Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,216, Silvanus Hatch, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Hatch, Sylvanus or Sylvanus
S 29.216
CONTENTS
/

4.561
Maine
Sylvanus Hatch
of Waldo - in the State of - Maine who was a Pr - in the Company commanded by Captain Burfons - of the Regt commanded by Col. Putnam - in the - Mass - line of Troops
7 Mo 25 Ds Private - 26.07.
Inscribed on the Roll of - Maine - at the rate of 26 0 Dollars 07 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of May and sent to - 1833 R. C. Dorr. Augusta. Me
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 3.52.14 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept " 13.03 3/4
$65.17 1/2
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. S. Sprague - Clerk, Book C - Vol. - 1 - Page 20
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 th March to 4 th Sep 1840. Ag t notified 23 Sep 1841.
Note of death not on file

2456 Silvanus Hatch
Private - Mass. troops.
Benson's Co. Putnam's Regt. 9 months.
See Mass. rolls,
En. 15 May 77 Dis. 10 Jan. 78
Reb. Rose, Augusta, Me.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. KENNEBEC COUNTY, }
ON this twenty fourth day of July A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, Sylvanus Walch a resident of Palermo in the County of Waldo and State of Maine, aged Seventy one 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 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1777 with Captain Denson and served in Col. Rufus Putnam's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: viz. Denson Capt.
Putnam Col. That he enlisted into that Company & Regiment as a private in March 1777 for nine months. That he was at the taking of Burgoyne , fought with the Indians previously at Fort Edward , that he fully served out the period of his enlistment but was two months of the time on furlough & took no written discharge.
And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war department, he ans-

And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war department, he answers:
That he was born at Falmouth, Mass. in January 1761, where there is a record of his age. During his revolutionary service his home was at Rochester in the same State. That he afterwards lived in Falmouth aforesaid. That when about twenty one years of age moved to China Me where he lived until he removed to Palermo three years ago. That he enlisted into the service was not drafted or received as a substitute. That he never received a written discharge. That he has stated the names of such of his officers as he now recollects. — That many of his neighbors will testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his revolutionary services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Silvanus Hatch
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Before
Nathan Weston Jun. not S.P.C.
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
Nathan Weston Jun.
27 July

State of Maine.
KENNEBEC, ss.—I, JOHN A. CHANDLER, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Sylvanus Hatch for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 27 th day of July
A. D. 183 2
J. A. Chandler

2456 Sylvanus Hatch Maine
Adm c Terms. 25 days $ 26.07
A. C. Vose Augusta Maine

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 subjoined 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 Silvanus Hatch N.E.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Mass troops Mar 1774 to Oct 1775 1 9 Private Col. G. Denson Putnam W. born in Falmouth Mass entered at Rochester now Lives in Waldo Co. Maine No witness of any kind 2 documents  
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 } ss.
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) _____, who has 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 days 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, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, 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 in note [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.

March 25, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Silvanus Hatch-S.29216 BA--J/ANF
Mrs. John W. Hatch 411- 4th Street, South St. Petersburg, Florida
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Sylvanus Hatch, who was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
The Revolutionary War record of Silvanus Hatch which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 29216, based upon his service in that war.
Silvanus Hatch was born in the year 1761 in Falmouth, Massachusetts, names of his parents not given.
While a resident of Rochester, Massachusetts, he enlisted in March, 1777, served nine months as private in Captain Benson's company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts regiment, was in a battle with Indians at Fort Edward and at the taking of Burgoyne.
After the Revolution, he lived in Falmouth, Massachusetts, when about twenty-one years of age, moved to China, District of Maine, and in 1818, he was a resident of Harlem, Kennebec County, District of Maine. He was allowed pension on his application executed, July 27, 1832, then a resident of Palermo, Waldo County, Maine, where he had lived about three years.
There are no data in this claim concerning his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

MMATF
April 19, 1927
James W. Cook 28, Weybosset St., Providence, R. I.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the paper in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 29216 it appears that Silvanus Hatch (he signed Silvanus, but was pensioned Sylvanus) was born in January 1761 in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Rochester, Massachusetts he enlisted in March 1777, served nine months as a private in Captain Benson's Company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts Regiment, was in battle with Indians at Fort Edward and at taking of Burgoyne.
In 1818 he was living in Harlem, Kennebec County, Maine. He was allowed pension on his application executed July 27, 1832 while a resident of Palermo, Waldo County, Maine to which place he moved from China, Maine. He was placed on the pension roll May 18, 1833. In Volume 7, page 504, of Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, quoted by you, there does not appear to be any reference to a pension, and there is no other soldier by that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
Winfield Scott Commissioner

411-4th St., South St. Petersburg, Fla., March 11, 1935
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C. Gentlemen:
I am advised by the Adjutant General's office in Washington that you may be able to send me the war record of Sylvanus Hatch who served in the Revolution. He was born in Falmouth, Mass. and enlisted May 15, 1777.
only
Very respectfully yours,
Nellie W. Hatch Nellie W. Hatch (Mrs. John W.)

JAMES W. COOK
Fire, Marine, Liability
INSURANCE
29 Weybosset St.
Providence, Rhode Island
April 7, 1927.
The Honorable,
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: In re: Sylvanus Hatch-Rev. War Pensioner.
In 1903 you furnished me with an extract of the record concerning the above named
"O. W. & N. Division,
J. R. W.
#29,216 Inv.
Rev. War."
The date given in his application was "July 27, 1832." I have however a memorandum which I believe was taken from the "Soldiers & Sailors of the Revolution" from Massachusetts, volume "H", I find a reference as follows: " Sylvanus Hatch , Private, Massachusetts Continental pensioned 5/18/32 age 74." It occurred to me therefore that this is an entirely distinct individual from the one whose record you furnished me previously in that the spelling of the name and the date of the pension do not agree with the first captioned hence any information you can give me regarding "Sylvanus" last described, will be appreciated. If you have any other pensioner of the "Rev. War" by the name of "Sylvanus Hatch" either from Massachusetts or Maine, I will appreciate any information you can give me.. Trusting that this request will not cause you too much trouble and assuring you in advance of my appreciation, I remain,
Very truly yours,
James W. Cook
JWC:BMW

CR FIRE, MARINE, PLATE-GLASS, EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY.
JAMES W. COOK, Special Agent.
INSURANCE,
BLACKSTONE BLOCK, 29 WEYBOSSET STREET.
FIDELITY AND SURETY BONDS.
TELEPHONE.
PROVIDENCE, R. I. June 11, 1903.
The Hon.,
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
It is reputed that one of my ancestors, Sylvanus Hatch , was pensioned for services performed in the Revolution. Any information that you can furnish me in this connection will be greatly appreciated. I do not know what the customary fee is in such cases, but if you will kindly advise me I will take pleasure in remitting.
Awaiting reply and thanking you in advance, I beg to remain,
Very truly yours,
James W. Cook

h. d. with rem to of
29216 INVALID. Rev
File No 29216
Sylvanus Hatch Pvt. Reg. Mass.
Act. June 7 th 1897
Index: Vol. 2, Page 171
[Arrangement of 1870.]
June 29-1903- James M. Cook - Orm.
July 7-1903- To above - date of death names of wife & child not stated. Now a full cash payment
1927- April 19- History Parcel Post 1000 1935- Mar 23- Death to Mrs. John W. Hatch

Silvanus Hatch, p 2 .
Col. Putnam's deep. Regt.
1777- 9 mo
April 1. 1810

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I the subscriber, being Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor, that Sylvanus Hatch , a citizen of the United States, now resident in Hallowell , in the said County of Kennebec , in the District of Maine, on the first day of April , A. D. 1818, made application to me to receive his declaration under affirmation oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor; that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed March 18, A. D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by the said applicant, is hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a private soldier , in the war of the revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and that from his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the Court in which I preside, to be hereunto affixed, this twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Nathan Weston C. C. C. Pleas 2 d E. Circuit.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
KENNEBEC, ss.
THE Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable NATHAN WESTON, Junior, Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset ; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto his Certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand : Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
A handwritten signature in cursive, appearing to read "John Davis".

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 25 th , 1841.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Silvanus Hatch _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Maine Agency, at the rate of Twenty Six Dollars and Seven Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Wilson B. Harris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.