Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29225, Bernard Hill, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Hoase.
Hill, Bernard
S. 29225
CONTENTS

2904 New York
Bernard Hill
of Chenango in the State of New York who was a Private in the Scourging commanded by Captain Lany of the 1st. commanded by Col. Elliott in the 1st. Regt. — " — time for 2 Years — " — " —
Inscribed on the Rolls of New York — at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of Jan'y. 1833 — " — and sent to N. Ely New Haven
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1832 $120 Semizant. allowance ending 4th '33 40 $160
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk, Book D Vol. 5 Page 127
He did Nov. 25-1832 QB

No. 10. 4. 08
Bernard Hill
admitted
5. 14. 16
Sept. 17. 1832 Oct. 29. 1832
12-5-
Noah Noble Ely New Berlin Chenango Co. N. York

BRIEF in the case of  Bernard Hill of New Berlin  County of Chenango  in the State of  New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Seventy years. 70
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.     Was drafted, he thinks in the spring of 1776 until late in the fall of 1776 private Gen. Campy of Gen. Lord - Sergeant Jeremiah Litchfield other officers not recollecting being very young.   Spring of 1777 discharged late in the fall same officers   Spring of 1778 until discharged about 25th March 1779 1 Year private Capt. Joshua Lucey, company of a battalion of Militia of Massachusetts, 2nd Capt. Paul Sladen, Lt. Reuben Johnson, Ensign Price, Sub. Cornwall, Lieut. Robert Elliott   Winter of 1779-80. Drafted 3 months Capt. Peleg Pinks company, Lt. David Martin, Capt. Joby Barney's company, St. Philips Battery   for part of the season 1780 3 private  
5. In what battles was he engaged? While on the Island of Rhode Island, "had a good deal of fighting"
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? at Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts
7. Is the statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by a living witness, under oath, whose credibility is not impeached, his tradition believed on oath by two residents of same town, whose character & credibility are certified to by the Court.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? In the absence of the return.
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. G. Wilson Examining Clerk.

10.608 Bernard Hill
Declaration. Proof etc.
New Berlin Chenango Co N.Y.
admitted 2 years private
80 pp

Court of Chancery. Present his Hon. Robert M'Call Vice Chancellor of the Sixth Circuit.
State of New York
Chenango County } S.S.
On this Seventh day of September
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Court of Chancery of the State of New York held by the Vice Chancellor of the Sixth Circuit at the Town of New Berlin in said County Bernard Hill a resident of the Town of New Berlin in the County of Chenango State of New York, aged Seventy (70) years the nineteenth (19) day of November last past, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth, on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed 7 June 1832.
That he was born in the Town of Swansea County of Bristol in the State of Massachusetts on the nineteenth (19) day of November in the Year Seventeen hundred & Sixty One (1761) according to the best of his knowledge & belief although he has no record of his birth or age, and resided in the said Town of Swansea at the time of the commencement of the Revolutionary War, & that he there first entered into the service of the United States in the Year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six (1776). That the said Town of Swansea lies upon the sea coast and was much exposed to the descents of the Enemy and a Company was called out in that year to defend & guard the coast, & that he said Hill was drafted into said Company that it was subdivided into three (3) smaller Companies or Guards stationed at different places & commanded by different Officers. The one in which he was being under the command of Sergeant Jeremiah Luther and stationed on Gardner's Neck in Swansea - he was very young & does not recollect the names of all the Officers. Erasmus Shaw now living in the Town of New Berlin was with him in the same Guard or Company. Does not remember when he entered or left said service - But thinks he entered in the Spring and that during most of that season (that is the summer of that year) he was in said service - They were not dismissed until late in the fall, - they were kept up during the night & were allowed by their Officers to go home during the day - and were paraded every night at sunset.

That in the Spring of the next year Seventeen hundred & Seventy Seven (1777) the same Companies were called again into Service, and that the said Hill served in the same Company as the preceding Year under the same Officers. They were called out Early in the Spring - They drew Rations & Provisions from the Commissary Store at Fall River - He cannot tell how long he was in the Service this Year, he was stationed in the Town of Swansea - The Inhabitants were much threatened and harassed by the Enemy. It was during this Year that Enemy burnt the Mills at Fall River in Free Town. There was considerable of a battle when they were driven off - Jerahmeel Chase was in the same Company with said Hill this Year - they were not dismissed until late in the fall -
That early in the next Spring Year (1778) Seventeen hundred & Seventy Eight, the said Hill enlisted for (12) twelve months in a Company of Artillery of the State Troops. The First Captain's Name was Joshua Sawyer . The Second Captain was Daniel Gladen . The Lieutenant was Reuben Johnson And the Ensign's Name was - Price . Said Company of Artillery belonged in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Robert Elliot , and he believes the said Company was attached to the Brigade commanded by Genl Cornwall .
That he ( Hill ) went from the said Town of Swansey to Providence in the State of Rhode Island where he enlisted into said Company of Artillery. He cannot tell the time exactly, but remembers it was Early in the Season - That he did not again return home after he enlisted, but entered into Service in the said Company in Providence aforesaid - That he continued with said Company in Providence & that neighbourhood until some time in the Month of August when they were commanded to march down to the Island of Rhode Island . That on their March they went through the said Town of Swansey where they halted one night, near his Father's house who kept a tavern, & said Hill then saw his Father's family - The next day they marched down to "Howlands Ferry" and there

crossed over to the Island, & marched to a fort called "Bull's Hill Fort." That they were on the Island some time he thinks as much as 2 or 3 weeks. Generals Sullivan , Greene , & Cornwall were on the Island. Thinks Sullivan was Chief in the Command. Colonel Jacobs - Col. Sapping & Col. Crary each had the Command of a Regiment on the Island. - But the Artillery was not much connected with them although he thinks they all belonged to the same Brigade under the Command of Genl. Cornwall .
During the time they were on the Island there was a good deal of fighting and when the American Army retreated the Artillery Company to which said Hill belonged, were employed in removing the carriage . That they succeeded in getting it all down from "Bull's Hill Fort" to "Bristol Ferry" and finally in getting it all across the Ferry, to what was called "Bristol Fort" where they halted and remained some days. They kept up a firing of Artillery between them and the Enemy across the Ferry. There was a British Vessel lying near them. They fired at her until she moved out of the reach of their guns - Thinks she was called the " Rose " but is not certain, one Vessel was called " Wallace " But thinks this not the one.
That after they left Bristol Fort at the Ferry they marched up into the Town of Warren a mile or two beyond the Village where they pitched their Tents & remained until cold weather, when they went down to the Village in the Town of Warren and took up winter quarters.
That a Regiment of Continental Troops from Connecticut was with them in winter quarters in Warren. Remembers their Uniform well, but does not recollect the officers names. That General Warren said to be of Massachusetts & to belong to the Continental Service had the Command after they went into Winter quarters.
That they remained stationed at Warren until said Hill was discharged at the expiration of his time which he thinks was about the 23 rd day of March (1779). That he served out his time of one year & was regularly discharged. his discharge was not in writing after his discharge he went home to Swansey .

That during the Winter after his said Service & discharge as aforesaid, (being the Winter of 1779 & 1780) he was drafted in the Town of Swansey for (3) three months in a company of Militia or State Troops Don't know which But believes Militia, Commanded by Capt. Deleg Peck & Lieutenant Daniel Martin . That said Company was marched down to "Warwick neck" opposite to the Island of Rhode Island, where they were stationed to prevent the British from cropping from the Island - That said Hill remained there with said Company watching the Enemy until the expiration of his (3) three months - Genl. Cornwall was present, & had the Command, - He cannot tell at what time in the Winter he went - Only knows it was cold weather & that he remained 3 months until discharged - Discharge not in writing, - he cannot tell exactly what time discharged - Remembers that Benjamin Buffington & John Luther were drafted in said Company & after they got down to "Warwick neck", refused to do duty & were punished for disobedience, they were neighbours of said Hill -
That during the year Seventeen hundred & Eighty, in the Town of Swansey, the said Hill again Enlisted for (3) three months in a Company of Militia or State Troops Commanded by Jabez Barney Captain & Phillip Bowers Lieutenant, - He enlisted in the forepart of the Season and just after the British had left Rhode Island, to which place they were immediately marched & were employed in rebuilding "Batts Hill Fort", served out his time of (3) three months & was regularly discharged - had No written discharge, Does not remember of the said Company being paraded with the Regiment to which it belonged only once during the time - & he does not remember the Colonel's Name - The Major was Camp Isaac Mead Chase served with him all this time or 3 months saw the same Company & was discharged at the same time.

Said Jeremiah Chase & said Hill lived within one and a half or two miles of each other in the said Town of Swansea & were acquainted from Children —
That after the Revolutionary War the said Bernard Hill continued to reside in the said Town of Swansea & has a family there, that he followed the Sea for 6 or 8 Years but that his family continued to reside there until about (36) thirty six years ago, when he moved with his family into the Town of Adams in the State of Massachusetts, where he lived about (4) four years — when he removed into the said Town of New Berlin where he has ever since resided & now resides. Having lived in New Berlin about (32) thirty two years —
That he never had a written discharge, according to his recollection
That his Neighbours in New Berlin can testify to his character for truth & veracity & to their belief that he served as a soldier of the Revolution — & he refers to Genl. Augustus C. Welch Late Sheriff of said County of Chenango — & to Barnabas Brown Esquire Late a Judge of said County who both live in New Berlin & have known said Hill for a number of years —
That the Clergyman in this Place the Rev. Mr. Hughes is a foreigner & only just settled in New Berlin and does not know the said Hill, for which reason the said Hill judged it improper to call on the said Clergyman for any certificate —
That he knows of no one living to  who  can  testify  to  his  testimony he can procure who knows of said services except the said Jeremiah Chase & that he has got his testimony so far as he knows & supposed was necessary.
That the said Hill is unable from age & debility to go to Court unless a Court is held in New Berlin where he lives & that his memory has become very poor & imperfect.

And that the said Hill hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State,
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year foresaid
Robt. O'Connell Vice Chancellor
Bernard Hill
We Augustus C. Welch & Barnabas Brown both now & having been for a number of years residents of the said Town of New Berlin in the County & State aforesaid, do certify that we are well acquainted with Bernard Hill who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration: - that we believe him to be seventy years of age & in his seventy first year - and that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Augustus C. Welch Barnabas Brown
Sworn to, & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Robt. O'Connell Vice Chancellor
And the said Court after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states
And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Augustus C. Welch & Barnabas Brown who have signed the above certificate are residents of the Town of New Berlin aforesaid & are men of character & integrity whose statements are entitled to full credit.
Robt. O'Connell
Vice Chancellor

The following Answers were given to the interrogatories propounded by the Court agreeable to the regulations of the War department
To the first -
He was born in Swanzy Massachusetts in the year 1761 -
To the second
He has no record of his age -
To the third
He lived in Swanzy when called into service and during the War - After the War he followed the sea for some years - He lived in town of Adams Massachusetts about four years, and then removed to New Bedford about thirty two years ago where he now resides -
To the fourth
He some times volunteered, some times enlisted and was also drafted -
To the fifth
He answered Genl. Cornell Genl. Farnum - He does not recollect the Commandant of regiments his memory is poor he remembers a red coat regiment - The general circumstances of his service are stated in his declaration
To the sixth -
He never received a written discharge that he recollects -
To the seventh -
Augustus C. Welch, Barracks, Brown Charles, Medbury, Stock Ely, Sits A. Corkey -
Robt. O'Connell
Fin. Chanceller

State of New York
Chenango County ss. Personally appeared before me the Undersigned Justice of the Peace in & for said County Bernard Hill , who being duly sworn deponeth 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 manner.
For two (2) months at least the first year in the guards as a Private in 77 & 78.
For four (4) months at least the next year in the guards as a Private in 78 & 79.
For twelve (12) months in Militia, as a private in 78 & 79 - one enlistment.
For three (3) months in the Militia as a private in 79 & 80 another enlistment.
For three (3) months in the Militia as a private in 80 last enlistment.
And for these several terms of service I claim a pension.
Subscribed & sworn before me the Undersigned Justice who certify that I am well acquainted with the said Bernard Hill & that he is a person of good character & entitled to full credit. Sworn to this 8 th day of November A.D. 1832 Charles Medbury Justice of the Peace
Bernard Hill
State of New York Chenango County
Clerk's Office ss. I Jarvis N. Peck the Clerk of the County Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chenango do hereby certify that the Charles Medbury Esquire before whom the above affidavit of Bernard Hill and the annexed affidavit of Jeremiah Chase was sworn, was then and now is a justice of the Peace in & for said County and that his name subscribed to the said affidavits is in his proper & genuine hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my seal of office.
This 30 th day of November A.D. 1832
J. B. Pindle Dep Clerk

State of New York. Chautauqua County ss. Verahmed Chan a resident of the Town of New Berlin in said County being duly sworn says open Court deposes & says that he was Seventy two Years of age the eighth day of April last. That at the commencement of the War of the Revolution he resided in the Town of Swansey in the State of Massachusetts, within one and a half or two miles of Barnard Hill who has made the foregoing declaration, & that he has been well acquainted with said Hill from a Child. Both having been born & brought up in the Town of Swansey .
That the said Hill was drafted & served in the Company of Guards commanded by Sergeant Jeremiah Luther and Stationed on "Gardners Neck" This deponent well knows as he also served in the same Company at the same time - that is both the Years Seventeen hundred & Seventy six & Seventeen hundred & Seventy Seven (1776 1777)
That said Company was first called into service in the Spring of the year (1776) - I deponent thinks about the first of March, that they were intended to prevent incursions of the enemy & to guard the Sea Coast, that there were three divisions - the one in which this deponent & said Hill were, was under the command of Sergeant Jeremiah Luther and Stationed on a point of land called "Gardners neck" north of the Island of Rhode Island in the said Town of Swansey . That the other two Companies were Stationed one on "Masons Neck" & the other on "Hoggs neck" commanded by Sergeant Jeremiah Chan . That said Guards were kept on duty during the Night & allowed to home during the day, being ready for parade by Sunset. That said Guards were organized according to this deponents recollection in the first part of the month of March & served until cold weather set in the Fall or the beginning of Winter, when they were dismissed for the season - that said Hill served with him in the

Guard on Gardner Neck all of the said Time according to this deponents recollection & belief - (that the declaration of the said Chase contains a fuller account of said services)
That the next year Seventeen hundred & seventy seven the same Companies were called again into Service & served as the preceding year, - they were called out Early in the Spring & served until late in the Fall, & that the said Hill was in the same company with this deponent & did actual service all of this Summer, that they drew rations from the store at Fall River - That the enemy were in Rhode Island & threatening the Town of Swansea - That they succeeded in burning the mills at Fall River & the Town, that they were attacked & driven off, that this deponent was in the battle, & remembers it well, & that said Hill also remembers it. That the Town found the arms for said Company - (Chase's Declaration contains a fuller account of this service)
This Deponent further says that in the year (1778) Seventeen hundred & seventy eight, he knew that said Hill enlisted into a company of Artillery & understood he enlisted for one year - and knew that he was in the service so long as this deponent knew - This Deponent saw said Hill on the Island of Rhode Island, & Remembers his company - and that after this deponent's time of 9 months was out he went home to Swansea & that said Hill had not then got home & he understood that Hill had some time longer to serve -
And this deponent further says that in the year 1780 as this deponent believes it being the year the British left Rhode Island this Deponent & said Hill both enlisted in a company of Militia (or State Troops) commanded by Captain Jabez Barney & Lieutenant Phillip

Barbers for (3) three months - They enlisted Early in the Season but does not recollect the month, they marched down to the Island of Rhode Island from the Town of Swansea when they enlisted. The British had just left the Island - the Company was employed in repairing of "Bull" Hill Fort they served three (3) months & were discharged - Said Hill & this deponent were discharged at New Britain - no written discharge was given - the company was paraded with the regiment only once & then for the purpose of discipline - Does not recollect the Colonels name.
And this deponent further says that he has known said Hill from a boy while he lived in Swansea & also since this deponent has lived in New Britain. That his health is poor & he has become quite feeble & his memory has become very poor & imperfect, But that he is a man of integrity & moral character.
Sworn to Subscribed the day and year aforesaid in Open Court Robt D. Merrill Lieut. Colonel
persecuted Chace persecuted Chace Subscribed & sworn Before me this 8 day of November 1892 - And I Certify that I am acquainted with the said persecuted Chace & that he is a person entitled to full credit & belief - Charles Medbery of the Prove
I Jonathan L. Woods Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the Sixth Circuit of the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Barnard Hill for a pension - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 7th day of September in

the year 1832 Jonathan Wood Clerk

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
awg
May 24, 1928
Mrs. Leonora Lawrence Spring Valley Road Hackensack, N. J.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 29225, it appears that Bernard Hill was born November 19, 1761 at Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
While residing at said Swansea, he served as a private with the Massachusetts Troops, as follows-
From the spring of 1776 to the fall of 1776, under Sergeant Jeremiah Luther; from the spring of 1777 to the fall of 1777, under Sergeant Jeremiah Luther; from in 1778, twelve months in Captain Joshua Sawyer's Company, Colonel Robert Elliot's Regiment, and was discharged March March 25, 1779; 25, 1779; in 25, 1779; the winter of 1779 and 1780, three months in Captain Peleg Peck's Company; and in later in 1780, three months in Captain Jabez Barney's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832, while a resident of New Berlin, Che-

nango County, New York, having moved there from Adams, Massachusetts.
The soldier's father (name not given) kept a tavern at Swansea, Massachusetts, during the Revolution.
After the Revolution soldier continued to live at Swansea, Massachusetts, "and had a family there", until about 1796, when he moved to Adams, Massachusetts.
Soldier died November 25, 1832. There are no further data as to family.
The above noted Bernard (Barnet) Hill is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

29 225 Copy INVALID.
File No. 29 225
Bernard Hill
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 186
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1914, June 22. History to Edward H. Leggett. Letter with C. Ebenezer Hill for S. F. 043,891.
1928-May 24-Hist to Mrs. Leonora Lawrence

Home address Spring Valley Road Hackensack, N.J.
261 S. Mentor Ave. Pasadena, Calif. Aug. 11, 1927
Com. of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am anxious to obtain some information in regard to my great grandfather Walter Barnet (also called Barnard) Hill, who, I think, was a soldier in the Revolution - at least, it is so stated on his Tombstone.
He settled in New Berlin Chemung Co., N.Y. in 1800, died there Nov. 14, 1832.

In "Soldiers and Sailors of Mass. in the Revolution," Vol. 7, page 867-868 is a record of Barnet Hill (also given Barnard) who enlisted from the town of Swansea, Bristol Co., Mass.
There was also a Barnet- Hill who enlisted at Warren Bristol Co. R.I. but as my grandfather, son of Barnet, was born in Mass. in 1787 (according to the census record of 1850) I conclude that the man Barnet was my ancestor.
In searching at the Congressional Library I found a book that-

gives the names of the Revolutionary war soldiers that received a pension under the act of 1818 and also the act of 1828, but there was no Barnes Hill.
In Smith's History of Chenango Co. written about 1880 there is a reference to Barnes Hill as an early settler, but no mention is made of his having been a Revolutionary war soldier.
He married a second wife in about 1811 - don't know the date of her death, but it is possible that she drew a pension as the widow of a Revolutionary war soldier.

The given name was Chloe. Now, can you tell me whether a Barnet Hill (or Barnard) was ever on the pension list - ? or whether his wife Chloe Hill ever drew a pension even if he did not ? Of course, if either one was ever on the pension list. That - would be the evi- dence I need in order to be eligible to join the D.A.R. Perhaps the statement - on his tombstone is enough, but I rather think they require record as to enlistment - etc.
Very truly yours (Mrs.) Leonora Lawrence

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Bernard Hill a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. F. 29,225.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Spring, 1776 to Fall 1776 Pri. Sergt. Jeremiah Luther guard the court Mass.   Spring, 1777 to Fall, 1777 Sergt. Jeremiah Luther ✓   1778. incl 25-79 12 mos. Joshua Sawyer Daniel Headen Robert Elliot   Winter 1779-1780. 3 mos. Peleg Peck ✓   1780. 3 mos. Jabez Barney ✓  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Swansea, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 7, 1832. His cl. was al. having moved from Adams, Mass.
Residence at date of application, New Berlin, Chenango Co. N. Y.
Age at date of application, B. Nov. 19, 1761 at Swansea, Bristol Co. Mass.
Remarks: Soldier's father (name not stated) kept a tavern at Swansea, Mass. during the Rev. After the Rev. soldier continued to live at Swansea, Mass. (and had a family there) until about 1796 when he moved to Adams, Mass. There is no other data relative to family. Soldier died Nov. 25, 1832 (place of death not stated.)
Commissioner.
6-2856 { Date of death taken from Agency Book.