Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,522, Peter Conant, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Conant Peter Elizabeth
NUMBER _____
W. 14.522
CONTENTS

16401  Massachusetts  State Contract of Mr. Asahel the State of Mass who was a Pvt. Corp. in the Company commanded by Captain Branton of the Regt. commanded by Col. Brooks in the Mass line for 3 Months Service 6 " Corporal State
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 28 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Sept. 1833 and last State of Cambridge Mass Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $57.34 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept., 14.33  $71.67
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by William Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 10
78 Middlesex

4952
Rep. 17 Feb. 43
Massachusetts.
Elizabeth Conant widow of Peter Conant who was a Pri. V. Corp. in the Mass a Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of February 1843 and sent to Thomas Bulfinch, Boston Mass a
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 265

Peter Conant
No 4.452

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honourable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, at Concord  Peter Conant resident of Stow in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 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, A. D. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: in the month of September 1776 he enlisted as a soldier in the town of Stow and joined the army at Kings Bridge and thence he marched to White Plains thence to Valentines Hill & Y and were there dismissed the last of November our officers were Col. Brooks of Lincoln Lieut Col. Stow of Framingham. Capt Amasa Crampton of Marlborough Lieut Nathaniel Sargents of Stow Second Lieut, Smith of Sudbury, he also enlisted in Stow the last of June 1777 for six months he joined the company and marched to Providence in Rhode Island and there joined the Regiment the company. Officers were Abisha Brown Capt.; Daniel Davis 1 st Lieut; and said Peter was dismissed at East Greenwich the first of January 1778 in the State of Rhode Island. - he entered the service as a Corporal and did the duty as such for the last six months above mentioned, but did not receive a regular discharge.
and the said Peter Conant says that he was born in Stow in 1756 that there is a record as he supposes in the town Book in said Stow that he was living in Stow at the time of his enlisting into the service and that he has generally lived in said Stow since that he enlisted in the service. He does not recollect any officers other than those already named. That Augustus Fawler can testify that he has had the reputation of being a revolutionary soldier. Peter Conant

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 any state,
Peter Conant
We, John L Sibley a clergyman, residing in the Town of Stow and Augustus Tower residing in said Stow hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Peter Conant who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; — that we believe him to be seventy six years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
John L Sibley
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Augustus Tower
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 certify, that it appears to them that John L Sibley who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Stow and that Augustus Tower who has also signed the same, is a resident in Stow and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. Fay
Wood
Isaac Fish
I Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Conant for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Isaac Fish
I also certify that Francis Fuller whose own proper signature is set to the certificate on her depositions hereto annexed marked A & B, is a justice of the Peace within said county of Middlesex & I also certify that a portion of the signature of Augustus Tower whose own proper signature is set to the certificate hereto annexed, is also in the testimony which I have hereunto set my hand & seal official the day & year aforesaid
Isaac Fish Reg

Elizabeth Conant Duen
3258
Elizabeth Conant Up ap!
admitted
Proctor p 28, 67 100
J. Fiske East Cambridge Mass

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows,"
State of Massachusetts, } ss County of Middlesex }
On this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight - Elizabeth Conant personally appeared before the judge of Probate for the county of Middlesex Elizabeth Conant a resident of Stow in the county of Middlesex aged eighty years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of Peter Conant who was a* private soldier in the army of the Revolution, and who enjoy'd a pension from the United States at such a rate as will appear from the documents herewith pertaining to the Department - She she states that she has often heard her husband say that he was a corporal in the service, whether pensioned or not she does not know - and she also states that said Peter Conant was her only husband & that she has remained unmarried since his decease.
She further declares that she was married to the said Peter Conant on the seventh day of December in the year seventeen hundred and eighty ; that her husband, the aforesaid Peter Conant died on the twenty second day of September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. : at the time above stated.
Elizabeth Conant Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me, in open Court, by said Elizabeth Conant, the words & that she had remained unmarried since were previously inserted - before me
J. P. Fay Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex
* Here insert the rank the husband held in the army, navy, or militia, as the case may be, and specify the service performed, as directed in rule numbered one of these regulations.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts I Isaac Dike Register of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that John P. Fay, Esq. in the Court of said Court & that his signature above written is genuine. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this Thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. Isaac Dike Reg.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss County of Middlesex }
Town Clerks Office Stow September first in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight
I Charles Tower Clerk in and for the town of Stow county and State aforesaid make the following extract from the record of marriages in my possession Peter Conant of Stow and Elizabeth Fairbanks of Harvard were married December seven one thousand seven hundred eighty I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows December 7 th 1780 I Charles Tower above named clerk of the town of Stow County and State aforesaid certify that the above is a true extract from the records of the town in my possession with the excep- tion above named as certified by me
Charles Tower Clerk of the town of Stow aforesaid
Middlesex ss. September 4 th 1838.
Sworn to before me.
Ephraim Buttrick Justice of the Peace

I Charles Tower aged forty four years of Stow in the County of Middlesex, do depose & say that I have known Peter Bonant late of said Stow deceased & Elizabeth his wife ever since my childhood. That said Peter Bonant was as I have always understood. He believed was a pensioner of the United States for his service in the army of the revolution. & that he died sometime in the fall of the year eighteen hundred & thirty three. That his widow the said Elizabeth Bonant has lived in Stow & remained unmarried ever since his decease. & is now living there
Charles Tower
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts —
Mid d ss: Nov. 13. 1838. Personally appeared Charles Tower known to me as a respectable citizen of Stow & a credible person & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me J. P. Fay Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss.
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that J. P. Fay Esquire is the Judge of said Court & that his signature above written is genuine.
I also certify that Ephraim D. Dutton Esq. is a justice of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that his sign above written on the preceding paper is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fourteenth day of November in the year eighteen hundred & thirty eight. Isaac Fiske Reg.

N o 4452
Peter Bonant
Corporal 6 M s
Private 2 "
8
5 1/4 & 1/2 interrogatus
Not Complied with
Nov 25 1832
J. Fiske Esq.
East Cambridge Ms.

BRIEF in the case of  Peter Conant of the County of Middlesex 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? 76 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. As a Gen.     In 1776 Sept. to the last of Nov. 3 — 2 — Private Col. Brooks, Capt. Cranston   '77 June — 6 — Corporal Capt. Brown, St. Davis  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Stow,  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? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
am
No. 14522
Elizabeth Conant
Widow of
Peter Conant
Corp Rev War
Act: March 31 48
Index:—Vol. 6 , Page 148
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts 2806
Elizabeth Conant widow of Peter Conant, decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 22 d September 1833 - of Middlesex in the State of Mass - who was a pri. & Cor. in the Co. commanded by Captain Cranston of the regt. commanded by Col. Hardy in the Mass. line for 2 mos private 6 " Corporal
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 28 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of May 1839, issued to S. Fiske, Esq. East Cambridge, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1839 $ 84.01 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept '39 14.33
$98.34
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. M. Condy, Clerk, Book A. Vol. 1. Page 80.

Nov 21
3258
Inglis
7 Feb 1838
Convent
FREE
L. Edwards Esq.,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington

East Cambridge (Mass. Co. Middlesex)
J. L. Edwards Esq.,
Sir
The enclosed application of Elizabeth Conant to be placed on the Pension shall you will please to examine & the evidence in support thereof, & communicate the result to your most obed. Isaac Fiske

N o 4452
Peter Spant
J. Fiske Esq.
C. Cambridge 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 Peter Gouant 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? 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? no 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? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes,
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: “Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days. I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____: and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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.

5322
Elizabeth Loenant
$28:67 per a
Thos. Buttrick
Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Town of Stow and county of Middlesex
On this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the county of Middlesex Mrs Elizabeth Gonnant a resident of the Town of Stow in the county and Commonwealth aforesaid aged Eighty five years who being first sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the third of March 1833 granting pensions to the widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary war. That she is the Widow of Peter Gonnant who served nearly one year as a Corporal in the army of the Revolution and that she obtained a pension under the act of July 7 th 1838 of about twenty eight dollars per year for five years and she further testifies that at the time the service was performed he had his home in said Stow and that he died Sept 22 d 1833 and that previous

to his death he received a pension and that she is still a widow
Elizabeth her Conant mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written
Before me Charles Tower } Justice of the Peace
I Levi Conant of Boston, in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age on oath testify & say, that I am the son of Elizabeth Conant above named. She was the wife of Peter Conant who was a pensioner of the U.S. and has not been married since his death. They said Mother was a pensioner under the law of 7 th July 1838. at $28.67 per annum which amt she received for five years. =
Levi Conant.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk County } Boston, 7 th Feby. 1844.
Then personally appeared Levi Conant above named and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me, Lowell Mr. Stone J. Pease

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston February 7 th 1844
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Charles Dower was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, and Lowell M. Stone was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Palfrey, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for said County of Middlesex Peter Conant 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 time of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than eight months and served five months as a Corporal
Augustus Laver

I Daniel White of citizen in the Middlesex and Commonwealth of Mass of the age of seventy two do testify and that I am acquainted with Peter Conant of Stow in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid that in the year 1777 said Conant was a soldier in the same company with me at Rhode Island for six months the company was commanded by. — Capt Elisha Brown, Lieut. Daniel Davis in Col. John Robinson Regiment Daniel White
Middlesex ss. August 18 th 1832 Then the above named Daniel White personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was just & true Before me Francis Little Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named Daniel White is a man of truth and respectability Francis Little Justice of the Peace
A

B
Lunt & H Hale

I Ichabod Stow of Stow in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventy three do testify and say that I am acquainted with Peter Conant of Stow in the county & Commonwealth aforesaid that in the year 1776 in September said Conant enlisted in the same company with me under the command of Amasa Cranston of Marlboro Cap t 1 st Lieut Nathaniel Sargent of Stow 2 nd Lieut Smith of Sudbury, in Col. Brooks, Regiment we marched from Stow to Kings Bridge from thence to White Plains in New York and from thence to Valentines Hill and was dismissed at Valentines Hill the last of November following
Ichabod Stow
Middense ss August 18 th 1832 Then the above named Ichabod Stow personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was just and true
Before me Francis D. Little Justice of the Peace
Francis D. Little Esq. having read the above Ichabod Stow who swore to the above affidavit before me, is a credible person & said to be such.  Francis D. Little Justice of the Peace