Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17474, John Hearsey, Mass.

1882 Jan 1
1882 Jan 1
1882 Jan 1
COM...
[Blank lined page]
[Blank lined page]

72 Phys

John Harvey - 19450 ✓
in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty five In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this in the matter of the application of John Harvey for a pension. We hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court of the Court of Harvey John Harvey and that the foregoing certificate is a correct copy of the original proceedings of the said Court who has signed the foregoing certificate is a competent witness in the town of Harvey who has signed the foregoing certificate is a competent witness in the town of Harvey

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this thirtieth day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Wilkes Wood Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Hingham within and for said County of Plymouth, John Hersey a resident of Hingham in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy 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, 1832. 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He enlisted as a Private in 1776, in Capt. Stevens company, and Col. Whitney's Regiment and served three months at Nantasket, acting as a waiter to the Captain. Joseph Wilder now living was sergeant of the company. His deposition is annexed. —
— He afterwards enlisted in Capt. John Wilder's company, and served for three months as a Private at Nantasket. It was in cold weather, and after the evacuation of Boston. One company only was stationed there. He knows of no one living who belonged to the company.
— Afterwards he enlisted as a Private in Capt. Elias Whiton's company, and served for three months, doing guard duty at Dorchester heights. Ezekiel Kearny now living was Drummer of the Company. His deposition is annexed.
— In 1780, he enlisted as a private in Capt. Theophilus Wilder's company, and went to

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Rhode Island, when he served three months. Ezekiel Hovey, aforesaid, was a member of the company. His deposition is annexed. —
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH ss ON this day personally appeared John Hovey, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this 12th day of March, 1891. — Said John Hovey further says, that he never had a written discharge in any instance — that he has no other evidence to prove his services than that aforesaid. He was born and has always resided in Hingham, and the record of his birth is in the town clerk's office of that town — a certificate of which is annexed. The Selectmen of Hingham, Joseph Milton, Jun. Esq., a Magistrate and Dr. Daniel Hute a Physician, each testify as to his character for veracity and to the reputation of his services, in addition to those whose certificate is subjoined. More of service 12 out.
John Hovey
Sworn to and subscribed this day & year aforesaid, Attest
Jacob H. Lorne Register

We, Nicholas B. Whitney a clergyman, residing in the town of Hingham and Joseph Wilder, Jr. a Physician residing in the said town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Hensey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, 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 Nicholas B. Whitney who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Hingham and that Joseph Wilder Jr. 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 Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Hensey for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office, this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Jacob H. Lord

"John, son of John Henry & Elizabeth Born. Sept. 24, 1761"
The above is a true copy from the Town Records of Births in Hingham - Attest.
James S. Lewis. Town Clerk. -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. August 27 th 1832 Then perso- nally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace for said County the above named James Lewis, and made solemn oath that the above is a true copy from the Town Records of Births in Hingham, and that he believes it to be the record of the birth of John Henry now living in Hingham and reported to have performed military services for the United States in the War of the Rebellion. And I the said justice do further cer- tify that said James S. Lewis is Town Clerk of Hingham and that he is a man of good reputation for truth. Norman Linsley, Jus. Peace.

I Esek Hovey of Hingham in the County of Plym- outh, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy one years of age, do testify and say that John Hovey of Hingham aforesaid served for three months as a private soldier in the service of the United States in Capt Elias Whitcomb's company at Dor- chester heights in the fall of 1777 or winter of 1778. I was a companion in said company during said term. —
I further testify and say that said John Hovey served as a private soldier — for three months in Capt Theophilus Wilder's Company in Rhode Island in 1780. in the service of the United States. I was a writer to the Capt during said term of three months. Esek Hovey
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. May 31. 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Esek Hovey and made oath to the truth of the a- bove declaration by him subscribed and I certify that said Hovey is a man of truth and veracity — before me Solomon Dinsmore Justice of the Peace for said County

I Joseph Wilder of Hingham in the county of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy seven years of age do hereby say that John Hovey now living in Hingham was at Nantasket in 1776 and served in Capt Stowe's company - Col Whitney's Regiment. I was then a soldier at the time in said company - (first sergeant) but did not see John Hovey then, but I cannot state how long he served. I served eight months. -
Joseph Wilder
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Plymouth ss. August 22 d , 1852. Then personally appeared before me the subscriber the above named Joseph Wilder and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, and I certify that said Wilder is a man of good reputation for truth.
Solomon Lincoln jus: Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Love Register of the Court of Probate for said County being the Court of Record do hereby certify that Solomon Lincoln Esq. before whom this was the usual affidavit sworn sworn is a true copy of the same in & for said County and that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be in his true & genuine handwriting. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this fifth day of November in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & thirty two. Jacob H. Love

John Harvey May
Part 10 March
   Rank Regt Comp Date Place     1943  
Major, Union Res. Inf. Veterans of Foreign Wars and N.H. Officers
J. H. Lord Thy name Mts

3. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
4. How old is he? 70
5. What the nature of disease or the like annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 1776 enter'd 3 waiter Capt Stowe Col Whiting   afterwards 3 private Capt Wilson   afterwards 3 " Capt Milton   1781 dis 3 " Capt Wildie  
6. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hingham Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, or by the rolls? traditional documentary and oral
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
The exact periods are not given
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Payson
Examining Clerk.

17 474 INVALID.
No. 17 474
John Bersey Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 171
[Arrangement of 1890.]

John Harvey M.D.
19450
J. H. Lona

...to the administration of the... ...to be made and to appear... John H. Hays ...further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy
II. ...the applicant made 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? yy
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? yy
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1862? yy
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal attached? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

...to in their belief... military service? yy
Further proof or explanation
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
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? yy
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy
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? yy
XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yy
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, deposes 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, 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 work 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 phrases 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.
REQUIRE 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 claimant's 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.
REQUIRE 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.