Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30489, Joseph Holcomb, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Holcomb, Joseph
S. 30489
CONTENTS

15.607
Massachusetts
Joseph Wolcomb of Berkshire in the State of Mass who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Pattibone of the Regt commanded by Col Enns in the Connecticut line for 13 Months service
At Rate of $100
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June 1833 and sent to Joseph Wolcomb Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 81. 16 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 21. 67
$108.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by St. L. L. L. Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 33
750 Berkshire

I Joseph Holcomb of Peru in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby make declaration that in the Year of our Lord seventeen hundred & seventy seven in the month of April I enlisted at Granby, Hartford County, Connecticut & entered service of the United States with the Connecticut State's troops for a term of nine months Under Command of Gen. Parsons. Served in the Regiment of Col. Mo. & Lt Col Smith in the Company of Capt Abel Pettibone & Lieut Follibut.
We Marched to New Haven Ct. thence to Fishkill N.Y. where our company joined the Continental Army Under Gen. Israel Putnam & were annexed to the Regiment then commanded by Maj. Meigs who was soon after promoted to the office of Colonel. Served the period of time for which I enlisted at different stations on the banks of the Hudson River. Marched to New Haven Ct in the month of January where we were discharged by our Captain. I knew Col. Willis & Col. Webb in this tour.
The next Spring I was drafted to fill up the Continental line hired John Ford to serve in my stead who was accepted by my officers & served as my substitute nine months.
In June A.D. 1778 I enlisted & entered service under Col. Roger Newbury in the Company of Capt. Samuel Bates of Granby Ct. went to a place called Horse Neck where we remained in service three months & were discharged.
In the fall of the year 1778 I volunteered to assist in conducting Gen. Burgoyne's troops (then prisoners of war) through the state of Connecticut. Commenced this service at Springfield Massachusetts & marched through Suffield Ct. Norfolk & Sharon to N. York line where was from home on this tour one month.

I was born at Granby Hartford Co. Connecticut A.D. 1759 My birth is recorded on the town Record of Granby which was then called Simsbury. I lived at Granby when called into service & since until the year 1816 when I moved to Peru Mass. Since A.D. 1816 I have lived nine years in Windsor Mass. & the remainder of the time in Peru where I now live
I never received a written discharge from service I enlisted the first time as a volunteer. I know of no person living who was with me in said service except Isaac Goddard who when I last heard was living in Granby in the State of Connecticut & Phoebe Rigley living in Avondale in the State of Connecticut whose affidavits accompany this writing The Rev Mr. Dorrance & Doct. Sarah Wright both of Windsor have been for some years past acquainted with me

Joseph Holcomb

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this twenty eighth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER , Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, Joseph Holcomb a resident of the town of Percy in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, in the annexed affidavit —

Joseph Holcomb. Penn. Co. Application for Pension
22753

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
Joseph Halcomb
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W.P. Walker J. Probate
We Gordon Dorrance a Clergyman, residing in the town of Windsor and Asahel Wright residing in Windsor hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Halcomb 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 neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Gordon Dorrance  A. Wright
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Asa H. Capen Justice of the Peace
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 Gordon Dorrance who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Windsor in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Asahel Wright who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Windsor in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W.P. Walker J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Halcomb for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this 15th day of February the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Henry W. Bishop Rec. Prob.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Asa H. Capen Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fifth day of February
A. D. 1832
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate

22 yrs B
Joseph Holcomb Mass
March 13 Months
W
J. W. Bishop Lenox Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Joseph Healecomb Berkshire Co Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlis 1777 9 Private Capt Pattibone Genl Parsons Bunker Newhaven Connect 73 yrs Traditionary   Chas 1778 3 Bates Col Eng { NYork Granby 12 Liveng   Vol. 1779 1 Genl Schuyler { Horse Neck Connect Connect Witnesses   Col Newbury { Masso- Connect NYork {  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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 _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
{ [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

30489
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 30, 489
Joseph Holcomb Lin Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 198
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Obed Higley of Avon Hartford County and State of Connecticut of the age of twentyfive years. I testify and say that I was acquainted with Joseph Holcomb I believe of the Town of Granby or Simsbury in the year of Seventy Seven who then was an enlisted Soldier under the command of Col. Abel Pettibon of Simsbury called the Connecticut State troops and the said Holcomb was enlisted for the term of Nine Months and served with me under the cap. t of the said the term of Nine Months and at the expiration of the term he was legit- ly Discharged and Whilst in the service we was under Gen. Parsons and in the Regiment of Col. Dorr Lieut. Col. Smith Capt. Abel Pettibon & Lieut. Holcomb and was marched first to New Haven then to Fishkill S-Dr Young When we joined the Continental Army under the com. and Israel Putnam and served the remainder of the war in the State of New York dated at Canton County of Hartford and State of Connecticut this 8 Day of November A.D. 1832 Obed Higley
Con'd on

Hartford County ss. Canton November 8 th 1832 Be it Remembered That on the day of said Abad Higley who hath subscribed the foregoing Deposition appeared before me and after being examined and concerned to speak the whole truth made solemn Oath to the same deposition which is taken at the Request of Joseph Holcomb to be used as testimony before a Probate Court to be held at Lenox in Berkshire County and commonwealth of Massachusetts Said deposition taken before me Isaac Mills justice of the Peace
Hartford County ss in the State of Connecticut & Son of Simsbury November 8 th 1832 - I hereby certify that the above named Deponent Abad Higley is a credible Witness of disinterested
John O Pettibone justice of Peace

Isaac Mills Justice of the Peace
I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That Isaac Mills , Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Obed Higley was taken, is, and at the time of such caption, was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Thomas Day
John O Pettibone Justice of Peace

7 I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That John C. Pettibone Esquire, before by whom the foregoing Affidavit of certificate is subscribed, was taken subscribed , is, and at the time of such caption subscription was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford, in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the fifteenth day of December , in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two .
Thomas Day

I have been resident of Granby in Hartford County of Connecticut age being sixty seven years I say that I am well acquainted with Joseph Hazard of Peru in the County of Berkshire State of Massachusetts an Applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of the 7. of June 1832 - that I well knew that Hazard went into the Service of the United States as a Soldier of the Revolution under Capt. Lemuel Park Lt. Halliburton & Sons John Rice in June 1778 on a tour of three months, that he went to Horse Neck Lottery? Thence the return I was in company on the expiration of the three months - I further say that I knew that the Hazard went on another tour of one month in Oct & Nov. 1778 under Capt. Oriss Pittsboro to guard the Traps taken from Genl. Burgoyne in the State of Conn. - I further say that I was a Soldier with the Hazard in both the aforesaid tours of Service I was well knowing with facts above stated -  Dated at Granby 15.00 per acre Nov. 13. 1832
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me, and I certify that the Abovenamed Deponent Isaac Goddard is a credible Witness and disinterested
Isaac Griffin Justice of the Peace

I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That Joab Griffin Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Isaac Goddard was taken, is, and at the time of such caption was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the fifteenth day of December , in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two .
Thomas Day