Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12597, Ephraim Covell, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
boon
bovell, Ephraim
S. 12597
CONTENTS
carded

Attic E o 31 M o
Ephraim Gove
widow in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Welles of the Reg t commanded by Genl. Clinton in the Revolutionary War time for 8 Mo. 12 Ds.
Conn. Line.
Records corrected Nov. 4, 1905. fs
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 27 Dollars 98 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Aug. 1831 and settled B.P. Phelps Home
Arrears to the 14th of Mar d $5 590 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep d 13.99 $69.93
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. C. [unintelligible] Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 1

Ephraim Cobell Oneida Co. N.Y.
Private 21331
1776. 6 months Capt John Johnson 60. Col John Chesters Regt.
1777. Lt Smith - at Poughkeepsie 6 weeks
1778 Capt John Wells New Haven 1 month Total 8 1/2 mo.
advised
$mo. 12 1/2 per
W.P. Johnson Agent. Rome N.Y.
Payable W. Branch Utica N.Y.

STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. Oneida County, }
On this first day of January 1833 personally appeared before the Subscribed a judge the court of Common Pleas of Oneida County now sitting, Ephraim Cook a resident of said county and state, aged seventy three 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: That he was born at Edgartown, on Island Martha's Vineyard, Mass - in 1759. That he has not any record of his age - but the above is as he received it from his parents. That he resided at Glastonbury, Hartford County, Conn. when he entered the service - and that during the Revolutionary he has lived at Glastonbury - then Canajoharie, Montgomery Co NY - Then and since Verona, Oneida County - NY where he now lives
He was in company with of Conn Troops - Marched to a place called Haddam and then took shipping to the City of New York - and was stationed there about two months - and then was ordered over to Long Island - and remained there until the retreat from Long Island - and then returned to New York - and from there Moved up to Kingsbridge and then stationed at a place called Valentines Hill near then we moved to White

That he served in the Revolutionary War as follows —
That in June 1776 he enlisted at Glastenbury for Six months , in Capt. John Scham , Company of Colchester, Conn — Sr. Chamberlain — Ensign Ransom — in Col. John Chester's Regiment of Conn Troops — Marched to a place called Haddam and then took shipping to the City of New York — and was stationed there about two months — and then was ordered over to Long Island — and remained until the retreat from Long Island — and then returned to New York — and from there moved up to Kingsbridge and was stationed at a place called Valentines Hill near Kingsbridge — from there we moved to White Plains and was in the Battle of White Plains, from there we moved up the North River — and crossed into the Jerseys, and marched through Morristown — and through Easton, in Pennsylvania and Bethlehem — to the Schuylkill in Pennsylvania or near there, where we were discharged on the 25 th December 1776 — having served the full term of Six months . — Recollects, Gen. Washington, Gen. Putnam, on Long Island — Gen. Sullivan — and others who were with the army —
Received a written discharge signed by Capt. Scham, which has long since been lost —
In the Summer of 1777 volunteered at Glastenbury,

in a company of militia commanded by a lieut Smith — Ensign Benjamin Smith — in General M c Dougall's Brigade — One Major Platte belonged to the Regiment — but the Regiment the Colonel of the Regiment marched immediately to Peekskill in the State of New York, and there continued to serve for the full term and period of six weeks . When we were discharged — but this Deponent did not receive a written discharge. Does not recollect of any continental Officers who were with us — at this time.
In the fall of 1778 as he believes — he again volunteered at Eastport in Capt John Wells Company — Lieut Knox — & we were soon not attached to a Regiment — but this Company was called out and marched immediately to New Haven Conn — where we continued to serve as a guard to the place, for the full term of One month — when we were discharged — but this deponent did not receive a discharge in writing. No continental troops with us on this service.
This deponent never received any written discharge except the first time from Captain Ashmun which has been lost many years since.

and reputation as to veracity and belief of his services —
This deponent knows of no witness living who can testify as to his services, — all who served with him so far as he knows being dead —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. Hattaway Judge of Oneida Com. ple as Counsellor
Ephraim Covell
We Moses Gillet Clerk of the Court of Sessions and Abner Smith Justice of the Peace residing in Verona Oneida County
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Covell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be about 73 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. J. Hattaway Judge of Oneida Com. ple as Counsellor
Abner Smith Moses Gillet
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 Moses Gillet who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in Verona Oneida County near said Covell and that Abner Smith who has also signed the same, is a resident in Verona Oneida County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
And said Ephraim Covell from bodily infirmity is unable to attend court —
J. Hattaway Judge of Oneida Com. ple as Counsellor
I, George Brown do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Covell for a pension.
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Oneida County
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 3rd day of January 1833
and I certify I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said George Brown the signature as in his proper handwriting
Geo Brown Clerk Joseph P. Read Dep. Clk

Interrogatories & answers
1. When Born. & where
Ans. At Edgartown on Island Martha Vineyard Mass. in 1759.
2. Have you any record of age.
Ans. Has not any record - but the above is as rec d from his parents
3. When did you reside when you enlisted &c.
Ans. Resided at Glastenbury Hartford County Conn.
Since at Canajoharie - N.Y.
Now Verona. Oneida Co. N.Y.
4. How called into service &c
Ans. Enlisted in 1776 for six months -
Volunteered in 1777 - Served 6 weeks -
Volunteered in 1778 - as stated particularly in mother's declaration.
5. Name of officers.
Ans. Recollect Gen. Washington Gen. Putnam Gen. Sullivan -
6. Did you receive a discharge.
Ans. Rec d a written discharge from 1st service
Signed by Capt Isham which has been lost.
Did not receive any other written discharge.
7. State names persons to you known &c.
Ans. Refer to Elias Cagwin Esq. Alverna Adams Capt Ben Blackman of Verona. who can testify as to character & reputation.
from P'keepsie } Hudson, and he is } a man of credibility } with the authorities - from } 1800-1833 }
John P. Shriver }
Judge Pundee }
Com P'keepsie }
Ephraim Lovell

Clerk's office
Oneida County
I, Hoyt Brown, Clerk of said County do hereby certify that John P. Sherman before whom the within aff. t was taken is one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Oneida, & that I am acquainted with his hand writing & believe the foregoing signature to be his.
Witness my hand & seal of office This 10 th day of June 1833.
Ezra Grew Clerk for J Read Deputy

No. 21,331 Ephraim Cowell Onida County N.Y.
m mole
2660 132 2798
B.P. Johnson Agt. Rome P.O. Onida County N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 27. 1833
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 subjjoined 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 Ephraim Lovell Onida county N.York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1776 6 Private Col. John Chester 73 years Hartford county Connecticut Traditionary   Vol 1777 43 " Lt. Col. M c Donall Maj. Platt   Vol 1778 1 Capt. John Wells  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years 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 place 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.
Ansund now B.P.
Daniel D. Davidson Esq. Clerk

Chatham
12597
INVALID.
No.
12,597
Ephraim Powell
Dis. Rev. War.
Act:
June 1 st 32
Index: Vol.
A
Page
79
[Arrangement of 1870.]