Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38654, Aaron Darling, Mass.

SERVICE
Noass.
NUMBER _____
S. 38654
Darling Aaron
CONTENTS

10474 R Vermont
Aaron Darling of Reading, in the state of Vermont who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Parley of the Massachus- setts line, for the term of Six Years 1776-1802
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 17 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 of May 1819 and sent to A. H. H. Esq. Windsor Vermont
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 $ 84.64 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1819 $ 48 10 Mo. 18 days unacc. $ 132.14
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued

Notification sent Nov. 14 th 1820 to Benj t Swan Woodstock Vt.

Declaration of Aaron Darling No 47. Soldier ,
Col Baileys Reg t Mass s line 1777 was
April 17 th 1815
for P.M.
Admitted

State of Vermont } At Chester in S d County of Windsor County ss } Windsor, on the 17 th day of April 1818. Before me the Subscriber, one of the Judges - of the County Court for the County of Windsor aforesaid, Personally appears Aaron Darling aged Sixty Three Years, Resident in Reading in said County, who being by me first duly Sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled - "An Act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the Land & naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war:" - That he the said Aaron Darling enlisted in Northbridge in the State of Massachusetts, in the Spring of the year 1775. in the Company comm- -anded by Capt. David Batchelder, in the 2 d Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Reed, of the Massachusetts line. That he continued to serve in S d Corps or in the Service of the United States, having enlisted a second time; until the first of January 1777. - when he was discharged - That he enlisted the third time at Northbridge aforesaid, in the Spring of the year 1777. in the Company commanded by Capt. - Isaac Warren in Col. Baileys Regiment of the - Massachusetts troops. for During the war, That he continued to serve in S d Corps, or in the Service

of the United States until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Newburgh in the State of New York; then serving in Col. o Sprouts Regiment. — That he was in the Battles of Saratoga, Monmouth, & White Plains and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his s d services, except the evidence of Daniel Marsh herein after stated. Sworn to and declared before me, the day & year aforesaid. — Amos Heald Assistant Judge of Windsor County Court.
I Amos Heald Assistant Judge of Windsor County Court as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Aaron Darling did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated against the common Enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid Act of Congress. — Dated at Chester the 17 th day of April 1818. Certified By Amos Heald Assistant Judge of Windsor County C.

I further certify that Daniel Marsh of Woodstock in S d County of Windsor. Personally appearing and after being duly sworn. testifies that he was well acquainted with the aforesaid Aaron Darling in the time of the Revolutionary War, and has a strong impression on his mind that S d Darling enlisted & entered service in the early part of the war, & knows that he served till the close of the war - and that he S d Marsh often saw S d Darling while in actual service of the United States. - Dated Woodstock June 11. 1818. Amos Heald Asst. Judge
State of Vermont ) Woodstock County Clerk's Office Windsor County ss ) June the 11 th A D 1818 -
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Windsor do hereby certify that Amos Heald is one of the Assistant Judges of said County Court, and that the foregoing Signatures are in the hand writing of the said Judge -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court the day above -
Benj Swan
end.

I also certify that, the widower alluded to me, appears to my satisfaction, that the said Aaron Darling is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Aaron Gould Assistant Judge

Aaron Darling
10.474
Sept. 10.19
Con —
Benj Swan Woodstock Vt.
14 Nov.

STATE OF VERMONT, WINDSOR COUNTY...ss.
term of the Supreme Court of Judicature  County Court At a special term of the Supreme Court of Judicature  County Court , begun and holden at Woodstock in the County of Windsor, on the last  first Monday in July  September , Anno Domini eighteen hundred and twenty.
ON this 25 th day of September 1820, being the Eighty day of said term, personally appeared in open Court, (the same Court being a Court of record agreeably to the laws of this State, having the power of fine and imprisonment, &c.) Aaron Darling - aged Sixty four years, resident in Reading in said County of Windsor, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war, as follows: that he enlisted in May 1775 for eight months in the company commanded by Capt. Pachele in Col. Reed's Regiment in the Massachusetts line. At Roxbury Massachusetts before the eight months had expired he enlisted for a year in Capt. Peter's Company in Col. Reed's Regiment in the Massachusetts line, served the time out and was honorable discharged, by Gen. Learner which discharge is lost, in the year 1777 he enlisted for during the war in the company commanded by Capt. Isaac Warren, in Col. Boyl's Regiment and served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Newburgh in the State of New York by Gen. Washington on the 10 th day of June 1783 - that during the said service he was in the battles of White Plains in New York, at Saratoga and at Monmouth -
that he made his original declaration on the Seventeenth day of April 18 has received a Pen- sion Certificate, No. 10,474 - And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; - and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.    1 Cow & calf  15.50  1 Whelk & lamb  1.75  1 old chairs  25  $ 17.50    1 old chest  50  1 old table  25  Woodenware, tubs &c  50  3.28    Hollow ware  2.00  1 old fire shovel & tongs  75  1 old axe  33  1.58    old pewter plates & 2 plates  50  1 old chair  50  1 old whelk  2.00  3.50     $25.81  
And the said Aaron has the following family dependent on him for support, to wit, his wife Abigail aged 69 years, who is in an infirm state of health - he is by profession a laborer, but on account of the infirmity of his body is and has been for some years past unable to do much labour, being subject to fits & cannot procure a subsistence for himself and family, without some publick or private charity -
his Aaron X Darling mark
Sworn to and declared on the 25 th day of September 1820, before said Court.
Attest Benjamin Swan Clerk.
STATE OF VERMONT, WINDSOR COUNTY...ss.
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the County Court for the county of Windsor, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court: - And I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Twenty Five Dollars 81/100 dollars.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Woodstock, this Second day of October 1820.
Benj. Swan Clerk of the County Court for Windsor County.

Rechar
38654
INVALID.
File No. 38654
Aaron Darling
Pr. Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 ; Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Aaron Darling Vermont
Application to remove Suspension
Brief within
How Asa Stickens Windsor Vermont
See letter 27 Sep 1828 to R. Temple Pen. Agt Sep 19
Hart evidence 30th March 1824/
see letter 12 Sept. 1828 to Sec. of War.
Dropped from roll 13 Sept 1828 under act 15 May 1828.

Act 1828 Settled at Treasury Cons d with Invalid file # 38,654

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
No. 8 Original paynt 645
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
July 28. 1828.
Aaron Darling — of Reading, — in the County of Windsor, — in the State of Vermont — has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a private — in captain Maine — 's company, in the regiment of the Massachusetts line; does not state and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dickinson.
18290
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
July 30 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Aaron Darling in the Mass'ts Line
It further appears that Aaron Darling — — — is now on the pension list of the Vermont — — — agency, and has been so since the 3 d March 1826 — — — at the rate of eight — — — dollars per month.
but according to the accounts rendered he has received nothing since the 4 th March 1823 —
John Hagner Aud
See Letter from the War Department 12 Sept 1828.

For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15 th of May 1828, I, Aaron Darling of Reading in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont do hereby declare that I enlisted in the continental line of the Army of the Revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination, at which period I was a private in Capt Maine's company in the Second Regiment of the Massachusetts line, commanded by Col. Sproul.
I further declare that I received a pension certificate under the act of congress of March 18, 1818, dated May 10, 1819 and numbered 10,474 was continued on the pension roll as will appear by the letter from the War Department dated Nov. 14, 1820 - and that I was stricken from the roll as will appear by a letter from that Department dated August 7, 1823, which pension certificate and letter are herewith transmitted.
I further declare that I received an honorable discharge at the close of the war, which discharge I have lost - and that on the former application made by me for a pension, previous to my receiving the pension certificate above named, I transmitted to the War Department as proof of my services the affidavit of Daniel Mearns, then of Woodstock in said County of Windsor, but since deceased, to which affidavit in the files of the War Department reference is had as evidence corroborating of my declaration foregoing - and there is no other person, to my present knowledge, in this vicinity and I do not know of any who are living

by whom I can make proof of my services to the close of the war. I am now of the age of seventy two years.
And I further declare that I was not on the pension list of the United States on the 15 th day of March 1828
Aaron Darling (mark)
Signed in presence of us
Norman Williams, Walter Palmer
State of Vermont } Before me Walter Palmer one of Windsor County } the Justices of the Peace within and for the county of Windsor, in the state of Ver- mont personally appeared Artemas Taft of Woodstock and Samuel C. Loveland of Reading both in said County of Windsor, known to me to be credible witnesses and men of truth and veracity, who did severally make oath that Aaron Darling, by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed to have been a man private in the army of the Revolution in manner as their stated. - Witness my hand this 24 th day of June AD 1828.
Walter Palmer Justice of Peace
State of Vermont } Windsor County }
I, Benjamin Swan, Clerk of the Court of the County of Windsor in the state of Vermont, do certify that Walter Palmer before whom the certify that Walter Palmer, before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn was at the time, a justice of the peace, within and for said County and duly empowered to ad- minister oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this twenty fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Benj. Swan

War Department,
No 10474
PENSION OFFICE,
14 Nov r 1820.
SIR:
You are hereby informed that the Schedule of your property has been examined; and the Secretary of War has directed your name to be continued on the Pension Roll.
You will be paid at the next semi-annual payment in March next. Funds for that purpose will be transmitted at that time; but no arrearages will be paid previous thereto.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
To Mr. Mr. Aaron Darling Care of Benj m Swan, Esq r Woodstock, Vt.

War Department, Pension Office, 7 th August 1823.
Sir,
It appears by information given to this Department, that you used fraudulent means in obtaining a pension from the United States, and that you are in possession of 85 acres of land, with a decent dwelling house thereon, and other property. I have, therefore, to inform you, that the further payment of your pension will be stoppt, unless you exhibit satisfactory evidence, that the above mentioned information is incorrect.
I am, respectfully, W m Offt. Servt. J. L. Edwards
W m Aaron Darling, Reading, Vt.

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818,
Aaron Darling late a private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Vermont Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the seventeenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen .
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Tenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.

March 4 th 1820 had lived in Reading 17 years. Previous thereto he had lived in Swansea N H

Aaron Darling
Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of September next, in Burlington by
Heman Allen Esq.
agent
Record

Reading, June 26, 1828
To the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States,
Sir,
Inclosed, are the claims of Aaron Darling, a private in the Rev- olution. You will please examine them, and if not satisfactory, will you have the goodness to inform what more is required for the purpose of his obtaining a pension.
Very respectfully,
Yours
Samuel C. Loveland
Richard Rush, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

Statement of Judge Aikens

The Honorable John C. Calhoun Secretary of War Washington City
Sir
Saron Darling, a revolutionary pensioner, has referred to me a letter from the War Department addressed to him under date of Augt 7. 1823, informing him that "it appears by information given to that Department that he used fraudulent means in obtaining a pension from the United States, and that he is in possession of 85 acres of land with a decent dwelling-house thereon, and other property. And that the further payment of his pension will be stopped, unless he exhibits satisfactory evidence that the above information is incorrect."
Although the source or form of this information is not intimated, I have no scruple in attributing it to one of the names of Elias Biglow, who is a neighbor to Darling. My reasons for attributing it to him will sufficiently appear from the following account of facts. My knowledge of which, I derived from having been employed as counsel for Darling in defending an action of ejectment commenced by said Biglow against Darling and tried before the Supreme Court of Judicature of this State, at their August Term, 1822.
time of this State, at their August term, 1822. The following is a short recital of the facts developed on that trial - It appeared, as well from inspection, as from the testimony of several of his neighbours, that Mr. Darling is a very weak and feeble old man, and labouring under a great degree of mental inability, resembling idiottism; so much so, as to be incapable of business and is idiotic: - That many years ago there was one Ichabod Darling, a relative of Aaron's, living in this country, and who was understood to be now living in some of the Western States, to whom Aaron was indebted, and had given notes, before he went away; and from whom he had not heard, these several years. It is the wish of the ask of being off of the
had, three or four years. It appeared also, that soon after the passing of the act of bankruptcy of the 22 March 1810, a man of the name of David Armour made his appearance in that neighborhood, and became a sort of inmate at the house of Eliza Biglow, who was well acquainted with Darling's history & circumstances, although Armour himself was a perfect stranger to Darling & the neighbors there. This Armour soon represented himself to Old Mr. Darling as being an agent sent from the city of Washington to look up the old Revolutionary soldiers, and to obtain pensions for them. — That, soon after, both Armour and Biglow called again at Darling's, and Armour then told Darling that his place would be an obstacle to his becoming a pensioner — that he, Armour, was the holder of the notes to Deborah Darling against him, and he must pay

them, by leading to them the place on which he lived - that Biglow pretended to be astonished and concerned, and explained to Darling that if those notes were just they would more than swing his farm. And they asked him if he did not recollect giving such notes - Darling insisted that it seemed to him those notes were not so large, that the consideration was only a cow or two; - But they frightened him, and induced him to turn out and old mare or saddle which he had, and to convey the place from the notes - That Biglow drew writings for them - That Darling's wife made much noise about it, and Armour soon went back from Biglow's to her, & told her, that if she was dissatisfied, he would give her back the deed, and did actually give her a paper purporting to be the same deed, and told her to read it and burn it up, which she did accordingly - That Armour soon got the real deed recorded, left it with Biglow, and quit the country - That Biglow afterwards saw Armour somewhere, and got a quit-claim deed from him, of the same premises to himself, on which the action was commenced.
It appeared also, that Armour had attempted some other speculations of a similar character in that neighbourhood, and left pieces of his hand-writing there -
It appeared also, that the notes given up to Darling, were not the real notes executed by him to Ichabod Darling, but were sheer forgeries, in the hand-writing of Armour, and had been recently made, but with blue-ink and on old & smoked paper, to deceive those old and ignorant people.
It appeared that some time afterwards, Darling finding that they had been deceived in the pretence of giving up the deed, and that Armour had got the same recorded, & left the country, did make a declaration, upon which he obtained a pension.
When the facts became known to the more respectable people of the town, that Biglow was pursuing Darling, and the pretended notes were by them examined, and found to be forgeries, counsel was consulted, and a defence advised to.
The Defence set up in favour of Darling against the title of Biglow on the trial, was, that the Deed had been obtained from him by fraud, and was the result of a conspiracy of which Biglow himself was the principal instigator, and had full knowledge from the beginning.
It was urged on behalf of Biglow: that if Darling executed the deed in the hope of thereby obtaining a pension, he was himself guilty of a fraud upon the United States, and would not be permitted to set up the fraud of the plaintiff to avoid his own deed - To this it was answered, that if he believed he was discharging the bona fide debt of Ichabod Darling, and getting up his own notes to him for that debt, upon which Armour was then pressing him, it was no fraud on the U.S. for a man has a right to pay an honest debt, as well since as before the passing of the Revolutionary pension act, though the payment should bring him within the privileges of it, and that too, without forfeiting such privilege.

Such was the case submitted to the jury, under the charge of the court? And the jury found a verdict for the Defendant.
Biglow, thereupon entered a review of the cause, which, by the laws of this state he had a right to do; but before the next session of the court, he abandoned the pursuit, and became non suit. Immediately after which, it appears, the representations were made to the War Department, of which Darling has been notified.
This transaction does indeed appear to have been a very extraordinary, and on the part of Darling, a very foolish one. Both a personal knowledge of him, satisfactory accounts for those traits. He is in the prime of age, hastened by bodily infirmities, and liable to the grossest impositions. The verdict of the jury is, I think, conclusive proof (it certainly is, that they on their oaths did believe) that Darling had no fraudulent intent in making the conveyance in the manner, and under the circumstances related; for if they had believed such a thing, they could not, under the charge of the court, have returned the verdict which they did.
I beg leave further to state, that, from the representations of respectable people intimately acquainted with Darling and his circumstances, on whom I can rely, as well as from my own partial knowledge of him & his situation, I do earnestly believe, that if he had never conveyed the place, it would have been no obstacle to his being placed on the pension roll, and that it is none to his being continued there. The eighty five acres of land mentioned (and which was the subject of the suit) is a poor, rocky, out of the way place, upon the mountain, containing no plow land at all. It has no fences upon it, and he is totally incapable of making any. It is running up to brush and is mostly waste. The house is a small one story tenement, with two rooms, walled on the outside with lath sticks & lime mortar, and is shattered & out of repair. It is believed that the whole, land and all, is not worth more than one hundred dollars. It is a shelter for him & his wife, without which the town would be under the necessity of furnishing them with another; but it affords him scarcely any other necessary means of a subsistence.
It has been said that he might possibly hereafter receive something in the right of his wife, from her father's estate. The facts, I am informed are, that she is one of four children - that her father's widow is still living & that his property was small, probably not more than sufficient to carry the old lady through, so that nothing is to be expected from that source.
He, Darling, had, previous to the termination of the law suit, saved from his pension money, nearly an hundred Dollars, which he had put into the hands of some of his townsmen. But the expenses of defending that action must have swept away the whole of that sum, I should ap-

-prohond, he being under the necessity of maintaining a large number of witnesses at court for several days, besides counsel fees and other expenses incident to a litigated action at law.
That he is miserably poor and under the necessity of assistance from some source, comfortably to subsist himself & wife. I have no doubt. I have no doubt, either, but that the representations which have been made to the War Department respecting him were dictated by malice, and in revenge of the overthrow of that despicable conspiracy which has been the subject of Judicial inquiry here; and that they never would have been made, but for that cause.
The above narration of facts I have given, at the request of some respectable persons, neighbors to Darling, in the reputation, and I will personally add, in the hope, that his pension will be continued to him.
I am aware, Sir, that an apology for so long a ritual is due - but I deemed it necessary for the double purpose of enabling you to judge of the old man's case, from all the facts which have come to my knowledge connected with it, and of the purity of the source, whence the previous information is supposed to have been derived.
I am, Sir, with great respect, Your most obedient servant
Geo. H. Hens
Windsor, Vt. March 30 th 1824.

Reading 1823 July 28
Free
Hon.
J. Calhoun Secretary of War
Washington
Rec. 66
bauc
Edw
76

Reading July 21 st 1823
Sir
I beg leave to inform your Honor: that Aaron Darling of Reading County of Windsor and State of Vermont was placed on the Pension Roll as a Revolution Pensioner, under the following Circumstances — and in possession the month of April 1818 he was the sole owner of a Farm containing Eightyfive acres of land and a decent Dwelling House on the same which he had peaceably occupied for the term of seventeen years — soon after the pension act came to his knowledge he found a stranger by the name of David Arnaud and after being a few days with him the sd Arnaud produced two Notes against the sd Darling payable to one Tobias Darling of Swancey in Hampshire the place of the sd Darling's nativity for the sum of about one hundred dollars each sd Notes bearing date seventeen years back the exact time of the sd Darling's Moving from that place to this; both sd Notes on interest — he immediately made application for his pension and obtained his certificate; he soon after declared the notes were forged and was determined to hold his Farm and went advertised in the public papers accordingly — I think in the spring of 1819 the pension act was new modelled so that to hold a pension they were compelled to exhibit a schedule then he then was silent for a month or two; and then took another turn; and declared the notes good & that he honestly owed them and had no hopes of holding the Farm; and exhibited a schedule containing property to the amount of $25, 67 and made oath &c and got his name continued on sd Roll he then took the last turn and declared the business all a fraud and that he was determined to hold the Farm; About this time however I was in the State of N.York and found the sd Arnaud and purchased the sd Farm thinking there could be no dispute about the Title and in July of 1821 ejected him the sd Darling off of the Farm; and in August of 1822 had a trial in the Supreme Court at Woodstock in sd County & State above mentioned and the sd Darling obtained a verdict against me I reviewed sd action and in June June of 1823 abandoned the action paying the bill of costs; for further particulars reference being had to Benjamin Swan Clerk of sd Supreme Court residing at Woodstock — and the sd Darling is now and ever has been in full and intire possession of sd Farm, and has more than $100 Dollars at interest and heir to a small estate in (Mass) — all of the above allegations will be abundantly substantiated on the other side —

The within is humbly submitted by your Humble Servt. - H
Elisha Bigelow Jr.
Hon.
Living in D o Reading window County (Vt.) J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War Washington

Aaron Darling Windsor - Vermont
Application to remove a Suspension
Brief
(last evidence 30 th March 1824)

Aaron Darling - Windsor. Vermont
Enlisted for 8 mos in 1775. in Col Reeds regiment. before the time expired reenlisted in same regt for 1 yr and in 1777 again enlisted in Colonel Bayleys regiment (map line for the war) Discharged 10 th June 1783
Original Declaration dated 17 th April 1818. and a pension Certificate issued 10 th May 1818. The pensioner files a Dec. under Act revised Act of 1 st May 1820.
1 st Schedule dated 25 th Sept 1820.
  1 bow & calf 15.50.  1 sheep and lamb 1.75.  4 old chairs 0.25  17.50    1 old chest 0.50.  old tables 0.25.  wooden ware 0.53.  Hollow ware $2.00  3.28    1 old fire shovel tongs & trammel 0.75.  old axe 0.33.  old pewter plates & 2 plates 0.50  1.58    lantern and tin dish 1.50.  crookery and glass 0.50.  whale 1.00.  old chair 0.50  3.50     $25.86  
Continued. Notification sent 14 th Nov 1820 to Benjamin Swan. Woodstock. Vermont.
On the 6 th Augt 1823. A caveat filed (3) Dated Reading 26 th July 1823. setting forth that the pensioner was the sole owner and possessor of a farm containing 85 acres of land with a dwelling thereon which he had peaceably occupied for 17 yrs that soon after the pension Act was passed the pensioner colluded with David Armour who produced two notes against him payable to Deabod Darling in New Hampshire the place of Aaron Darlings nativity, dated 17 years back for $100 each, on interest. and the farm was conveyed to Armour in payment

That immediately thereafter he applied he applied for a pension. (April 1818.) Soon after, he declared the said notes to be forged, and that he would not give up said farm; but that when the act was passed requiring an exhibition of property, he became silent for a time, and acknowledged the notes to be good and genuine, and made out his schedule for $25.67. After being continued on the roll, he again declared the notes a fraud.
This Caveator, further states, that he, believing the title of farm to be good, or that there would be no dispute about it, bought of it of S d Armour. In July 1821, ejected S d Aaron, who appealed in 1822 had said judgment reversed. That he had a review of the action in June 1823, abandoned it, and paid costs. That said Aaron has $100 at interest, and is heir to a small estate in Massachusetts. (a naked statement, not under oath)
Suspended. 7 Augt 1823.
Application to remove this suspension made through the Honorable Horatio Seymour, who encloses a statement from Asa Perkins, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and represents him as "a gentleman of the first respectability, upon whose statement the most perfect reliance may be placed."
He says, that he has a full knowledge of the circumstances of the Applicant, having been counsel for him in a suit commenced by one Elisha Bigelow, whom he suspects to have been the person who gave the information to the Department of War, upon which Aaron Darling was suspended from the receipt of his pension.
Said Darling is an old man, laboring under mental inability, resembling idiocy, and is very illiterate. That S d Aaron was indited to Ichabod Darling, a relative, living in the Western State, which circumstance being known to David Armour, he came to Aaron's neighborhood, giving out that he was a Government Agent from Washington sent to look up Revolutionary soldiers, to be pensioned. Told S d Aaron

that his farm would be an obstacle to his claim: and produced notes which he alleged, he had received from Ichabod. The old man at first insisted that the notes he had given, were not so large: that the consideration was only a horse &c. But that Simon and said Eliza Bigelow, confederated and frightened him. Bigelow wrote the deed and the farm was conveyed - they made him "turn out" also, an old mare and a saddle. Aaron's wife became troubled, and complained, and Simon to pacify her, gave her up a paper, saying it was the deed, which she then believed, but it turned out to be a sham. Simon in the mean time got said Deed recorded, and left it with Bigelow, who soon after bought his title. Aaron then applied for and obtained his pension. But being there- after advised by several respectable persons, that the notes were spurious he refused to give possession of the land. Bigelow commenced suit; On trial, the fraud was clearly manifested, and Aaron finally obtained a verdict in his favor. That this land should not keep him out of his Pension. It is a poor, rocky and out of the way place; on the mountains no plough land - without fences. running up to brush, and mostly waste - A one story house, with 2 rooms, covered with laths and mortar & shattered, and out of repair; whole not worth more than $100 affording only a shelter, and in no other way contributing to his benefit. 3 d That previous to the termination of the said suit he had laid by, nearly $100, out of his pension money; but that the expenses of the action, must have swept away the whole of that sum. That it has been said he expected something, in right of his wife from her father's estate. But his wife's mother is still living - The property small, and not more than sufficient to "carry the widow through" and his wife is one of 4 children with equal claims. Claimant is stated to be "miserably poor" (not under oath)
Claimant aged 64. wife 59 in 1820.

No other persons in family, both very infirm — a laborer subject to fits, and states in his declaration of 1820. "he cannot procure a subsistence without some public charity."
I certify that I have examined this case and am of the opinion that according to the principles which have governed in previous decisions, the claim ought to be admitted.

Rec d 21 Apr l 1824
The Hon ble
John C. Calhoun
The Bureau of the Navy

Senate Chambers April 16 th 1824
The Hon. John C. Calhoun
Sir The inclosed state- ment was forwarded to me - The writer of it is Hon. Asa Aikins of Windsor Vermont Mr. Aikins is one of the Judges of the Su- preme Court in Vermont a gentleman of the first respectability & upon whose statements the most perfect reliance may be placed
very respectfully
your Obedt. Servt Horatio Seymour

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
12 Sept 1828.
SIR:
I have the honor to inform you, that Aaron Darling , formerly a Private in the Second Regiment of the Massachusetts line of the Continental Army ; and who has heretofore received a pension at the Vermont , _____ agency, has been admitted to the benefits of the abovementioned act.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Richard Rush.
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
No 104.