Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,350, Silas Cook, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Cook, Silas
S. 30,350
CONTENTS

WORTH Massachusetts
Silas Cook
of Wamphshire the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Walmer of the Regt commanded by Col. Flyn in the Mass line for 19 months
Miln.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of April, 1833 and sent to S. F. Dechman Amherst Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $126.66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept., 31.67
$158.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by RHC Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 10
Lt E. Dikeman Aug 21. '43
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act 6. April 1838 from 4 Sep 1841 to 12 Feb 1842 Age 5 notified, 28 Sep 1844
Hampshire

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 7TH OF JUNE, 1832. STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE. }
ON this sixteenth day of August 18 32 , personally appeared in open court, before Hon. Samuel H. Merrill judge of the court of Probate for Hampshire Co. now sitting, Plas Cook a resident of Pelham in the County of Hampshire, and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
Immediately after the battle of Saragota , in April 1775 , at Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island , I enlisted into a company of "minute men," raised by authority of P. State, under Capt. Elisha Waterman , Lt. Elias Fillebrook , En d : Reuben Bullon - Col. Frye . Lt. Col. Arnold & Maj. Dyer . The Reg t . was composed of men raised in the three towns of Cumberland , Gloucester & Smithfield in Rhode Island . I enlisted for an indefinite time, & was to continue as long as such a corps was needed and continued in P. Corp. & Corp s until they were discharged in the spring of 1778. During all the duty required, during the whole time. Making about 3 years from the time of my enlistment, as nearly as I can recollect. The object of this Corp s , & the business in which we were employed, was to guard the Seaport & other important places in the State of Rhode Island . We were not actually in service, the whole time, but went when called for, and held ourselves always ready at a minute's warning, to go wherever ordered. - and at such time, were allowed to carry with us three days provision, & find our own arms & equipments, which we did. When not actually stationed with the army, our Corp s met regularly, according to order, once a fortnight for discipline, & occasionally met, in smaller Sections, at other times - for the same purpose. I well remember the following instances in which we were called out. Reg t Met first at Providence - went to Long Island in Newport , & stayed there & vicinity, about 5. weeks - next to Rhode Island , where we built a redoubt - out about 6. weeks - next to Canonicut Ferry , stayed about 4. weeks - next called to go to Great Bristol , there as much as 4. weeks - next to Fort Island , at Easton's Beach , 5. weeks - next to Rhode Island , by George Root's house, 5. weeks. next to Bristol & Providence Ferry , 4. weeks - next to Quaker Hill & Milcop's , 4. weeks - next to Providence 2. weeks - under Genl. Spencer  Providence 4. weeks - Rhode Island , under Genl. Sullivan , 5. weeks - Greenwich 4. weeks, and at one time we were out scouting about 3. weeks.
having no particular station. These times I can remember, and I believe I was out at more times than these - tho' I can not state positively - it may not be accurate as to the precise length of each of the times of actual service, above stated, but have stated according to the best of my recollection. We were on our arms so much of the time during the whole three years, & obliged to be in constant readiness to march to any point, at a minute's warning, that we could do little else. To profit.
3rd After the day, that soon after Genl. Sullivan retreated from Long Island , which was in August 1778 , I again enlisted, at P. Cumberland , & think in September following, into the Rhode Island Troops , for 3. months, under Capt. Williams , Lt. Whipple & En d : Bacon - in what Reg t , I do not recollect - well served out my time -
I do not know that I ever had a written discharge, if so, it is lost. The officers of the Companies to which I belonged, are all dead.
The only witnesses to whom I can refer for evidence of my enlistment, are Abraham Cook of Shutesbury & Ellsworth & Bullon of Pelham - both of whom are living and enlisted & served with me as minute men.
I was born at Cumberland  Rhode Island 23 rd  March 1753 . - birth was recorded in Town books - lived there, with the exception of 4 th year (when I lived in Bellingham & Nashua , both in Massachusetts ,) till I was 50. years old. Then removed to Pelham in the County of Hampshire , Mass. where I have ever since lived.
I further state that between the spring & fall of 1778. myself & others enlisted to guard the "Beacon pole", so called in said Cumberland , & spent in that service, 3. months - during the time, the pole was set on fire. Twice -

He hereby rennquishes every claim 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.
Before me Sag. J. L. L. L.  Silas Cook residing in the town of Amherst and residing in Pelham hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Silas Cook who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 79. 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.
Samuel Winsley Judge of Probate
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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Sag. J. L. L. L. resident in Pelham who has signed the preceding certificate, is and that Debin a Dickinson who has also signed the same, is a resident in Amherst and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Winsley
I, Sam. F. Lyman Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Cook for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two -
Sam. F. Lyman Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss. Dec. 6. 1832 Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace within & for said County, Silas Cook, within named, who being duly sworn, deposes & saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection set forth then the periods mentioned below, and as a private soldier; that is to say, between the month of April 1775, & the spring of 1778, during which period he stood as a minute man, as herein stated, thirteen months, as stated in his declaration sworn to  at the ; And also, that after said term of three years, & between the spring & fall of 1778, he actually spent thirteen months, at different times, in guarding a Beacon Pole, as it was called, erected near his dwelling, for the purpose of giving notice of an alarm, (as a substitute for a telegraph as now sometimes used in time of war) - This, through the loss of his memory he had forgotten, when he made his declaration in this case - These Beacon Poles, as he states, were erected on high hills, in different parts of the surrounding country, supplied with barrels of tar on the top, & lantern on the ground, to carry more speedily the news of an alarm through the country - the firing of the one to be the signal for firing the next, & so on - And that he also served these months as a private in 1778, as in his declaration stated - in all thirteen months, to wit, thirteen months, as a minute man, & thirteen months in guarding the Beacon Pole at detached periods, after the three years he stood as a minute man; & these months afterwards, in the militia, for which he claims a pension.
Silas Cook
Subscribed & sworn the day & year above said.
Before me Samuel F. Dickinson Justice of the Peace
Yrs book No 4376 Militia
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. I, Samuel F. Lyman Register of the court of Probate do hereby certify that Samuel F. Dickinson Esquire above named is one of the Justices of the Peace for said County, duly qualified & that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this eighteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty two - Sam F. Lyman Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampshire ss.
On this twenty first day of June 1843. before me the Subscriber, a justice of the Peace for the said County of Hampshire personally appeared Olney Cook of Pelham in said County, executor of the last Will & Testament of Silas Cook late of said Pelham, deceased, who on his oath declares, that said Silas Cook, was the same person who was formerly a soldier in the Revolutionary War, for the particulars of whose service & the officers under whom he served, he refers to the evidence on file in the War Department at Washington - that the name of said Silas Cook was placed on the Pension roll of the State of Massachusetts, that he received a Certificate of that fact, under the signature & seal of the Secretary of War which Certificate, since the death of said Silas Cook, which took place on the 12 th day of February 1842, can not be found - but is lost.
The said Olney Cook, the Ex r as aforesaid, therefore requests a new Certificate may be issued in lieu of the one which is lost that he may receive the allowance of pension due to said Silas, from the 4 th September 1841, to the 12 th February 1842, the time of said Silas' death. Olney Cook

County of Hampshire ss. June 21. 1843. Then personally appeared Olney Cook, well known to me to be a credible witness & made oath to the truth of the affidavit herein above subscribed.
Before me Edward De Ruyter justice of the Peace
I Elias Mearns of Pelham in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and county therein, testify & say, that I was well acquainted with Silas Cook, late of said Pelham - that he died on the 12 th day of February 1842 - that I attended his funeral - that he was a Pecuniary of the United States, & died a pecuniary to my knowledge, for several years before his death - that I am also well acquainted with Olney Cook, who has made the foregoing affidavit, that he is the son of said Silas Cook, deceased, & the Executor of the last will & testament of said Silas.
Elias Mearns
County of Massachusetts,
County of Hampshire ss. On the twenty second day of June 1843, personally appeared Elias Mearns and well known to me to be a person of veracity, & credible witness, & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit herein subscribed.
Before me Edward De Ruyter, justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. I Sam. S. F. Symon Register of Probate within & for said County do hereby certify that Olney Cook of Pelham in said County is Executor of the last Will and Testament of Silas Cook late of said Pelham deceased, that said Will has been duly proved & that he has given bond for the faithful discharge of said trust and is fully authorized to act in said capacity.
I further certify that Edward Dickinson before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken, was at the time thereof a Justice of the Peace within & for said County duly qualified and that his signature to both said affidavits I know to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my said Office this 23 d day of June A.D. 1843
Sam. S. F. Symon Reg t of Probate

Silas book
No 11374
Private 19 Months
The periods of actual service not distinctly stated
Nov 26 1852
S. F. Dickinson Amhurst Ms.

BRIEF in the case of  Silas Cook of the County of Hampshire in the State of Mass.  (Act 7th 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? 79 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 to '78 3 — — Private Gen. Col. Frye & Capt. Waterman   '78 Sep. — 3 — ditto Capt. Williams  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cumberland R. I.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Sevin Bell Examining Clerk.

30 350 INVALID. Rev
File No. 30 350 Lilas Cook Pr Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 82
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Edward Ballou of Pelham in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five years, testify & say, that at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, immediately after the battle of Lexington, I enlisted into a company of Minute Men, so called, in Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island, which company was raised by said State of Rhode Island, and commanded by Capt. Elisha Waterman, Lt. Elias Hillbrook & Enst. Reuben Ballou, in the Regt under the command of Col. Dyer, Lt. Col. Arnold & Maj. Dyer, to serve as long as such a Conf'd should be required; I also state that Israel Cook, who then lived in the same town of Cumberland, with whom I was well acquainted, & who lived near me, enlisted with me, into the same Company, as above stated, & both he & myself continued together in said Company & Regt. until the same were discharged, in the Spring of the year 1778, making about three years from the time of our enlistment. I can not tell precisely the day of my enlistment or discharge; but always considered that I served about three years. The business of the Conf'd to which we belonged, was to guard the Seaboard Towns, and other exposed places in Rhode Island State. We held ourselves ready, at a Minutes' warning to turn out in defence of our Country - and were subjected to regular and constant discipline; as our Company met once every fortnight for the purpose of discipline, besides meeting occasionally in smaller parties. We were often called out, and I can distinctly recollect the following instances, viz; The Regt first met at Providence, thence went to the Long Wharf at Newport, then further back on the Island, where we staid, in the vicinity of Newport, about five weeks; next we were called to Rhode Island, near Howland's Ferry, where we built a Redoubt; about six weeks; next we went to Cannonical Ferry, & the vicinity, & staid about four weeks; next we were called to go to Bristol, to guard that place, and were out as much as four weeks - next to Fort Island, South of Newport, at Easton's Beach where we remained five weeks; next to Rhode Island by George Smith's dwelling house, about five weeks;

next we went to Bristol & Providence Porties, where we stayed about four weeks; once at Snaker Hill and Milcoys, where we were about four weeks; at Providence about two weeks - at Tiverton five weeks; at Greenwich four weeks; and once we were out, about three weeks, scouting from place to place, without having any particular station.
I well recollect being out at each & all of the several times & places stated above - although I may not have stated them here in their exact order of time, or the precise length of time I was at each particular place; yet I verily believe that I was out as long as I have stated; & if any thing a longer time; and that I was out at more times than I have enumerated;
And the said Silas Cook was out with me, at all the times & places I have specified; he continued in the same company with me, faithfully did during the whole term his duty thereon, until the same company was discharged.
We were under arms, a great portion of the time, so much of it, that we could do very little else to any advantage. We were ordered to carry, & did carry, at each time we were called from home, three days provision; & we furnished our own provisions arms & equipments.
After our term of service as Minute Men had expired, the said Silas Cook & myself enlisted into the Rhode Island Militia, and were out for a period of as many as I can recollect, about three months; & two or three of the last times mentioned above, in which we were out, we served in the character of Militia men, & before the three months service.
The names of the officers who commanded the company of Militia to which we belonged were Capt. Williams, Lt. Whipple, & Ensd Bacon.
I further state that all the officers who commanded the companies in which we served as Minute Men & Militia, are dead.
Edward Ballou
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Northampton. Aug. 16. 1832 Personally appeared Edward Ballou, subject to the above, well known to me as a credible witness, and said oaths to the truth of the same.
Before me Samuel D. Dinsmore justice of the Peace

Abraham Cook of Shutesbury in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Eighty fourth year of his my age testify and say; That soon after the Battle of Lexington in April One thousand eight hundred & Seventyfive I enlisted at Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island; into a Company of Minute men, so called, under the Authority of the State of Rhode Island The Officers of the Company being Capt. Elisha Waterman, Lieut. Elias Gilbrook & Ensign Reuben Ballou, the Regiment to which we were attached was under the command of Col. Frys, Lt. Col. Arnold and Maj. Dyer. The Regiment were raised in Cumberland, Smithfield & Gloucester in said State - We enlisted for an indefinite time to continue while such troops were needed - and continued in said Company until discharged which was in the spring of Seventeen hundred and Twentyeight as near as I can recollect about three years from our first enlistment - I further testify that the Cook then of said Cumberland where I then resided enlisted with me into the same Company and continued with me until discharged as above said - faithfully doing his duty in said Company during all of said period of three years aforesaid - I further I further testify that the object of this corps and our business was to protect the sea Ports and exposed ports of said State generally. I further say we were all holden in readiness to turn out at a minutes warning, that we were under constant & regular discipline the whole Company, when not in actual service, being under order to meet once in two weeks for discipline - We were called out very frequently and I well remember the following instances - Our Regiment first met at Providence then went to Newport Long & Short then back further on the Island in the vicinity of Newport where we spent about five weeks - Next time were stationed near Howlands Ferry, Rhode Island about six weeks - We were next called to Cananicut Ferry & vicinity, here we remained about four weeks - We were then called next to Bristol to guard the Town and were out at least four weeks - Our next place was to Fort Island at Easton's Beach where we remained five weeks or about that time - Next to Rhode Island near George Irish's dwelling house where we were about five weeks - Next to Bristol and Providence Ferry about which we stayed four weeks - Next near Wilcoyer's on grader Hill about four weeks, next at

Next at Providence about two weeks - Next at Linton about six weeks - Next at Rhadislard Under Gen. Sullivan about five weeks - Next at Greenwich four weeks - And one other time we were scouting from one place to another not stationed in any one place - Then are fresh in my recollection altho' I may not be correct as to the time spent at each place. Yet it is my belief that I have underrated rather than overrated it - And I think we were called out at other times for we were so confined to our arms as to prevent us from planning any regular business when at home - I further state that we armed and equipped ourselves and always carried three days provision when we left home - I further state that the said Elias Cook was the whole time in said company with me as above and was out with me at all the above places as I do believe - I further state that all of our company Officers above stated are now dead - two of the last mentioned times were Militia men after our term as minutemen had expired - Abraham Dyer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
New Hampshire. Aug. 16 1832 Personally appeared Abrahm Cook, subject to the above affidavit, well known to me as a credible witness, & made oath to the truth of the same. Before me - Samuel F. Dickinson Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPSHIRE ss. I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Samuel F. Dickinson Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition (2) were taken, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Sixteenth day of August A. D. 1832.
Sam F. Lyman Register of Probate.

Aug 18. 1843,
Edward E. Ebenezer Esq. Commissioner of Customs Washington D. C.

Nashua Mass. Aug. 14. 1843.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pension
Sir,
Will you inform me whether any action has been had on the petition of Silas Cook, Ex. of Silas Cook, for new Pension certificate in lieu of one that is mislaid or lost.
Also, on the application of several widows of Rev. soldiers for Pensions, under the Act of Congress of March 1843. which I forwarded to the office some weeks since. The names are Naomi Weston, Anna Smith, Olive Cook, Lydia Decker, Mary Gushman.
An early reply will oblige me & all concerned,
Yours respectfully
Edward Decker
Silas Cook Esq appn Def act N.P. June 27 th
 Naomi Weston  ✓ Anna Smith  ✓ Olive Cook  ✓ Lydia Decker  ✓ Mary Gushman 

June 27 1873
Mr Evens
for Duke Cab
William Lloyd Cotton Wool Co. Washington 65
FREE

Amherst, Mass d , June 24, 1843
James L. Edwards Esq. Com te of Pensions.
Sir,
I enclose you the copy of the application of Silas Cook, deceased, for a pension certificate, to which an acknowledgment is attached.
Yours respectfully Edward Dickenson

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPROLLER'S OFFICE,
Nov. 9 th 1843.
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, The Executor of Silas Cook, decd., a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Sixty Three — Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1841, to the 12 th Feby 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
J. Wilson L. Patten Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Silas book
N o 4374
See the objections in Callan's case
S. F. Dickinson
Amherst Ms

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Silas Boone 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  No 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? yes And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
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
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 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.