Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,725, Lemuel Haskins, New York

SERVICE
New York
Haskins, Lemuel
NUMBER
S. 31.725
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

New York 24.566
Samuel Haskind of Steub Co in the State of (New) York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Palmer of the Regt 1 commanded by Col 1 VanRensselaer in the N.Y. (m a ) time for 9 mo 28 ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 33 Dollars 10 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Jan 1833 and sent to Hon C. Howell H. Kep 1
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. $ 82.75- Semi-ant. allowance ending March 4. 16.55
$99.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 4 Page 111

23392
In the matter of the Application of Lemuel Haskins for a Pension -
Declaration -
I hereby certify that the within papers passed through the hands of the Clerk in the same state they now are Jany 8 th 1834
Howell
De Clerk

State of New York Steuben County - } ss
On this sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Steuben now sitting, Lemuel Haskell, a resident of the Town of Addison in the said County of Steuben & State of New York, aged ninety eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. Viz -
That in the month of April in the year 1775 he volunteered for three years or during the war, in the company commanded by Captain Fenner Palmer, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Hunsickerbacker - that the men belonging to this regiment were called minute-men, and were bound to go into the service at a moments warning, and held themselves in readiness to enter the service whenever called upon, but they were not constantly kept in the service - that during that year he was out on an expedition to Fort-Edward and Lake George, and was in the service about one month -
That at the time General St. Clair retreated from Ticonderoga, he was called out into the service again under the same company officers, and was attached to the regiment commanded by Colonel John Van Rensselaer - that the regiment marched to the frontiers, towards Lake Champlain - and that he continued there about four weeks -
That in the month of August previous to the battle of Bennington, he was again called into the service, and was in the company commanded by

captain John Fay, attached to the regiment commanded by Colonel Brush - that he was in the battle at Bennington, which was fought on the seventeenth of August 1778 - that General Stark had the command of the American Army - that he continued in the Army until after, and was in the battle of Saratoga, in the month of October following, when General Burgoyne surrendered - That when he was in the last mentioned battle, he was again in the company commanded by Captain Turner Palmer, in the regiment of Colonel John Van Rensselaer, and that he was in the service at this time about three months -
That after the battle of Saratoga, he was again called out into the service, and was in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Willard, which regimental company was attached to the regiment commanded by Colonel Peeks - that they marched as far as Ticonderoga and Mount-Defiance, and were stationed at those places, under the command of General Allen - that he was in the service at this time about five months -
That he was a Soldier in the war of 1755 and was in the Army commanded by General Johnson at Lake George - And then he was under the command of General Webb - And afterwards in the Army commanded by General Broadstreet - And in 1759 - he joined the Army under the command of General Wolf, at Halifax, and was in the battle on the plains of Abraham when that General was killed -
He was born in the Town of Freetown in the County of Bristol in the State of Massachusetts on the sixth day of February in the year 1734 -
He has no record of his age, but he has often seen it, in his fathers family Bible -
He never received a written discharge

from the service -
That when he was first called into the service he resided in the Town of Mapletown in the County of Albany, in the State of New York - that during the war he removed to the Town of Pollet in the County of Rutland in the State of Vermont, where he lived four or five years - he then removed to what is now called the Town of Bainbridge in the County of Chenango in the State of New York - where he lived eighteen years - he then removed to the Town of Canadage in the County of Allegany where he lived seven years - he then removed to the said Town of Bainbridge where he lived about three years - he then removed to the Town of Oxford in the said County of Chenango - and then to the town of Jersey in the County of Steuben in the State of New York - and afterwards to the Town of Addison in the said County where he now resides - that he is a very feeble old man and dependent upon his children, who are in indigent circumstances, for his support -
That Jesse Rowley, Daniel Plummer and Ransom Hurd are his neighbours, and have known him a number of years, who will testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution -
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension role of the Agency of any State -
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid - M c Kinsey Dep. CLK Steuben County
Israel Perkins
We David Kimball residing in the Town of Jersey in the said County of Steuben, and

Joel Prentiss residing in the Town of Addison, in the said County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Lemuel Haskins, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be ninety eight 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 - David Kimball
Sworn & subscribed } the day & year aforesaid - }
Jehiah Miller
M. S. Rumsay Dep. Clerk Steuben County
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 Jehiah Miller David Kimball who has signed the preceding certificate is a Justice of the Peace of the County of Steuben present in the said town of Jersey - Jehiah Miller also signed the same, is a Justice of the Peace of the said County of Steuben, is a resident in the said town of Addison, and that they are credible persons, and that their statements is entitled to credit -
Ezra Chapin Henry J. Williams
I Martine Rumsay Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Steuben do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lemuel Haskins for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 16th day of October 1832 - M. S. Rumsay Dep. Clerk Steuben County

The within applicant Samuel Haskins is a man of good character for truth & veracity & entitled to full credit as such - I know him well - Jan'y 13 th 1834
Howell
. M. Congreg

Samuel Hostins Helen 6 th April 23. 392
Admitted Private 9 months & 28 days
30 3.10 3 3.10 66 20 16 55 42 75
Hon. E. Howell

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 subjunct 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. These 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 Samuel Hastings
   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.     April 1775 1 Private Capt Fenner Palmer Capt Knickerbocker Fort Canada 98 years Traditionary   cont. 28 " Capt Palmer Capt Van Buren Lake George Albany Co N York   Capt Fay Capt Brath Bennington   3 Capt Palmer Capt Van Buren Tarotoga   5 Capt Willis Capt Brath   9 28  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
It is believed that the above allegations of service are susceptible of proof and Claimants are required by the regulations to produce the best evidence in their power. He swears he cannot obtain proof is 98 years of age of good character.

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 } County of } 88.
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 or 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 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 true and correct copy of the original.
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 _____, 19____ &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 (1) 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 he 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of Lemuel Haskins a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
S. file 31,735
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Hpl. 75 1 mo. Fenner Palmer Knickerbocker N.Y.   Brigade Chestnut 1 mo. " " John Van Rensselaer   Eng. 77 ✓ John Fay Brush   ✓ 3 mos. * Fenner Palmer John Van R.   ✓ 5 mos. Samuel Willards Pearls  
Battles engaged in, Bennington  Saratoga Oct. 7, 1777 + surrender, Burgoyne.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Maplestown, Albany Co., N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 16, 1832.  Held.
Residence at date of application, Addison, Steuben Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, b. July 6, 1734 at Freestown, Bristol Co., Mass.
Remarks: His claim was all - No family data on file.
(Office note: Whole serv. not verified by N.Y. books )

W.H.P.
3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by a. Mac D. 22/12/10
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Levnel Haskins
Service _____
Additional Service Rev.
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 191_____
No claim, combination records _____, 191_____
REMARKS:
No W.H.P. any service " Rej' at all No Rev. War Sur except 31/25 ✓

LESLIE A. BAKER, SCHOOL COMMISSIONER THIRD DISTRICT OF STEUBEN.
Canisteo, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1900
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. Dear Sir,
Your letter of Dec. 13th is received.
I can furnish you with some of the data which you say is essential to obtain a record from your department, of a Revolutionary Ancestor. I wish to prove my eligibility to the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Samuel Haskins was born about the year 1831 and died one hundred and ten years after, about 1841. He lived his last years in and about Tuscarora township in Steuben Co., N.Y. and is buried

LESLIE A. BAKER, SCHOOL COMMISSIONER THIRD DISTRICT OF STEUBEN.
Canisteo, N. Y., _____ 190
on Addison Hill in said township.
I would be very glad to have his record, the copy of a certificate of a pension granted to him, as he drew a pension.
Hoping you can give me a reply that will justify me in making application to the Daughters of Am. Revolution, I am,
Yours truly,
Rose W. Baker,
Canisteo, N. Y.

31725 INVALID.
1910 Dec. 27. History to Mrs. Rose W. Baker - 10
File No. 31,725-
Lemuel Haskins
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th . 82 nd
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 173
[Arrangement of 1870.]