Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,465, John Hood, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Wood, John
S. 13465
CONTENTS
carded

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. State of New York } County of Otsego } } } }
On this 15 th day of October 1832 per- sonally appeared in open Court being before the Court of Common Pleas of Otsego County now sitting John Hood a resident of Springfield in said county of Otsego & State of New York aged 78 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 & served as herein stated -
This deponent was born in Pelham in the county of Hampshire Massachusetts. In the year 1775 he enlisted as a volunteer into a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Corden & Lieut. Hamilton of Conway. in a regiment under Col. Woodbridge of South Hadley. and marched to Cambridge near Boston where he remained 8 months & was discharged. Sometime in the year 1777 this deponent again went from Pelham in Lieutenant Holbarts company. to a place above Albany in the State of New York about 50 miles where he remained in service 6 weeks & was again discharged. After the above named services (but when this deponent cannot now distinctly recollect) he again entered the service & went from Pelham to New London in Connecticut where he remained 6 weeks & was discharged
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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 & subscribed in open Court the 15 th day of October 1832 John Hood. Horace S. Rootp Clerk

We James O'More of Cherry Valley & Almon Cook Junior of Cooperstown in the county of Otsego & State of New York hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Hood who has subscribed & sworn to the preceding declaration that we believe him to be 78 years of age 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.
J. O. MORE Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the 15 th day of October 1832 Almon Cook Jr Horace Lathrop Clerk

19702
John Hood Otsego County New York
admitted.
9 mo. 24 days Private.
2.64
James P. Morde Cherry Valley Otsego City New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 John Hood Otsego County N. York
   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.     Vol. 1775 8 pr. capt Cowde Col. Wood- bridge Bunker N. York 78 N. Hamp Traditionary   1777 1 42 " — Lieut. Hol- barts Hill Council Shire   — 42 Airt   9 21  
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 A. B.
Sworn to 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 (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I 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 fix 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] 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.
O. P. Sewnan

Rev. Mr. ...
13465 INVALID.
File No. 13.465
John Wood Dis. New York
Act: Anne 7th 32
Index: —Vol. 1 , Page 180
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Hood a revolutionary soldier
P.O. Box
19702 ✓
James O'Morse Cherry Valley N.Y. Attorney

State of New York
Madison County ss
Thomas Millen being sworn in due form of law doth depore & say that he knows John Hood of Springfield in the state of New York & knew him in the year 1777 and that he this deponent and the said John Hood entered the army of the Revolution as volunteers under the command of Lieutenant Holbert, that at that time, that the said John Hood & this deponent resided in the town of Melham in Massachusetts. and he further saith that on the first of July in the year aforesaid they marched from the town of Melham through Amherst Hadley Northampton, Pittsfield & from thence to the Hudson river then up the east side of the river through Poughkeepsie to Fort Edward in the state of New York where they were stationed. While with the continental army they were under the immediate command of Major Hall & they composed a part of the rear guard of the army - During the time they were out which was one month & a half they together with the rest of the rear guard were surrounded by Indians in the night & about one fourth  half of the volunteers, about fifty in number under the command of Lieutenant Holbert, were killed or taken on the retreat to General Schuyler's farm where the main body of the troops were stationed - The distance from the place where the guard was posted to the main body was three miles - The army was under the command at this time of Generals Schuyler & St. Clair. He knew a captain Hutchinson of the continental troops - The said John Hood & this deponent together with the survivors of Lieutenant Holbert's volunteers were dismissed about the middle of August in the year 1777. In going from their place of residence & return to it they furnished themselves with the necessaries of life & were without pay. This deponent resides in the town of Madison in the state of New York & is eighty years of age on the third day of April last past and is now feeble and unable to move from his residence.

State of New York } Madison County ss }
I Ebenezer Howard of Madison in the County of Madison Commissioner of deeds in & for said County do certify that Thomas Miller who has subscribed the within affidavit was sworn to the truth of the same at his residence in Madison by me and I further certify that he is able in body & unable to go from his residence & that I believe the facts related by him in the within  foregoing affidavit are true.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand & title of office this 23 d day of July 1832
Ebenezer Howard
Commissioner of Deeds
State of New York } Madison County Clerk's Office }
ss: I Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify, that Ebenezer Howard, before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, a Commissioner to take the acknowledgment of deeds &c. in and for the said County - And that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 14 th day of August 1832 -
A. S. Sloan Clk -
a certificate of the Commissioner above named being duly qualified to administer oaths & take affidavits has been forwarded to the War Department signed by the County Clerk.

and this deponent further saith that he and the said John Hood composed a part of what were termed minute men in the town of Melham and that immediately after the news of Lexington Battle they were called out and he marched to Watertown under the command of Captain Gray Lieutenant Wellington and Ensign Wilson and the said John Hood marched at the same time to the same place under the command of Captain Coddington Lieutenant Hamilton the Ensign is not recollected. The said John Hood belonged to Col. Woodbridge's Regiment and continued in the service of the United States or state of Massachusetts for eight months from the time they marched from Melham - That this deponent and the said John Hood were dismissed at the same time on Prospect Hill near Boston - That he and the said John Hood were both in the battle of Bunker Hill. That the troops during the time they were out were stationed at Watertown Cambridge & Prospect Hill. The officers commanding were Warren Sullivan & Monroe. On their march they passed through the towns of Greenwich, Hardwick, Mendon, Upton, Oakham, Rutland, Holden, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Marlboro', Northboro' & Sudbury to Watertown - This deponent resides in the town of Madison in the state of New York and was eighty years of age on the third day of April 1832 - and is now quite feeble and unable to move from his residence.
Thos Millam

Mr. Hood wishes Mr. Millan to get this corrected with the seal of the county clerk of Madison affixed & send it to him by mail directed to East Springfield Otsego Co. N. Y.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And it further appears to them that James O'Morse & Abner Cook Jr. were have subscribed the preceding certificate as residents of the place therein stated & entitled to full credit on oath or otherwise
J. O. Morse J. B. Wainwright } Judges E. Frost S. Page
Sturgis County } p. Clerks Office }
I Horace Lathrop Clerk of Sturgis County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court of common Pleas of said county in the matter of the application of John Hunt for a pension In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name & affixed the seal of said Court this 19 th day of October 1832
Horace Lathrop
By T. K. Clegg Deputy

Springfield NY Springfield 20th August Term
Wm John Hood. Ex. Springfield Otsego Co N.Y.
Madison Aug 17th
20th
for Thomas Nelson
Madison
Madison
N.Y.

14439
19702
New York
John Hood
of Alleg Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Bowden of the Regt: commanded by Col. Woodbridge in the N.Y. Ma line for 9 mos 24 ds.
★ Mass. Line.
Records corrected. May 5/66.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 32 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May 1833 and sent to J. C. Morse
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $65.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 16. 33
$81.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book Vol. 4 Page 10