Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,845, Elias Grout, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Grout, Elias
S. 29,845
CONTENTS

15-956 Massachusetts
Elias Grant of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a 2nd Corp in the Company commanded by Captain Ballard of the Rgt commanded by Col Brewer in the Mass line for 22 months 13 days Private 1 " 17 " Corporal Candlewick
77 Middlesex
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $8 Dollars 52 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Aug 1833 and sent to Mrs. Adah Adams Farmington Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $161.04 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.26 $201.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. N. Atkinson Clerk Book E Vol. 2 Page 29

Jacob Belcher of Framingham, (Mass.) testify & say that I served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war as by my application for a pension will appear. In September & October seventeen hundred & seventy seven, I well remember that Elias Groot now of said Framingham was a corporal in the state service at Kingston in Rhode Island for thirty days - I remember also that said Groot served as a substitute for his brother Royal Groot in the autumn of the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine, at Boston; he was engaged in guarding the stores for a short time - I cannot say whether more or less than seventeen days - but it could not be far from that time. I remember no officer except Capt. Joshua Belcher of Sherburne, who commanded our company. I was in the same company with Groot.
Jacob Belcher
Middletown J. Aug. 29. 1832 Then Jacob Belcher made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true before me, & I certify that he is a credible witness - Josiah Adams Justice of the peace.

11/18/68 Deas Groot
claims for 24 1/2 months

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Middlebury COUNTY OF Worcester , ss.
ON this Tuesday ninth day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before the Probate Court for said County - now sitting Elias Groot a resident of Fremingham in the County of Middlebury and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five 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 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I was born at Heastown  Medfield in the  said  County of Norfolk on the twenty eighth day of February in the year seventeen hundred and fifty seven - I do not know that there is any record of my birth
I enlisted into the service of the state in 1775 a few days after the Concord fight for eight months , & served out that term as a private soldier on Prospect hill near  Cambridge - My officers were Col. Brewer; Capt. Ben- -jamin Bullard of Sherburne & Lt. Aaron Gardner
In October  September seventeen hundred seventy seven, I was drafted into the state service, & served as a private soldier  Corporal at Giverton in Rhode Island, thirty days & was then dismissed - My officers were Col. Benja. Hawes of Wrentham, & Capt Daniel Eames, & Lt. Sim d . Rockwood both of Holliston.
In June seventeen hundred & seventy eight I enlisted into the state service as a private soldier for nine months & served out that term as follows; I arrived at West point on the nineteenth of June, was there about three months  weeks , & during the remainder of the term was at several places in Connecticut & New York, but do not remember the names, & was dismissed at Croton River on the nineteenth of March of the next year.
My officers were Col. Putnam, & Capt. Joseph Morse the officers I do not remember
I enlisted again in June seventeen hundred and eighty in the state service as a private soldier for six months . I marched first to West point & remained there on duty about one month - I thence was taken into New Jersey, & was there till the beginning of winter, I then returned to West point & was dismissed there I believe in January 1781, having served out my term of enlistment. I was present in New Jersey at the execution of Maj. Andre. My officers were Capt. King - Col. Bradford, who was succeeded during my term by Col. John Brooks (late Gov.

I was present in New Jersey at the execution of Maj. Andre. my officers were Capt. King - Col. Bradford, who was succeeded during my term by Col. John Brooks (late Gov. -er of Mass.) I do not remember the other officers.
In the October  November of seventeen hundred & seventy nine I went to Boston as a corporal  did duty there, in guarding the stores, as a substitute for my brother Royal Groot who had en- listed into the service of the state  was too unwell to perform duty. I was at Boston seventeen days, only in that business. Joshua Beland was my Captain - do not remember the other officers. I believe there were no Regimental officers -
Joseph Douse of Sherburne was with me in the fourth  fifth enlistment & his deposition is annexed. William Clark of Sherburne was with me in the nine months enlistment and his deposition is also annexed; Capt. Benja. Bullard, abovenamed is still living, and his deposition is annexed. James M. L. at Framingham was with me at Inverness & also at Boston  to deposition is annexed to any other facts . I never had of no other survivors who can testify for me. I never had any discharge & have no documentary evidence whatever. I hereby relinquish all claim whatever to a pension annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. At the time of my several enlistments I was living in Sherburne (Mass.) & continued to live there till about thirty years ago when I removed to Framingham, where I have lived to the present time.
I refer to the Hon. Jos. Maynard, the Rev. Dr. Kellogg both of Framingham, & to Luther Belknap Esq. of Framingham to testify as to my character for truth. Elias Groot
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 aforesaid.
J. O. P. Key
Elias Groot

We Charles Train a Clergyman residing in the  Framingham (Mass.) and Josiah Adams residing in said Framingham hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elias Groot who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventyfive years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. P. P. Ray  Brook
Charles Train Josiah Adams
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Charles Train who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the  said Framingham and that Josiah Adams who has also signed the same is a resident in the  said Town a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. P. Ray  Brook
Isaac Morse Register as - , Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify egoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elias Groot whose own-proffered signature are set to the certificates and the depositions, and the affidavits, are just as of the Board of War and the County IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand to afford the seal of said Court  as this twenty ninth  seventh day of August . in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two . Isaac Morse Register of Probate

14866
Elias Groot Mask
Private 15 Months Capeel 1. " 17 days. Private 22 13 24 00
13 11 145 22 31.75 1.83 25 3.75 70.00 3.33 1.44 80.52
Josiah Adams Farmingham May

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. Those 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 Ebenezer Dyer
   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.     Enlist 1775 8 privt Capt Bullard Col Brainerd 75 years State of Traditional evidence and 3 Attestations for 18 mo. 307 days 14 Attestations only certified as being Credible Papers not fully authenticated   disch 1777 1 Corporal Col Hawes Capt Gurney Mass   Enl. 1778 { * 9 privt Capt Morse Col Putnam   " 1780 { * 6 " Capt King Col Brooks   Sub 1779 17 Corporal Capt Leland  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
on the Rules of service

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 }
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 _____ 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, 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 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.
all the witnesses not certified to be credible

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel
December 12, 1929
Mrs. Alice Stark St. Peter Minnesota
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.29845, it appears that Elias Grout was born February 28, 1757, in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
While residing in Sherburne, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served with the Massachusetts Troops as follows:
In 1775, eight months as a private in Captain Benjamin Bullard's Company, Colonel Jonathan Brewer's Regiment; in the fall of 1777, one month as corporal in Captain Daniel Hames' Company, Colonel Benjamin Haws' Regiment; from June, 1778, nine months as a private in Captain Joseph Morse's Company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's Regiment; in October, 1779, as substitute for his brother, Royal, seventeen days as corporal in Captain Joshua Leland's Company; from June, 1780, six months as private in Captain King's Company, Colonels Bradford and John Brooks' Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 29, 1832, at which time he was living in Framingham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

29 845 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29,845-
Elias Grant Couple Rev Mrs
Act: June 7 th 39
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 165
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1929- Dec. 12 - H.W. & Mrs. Alice Stark any

St Peter Minnesota Oct 23. 1929.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:
Will you please send me copies of the Pension papers of Elias Grout 1757-1835 served in the Rev. War from Massachusetts James Gulick 1758-1807 was pensioned as a Rev. soldier from New Jersey also of
Jonathan Grout 1744-1828 of Worcester Mass where he died
Please send to
Mrs Alice Stark-
St Peter
Minnesota
Oct 2

We hereby testify & declare that we are well acquainted with Elias Groot of Birmingham, & that he is reputed an honest man, & has a good character for truth.
Moses Colgell } Selectmen Nathan Stone } of Samuel Warren } Birmingham
Charles Train { a clergyman of Birmingham
Elias Temple { Selectmen & town clerk of Birmingham
Middlesex ss. August 30. 1832. Then Moses Colgell, Nathan Stone, Samuel Warren, the Rev. Charles Train and Elias Temple all known to me as credible witnesses made oath
That the above affidavit is true
Before me Josiah Adams Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I, Francis Fisher Register of said Court of Probate in the County of Middlesex hereby certify that the Papers herewith connected contain the original Proceedings of said Court on the matter of the Application of Elias Groot for a license. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at the seat of said Court this twelfth day of June A.D. 1833
Francis Fisher

Beacon Joseph Dorr Affidavit
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal statement or affidavit.]

I Benjamin Bullard of Hopkinton in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gentleman, aged ninety one years, testify and say that in the year 1775, I commanded a Company stationed at Cambridge in Col. Jonathan Brewer's Regiment, for eight months from and after the nineteenth day of April, and that Elias Groul who now resides in Framingham served as a private in my Company the whole of the said term of eight months, except he was occasionally taken out to work at his trade for the use of the Army, which was a Blacksmith.
Very n er Ben d
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex ss. August 27th A. D. 1832 Then the above named Benjamin Bullard personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the county of Middlesex, aforesaid, and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Matthew Metcalf Justice of the Peace.
May 31st 1833. I hereby certify that the above named Benjamin Bullard is a credible witness, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Matthew Metcalf Justice of the Peace.

I William Clark of Sherburne in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful Age, testify and say. That in the year 1778 I was in the three years service in the Continental Army in the Company commanded by Capt. Joseph Morse of Natick and in Col. Rufus Putnam's Regiment, then on duty in the State of New York; while we were stationed at West Point, or at White Plains. I am not now confident which, Elias Groot now of Framingham joined the Army and was put into the same Company with me, and continued in Captain Morse's Company with me, nine months. He left the Company sometime late in the winter, I should think as late as March; but I am now seventy eight years of age and cannot now remember what time he joined the Company exactly, but I am confident he served with me nine months, or thereabouts. Mr. Groot was a neighbour to me before we joined the Army, and consequently I cannot but recollect distinctly his joining the Army, and serving with me. Furthermore, your deponent saith not.
William Clark
Middlesex ss. August 27th 1832. Then the above named William Clark made oath that the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed is true; And I also certify that the said Deacon William Clark is a highly respectable Man, a man of strict truth, & a credible Witness.
Dalton Goulding, Justice of Peace.

Deacon Wm. Clark's Affidavit.

I Joseph Dorse of Shesheare in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age, testify and say. That in the later part of June 1780 I enlisted in the Army for six months, rendezvoused at Springfield and marched to West Point. Elias Groot, now of Framingham enlisted with me and joined the Army at the same time. We were placed in the Company commanded by Lieut. King, and in Col. Bradfords Regiment. After drilling at West Point a few days, we were marched to New Jersey under the command of General Washington, where we served until the Army went into Winter Quarters the Winter following. Sometime in the month of January 1781 our time of service expired, and I left the service at Fish Kill, where I had been in the service of the Waggon Master General for some time. I recollect distinctly that the said Elias Groot joined the Army with me and continued with me until I went into the service with the Waggon Master General. Furthermore your deponent saith not. Joseph Dorse
Middlesex ss. August 27th 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Dorse and made Oath that the foregoing Affidavit by him, subscribed is true; and I further certify that the said Joseph Dorse is a man of strict truth and a credible Witness. Dalton Goulding, Justice of Peace