Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17337, Graves Crafts, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Crafts, Graves
S. 17337
CONTENTS
carded

21. 673
Massachusetts
Graves Crafts
of Nhatley in the State of Mass who was a 2nd Musician the Company commanded by Captain Murray of the Rgt commanded by Col William, in the Mass line for 11 months Service as a Musician
John H. Crafts
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $7 Dollars 67 1/2 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Oct 1833 and sent E Almon Gloucester Mass
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 $119.17 Pension allowance ending Sept 14 23.83 $143.00
Revolutionary War Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by H.H. ... Book 2 Vol. 9 Page 11

Graves crafts Whately 22310

IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 7TH OF JUNE, 1832. DECLARATION, STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, COUNTY OF NORFOLK HAMPSHIRE. } ss.
ON this Franklin  sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the court of Grace Cope a resident of Whitney now sitting, State of Massachusetts, aged seventy in the County of Franklin  Franklin and
the court of Franklin now sitting, a resident of Whately in the County of Hampshire  Franklin and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy two 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. In January 1777, doth not recollect where then he lived in Franklin
served as herein stated. In January 1777, do not recollect where reducing in force (Whitcomb) he enlisted a party of 40 men, the first of his enlistment was on the 10th of January. His officers were Capt. Nathaniel Williams, Lieut. William Williams of Hadley. Major John D. Williams of Northampton. After staying a few days at Cambridge, he marched through a part of Connecticut to New York. Very soon after his arrival in New York, he was attacked by a party of the enemy, a Lieutenant named Hough, the leader of the party was killed and he was captured, having served a month. In July 1777, do not recollect when, of an alarm occasioned by the approach of Gen. Burgoyne. Thomas Lander, son of Whiting, went first, when New York was evacuated, he met the Continental troops under Gen. Gates, retreating from Saratoga. He was under the command of Major Clapp. They were defeated by Gen. Gates, who desired them to remain with the army. Marched about 40 miles to Saratoga, where he was left for the night with 100 men, the next morning, as they were marching to join the main army, they were unexpectedly attacked by several hundred British and Indians, who killed 16 of them and took the rest prisoners. One of the killed was a Lieutenant in the Continental Army. The remainder surrendered on condition of being paroled. Which parole he violated the same day by returning to the enemy, other than that aforementioned. About the 1st of October 1778, (then retreating under the orders of Gen. Clinton) and the impending threatened attack on Philadelphia of William Howe, Esq. was captured at Red Bank, and banished from the Continental service. The Regiment was commanded by Col. Sparhawk and then moved to Red Bank Heights, where there was no other Regiment, there it remained about two weeks and then returned to New York, where he was dismissed after having served three months. On the 6th of July 1780 (then a private) he was
On the 6th July 1780 (then a redoubtable three months' service) joined the army of the United States with Oliver Brown, and served six months in the 2 d Regiment of the Massachusetts Line under Major Maxwell. — Adam Bayley Captain, but company commanded by Lieut. Ames. — A most gallant man marched under a Captain Dix through a part of Connecticut to West Point in the State of New York, where Gen. Washington commanded, and he remained to have Gen. Putnam there. After the return into New Jersey and march to Tottenville while marching down, he heard a strange gun, as he was told, of the cracking of the commissary General. While at a place called Tenebre Peak (Highland Falls) heard of a redoubtable capture, and afterwards saw him executed. The army commenced their retreat from Tottenville and arrived at West Point on the 25th, where the said Col. remained until the 6th January 1781, when he was discharged, having served six months — he has since lost his discharge.
He hereby relinquishes 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 Massachusetts —
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk Graves Crafts
W_{e,}
well acquainted with that we believe him to be
residing in the town of _____ and residing in _____ hereby certify, that we are who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbor- the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. said.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
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  Attest E. Howard  who has signed the proceeding certificate, is  resident in  and that  who has also signed the same, is a resident in  and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Elijah Wood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Graves Crafts for a pension.
Text"> 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 .
E. Alvord
Clerk.

Grave crafts
22.310
Mr. A. B. ...
16.06
June 21. 1837
P 119
Muscian 3 Months
Parish \frac{11}{14}
476.72
36.64
95.34
- 11.48
33.83
115.19
E. Blood Eng
Greenfield
Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Whatley
Graves Crafts  in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 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 Jan'y In 1777 3 Private Col. Williams Hoap: Murray   " July 1777 2 " Capt. Murray   " Oct. 1778 3 Musickian Col. Spencer   " July 1780 6 private Col. Bayley Hoap: Bayley  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None named  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Whatley  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Three living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correctly authenticated 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

Graves crafts Isaiah Brown Aff

I Francis Brown of Whately in the County of Franklin Commonwealth of Massachusetts do depose and say that I enlisted in January 1777 to serve three months in the army at Danbury in Connecticut we then march from there to Peekskill in the State of New York we then marched to Morris town in New Jersey under the command of Capt. Seth Murry Col. Elijah Williams Reg and did serve all said time and I am well acquainted with Graves Crafts of Whately County and State aforesaid and do know that the said Graves Crafts did serve all sd time as a privet soldier in said company and Regiment.      Isaiah Brown
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. June the 21 st 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Isaiah Brown and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contained nothing but the truth before me
Daniel Brown Justice of the Peace I the said Justice of the Peace do certify that # Isaiah Brown the above named deponent is a credible witness. Dan. Brown Justice of the Peace

17337 INVALID.
File No. 17337
Graves Crafts
Mr. New York
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 55
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Graves crafts Seth Frary aff
John H. Strong Seth Frary

Seth Frazar of Whately in the County of Franklin Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age do depose and say that I volunteered in July, 1777 under the command of Capt. Seth Frazar on an occasion of an alarm caused by the approach of Gen. Burgoyne that I was at Moses Creek Saratoga and Stillwater according to the best of my recol- tion two months - I am well acquainted with Graves Crafts of Whately County State aforesaid and do know that the s d Graves Crafts did come at the above s d places two months - Sothe Frazar
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss August the 7 th 1832 then personally appeared the above named Seth Frazar personally appearing and made Salem oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contained nothing but the truth
Before me Luke B. White Justice of the Peace
I the above named Justice of the Peace do hereby certify that the Seth Frazar, the above named deponent is a credible witness
Luke B. White Justice of the Peace

Graves crafts Seth Frary dep-
Seth Frary Superior

Seth Frary of Whately in the County of Franklin in the state of Massachusetts of lawful age do depose and say that I Enlisted the 1 st of October 1778. enlisted for three months under Capt. Fairfield that I served at Roxbury Boston and Dorchester Heights and that I served at the above named places three months, I am well acquainted with Graves Crafts of Whately County state above said and know that the sd Graves Crafts did serve as piper at the above said places three months Seth Frary
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss August the 7 th 1832 then personally appeared Seth Frary the above named and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contains nothing but the truth Before me
Luke B White Justice of Peace
I the above named Justice of the Peace do hereby certify that the Seth Frary the above named deponent is a credible witness Luke B White Justice of the Peace

I Oliver Graves of Watebury in the County of Franklin and state of Massachusetts of lawfull age do depose and say on the 6 th of July 1790. I enlisted in the second regiment of the Massachusetts line for six months and that I served at that time under Col Bedlow and that I know that Graves Crafts served at that time six months under Col Bedlow Oliver Graves
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss August the 7 th 1832 then personally appeared the above named Oliver Graves and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contains nothing but the truth before me
Luke B. White Justice of Peace
I the above named Justice of the Peace do hereby certify that Oliver Graves, the above named depo- nent is a credible witness Luke B. White, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Daniel Brown Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit of Isaiah Brown was made and sworn to is a justice of the Peace for the county of Franklin; and the subscription of his name to the said affidavit appears to me to be his genuine signature.
And I further certify that Luke B. White Esq. before whom the annexed affidavits of Oliver Graves and the two annexed affidavits of Seth Frary were made and sworn to is a justice of the Peace for said county; and that his name to the said affidavits respectively subscribed appears to me to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Greenfield on the sixteenth day of August A.D. 1832 E. Alvord Clerk
(Upside down signature: Elijah Alvord Clerk)
I the said Clerk do hereby certify that the additional certificates hereunto annexed by which the several witnesses whose depositions are hereunto annexed are certified to be credible were made and subscribed by the several justices of the peace before whom said depositions were sworn to, in their own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at Greenfield this fifteenth day of July A.D. 1833 E. Alvord Clerk
(Upside down text: Oliver Graves aff, Graves drafts)

We the undersigned residing in the town of Whately in the county of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Graves Crafts of Whately who has made application for a pension, that we believe him to be seventy two 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. of Oliver Morton Titus Henry & Isaac Brown Titus Henry & Isaac Brown Whately July 15 th 1833 Seth Crafts
Sworn and subscribed to this 15 th day of July 1833 before me Chester Badwell Justice Peace
This may certify that the above named Oliver Morton & Seth Crafts are credible men and men of truth and veracity, and the reason why we called on them to certify is, there is no Minister in the town excepting one who is old and superannuated
Whately 15 th July 1833 Chester Badwell Justice Peace

Seth Crafts
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said Commonwealth for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Chester Bardwell Esq. before whom the within certificate of Consider Morton and Seth Crafts was made and sworn to is a justice of the Peace for said county; and that his name to the same subscribed appears to me to be his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield this fifteenth day of July A.D. 1833
E. Alvord Clerk

Graver crafts
E Alondra Greenfield 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 Graves Crafts 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 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? No XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? NO Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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?
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 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 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 authenticates 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 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.