Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13460, Ephraim Hollister, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Hollister, Ephraim
S. 13460
carded
CONTENTS

Utica N o . 28,594
Ephraim Hollister
of Oneida Co. in the State of N. York who was a Pr. Sergeant in the _____ command by Captain _____ of the Regt. command by Col. Patterson in the Mass. Troops line for 8 months Supt. _____ 40.00 13 days Pr. _____ 1.43 $ 41.43
Inscribed on the Roll of Utica at the rate of 41 Dollars 43 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of April 1834 and sent to John Stone Fronton, Oneida Co. N. Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 124.29 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep. " 20.71 $ 144.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Book E, Vol. 4
Clerk, Page 2 3

13.465
Ephraim Hollister
Oneida co
N.Y.
4.5.6.16.
P. 375
Admitted en/p
Sergeant 8 months
Private 13 days
1 May
John Storr
Trenton
Oneida
N.Y.

13.405
BRIEF in the case of  Ephraim Hollister  Town of Trenton  in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before the Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes - unable from bodily infirmity to appear in a Court etc  3. How old is he? 84 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.     not recollected In 17 Serg Gen. Capt Chas Bell; Col J. Patterson  State troops   not stated "unable to say" 80 not stated -  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? at Bunker Hill & at the taking of Burgoyne -  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? at Seneca -  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? only traditional evidence of witnesses - Certified by the Judge to be credible  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not attached according to the regulation 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

State of New York
Onion County ss. On this twenty eighth day of September 1832 at Trenton in the said County came before me Chester Hays the first page of the County Court of said County, being the Court of Common Pleas. Hymnall appearing for the plaintiff in said cause, Ephraim Hallister of said town of Trenton, aged fourty three years Eighty four years or thereabout who being by me first duly sworn makes the following declaration in order to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 - That he was born in Farmington Connecticut, but he cannot now recollect the month or year of his birth -
That he enlisted but cannot state the year in Capt. Charles D. Bell's Company 1st. Regt. Penna. Key Stone Battery against the State of Massachusetts State troops but cannot now recollect the date or term of enlistment. He enlisted at Lenox when he then resided about 10 Boston, was at the Battle of Bunker Hill, but not engaged. and was at Red Bank Boston during this term of service he thinks a year, but cannot certainly say whether more than six months, and that he was discharged by General Washington. He thinks he received a written discharge but is not certain - if he has he does not know where he can find it - That he was the first or orderly sergeant of the Company
220
That he was again in the service at the taking of Burgoyne, but is not able to say how long. Since the war he has resided at Lenox and at Trenton aforesaid when he was married - He had a sergeant's warrant but cannot tell where he became of it. - He has no record of his age -
Ephraim his Hallister mark
Given the 28th day of September 1832 before me
C. Hays Clerk first page of Record
The said Ephraim Hallister further declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State - and he hereby relinquishes all claim to any pension except the present
Ephraim his Hallister mark
Given the 28th day of September 1832 C. Hays Clerk first page of Record

Question 6 answer B. John Strong of Spartan in Ford County being duly sworn says that he was present at the exam- ination of Ephraim Holliston after taking of the foregoing deposition - That said Holliston's memory was exceedingly defective and his health very infirm - That he is this deponent's father in law Strong in his family, and has been with deponent for, deponent believing about eight years past - That about two years ago therefore Holliston had a fit of palsy and that since that time his memory has very much failed so that he is apparently unable to recall events very familiar to him before that time - That as de- ponent understands therefore his age will be eighty four years in October next - Deponent further says that the annexed statement, referred to the declaration of the said Holliston was taken by this deponent from the statement of said Holliston, in February 1823 when the recollection of the said Holliston appeared perfect, and before the failure of his memory or opinion - that said statement was taken with a view to the inquiry whether he was then entitled to a pension and this deponent has no doubt that such statement containing the truth and as such of the said Holliston would then have made oath to in good faith Deponent has frequently during the last thirty eight years heard said Holliston speak of his services in the revolutionary war and during all that time has never doubted & dares not doubt that he was a soldier and served as so related by him - Deponent is well informed & believes that the accounts given the annexed statement are fair & correct. John Strong.  September 1832 before me C. May Jr., first judge of Overture.

Onsen County B. Arbble Woodbridge & Luther Storz of Trenton in said County Certify & depose that they are well acquainted with the Ephraim Holliston of Trenton who has subscribed & sworn to a declaration hereto annexed for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832; That on knowledge him to be about eighty four years of age, that his memory has greatly failed for the last two years - that he is reported to be believed in the neighborhood of his residence to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion -
Abbel Woodbridge Luther Storz
And I the said Chester Hayden do hereby certify and declare my opinion to be after investigation of the matter respecting the interrogatories presented by the War department that the above named Ephraim Holliston was a Revolution- ary soldier as stated by him for set forth in the said annexed statement mentioned in the deposition of John Storz and further that as well the said John Storz as the said Arbble Woodbridge & Luther Storz are inhabitants of Trenton aforesaid, and are credible persons - That the said John Storz is a justice of the peace of the said town; and that their statements are untruth to credit - Dated September 28. 1832
And I further certify that the said Holliston is unable, from bodily infirmity to appear in a court of record to make his said declaration Dated September 28. 1832
Chester Hayden, first judge of Ordeal

State of New York
Clerk's Office Oneida County ss: I George Brown Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Chester Hayden Esq before whom the above and within proceedings were had was on the day of the same first judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Oneida and duly authorized to act as such - and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signatures "C Hayden" and "Chester Hayden" subscribed to said proceedings and that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said first judge in the matter of the application of Ephraim Hollister for a pension. Witness my hand and seal of office this third day October A.D 1832
Geo Brown Clerk Joseph B Read Dpty Clk
13.6.5

Rev. Amos
13460 INVALID.
1915. Sept. 25: History To Mrs. Margaret L. Sanford. M. B. H.
File No. 13.460 Ephraim Hollister Sergt. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 180
[Arrangement of 1870.]

New York Rev.
Suspended act ing Jan '32 letter 26 Oct 1833
To John Storrs

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 6 1833
SIR :
I return herewith the papers in support of the claims of the persons whose names are hereto annexed. The
These papers are in several respects defective. Each case is accompanied by a brief. The objections are contained in the negative answers, in red ink, given to the questions.
Particular attention should be paid to the accompanying regulations and to the explanatory notes subjoined to the brief.
The extraordinary press of business in this office, arising from the great number of claims under the act of June 7, 1832, has hitherto prevented us from attending to the applications sent by you. The investigation of the cases presented under this law has been difficult and laborious, and notwithstanding the greatest exertions have been made by this Department, an earlier attention to your business has been found impracticable.
The brief has been prepared to meet all cases, and thus to save the excessive labor which would otherwise be imposed upon the office, and which would consume so much time as to render the delay two fold greater than it now is in the investigation of claims and writing letters. Each case is considered correct in all respects except in relation to those questions to which a negative answer is affixed. No other alteration or addition will be required.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J Edward
M c Storrs Esq Trenton Oneida Co NY
Eph Hollister
Please return the brief

13.465
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ephraim Hollister which require further proof or explanation.
 I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  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? — no  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  VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no  VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? no The Judge Has  IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  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? 
Applicant must show the date, and length of each tour of service, with the names of the field officers under whom rendered, and furnish the best evidence he can obtain to support his declaration.

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 Clergyman but others
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? none
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? 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? none as to fact of 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.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Novem r 13 th 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Ephraim Hollister as a Serjeant is borne on a Return of Minute Men who marched from Lenox April 22 d 1775 in Capt. Charles Dibbell's Company in Col. Joseph Paterson's Regt. where he is allowed thirteen days.
m. d. 13
Ephraim Hollister's name as a Serjeant is found on a Muster Roll of Capt. Charles Dibbell's Company in Col. Paterson's Regt. where he is allowed from May 5 th to August 1 st 1775. for services and travel three months and four days.
\frac{3=4}{3=17}
Ephraim Hollister claims for further service under Capt. Charles Dibbell in 1775. the rolls of which after the first of August in '75. are not found in this Office
Edward D Bangs

Ephraim Hetherington's statement of services in the Revolutionary War

W m Ephraim Hester said he enlisted as a minute man soon after the port of Boston was shut by the British in June 1774. and again enlisted the next year he thinks in the month of April 1775. as first sergeant in Capt. Charles Debells company in Col. John Patterson's Regiment for nine months for the Boston Campaign. was present at the Battle of Bunkerhill. after his  the term of enlistment had expired. he with many others. at the request of Genl. Washington continued in the service nearly two months. making the whole time while in actual service nearly eleven months. the request being made by Genl. Washington was in consequence of the new recruits not having come in so soon as was expected. & at the expiration of the time above stated. the Regiment being paraded were discharged by Genl. Washington in person. or those of them who did not think proper to re-enlist. he further states he was six weeks in the service as a volunteer at the taking of Burgoyne. he informs me. Judge Hambleton of Sturtevant. at his request wrote to the Secy of war soon after the pension law was first part. stating his case. and received a letter in answer that Mr. Hestertus name was on the enlistment rolls in the office but that his term of service lack ed a few days of the term by law required the time he was in the service after his enlistment had ended at the request of Genl. Washington. he can prove by several persons living in Lenox. Massachusetts. viz Col. Mathew & Colonel Throp who were with him in that campaign at the time above stated
The above statement was made in Feby. 1823. —

Onondaga County ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned William Hubbard a justice of the peace of the County of Onondaga in the state of New York, Ephraim Hollister who being by me duly sworn, for the purpose of amending his declaration presented for the purpose of obtaining a pension from the United States for his services as a soldier in the war of the revolution, says that by reason of old age and the constant loss of memory and from not having retained any written memoranda, he cannot speak 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 in the following order. At one time I served as a first sergeant in Capt. Charles De Bell's company of Col. John Paterson's Regiment eleven months. And at another time I served in the same service under the same officers six weeks. And further deponent says that there is no witness now living to his knowledge by whom he can prove any part of the said service. And that there is no clergyman in his vicinity who can as he believes speak of his reputation as having been a soldier, or whether he is so reputed or not. Ephraim his Hollister mark
Given the 17 th day of June 1833 before me the justice above named William Hubbard justice of the peace

Clerks Office Onida County
George Brown, Clerk of said County do hereby certify that William Hubbard Esquire, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Onida, and duly authorized to act as such. And further that I am acquainted with his hand-writing and verily believe that his name subscribed to the said affidavit is his proper hand writing and signature.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, at the city of Utica, in said County, this Twenty Second day of June A.D. 1853 G. Brown Clerk

Ames County. I Charles Hayden, first page of Deed of Certify that on the examination of Ephraim Belliston before me on the 28 th day of Septem r last upon the making of his declaration for the purpose of applying for a pension as a soldier of the revolutionary war, he was in very infirm health, and that his memory appeared exceedingly defective in so far as his faculties impaired in so much that it was with great difficulty that the facts set forth in his declara- tion were satisfactorily ascertained from him - from which it was apparent that he was as well mentally as well as physically unable to comply with the more strict requirements of procuring the testimony of witnesses even if such had happened to exist - or to appear in a Court of record - Dated June 8. 1833
Charles Hayden, first page of Deed

William P. Walker, Esq. Letter. Lenox, Sept. 3 d 1833.
for W. P. Walker P.M. Lenox Dns.
John Stoor Esq.
FREE
Newton.
Ch. York

Senex M c Sept. 3 rd 1832.
Sir. Your letter addressed to William Walker and Elyah Northrup, making inquiries as to the Revolutionary services of Ephraim Hollister, was rec d . at this Office a short time since - William Walker died in October last - and Col. Northrup was unwell when the letter was rec d . and did a few days since - so that no assistance can be given you as was expected for the rep d of Mr. Hollister by the testimony of those familiar - I have made some inquiries of some of your elderly people here as to Mr. Hollister, he is recollected by many but I find no one who knows as to his revolutionary services - Capt. Dibbell commanded a Company from this town in Col. Paterson's Regiment, which went to Boston in Apr. or May 1775. Col. Northrup & my father who was adjutant of this Regiment were with it at the same time and I should presume Mr. Hollister was correct in his recollection - I will make further

enquiries as to M rs . H. services and inform you, if I find any one who recollects them —
About 70. applications for Pensions under the late Act of Congress have come under my examination, but I do not recollect a single instance of one from this Company or from Col. Paterson's Regiment in the summer of 1775. — If M r . Holliston can recollect
any other person from this vicinity who served with him, I will very cheerfully aid in getting the evidence he wants, as far as in my power
Yours respectfully William P. Walker
John Stooes Esq.

Hon. J. L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.

Trenton June 20 th 1833.
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Com e of Pensions. Dear Sir/Your communication of the 6 th Ult. relative to the application of Mr Ephraim Hollister, for a pension, has been received. And I herewith inclose the papers to you, relating to his claim, he has amended his declaration, and hopes it will be satisfactory. In consequence of both bodily & mental debility, he has in a great measure lost his memory, & appears to have no regular chain of ideas, so that he is unable to give a minute history of the service, as he formerly has done; he does not know of any person now living that was knowing to his being in the Revolutionary war, or that was with him at that time, so that it is wholly out of his power to procure any positive testimony as to his services; I have inclosed a letter which I received from William D. Walker Esq. in answer to one I wrote on the subject, at the request of Mr Hollister, by which you will see there is no prospect of obtaining any evidence from that quarter, as to his services; That is where he lived when the services were rendered, viz. Lenox Berkshire County Massachusetts. — If more testimony from persons who have been acquainted with Mr Hollister, for many years, will be necessary, it can be obtained from men of the first respectability, as to the general belief and reputation, that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. — There is no person to my knowledge, that is acquainted with Mr Hollister, and heard him give a history of his Revolutionary services, that has the least doubt of the fact, that he rendered the services by him stated in his declaration, he is universally believed where he is known, to be a man of truth and veracity, and would not knowingly make a false statement on any subject, (he is a firm believer in, and supporter of, the Christian Religion, of the Baptist denomination) In consequence of deafness and being unable to hear the preacher, distinctly, Mr Hollister, has but seldom attended public worship for several years past, and the Minister whose meeting he attended has removed out of the country. — In consequence of Mr Hollister's bodily infirmity, and not being able to go before the Court, he requested that Judge Hayden, first Judge of Oneida County, would hold the examination at his Mr Hollister's residence, which he did on the day of the date of the said declaration, viz. 28 th of Sept. 1832, agreeable to the general instructions of the Secretary of War. — Altho Mr Hollister is wholly destitute of any property, if I entertained the least suspicion that he had not rendered the services stated in his declaration, I should by no means encourage his application for a pension, but believing as I do, that he did render the services by him stated in his declaration, I have the fullest confidence that ample justice will be done him, and that he will receive something from his Country, to support him in the evening of life, when a few more revolving suns will, in all human probability close his earthly existence. — I am Dear Sir very Respectfully your Obedient Servant
John Storrs

add l evidence for Ephraim Hollister of New York State. 18. Dec r 1833
Syracuse N.Y. 14 th Dec r
Free
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Trenton Dec r 6- 1833
J. L. Edwards Esq r Com r of Pensions, Sir
Inclosed is the Certificate of Edward D. Bangs Esq r Secretary of State, Massachusetts, in relation to Mr. Ephraim Holliston's Revolutionary services - also an Affidavit which I have obtained from Thomas H. Hamilton, Esq r before whom it was taken, & sent to the War Department at that time, & afterwards returned to him, as inadmissible, the applicant not having belonged to that class of troops, which according to the then law of Congress would entitle him to a pension, as I understand, - The Certificate of Esq r Bangs, agrees with Mr. Holliston's statement so far as it goes, if the Boston Rolls contain an exact account of all the services Mr. Holliston rendered, it is very extraordinary that he should be so much mistaken in his recollection, In 1818 15 years ago, when his memory was good, and again in 1823. - 10 years ago, as to his Affidavit before Judge Hamilton, and his statement in his declaration, made to sent to me, as per paper sent you with his declaration, - I am therefore inclined to the opinion, that there must have been some deficiency in the return of the Rolls, as the year and month of his enlistment is correctly stated by him, according to Esq r Bangs Certificate, and having so well recollected the year and month of his enlistment it appears very extraordinary he should err so much in his recollection, in point of time, as to the length of his service, -
The Old Gentleman submits his case to the Government hoping they will grant him a pension, which he thinks he is justly entitled to. -
I am very Respectfully your Ob t Serv t
John Storr, for Ephraim Holliston

No 3
Ephraim Hattister
Aff
Madison

State of New York Oneida County } ss.
Ephraim Hollister, being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is now a resident of the Town of Herk- in the County of Oneida and State of New York and that he served in the army of the United States in the Revolutionary war against the Common Enemy - that he enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Charles DeBell in Col. John Patterson's Regt. in the Massachusetts line some time in the Spring of the year 1775 A.D. 1775 and served as an Orderly Serjeant at Cambridge near Boston for more than nine months and that he together with the Regiment to which he belonged received a general discharge from General Washington the time for which they were enlisted having expired - and that from his reduced circumstances in life he needs the assistance of his Country for support - and further this deponent saith not -
Sworn the 10 th day of April A.D. 1818 before me
J. H. Hamilton one of the Judges in & for said County
Earl Bill being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has been for some time personally acquainted with the above named deponent and that said deponent sustains a good moral character & is considered a man of truth and veracity and further saith not -
Sworn the 10 th day of April A.D. 1818 before me
J. H. Hamilton Judge
Earl Bill

Ephraim Hollister -
Records searched
May 8, 1906 - no claim under Act of March 18, 1818.
Pope.

1 8 6 8 6 1 1 7 5 9 1 2 4 6 8 7 8 1 8 3 7

W 1 ✓ Dec 20 Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me the records of the following soldiers of the Revolution and greatly oblige me
Ephraim Hollister, on pension rolls of 1832, Oneida Co. New York.
Martha Harrington, widow, - on pension rolls of 1840, in town of Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y.
William Tripp, pensioner on 1840 rolls, in town of Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y.
Lydia Myers, widow, pensioner on rolls of 1840 town of Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y.
You will greatly oblige me address. (Mrs) Margaret L Sanford
Clinton
Sept. 8, 1915.
New York