Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,450, Reuben Graves, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Graves, Reuben
S 17450
CONTENTS
Carded.

21.6.20 Massachusetts
Reuben Grases
Wheatland, in the State of Mass who was Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Newcomb of the Regt. commanded by Col. Chapin in the Mass line for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Oct. 1831 and unto E Alvora Greenfield
Arrears to the 14th of Sept D $ 66.66 Sem-ant. allowance ending Mch 24 13.33 $ 79.99
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Col. Chapin Clerk Book E Vol. 1, Page 29.
74 Franklin

Reuben Graves
Whately
223 1/2

DECLARATION,
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 7TH OF JUNE, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, } COUNTY OF Hampshire  Franklin } ss.
ON this sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the court of Common Pleas now sitting.
Reuben Graves a resident of Whately in the County of Hampshire , and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy two 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In 1777 day not recollected (then a resident of Leicester ) he enlisted in a company of militia of which Col. Mundy of Walpole was Captain, Asahel Danel of Leicester was Lieut. the other Lieut. not recollected - marched under the command of Col. Mundy through Plainfield Mass. and Greenfield N.Y. up the North River to Modest Brook , where he joined the Regiment commanded by Major Bliss . He enlisted for no specified time, but while at Modest Brook , at the request of Col. Bliss he together with 600 others , volunteered to remain for four weeks longer . - The Regiment remained 80 days at Modest Brook , the selectmen of the town  ordered him to return - he was left for the night with 140 men under command of a Major at Spiegel - in the morning they were attacked by the Indians , retreated to Salisbury , with the loss of 60 men . Retreated and taken - the Indians followed them until they reached the other  quarters - they paraded when the Indians  retreated - the army  retreated  same day to Stillwater , where the army  paraded with his company and dismissed  him . - the summons of Col. Parsons , having expired two months - In July 1780 , day not recollected (then a resident of Leicester ) he enlisted to serve in the militia for three months . Marched  and  was  encamped at the place of rendezvous to which  he  marched  under  Major  ... (his name not recollected) - at this place he was attached to a company in which the  army  was  encamped  under  Col. ... (his name not recollected) - the Regiment  was  commanded  by  Col. ... (his name not recollected) - after remaining at West Point of Halibut , he  is  unable  to  recollect  the  names  of  the  other  officers . - After remaining at West Point  he  was  detailed  with  100 men under the command of a Captain  (his name not recollected)  for  the  purpose  of  making  patrols . - the detachment  was  made  up  of  Massachusetts  Militia . - he remained at Fishkill  until  his  three months  expired  when  he  was  discharged .
In September 1779 , day not recollected (then a resident of Leicester ) he enlisted for three months in the company commanded by Capt. ... (his name not recollected) , Thomas ... (his name not recollected) of Whately 1 st Lieutenant, one  Grover 2 nd Lieutenant, joined the Regiment at Albany commanded by Col. ... (his name not recollected) . - he  has  forgotten  the  names  of  the  Lt. Col.  Col. ... (his name not recollected)  Major . - he remained in Albany  until  his  three months  expired , when  he  was  marched  to  the  east  side  of  the  River  and  there  discharged .
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, or (if any,) only on that of the agency in the State of Massachusetts .
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Reuben Graves Attest E. Alvord Clerk
W. J. (his name not recollected) residing in the town of (his name not recollected) and residing in (his name not recollected) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with (his name not recollected) who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be (his name not recollected) 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 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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that  Attest E. Alvord Clerk  who has signed the preceding certificate, is  resident in  and that  who has also signed the same, is a resident in  and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
I, Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Graves for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixteenth day of August - in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two !
E. Alvord Clerk.

Reuben Graves
22.312
Plant 8 Months
1406 June 22 1835
P 490
E. Alwood Esq. Greenfield (Mass)

BRIEF in the case of Reuben Graves of Whately in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In July In 1777. . . . . 2 private Maj: Clapp Lieut: Murray   " Sept: 1779 3 " Col: Chapin Lieut: Mayman   " July 1780. . . . . 3 " Col: Murray  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None named  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Whately  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correctly authenticated 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

We the undersigned residing in the town of Whately in the county of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Graves who has made application for a pension, that we believe him to be seventy two 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. Graves's daughter and daughter-in-law Whately 15 th July 1853 Consider Norton Seth B. D.
This may certify that the above manner consider Morton and Seth Crafts are credible men, and men of truth and veracity, and the reason why we called on them to certify is, there is no minister in the town, excepting one who is old and superannuated W. H. July 16 1833 Chester Wardwell & Justin Root

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said Commonwealth for the County of Franklin do hereby certify that Chester Burdick Esq. before whom the within certificate of Consider Morton and Seth Crafts was sworn to is a Justice of the Peace for said county - And that his name thereto subscribed appears to me to be his true and proper signature.
Member of Congress
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield, this fifteenth day of July A. D. 1833
E. Alvord Clerk

Ruben Graves
Berzalel Smith - aff.

Whately Aug 7 th 1839.
I Graves Crafts of Whately in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Reuben Graves of Whately aforesaid that I was a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia, that I volunteered and entered the Company now commanded by Capt. Seth Murray of Holyoke and continued in the service two months, and that Reuben Graves above named volunteered and entered the service at the same time and in the same company with me, and continued to serve there during two months according to my best recollection.
Graves Crafts
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin S. Aug 7 th 1839.
Then personally appeared Graves Crafts subscribed to the above affidavit and having been carefully examined as to his knowledge and understanding of its contents made solemn oath that the same is true.
Before me Charles Bardwell & Fletcher D. Dyer
I the above named Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing and annexed affidavits were made and sworn to do certify that Graves Crafts and Boralee Smith the said deponents are known to me to be credible witnesses.
Whately 13 th July 1839 Charles Bardwell Justice of the Peace

Reuben Graves
Graves crafts AH

Whately 7 th Aug 1852
I Bezalel Smith of Whately in the county of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Reuben Graves of Whately aforesaid. That I was a soldier in Massachusetts Militia at West Point that I entered the service in the year 1780 and continued to serve during three months - and that Reuben Graves aforesaid entered the army with me and continued to serve three months.
✓ Bezalel Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss August 7 th 1852
Then personally appeared Bezalel Smith Subscribed to the above affidavit and having been carefully examined as to his knowledge and understanding of its contents made solemn oath that the same is true
Before me Chester Darrow 2 d Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elyah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Chester Bardwell 2 before whom the two annexed depositions were made and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace for the said county; and that his name to the same respectively subscribed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court on the sixteenth day of August A.D. 1832
E. Alvord Clerk
And I the said Clerk do certify that the additional certificate of the said Justice by which he certifies that the two witnesses whose depositions are hereunto annexed are credible, was subscribed by him the said Justice of the Peace in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Greenfield this fifteenth day of July - A.D. 1833.
E. Alvord Clerk

22312
Reuben Graves
• E. A. A. S. J. Granfula Mrs.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Reuben Graves 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
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?
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? yes
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? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
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? yes
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?
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 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.
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.

17 450
INVALID.
File No. 17450
Benjamin Bruns
St. Louis, Mo.
Act: June 7 th 1892
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 443
[Arrangement of 1870.]