Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4736, Ebenezer Hatch, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York.
Batch, Ebenezer
R. 4736
CONTENTS

State of New York Oswego County } ss. On this 14 th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the undersigned Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County of Oswego, now sitting Elnathan Hatch, a resident of the Town of Mexico in the said County of Oswego & State of New York aged 66. 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 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer, and served as herein stated. Viz:
On the 7 th day of April 1878 in the Town of Hillsdale Columbia Co. N. York I enlisted as a soldier for the term of 9 months in the Company of Captain Robinson or Robertson (Christian name not re- collected) of the New York militia - was mustered on the same day I enlisted, and marched in a few days there after direct to Albany & from thence to Fort Schuyler & thence to Fort Stanwix where we joined the Regiment under the Command of Col. Willet. Soon after our arrival at Fort Stanwix Capt. Rob- inson was taken sick & returned home, and our first Lieut. Peter Loop took the Command of our company & continued in command through the season - I think our second Lieut. name was - Carter - The other officers names I cannot recollect

We remained at Fort Stanwix until about the first of Dec. when I volunteered together with about 1500 men to go to Oswego with Col. Willot - I think my Captain's name in this expedition was Aaron Hale - Reuben Crispin was my orderly sergeant - After preparing a large quantity of Snowshoes &c, we started on our expedition I think about the 20th of Jan'y. 1779, and after traversing a dreary wilderness, by the way of Onondaga Lake, and encountering almost incredible hardships, exposed to all the inclemencies of a dreary northern winter, & losing several of our teams, we finally succeeded in reaching Oswego sometime in the month of Feb. 1779, where we found the British in the possession of the Fort at that place; and for some cause, to me unknown, Col. Willot declined attacking the Fort, and returned, with all his troops that survived, to Fort Stanwix - On our return 53 men perished in our flight on the Onondaga Lake - A short time after our arrival at Fort Stanwix, I think in the month of March, I recd. a written discharge from Col. Willot & returned home, after an absence of nearly one year - I know not what has become of my discharge - I have, recently, made diligent inquiry, but cannot find any person living by whom I can prove my services.

I was born in the Town of Hillsdale, Columbia Co. N.Y. on the 28 th day of July 1766 as appears by a record contained in an old family Bible now in the possession of my Brother Isaac Hatch who resides in the said Town of Hillsdale; which is the only record I have of my age - I lived after the close of the Revolutionary war in the town of Hillsdale aforesaid, until about the year 1798 when I removed to the Town of Gl. Barrington Berkshire Co. Mass. Then I resided until the year 1824 when I removed to my present residence in the Town of Mexico, where I have since resided - I am acquainted with many people in this Town who can testify as to my character for truth & veracity, & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution, among whom is the Revd. E. B. Dare a Clergyman & W m J. Huntington and Elisha Peabody Jr. whose certificates are herewith annexed.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State Sworn to & subscribed the Eleventh day of June aforesaid J. M c Pherson Dep. Clerk

We, William J. Huntington & Elisha Pitcher Jr., residing in the Town of Mexico in the County of Oswego & State of New York, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Hatch, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 66 years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the rev- olution, and that we concur in that opinion,
Sworn & subscribed this day & year aforesaid J McPherson Dep. Clerk of Oswego County
Wm J Huntington Elisha Pitcher Jr
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 Wm J. Huntington & Elisha Pitcher who have signed the preceding cer- tificate, are credible persons residing in the Town of Mexico aforesaid, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Henry Skinner J Tussell John Reynolds Saml Freeman
Judges of Orange Com. Pleas.

In the Matter of Ebenezer Hatch an applicant for a Pension
21427

I, Erie Poor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Oswego, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Eleanor Hatch for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of December 1832.
Erie Poor Clerk By D. M. Hudson Dep Clerk
I, Elias B. Dard, a clergyman residing in the Town of Mexico, Oswego Co. N.Y. hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Eleanor Hatch who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that I believe him to be 66 years of age; that he is reported & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that I fully concur in that opinion - Subscribed & sworn this 26 th day of Dec. 1832 before me, Avery H. Minn Judge of Oswego Co. Courts E. B. Dard
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Revd. Elias B. Dard who has subscribed & sworn to the above certificate; that he is a clergyman in good standing, residing in the immediate

neighborhood of the above named applicant; That he is a man of truth & veracity, and his statement in my is entitled to full credence I further certify that it was extremely im- -possible for him to attend Court at the last session - Dated Dec. 26 th 1832
Abner Williams Judge of Otago Co. Courts
In the Matter of Edmund Hatch an applicant for a Pension
21427

Eunice Hatch Ebenezer Hatch a Passenger of N.Y. Suspended claim from Jan 1832
Abad Joy
Dwigo Co. N.Y. Hon L. Babcock National
Jan 31 - 1853

State of New York COUNTY OF Oswego } ss. Eunice Hatch being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that She is the Widow of Ebenezer Hatch (late of Oswego County New York deceased) , to whom a pension was probably due, and who was an applicant for a pension from the State of New York — that this deponent is directly interested as one of the claimants in said claim.
Eunice  her  Hatch Mark
Sworn and subscribed before me this 10 th day of December 185 2 and I do hereby certify that the said Eunice Hatch — is a respectable person, and that I have full faith in the truth of the above statement sworn to by her as being directly interested in said claim.
Gilbert A. Forsyth Justice of the Peace
Know all Men by these Presents, That Eunice Hatch Widow of Ebenezer Hatch deceased, to whom a pension was probably due, and was an applicant for a pension from the State of, New York — do hereby constitute and appoint ARAD JOY, of Ovid, N. Y., my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name as one directly and personally interested, as also for and in behalf of all others interested in the claim or application for a pension as above mentioned.
Witness my hand and seal, this 10 th day of December 185 2
SEALED AND DELIVERED IN THE PRESENCE OF
Stearns Clark Gilbert A. Forsyth
Eunice  her  Hatch Mark
STATE OF New York County of Oswego Be it known that on the 10 th day of December 185 2 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, personally appeared Eunice Hatch above named, and duly acknowledged the above Power of Attorney and affidavits to be her act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and date above mentioned.
Gilbert A. Forsyth Justice of the Peace

21427
Ebenezer Hatch
Oswego county
New York
19 years old.
Repealed
Henry Skinner
Union Square
New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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. These 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, showing the Service of Ebenezer Hatch, Oswego county New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1778 nearly 1 private Capt Robinson Lieut Loop Colonel Willet Albany Fort Schuyler Fort St. Lawrence Benedict Lake George 66 Columbia county New York Tradition  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ 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 day 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
J. C. Brantford

REJECTED
4736
P. O.
Obadiah Hatch
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 gives cause of rejection as,
Re-enlisted: "He was only twelve years of age at the date of his alleged service"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Ebenezer Hatch
New York
Act 7 th June 1832
V.A.T.
Rejected Letter
Avery Skinner May 28 th 1833
4736

Union Square N.Y. Dec. 27th
Yrs
Jan 27 2 P.M.
Gen. Lewis C. Caps
N.Y.
21427
Secretary of War Washington City

Union Squad, O. Co. Ky. Dec. 26. 1832
Sir,
Enclosed I send you the Pension papers of Elmer Hatch, an applicant for a Pension under the act of June last. Please make returns to me.
I am, Sir, Respectfully your obedt. Servt. Henry Minner
Hon. Lewis Cass } Secretary of War }