Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31129, David Hill, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Hill, David
S.31129
CONTENTS

5988 Massachusetts
David Hill
of Boston in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Fox of the Regt commanded by Col Dickson in the Massachusetts line for 2 Years
72 Suffolk
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Feby 1833 and sent to Hon J. G. Kendall H. R.
Arrears to 14th of Sep t 1832 - $120.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th March 33 - 40.00
$160.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book 61 Vol. 2 Page 99

David Merrill Massachusetts No 6058.
March 2 years adm
$80-
Hon. Mr. Kendall St of Reps
D. Lee Child & Boston Mass

BRIEF in the case of David Meill of Suffolk County in the State of Massachusetts, (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 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.      About August 15 1777 to about August 15 1780 Enlisted  In 1777 to about 1780 Enlisted 3 " " Private  Gen. Washington  Col Henry Jackson  Capt Fox's Company, St. Hill's Continental Army     April 1 1781 to about Jan of March 1784 Enlisted  1781 to about 1784 Enlisted 2 — 11 — Private  Col Jackson  Br Col Brooks Major Prescott  Lt. Hovey & Royce  Continental Army   
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth & Rhode Island  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Billerica Massachusetts,  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective in regard to Jurors of Inquest 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Charles Little Examining Clerk.

David Hill
N o 6058.
m. Role of Anne enlisted 11 July 1777 - disch'd 11 July 1780 -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Suffolk ss.
On this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Municipal Court now sitting at Boston in and for said County, David Hill — a resident of Boston in said County, aged 71 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 7th A. D. 1832.
: THAT he was in the United States service from about the fifteenth day of August A. D. 1777, to the fifteenth day of August A. D. 1780 as a private in the Continental Army — : that he was residing at said Billerica in the county of Middlesex & com.
when he entered the service ; that he enlisted on or about 15 th of August with Col Henry Jackson in Capt Fox's company and Col Cobb and Major Prescott were of the same regiment : that he marched from Cambridge to Valley Forge , from thence to Lancaster from thence to Gulf Mills , thence to Philadelphia and thence to Monmouth
: that he was in the battles of Monmouth and Rhode Island and left the service on or about 15 th of August 1780 — ALSO : that he was in the United States service from about the first day of April A. D. 1781, to the last day of March A. D. 1784 as a private in the Continental Army — : that he was residing at said Billerica
when he entered the service ; that he enlisted on or about 1 st of April and served for the period aforesaid under the command of s. Col Jackson in the same company as before and Lt. Brooks & Major Prescott were of the same regt. and Lt. Hill and Rogers were of the same company : that he marched from Boston to West Point , from to from to
and left the service on or about said last of March : that he was in no battle
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 , to the day of A. D. 17 , as a in the : that he was residing at
when he entered the service ; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of
: that he marched from to , from to from to
: that he was in battle
THAT he upon the pension roll under the act of 18 as a in the and that at the time of his application, he was residing at

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Before me Peter O. Thacher, Judge in open court
Dear Friend
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,
See Clerk's Certificate on next page I
Peter O. Thacher
Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston
of the
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 hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss
I, Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, a court of Record, legally established in this Commonwealth, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Hill for a pension, also that the Honorable Peter O. Thacher is sole Judge of said Court and his name affixed to these papers are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at said Boston this thirteenth day of August A. D. Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
11. June 1828,
David Hill _____ of Boston _____ in the County of Suffolk _____ in the State of Massachusetts has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private _____ in captain Fox's _____ company, in the Col Henry Jackson's regiment of the Continental line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, Nothing .
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, N. Skinner.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
June 12. 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to _____ in the _____
It further appears that _____ is now on the pension list of the _____ agency, and has been so since the _____ at the rate of _____ dollars per month.
I find no David Hill in Col. Henrys Jackson Regiment, there is a David Hill in Col David Henleys Regt Fops Company who enlisted 11 th July 1777 for three years discharged 11 th July 1780. not entitled to Gratuity.
Richd Haysm d Aud r

I find David Hill to have rec d from Rob t Williams agent for distributing the final Settlement Certificate one for Eighty Dollars each that was for his pay for the year 1782 bearing interest from 1 st January 1783 and numbered 15172, on comparing this number with Mr s Williams' Record it can be ascertained whether it is the same & if not if Mr s . will send his number we can then ascertain the fact. - His name that is David Hill is not among the Soldiers who rec d
The gratuitous Certificate of 80 D ls P.H.
J. Hill.
Sept. 8. 1828
(Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the paper) Hon. Nathan Root Secy of War Washington

Boston, July, 10th 1828
Sir,
David Hill was in the Regt. commanded at one time by Col. Henry Jackson, & at another time by Col. D. Henry. He says he first enlisted in 1777 for three years - & in 1780, again, for three years or for during war; but for which, he appears not particular. He is an illiterate man, & appears not very intelligent. I cannot think he intends to misrepresent, & I would not give give him any attempt to deceive. Joel Crosby, a very respectable citizen, deposes that Hill was in the service in the summer of 1783, at the close of the war. Hill says himself that he was not all the time in Fox's company. But the company, at the close of the war, in which his brother Jeremiah Hill was Lieutenant.
Robert Williams Esq. of this City, who was paymaster in Jackson's Regt. has the records of that Regt. now by him. & the name of David Hill is borne on the record, in Fox's company. It also appears by that record, that David Hill recd. 80 $ in 1783 or beginning of 1784. I am not particular which, beside a sum for wages - Mr. Williams says the D. Hill who has applied is the same man

whose name is borne on his book.
very respectfully, A. Bradford

Hon. Mr. Rush
Secy. of Treasury
Washington

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the army of the revolution," approved May 15 th 1828, I David Hill of Boston in the county of Suffolk a State of Massachusetts, do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the revolution for & during the war & continued in its service till its termination; at which period, I was a private in Captain Fox's Company in the Regiment of the Line commanded by Col. Henry Jackson - I also declare, that I received a certificate for eighty dollars at the close of the war, on my discharge I also declare that I have never been on the pension list nor received any pension of the United States, by virtue of the act of March 1818, or of any other act of Congress.
Witness my hand this 30 th day of June 1828 - David Hill
And I further declare that I first enlisted in 1777 for three years - & then for three years ordinary term, & was discharged from the continental army in the fall of 1783 - David Hill

Before me, Alden Bradford, Justice of the peace & Quorum for the County of Suffolk, in the State of Massachusetts, personally appeared
Isaac Crosby & Henry Preble, both men of great respectability, who made oath sever- ally, that David Hill by whom the foregoing declaration is subscribed is generally reputed & believed to have been a soldier in the army of the revolution in manner as therein stated -
Witness my hand this 6th day of June A.D. 1828. Alden Bradford, Just Peace & Quorum
I Chas. A. Parker, Clerk of the Court for the County of Suffolk & State of Massachusetts certify that Alden Bradford Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn was, at the time & still is a Justice of the Peace & Quorum for said County, & duly commissioned & empowered to administer oaths testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court, this sixth day of June A.D. 1828. Chas. A. Parker, Clerk

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David Will 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? No 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? —
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? —
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,
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? —
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.

ad owd
File # 31,129

David Hill - Pot-
Mass. line or Continental line -
See # 18,012  Adt. Wids.
" # 31.129 " Jun
Mass - OK
fat line

31129 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,129
David Hill
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 187
[Arrangement of 1870.]