects and oblige me:
1. A statement of the military services of John Collister of Blandford, Hampden Co., Mass., a soldier of the Revolution.
2. A list of the McCollister and McAllister , who were soldiers of the Revolution.
3. The military record of John Clark of Lancaster, Worcester Co., Mass., or of Shirley, Middlesex Co., Mass., a soldier of 1812 (am not certain from which of these towns John Clark enlisted.)
4. Was Matthew Sloan of Lyme, Grafton Co., N.H. in either the Revolution or the war of 1812? If so, please give his military record.
Thanking you for your reply, I am
Yours very respectfully (Miss) Eliza H. Clark, Lyme, N.H.
Blandford was, I think in Hampshire Co., at the time of John Collister's enlistment.

FLORIDA DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
REGISTRAR MRS. FREDERICK H. BENTON FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
March 24, 1932
Veterans Administration Dept Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Will you kindly give me the details concerning the Pension Claim filed by John Collester, Revolutionary Record , Book E. Vol 2. p. 14 .
Very truly yours,
Alex Benton
21

29 718 Very INVALID.
File No. 29,718
John Collier Leigt Rev Mrs
Act. John In 89"
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 89
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1909 Dec. 23 Hist. Soc Eliza H. Clark V.L.M. 1928 Sept. 29 Hist. Soc W.W. Spooner. aw
1932. May 3. Hist. Soc to Mrs F. H. Benton Esq

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE Department of Mathematics
 J. W. Young  C. N. Haskins  E. G. Bill  R. D. Beetle  L. C. Mathewson  C. H. Forsyth  L. L. Silverman  C. E. Wilder  X C. H. Spooner  B. H. Brown  L. La Paz 
Charlestown
HANOVER, N. H.,
Com-Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I am requested by Mrs. William A. Sherman 1st of Charlestown N.H. to see if Samuel Huxon born in Alfred Maine about 1791-2 has a pension record - He is reported to have served in the 1812 War & to have seen military service - Ind. Am requested by Mrs. Joseph Fick of this town to see if Jos Lane born 1778 - died 1858 had a pension - He is said to have had military service and been in many battles 3d - Miss Alice Lord is seeking the service of Rev. of John Collier said to have lived in Warner, Mass; and his son John Asa Collier is said to have served in War of 1812 for N.Y. - possibly for Edwards where he once lived.
We shall be very grateful for
any information -
Yours respectfully -
Addres Mrs. C. H. Spooner Charlestown N. H.
Jones D Spooner - State Pres Dayless 1812

a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension file in this Bureau. John Colleser Ser. File 29718
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 1. 1775 1 mo. Pvt. Lieut. Matthew Gray Larned Mass.   Dec. 1775 3 mos. Lieut. Edward Brooks Larned   Jan. 1776 1 mo. Larned   July 1776 6 mos. Daniel Warner Holman   July 1777 2 mos. Goodell   Sept. 1777 1 mo. Joseph Butler How   Mar. 1778 3 mos. Guarded prisoners on guard ships at Boston   Oct. 19. 1779 1 mo. 12 days Ordnance Sgt. Joseph Richardson Varnum Denny   Spring 1780 5 mos. 13 days Pvt. Marshall Marshall   July or Aug. 1781 3 mos. 14 days Corp. Butler Drury  
Battles engaged in, Marlinton White Plains Ticonderoga Hill
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Western, Worcester Co., Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 27, 1832 Third way etc.
Residence at date of application, Blandford, Hampden Co., Mass.
Age at date of application, born about 1757 at Western, Mass.
Remarks: No family data
Soldier guarded Andre the day before his execution at which he was present