Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,367, Reuben Damon, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Damon Reuben
S. 30,367
CONTENTS

10.242
Massachusetts
Reuben Damon
of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Stetson of the regt commanded by Col Burbank in the Mass line for 14 Pns 23 Days
M c Glenn
75 Plymo
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 49 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Mar 1833 and sent to Lord Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 1833 $98.44 Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Sept " 24.61 $123.05
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J Foss Blair Clerk, Book 20, Vol. 2 nd Page 16.

Reuben Damon's Statements,
13.359

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth ss.
On this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon ble Wilkis Wood Judge of the Court of Probate for the said County of Plymouth, now sitting at Hanover in said County, Reuben Damon a Resident of Scituate in the said County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - to wit:
1 st In August or Sept r of 1776, he entered said service as a private and did the duty of Tifer in the Company commanded by Joseph Stetson, Lieut Benjamin Studley and Ensign Benj Holmes, marched to Roxbury was stationed there a short time, then marched to Boston, and was stationed near Acmoody's lane, there was one other Company there at the same time. his duty to guard the town and public stores. he served three months, was then discharged and returned home to Scituate. He can prove this service by Charles Turner, who served with him and his deposition is annexed.
2 d In the month of May A.D. 1777. He volunteered and went to Castle William in Boston harbour, was employed in repairing and rebuilding the fortifications which the British troops had demolished on their leaving Boston, the Engineer under whom he served was Col s Barbeck. he served three months was then discharged and returned home to Scituate, he knows of no one living by whom he can prove this service and his deposition is
3 d In the month of July as he thinks A.D. 1778. he entered said service as a private in the Company commanded by Joseph Clift of Marshfield, the other Officers not recollected he with two other soldiers went directly to Howland's Ferry, and then joined said Company, in August crossed the Ferry to Rhode Island. his Company was attached to Col Thayers Regiment as he thinks. Gen l Sullivan was commander in chief. The American troops remained on the Island about three weeks after he joined them, then they all retreated before the British troops, and his Regiment retreated over Howland's Ferry to Tiverton, then marched to Providence, then to Patuxett and then continued to the end of his term he having served one month & 19 days he was then discharged and returned home to Scituate the last of October as he thinks. he can prove this service by Francis Litchfield who served with him and his deposition is hereto annexed. Also see the Certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts annexed, in which he is also stated to have served four days more in the Lexington Alarm.
4 th In April A.D. 1779. he entered said service as a private in the Company commanded by Captain Wilder, the other Officers not

recollected, went to Nantasket, joined said Company was there stationed and served to the end of his term, he having served three months, was then discharged and returned home to Scituate, there was a Company of Artillery commanded by Peter Nichols stationed there at the same time. He knows of no one living by whom he can prove this service.
5 th In July as he thinks, A.D. 1780. he entered said service as a private in Cap Amos Turner's Company, Lieut Benj. Stetson Ensign Nath l Brooks, marched to Howland's Ferry and crossed over to Newport on Rhode Island. his Company was attached to Col o John Jacobs Regiment, Lieut Col John Clapp. After serving with said Regt. four or five weeks, he with three others of his Company was detached to tend Howland's Ferry and so continued until the end of his term, and having served four months - he was discharged and returned home. Elisha Briggs who served in the same Company with him can prove this service, his deposition is annexed.
He served in all as aforesaid fourteen months & 19 days. He never received a written discharge, nor has he any documentary evidence of his service.
He was born in Scituate the 13 th day of February 1759. His birth is recorded in the town Records of Scituate. He lived in Scituate when he entered said service and has always lived there. He volunteered or enlisted into each term of service aforesaid he was in no instance drafted, nor was he a substitute. He has named all the officers under whom he served that now recollects also all the important circumstances of his service. He is known in his present neighbourhood to Samuel Deane Samuel A Turner and others who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Reuben Daman
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Reuben Daman.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Attest Jacob H. Lovee Register
We Samuel Deane a clergyman residing in the town of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts and Samuel A Turner residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Daman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe

him to be seventy three 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 -
Samuel Deane Samuel A. Turner
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Deane who has signed the preceding certificate is a long time resident in the said town of Scituate and that Samuel A. Turner who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I Jacob H. Lord Register of the said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Damon for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

Benjamin Damon Mass
March 16 Mr. 23 day
Atkins
$49.22.
13359
J. H. Lons
Weymouth Mass

23  BRIEF in the case of  Reuben Darrac  60 of Plymouth in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73.  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.     Aug. In 1776 entered 3 Private and the duty Capt Stetson   1777 volunteered 3 fifer Col Barker   July 1778 1 19 Private Capt Clift Col Draper   April 1779 3 " Capt Wilder others are not recalled   1780 4 " Capt Turner Col Jacob   in Lexington Alarm so called  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Simsbury Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional & living witnesses  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.
George Sawyer
Examining Clerk.

This may certify, that it doth appear on the public Records of the Town of Scituate, (Book 4. folio 6.) that "Reuben Daman, Son of Caleb Daman and Hannah his wife, was born February 13 th A. D. 1759."
Ebenezer Bailey Town Clerk of Scituate
Scituate (Mass.) Aug t 13 th 1832.

30 367 Very INVALID. J
File No. 30,367
Renfrew Damon
His Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39"
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 103
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Francis Litchfield Esq.
Reuben Damon,

I Francis Litchfield of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy two years, on oath do testify and say that in the summer of 1778 Reuben Daman of Scituate aforesaid entered with me the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution as a private, and served one month and nineteen days in Capt Joseph Clifts Company at Rhode Island - and further saith not.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Plymouth ss. Aug- 22. 1832 Then the above named Francis Litchfield made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true -
before me - Ebenezer T. Fogg - Justiciarius
And I certify that said Francis Litchfield is a credible person -
Attest - Ebenezer T. Fogg - Justiciarius

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Number D 111111 , which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? /// II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? /// 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? /// 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? /// VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? /// VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? /// VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? /// IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? /// 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? ///

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? /// 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'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? /// Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? /// 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? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 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, deposeeth 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 shown 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.

Reuben Damon
Reuben Damon
Reuben Damon born in the town of ... died in the town of ... at the age of ... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ... on the ... day of ...

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Augt. 15 th 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the Name of Reuben Dorman is found on a Payroll of Capt d Joseph Clift's Company, in Col o Josiah Whitney's Regt, marched to the State of Rhode Island in July 1778, & is therein stated to have served One month & Nineteen Days. Also said Reuben Dorman's name is found on a Payroll of Capt d William Ferris's Company, in Col o Anthony Thomas' Regt on the Alarm of the 19 th of April 1775, & is therein stated to have served Four Days.
Edward D. Bangs, Secretary

I Elisha Briggs of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy two years nearly, on oath do testify and say that in the year 1780 in July - Ruben Daman of Scituate aforesaid entered the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution for four months as a private in the Company commanded by Amos Turner, the Lieutenant was Benj r Stetson and the Ensign was Nath l Brooks said company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col John Jacob. I the said Elisha Briggs and Ruben Daman after said enlist- ment marched from said Scituate with said Company to Rhode Island, crossing Howlands Ferry on our way, and the said Daman was detached to tend Howlands Ferry not serving with me in said Company, but at the end of our term we were both discharged and returned home to said Scituate in the latter part of Autumn, and further saith not. Elisha Briggs -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss - July 25. 1832 Then the above named Elisha Briggs made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true, before me. Ebenezer T. Fogg - Justice And I Certify that said Elisha Briggs is a credible person Attest - Ebenezer T. Fogg - Justice

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H Lord Register of the Court of Re- bates for the County of Plymouth being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Ebenezer P. Dyer Esq is a Justice of the Peace in for said County & that I believe his name subscribed to these certificates are true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Jacob H Lord
Elisha Briggs Def. Rubin Damon

Charles Turner
Deputy
Reuben Damon

I Charles Turner of Chelsea in the County of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts aged seventy two years, on oath do testify and say that Reuben Damon of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State aforesaid entered with me the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution and served one campaign of three months in Cap Joseph Platsun's Company, attached to Col c Dykes Regiment stationed at Roxbury & Boston, said Campaign commenced the last of August or first of September A.D. 1776.
Chas: Turner
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Plymouth ss - August 20. 1832 Then the above named Charles Turner made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
before me - Ebenezer T. Dagg - Justice.
And I certify that said Charles Turner is a credible person.
Attest - Ebenezer T. Dagg - Justice

Paul Meritt Dep. Aiken Daman

I Paul Merritt of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and state of Massachusetts aged seventy one years on oath do testify and say, that I have always lived a neighbour to Reuben Daman of Scituate aforesaid, and I well recollect that said Reuben Daman was a soldier of the American Revolution, that he repeatedly entered the service, but at what particular times he enlisted, or under what Officers he served, I do not recollect, not having been a soldier myself with him - I further certify that I believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that I concurs in that opinion,
Paul Merritt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. July 26. 1832 Then the above named Paul Merritt made oath that the above affidavit and certificate by him subscribed is true - before me - Ebenezer T. Fogg - Just. peace
And I certify that said Paul Merritt is a credible person
Attest Ebenezer T. Fogg - Just. peace