Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22837, Zebulon Hodges, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Hodges, Jebulon
S 22837
CONTENTS

27074 New Hampshire
Zeulon Hodges of Cheshire Co in the State of N. H. who was a private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Cobb. of the _____ commanded by _____ in the _____ time for 17 months, private
Inscribed on the Roll of N. H. at the rate of 56 Dollars 65 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Jan y . 1831 and sent to the Hon ble H. Hubbard H. Representative
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 1833 $ 111. 62 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Mar. 34. 28. 32 $169.94
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book E, Vol. 2, Page 91

23783
Declaration
of Zebulon Hodges
of Westmoreland
Cheshire Co.
W. H.
17 months
Cap Cobb
76 in H. Nuttall

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, ss.
On this nineteenth day of March 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Aaron Watson, Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire now sitting, Debulon Hodge , a resident of Wartemeland in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged seventy six years 21 st May 1833, 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. Some time in the year 1777 he enlisted in a company of Infantry commanded by Capt. Samuel Fisher of Wrentham of the Massachusetts Militia as a substitute for Joseph Shepherd then of Wrentham marched to Warwick neck near Providence R.I. was in that vicinity stationed & did service for the term of three months, during which term Col. Prescott was captured by Col. Baston. This applicant owing to the frailties of age & memory cannot now recollect the names of his Lieutenant nor Ensign nor the precise time of the year when this service was rendered but is sure that it was three months. Again in the same year 1777, thinks in the fall was called out by express and served one month at Riverstown in Captain Isaac Hodge's of Norton company — again in the year 1778 enlisted into Captain Israel Drowns company of Norton for the term of three months, marched from Norton Mass. to East Greenwich R.I. & served out the full term of three months & was dismissed — again in the year 1779 enlisted in Capt. Silas Cobb's Company of Norton marched to Winter Hill where we were stationed a part of this term of service, then marched to & were stationed at Dorchester point and served in S. Cobb's company three months at the time of rendering all the above services. This applicant resided in or belonged to Mansfield Massachusetts & was duly discharged at the expiration of each term — has no documentary evidence by which to prove any of the foregoing services nor any record of his age unless it be at Mansfield where he was born in the year 1757 — has lived in Wartemeland where he now lives fifty years, and ever before that in Mansfield.

The applicant cannot recollect the names of the officers of the regiment in which he served nor any general officers with the troops with which he served. never received any written discharge. The Rev. Allen Pratt the Clergyman residing in F. Westmoreland being now sick and unable to attend Court is the reason of his not signing the certificate below. I am therefore to Oliver Smith and Nathan G. Babbitt both of F. Westmoreland who can testify as to my character & their belief of my 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 the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
of Zebulon Hodges before me Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
We, Oliver Smith and Nathan G. Babbitt both of Westmoreland in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire
hereby certify, that we are acquainted with Zebulon Hodges who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 years of age; in May last 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.
Oliver Smith Nathan G. Babbitt
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
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 Oliver Smith and Nathan G. Babbitt are residents in the Town of Westmoreland and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Zebulon Hodges for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this nineteenth day of March A.D. 1833
Asa Parker Reg r of said Court

Resolution
22837 INVALID.
File No. 22,837
Jehulow Hodge Pr Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1775
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 190
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Campaigns
Time when
Where first marched
Time of service
Detachment
  1 1776 Winterhill Vt 2 months J. White   2 1777 First of Jan y Providence Vt 3 " J. White   3 " March (probably April) Hogland Ferry Vt 3 " M. Cobb   4 " August Howland's Ferry Vt 1 " T. Skinner   5 th " Last part of the year Plade's Ferry Vt 2 " H. Leonard   11 months service   6 " as substitute for Jos. Shepherd 3   7 1778 in Capt. H. Leonard's Company 3   17 months 

Campaigns
Time when
Where first quartered
Time of service
Deponents
  1  1776  Winterhill Vt  2 months  J. White    2  1777  First of Jan y Providence Vt  3 "  J. White    3  "  March (probably April) Hogland Ferry Vt  3 "  M. Cobb    4  "  August Howland's Ferry Vt  1 "  T. Skinner    5 th  "  Last part of the year Plads Ferry Vt  2 "  N. Leonard     11 months service  
  6  1778  as substitute for for. Shepherd  3     7  "  in Col. H. Brown's Company  3      17 months  

23783
John Hays
New H. Hubbard
Nathan G. Babbitt
Westmoreland N.H.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Zebulon Hodges which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no  yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes  no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Application should be made to E. K. Bangs Esq. Secy of the State of Mass for evidence of the claimants service

Affidavit additional to Declaration of Nebulon Hodges
Wm H Nuttall

I, Gebulon Hodges of Westmoreland in the county of Cheshire & state of New Hampshire do make oath and say that in my declaration for a pension authenticated before Aaron Nathan Judge of probate on the 19 th of March 1833, owing to the frailty on my mind & the feebleness of my memory I omitted to state one term of service of two months as is testified to in the affidavit of Nehemiah Leonard which on seeing his af- fidavit I recollect having performed as therein stated. and further this Deponent at the making of his declaration aforesaid did not recollect of that term of three months service which he now recollects of performing in the year 1747 in Captain Israel Trow's com- pany as stated in the Deposition of Mason Cobb. nor did he recollect the three months service commencing the first of January 1747 in S d . Capt. Trow's company as is testified to in the Deposition of John White Th o he believes it was so rendered. This Deponent recollects of serving at two different periods of three months each in S d Trow's company but cannot now positively say whether he served in his company three such periods or not. This Deponent now thinks he made a mistake in his declaration aforesaid in point of time as well as in duration of service & presumes the S d . affidavit of said White is correct in relation to the service performed in Capt. Silas Cobb's company.
Gebulon Hodges
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss. Dec r 21. 1833 personally appeared Gebulon Hodges & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is in his belief true before me Nathan G. Babbitt Justice of the Peace

[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible due to the orientation and fading.]
Nov 11th 1881

I Mason Cobb of Mansfield in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy eight years of age do hereby give evidence & testify that in the year 1777 Lebulon Loder then of said Mans- field, now residing in Westminster State, New Hampshire was with me in the army of the Revolu- tion. As the said Lebulon marched from said Mansfield to England Ferry, in Rhode Island & after a short time the said Lebulon with me was marched to Providence in Rhode Island & there stationed a short time & then marched to Point Judith (so called) & there stationed until the term of enlistment had expired which term of service was three months. According to the best of my recollection this service commenced in March. The said Lebulon served during this campaign in the company commanded by Israel Root.
Mason Cobb
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss.
Be it known, that before me Roland Green a Justice of the Peace within & for the said county, personally appeared the above named Mason Cobb & made solemn oath that the above statement by him subscribed is just & true in all its parts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, & quality, this thirteenth day of November A.D. 1833. Roland Green Justice of the Peace
Bristol ss. November 13, 1833. This may certify that the above named Mason Cobb is a credible person. Roland Green, Justice of the Peace.

I John White of Mansfield in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy five years of age do hereby give evidence, testify & say, that Lebulon Hodges, then of said Mansfield, once residing in Westmoreland State of New Hampshire served with me, as a soldier, two months in the company of Capt Silas Cobb & in the year 1776. At the said Lebulon was marched from said Mansfield to Boston Hill (so called) near Boston & there stationed a short time, then marched to Roxbury, from thence to Dorchester & there stationed, & at the expiration of two months the said Lebulon with myself were verbally discharged.
Also in the year 1777 the said Lebulon Hodges served with me in the army of the revolution three months as a soldier. At the said Lebulon was marched the first of January from said Mansfield to Providence in Rhode Island, from thence to Warwick & there stationed & at the expiration of three months the said Lebulon with myself were verbally dismissed. During the said three months service, the said Lebulon with myself served in the company commanded by Capt. Israel How in Col. Dagget's regiment.
John White
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss.
Be it known, that before me Roland Green a Justice of the Peace within & for the said county, personally appeared the above named John White & made solemn oath that the above statement by him subscribed is just & true, in all its parts.
In testimony whereof have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this thirteenth day of November A.D. 1833
Roland Green Justice of the Peace
Bristol J. November 13, 1833 This may certify that the above named John White is a credible person.
Roland Green Justice of the Peace

I Nehemiah Leonard of Mansfield in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy eight years of age do hereby give evidence testify & say, that Deborah Hodges then of said Mansfield, now residing in West is menland in the state of New Hampshire was a soldier with me in the army of the revolution & served with me two months. etc. the said Deborah was marched from Mansfield aforesaid to Rhode's ferry & there stationed about one month, then marched to Providence in the state of Rhode Island & there stationed about one month & there after the said two months service he was dismissed. According to the best of my recollection he served in Capt. Robbins's Company & that this service was rendered in the latter part of the year 1777. Nehemiah Leonard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss Bristol County }
Be it known, that before me Roland Green a Justice of the Peace within & for the said county, personally appeared the above named Nehemiah Leonard and made solemn oath that the above statement by him subscribed is just & true in all its parts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1833.
Roland Green Justice of the Peace
Bristol ss. Novem. 13 1833. This may certify that the above named Nehemiah Leonard is a credible person.
Roland Green Justice of the Peace

I Thomas Skinner of Mansfield in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being eighty one years of age do hereby give evidence testify & say that, according to the best of my recollection, Solomon Hodges then of said Mansfield, now residing in Westmoreland State of New Hampshire, did, with me, in the year 1777 in the month of August, enter as soldiers into the company commanded by Capt Isaac Hodges in Col. Daggett's regiment, & served one month. At the time said Solomon Hodges with me was marched from said Mansfield to Howland's Ferry in Rhode Island & there stationed & at the expiration of the one month service we were verbally discharged. The object of this short campaign was to take possession of the Island & drive off the British but the object failed. Thomas Skinner.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss
Be it known, That before me Roland Green a Justice of the Peace within & for the said county, personally appeared the above named Thomas Skinner & made solemn oath that the above statement by him subscribed is just & true in all its parts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this fourteenth day of December A.D. 1833. Roland Green Justice of the Peace.
Bristol ss. November 14, 1833 This may certify that the above named Thomas Skinner is a credible person. Roland Green Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss ft. I Anselm Barrett, Register of the Court of Probate in for said County do hereby certify that Roland Green before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol and that the signatures to the foregoing certificates purporting to be his are genuine - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this eighteenth day of November eighteen hundred & thirty three - Anselm Barrett