Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9,200, John Cook, R.I.

SERVICE
R.J.
book, John
NUMBER
S. 9200
CONTENTS
carded.

New York 14224
John Cook
of Otsego - in the State of NY who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Whitman of the Reg t commanded by Col Cook - in the N.Y. line for 12 Months.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of May 1833. and sent to Morris Brown. Cooperstown N. York
Arrears to the 14th of March . . $80. 00 Semest l allowance ending 4 th Sept 1833. 20.00
$100. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Dayton Clerk Book C, Vol. 11 Page 49.
Hon David Russell Apr. 6, 1836
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of April 1838, from 4 th Sept 1840. to 4 th Jan y 1841. Age Notified 30 Sept 1844

Otsego County } Town of Laurens }
We wholeheartedly and unreservedly do certify that we have been well acquainted with John Cook many years, that we are his neighbors, that he maintains the reputation of an honest man and a man of truth and veracity and worthy to be believed, that it is the universal belief of the neighborhood that he was a soldier of the Revolution, and we say without hesitation we believe that he rendered the services as stated in his affidavit, and we believe him to be seventy six years of age.
Sworn & subscribed in Open Court the 15 th day of October 1832.
Samuel Borne Salmon H. Harrison Levi Gook
Horace Lathrop. Clerk

23364
In the matter of John Cook a Revolutionary Claimant

State of New York Otsego County ss.
On this fifteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the aforesaid County. John Cook now a resident of the town of Laurens in the County and State aforesaid aged seventy six 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 th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, has served as hereinafter stated. This applicant enlisted into the service of the United States in the Rhode Island State Troops about the first of September in the year 1777 under Captain Reuben Whitman, Colonel John Cook, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Morry and Major Pym and served at Newport in Rhode Island for a period of three months; and was discharged the last of December or first of January. Three days after this applicant was discharged as above, he volunteered and served in East Greenwich under Captain Benedict Colvin, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Brown, (Hirum Wait, Major) for a period of three months during the Winter and Spring of the year 1778. One month of which time he served as a substitute for Jeremiah Hopkins. In the Summer of the year 1778 this applicant was drafted to serve in General Spencer's Expedition, under Captain Colvin, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Waterman. (John Love Lieut. Col., Hirum Wait, Major) and served in said Expedition at Tiverton one month cannot recollect at what time in the year he was drafted as aforesaid, but thinks it was in the month of July. This applicant was again drafted in the Winter of 1778 and served at North Kingston (Quonquont) during the Winter of 1778 and 1779 for a period of three months a part of the time under Captain Colvin and the residue under Captain Weaver in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Calkins. (Thomas Gorton Lieut. Col. Wait, Major) One month of the time he served as the substitute of Benjamin Briggs.

This applicant was drafted in the summer of 1779 and served one month in North Kingston and Warwick in the same corps and under the same officers last above specified.
In August of the summer of 1779 this applicant was drafted to serve in General Sullivan's Expedition on the Island of Newport, and served one month under Captain Colvin in the Regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Holden (Colonel Lieut. Col.) in the Brigade of State Troops commanded by General West, and was in the Battle at Newport, when he was severely wounded in the shoulder, was discharged immediately after the Battle by the Colonel, for the purpose of being taken to the hospital, the terms for which he was drafted would have expired the day succeeding his discharge.
This applicant served during the year 1780, as a volunteer at Bristol under Captain Potter in Colonel Cushing's Regiment whether one month or two months this applicant cannot now distinctly recollect. Commenced this service in the month of July: During the whole time which this applicant served in the Army of the Revolution except the three months first above specified he served as a sergeant. This applicant further saith that he never received any written discharge at any time during the several times which he served as above specified nor has he any documentary evidence of any kind by which to prove his aforesaid services. And this Applicant further declares that he has heard that there are witnesses but how many he does not know residing in the State of Rhode Island at the distance of more than two hundred and fifty miles from the residence of this applicant who could probably testify to a portion of the time above specified which he served.

in the army of the Revolution, but they are old and infirm, and cannot be procured, and this affi- davit is too old and infirm to endure the fatigues of a journey to Rhode Island in order to procure their testimony. And this affiant further declares that he resided in the town of Coventry, County of Kent and State of Rhode Island where called into service as aforesaid, and that he contin- ued to reside at the place last aforesaid until the year 1792, when he removed to the town of Laurens, County of Otsego and State of New York where he has ever since resided. That he well remembers having seen Genl. Nathaniel Greene, Col. Christopher Greene, Genl. Washington LaFayette, Sullivan and Spencer, of the Regular Continental Army, during the time of his service as above specified, except the present John Cook
Given in open Court October
15 th 1832
Horace Lathrop Clerk
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after an investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogato- ries presented by the War department, that the said John Cook was a soldier of the Revolution, and served therein as he states, and the Court further certify, that Daniel S. Bourne, Salmon Harrison & Levi Fancher who have severally signed the preceding certificate, are residents of the said County of Otsego, & are credible persons and their statements entitled to credit.
J. O. Moon } G. Page — } Judges. J. C. Haweorth }

I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of John Cook for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 19 th day of October 1832. Horace Lathrop, Clerk

23364 John Cook New York
ML
Morris Brown Cooperstown N. York

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 shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Cook Adriaen of Newport
   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.     Enlist 1777 n 3 30 Prost Capt. Whitman Col. Cook Battle at New Port Newport Rhode Island 70 years Traditionary   Vol sub { n 3 Sergt Alvin Brown East Greenwich Coventry Evidence   Aug 1778 n 1 A Alvin Waterman Irvington New Port No Clergyman   Dec 1778 n 3 A { Mead Alvin { Gulliver Olsson North Kingston Rhode Island 2 clergymen 2 clergymen   1779 n 1 A Same Same to n Can get no   1779 n 1 A Alvin Holden North Kingston Witness   1780 Nov Brother { Potter The same { Gulliver West Olsson Gloucester   the time Newport   Bristol  
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 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 he 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.
[ b ] 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.
¶ 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.
[ 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.

Rev. War
9200 INVALID.
File No. 9200
John Cook Rev War
Act: June 7 th /32
Index:—Vol. 102 , Page 75
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
March 23 d , 1844.
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," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Executors of John Cook, decd. a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of — Forty Dollars and 32 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 , has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1840 , to the 4 th January 1841 .
Respectfully, yours,
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Mar 30
 433.30  433.30  433.40   1300.00  991.37   308.63 
John Cook
J. J. Edwards D. G. H. M. D. Russell W. R.

Hann of N.Y. D.C. March 30 th 1836.
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Dr Sir
I have the honor to inform John P. Putnam Esq r a request to call on you for the papers relating to the claim of the wid. of John Cook take a permission and stating particular directions from you "as to what mode of form or part is necessary to a favorable consideration of the application"
If you will have the goodness to advise me I will communicate to him your direction etc
I am Respectfully D. D. Russell