Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14477, Elijah Clapp, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Clapp, Elijah Martha
W. 14477
CONTENTS

Hymn
15524 Massachusetts
Elijah Clark of Plympton in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Loring of the R.C. commanded by Col. Bailey in the e. Bay line for 4 mos 11 days 5 2 " 43 " 3
Mrs.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of June 1833 and sent P.M.
Lord Hymnacke Mrs.
Arrears to the 14th of March 33 $58.12 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 12.53 $62.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Abel Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2a Page 12

Report
4478.
Massachusetts
Martha Clapp widow of Elijah Clapp who was a Pri & Sergt Mass in the Revolution.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars 62 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Jan y 1844 and sent to J. M. Lord Plymouth Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 6 Vol. 1 Page 38.

Elijah Clappys Declaration.
20552

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Plymouth ss
On the twenty ninth day of August A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. Miller Wood Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth, now sitting at Falmouth in said County. Elizah Clapp aged Seventy five years who being first duly sworn, according to law, clerk, 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 spring of Seventeen hundred and Seventy five I enlisted in a company commanded by Samuel Stockbridge which company was stationed at Falmouth Harbor, for the defence of the sea coast, - where I served five weeks, in the war of the revolution, the company belonged to Col John Baily's Regiment.
In 1776 early in the year, I entered Capt. Joseph Lopez Company, and marched to Hingham where said company was ordered, and I served with them two weeks, have no recollection of any other officers, - nothing in particular occurring I was discharged and returned home.
In summer of 1776 I again, entered Capt. Francis Cushing's Company who was sick, or unable to attend himself, and myself with said company under command of Lieut. Benjamin Vassal marched to Nantasket, near the entrance of Boston Harbor and there served two weeks, laboring on the fort and standing guard.
In Feb. 3 A. D. 1777 said Francis Cushing with his company with his company were ordered again to Nantasket and marched through Hingham, to Nantasket, where I served with said company laboring on the fort and standing guard forty days - I think said company was attached to Col. Lothrop's Regiment, nothing in particular occurring, the company were discharged and returned to Falmouth, upon their short campaign there never was to my knowledge, any General, or field officer present, except the Col.
In the autumn of 1776 I enlisted in Capt. James Turner Company and marched through Hanover, Pembroke, Bridgewater, Taunton to Rhode Island and was stationed at Newports, where I served - nine weeks as orderly Sergeant, was discharged in Warren - other officers not recollected.
And in Dec. following there was another call upon the militia and I again entered Capt. Francis Cushing's Company and marched through the towns above enumerated to Rhode Island and served four weeks.

I never received a written discharge, and have no documentary evidence to my knowledge, but the following persons, viz, Charles Coli & whose depositions are hereto annexed have testified to the service above stated, I was born in Scituate Feby 16th D. 1757, and have always lived in said Town, I served as a volunteer at all times, I was never drafted, and I never served as a substitute for any one. ~
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. ~
Elizah Clapp
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and aforesaid. ~ Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
We Samuel Deane a clergyman residing in the Town of Scituate, and Samuel H. Turner residing in the same, hereby certify that, we are well acquainted with Elizah Clapp who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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.
Samuel Deane.
Samuel H. Turner
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. ~ Attest. Jacob H. Lord Register
And the 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 applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as he states, and the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Samuel Deane who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Scituate, and that Samuel H. Turner who has signed the same is a resident also in said Town of Scituate, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. ~
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I Jacob H. Lord Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elizah Clapp for a pension. ~
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this twenty ninth day of August A.D. 1832. ~
Jacob H. Lord

Martha Clapp 1537 (Declaration)
admitted P & Vap. #25.06
died Oct 19. 183 Preston list.
E. T. Hogg So. Scituate Mass Sept 14

State of Mass. ss Plymouth County - ss
On this twenty seventh day of august eighteen hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before the Hon. Wilkes Wood Judge of Probate for said County of Plymouth Martha Clapp, a resident of Scituate in the County of Plymouth aged eighty three, 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 grant- -ing half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Elijah Clapp, who was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and who drew a pension under the act of 1832, and whose certificate was surrendered after his decease; reference to the evidence now at the department as to the service. She further states that she is now, and has remained the widow of said Elijah Clapp, and she further declares that she was married to the said Elijah Clapp on the eighth of October Seventeen hundred and twenty eight; that her husband the aforesaid Elijah Clapp died on the nineteenth of December eighteen hundred and thirty three that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, nineteen hundred and ninety four, viz; at the time above stated.
Martha Clapp
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day, and above written, Before. Wilkes Wood Judge of Probate

Plymouth J. Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Willes Wood is Judge of Probate for said County & that the within signature purporting to be signed by him I believe to be his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this thirty first day of August 1858.
Jacob H. Lord

Town Clerk's car. for Martha Clapp
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Scituate, County of Plymouth. Aug. 28. 1838.
"Elijah Clapp and Martha Turner both of Scituate were married by Rev David Barnes. October the eighth. Seventeen hundred and seventy eight."
I hereby certify that the above extract is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures. October 8 th 1778. Attest James Southworth Town Clerk of Scituate
I, James Southworth, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk in the town, County and State above named, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town, with the exception aforesaid, as certified by me
James Southworth Clerk of the Town of Scituate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. August 27. 1838. Sworn and subscribed to Before me Saml. A. Turner Just. Peace
And I certify that said James Southworth is a credible person Saml. A. Turner Just. Peace.

I, James Southworth, Clerk as aforesaid, hereby certify that it appears by the records of the town of Scituate, that Elijah Clapp, within named, died on the nineteenth of December, Eighteen hundred and thirty three, aged Seventy seven. Attest James Southworth Clerk of the Town of Scituate
I, James Southworth do further certify that the within named, Martha, remains unmarried, and has so remained from the time of the death of the within named Elijah Clapp - James Southworth
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss - August 27. 1835. Sworn to and subscribed Before me - Sam l D. Snover Just e . Peace
And I certify that said James Southworth is a credible person Sam l D. Snover Just e . Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth Yr. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Samuel H. Turner is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be signed by him I believe to be his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this thirty first day of August 1838
Jacob H. Lord

20652 Elyah Clarke Mass
  Plank 4 Mr & 11 days      hays  2.  3         6  16  
   13.33    10/500  1.23        2 500 "  14.56    " "  10.00    " "  50    11/     12/  25.06  
J H Lord Plymouth Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Elijah Clapp  County of Plymouth  in the State of  Massachusetts  (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? 75 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.     Enlist In 1775 4 1 14 15 private Gen. Capt Stockbridge Col. Bailey   1776 — — 14 15 — " Soper "   1777 — 1 10 — " Cushing ,   1778 — 2 3 Q. Sergeant " Adams " Lathrop   — — 28 — " Durner ,   — — — — " Cushing  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Falmouth Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional & living witness to a part of the service  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Claggett Examining Clerk

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. _____
14477
Martha Clapp
Widow of
Elijah Clapp
Seraph Reen W.
Act: _____
Mar. 3 d 1893
Index:—Vol. _____
a
, Page _____
136
[Arrangement of 1870.]

cl. act 1832 rel. J. H. Lord Dec 1. 1843
Massachusetts 14/15
Martha Clapp widow of Elyah Clapp dec?
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 19th December 1833 of Plympton in the State of Ms. who was a Dis't Dist in the Company commanded by Captain Stockbridge of the Reg't. commanded by Col. Bailey in the Ms. State line for 4 mos & 11 days
2 " 8 3 " Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. a at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Feb 1838 and sent to Fogg Esquire Mass. Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $62.65 Semi-annual allowance ending March 9, 12 53
$75.18
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk Book A Vol. Page 79

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ebenezer Dyer 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? ys
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? Living witness to part of service
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?
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? ys
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? ys
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? ys
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? ys
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.

I Charles Cole of Falmouth in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged Seventy three years do testify and say that Elijah Clapp of Falmouth in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, served with me one Campaign of forty days at Nantasket near the entrance of Boston harbor, in the war of the American Revolution in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy - Seven, in a Company commanded by Capt: Thomas Cushing. Also said Elijah Clapp to my knowledge, served one Campaign at Rhode Island A. D. 1777. under Capt: Moses Turner as an orderly Sergeant. but how long I do not know, but well recollect Capt: Turner telling me that he never had his rolls made, and kept by anyone, better than by said Clapp. Charles Cole
Plymouth 3d August 24 - 1832 Then the above named - Charles Cole made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true before - Samuel H. Turner Just: of the Peace
And I further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Charles for many years, and that he is a credible person. Attest Samuel H. Turner Just: of the Peace

Charles Bates Subscription for Elijah Bellamy
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Samuel A. Turner Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & the within signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twentieth day of December A. D. 1832.
Jacob H. Lord

3778
M. Clapp
$25:6 per an
J. H. Lord Plymouth Mass

Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3 d of March 1843. granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7 th 1835.
State of Massachusetts
Plymouth County } ss. On this twenty ninth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three before me Ebenezer T. Fogg, a justice of the peace in and for the County of Plymouth of said Martha Clapp a resident of Scituate in the County of Plymouth aforesaid aged eighty eight years who being first duly sworn , according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3 d of March 1843. granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Elijah Clapp late of Scituate, deceased, who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution, and for a description of said service and proof of the same, and the annual amount of pension received under the act of July 7 th 1835. she would refer to her original application now on file at the Pension Department at Washington. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Martha her  X Clapp mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written,
Before me Ebenezer T. Fogg - Justice of the peace and I further certify that the above named Martha Clapp is personally well known to me & is the same person that was a pensioner under the act of July 7 th 1835 -
Ebenezer T. Fogg - Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Ebenezer D. Pogg Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & qualified & that the within is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this first day of July 1843 Jacob H. Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston December 8. 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Ebenezer S. Fogg was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his 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.
Wm. A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.