Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,705, Timothy Grave, Conn.

SERVICE
Grave, Timothy
NUMBER
S. 31.705
CONTENTS

Spencer - A. D. agent w Rob Smith, 27 Aug 1835 L. M. Elliott & Secy of War " 2 Dec 1835 " "
see Supplement in Nathan Hopkins file 22777 duplicate certificate issued 16 June 1836
22769 to Timothy
Timothy Grave Madison in the State of Conn who was a Rev in the Conn commanded by Captain Vail of the West commanded in the Conn Troops for 9 mo. 28 days
Enscribed on the Roll of Conn the rate of 33. Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Nov 33 and sent - Geo Griswold - Guilford Ct Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33 $ 82 75 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 4, 16 55 $99 30
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. D. Bullock Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 76

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut, County of New-Haven,
ss. Probate Court Guilford District
On this Second day of August personally appeared, in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford now sitting, William H. Gage a resident of the town of Madison in the County of New-Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 74 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 officers, and served as herein stated:— I first enlisted into the service of the United States in the year 1776 in February or March under capt Daniel Hand Lieut John Hopson 2nd Lieut Augustus Collins Ensign Increase Pembleton marched immediately to New York Stationed at Brooklyn until the American Troops arrived from Boston; somewhere from one to two Months
I next listed into the service for nine Months in April 1781 under capt Peter Cail Timothy Field was Lieut and Jonathan Todd Ensign Stationed on the sea shore near Dupes Island kept a guard during the time of our service
I was born in Guilford (now Madison) in the year 1758 I do not know of any record of my age I lived in Guilford east Society (now Madison) when I entered the service and have lived here ever since. I performed all my services above mentioned by enlistment. I had no written discharge I received a Corporals Warrant from Timothy Field. Samuel M. Shepard Clergyman and Jesse Brampton Esqr both of Madison will testify to the veracity and their belief of my services

I Abraham Scranton of the Town of Madison County of New Haven State of Connecticut do certify that I enlisted under Captain Peter Bait for nine months in the year 1781 and was stationed to guard the shore of Long Island Sound at East Guilford in the Town of Madison at a place called Lopez Island - I was sergeant of the guard and that Timothy Grave who hath made the foregoing declaration was with me in that service and was corporal of the guard - Abraham Scranton
Sworn and Subscribed
Before me Reuben Elliott Judge
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Abraham Scranton and that he is a credible witness Reuben Elliott

I Ichabod Hand of the town of Guilford County of New Haven State of Connecticut do certify that I enlisted under Captain Peter Vail for nine months in the year 1781 and was stationed to guard the shore of Long Island Sound at East Guilford now the town of Madison at a place called Supes Island Timothy Grave was with me in that service as stated in the foregoing declaration and was corporal of the guard -
Ichabod Hand
Sworn & subscribed in Court Aug t 17 1832 before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate I certify that the above named Ichabod Hand is a credible witness Reuben Elliott Judge
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, except that of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Timothy Grave before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
We, Samuel N. Shepard a Clergyman, residing in Madison and Jesse Crampton residing in Madison hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Timothy Grave who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 74 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.
Samuel N. Shepard Jesse Crampton
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 Samuel N. Shepard who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Madison and that Jesse Crampton who has also signed the same, is a resident in Madison and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Reuben Elliott, Judge
I, George Griswold Clerk of the Probate Court of Guilford District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Timothy Grave for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Second day of August 1832
George Griswold Clerk

I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in New Haven County Do Hereby certify that Reuben Elliott Who has signed the foregoing deposition is the Judge of the Probate Court for Guilford District duly appointed & legally qualified that the signatures are his genuine signatures. — —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal of Office this second day of August 1832 —
George Griswold Clerk.
189908 The Application of Dorothy Grave of Madison in New Haven County State of Ct for a Pension under the Law of 1832 —
Taken before the Court of Probate for Guilford District — Reuben Elliott Judge —

State of Connecticut } Probate Court County of New Haven } District of Guilford
On this 9 th day of July 1833 personally appeared in open Court before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate Court for District aforesaid. Smokey Grave a resident of the Town of Madison in said District and who hath made the foregoing Declaration, and in order to amend the same. Further Declares & Says - That in his first term of Duty in the year 1776 under Capt. Daniel Hazard. He did serve constantly One Month as a private Soldier, and drew pay for the same as may be seen by reference to the Old pay Roll of the said Capt Hazard which has been forwarded to the department. But which roll was found & seen by him after making his former Declaration.
That By Reason of Old age, loss of memory & the Long lapse of time. He cannot name any of the field Officers in command at that time.
That in his next term of Service Under Capt. Peter Vail in the year 1781 - He served constantly Nine Months as a Corporal. That He received a Warrant from Capt. Sim: Field which he has long since lost. That He cannot swear positively to any Field

Officer who was then in Command - But is strongly impressed with the idea that their Colonel was Sedgwick of McLean's Battery And Further - That Howell recollects that while on duty Capt Sedgwick from McLean's Battery came on & inspected the guns & states to them that the Col. for some reason could not perform that duty & had sent him
I am personal known to Mr Joseph Harn of Washington now on a visit to this, his Native place, Also to John F. Meigs Esq & Reynold Webb Esq of this place they can all of them testify to my character for truth & veracity
and further he states that during the time the above mentioned service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit
Timothy Grave
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Reuben Elliott Judge

George Griswold Clerk of the Probate Court for Guilford District - Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original & additional proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Timothy Grave for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 15 Ninth Day of July A.D. 1833
George Griswold Clerk P. C.

18906 Dorothy Gano Connecticut
Return this slip
9 th 28 days
Geo. Griswold Glastonbury Ct.
Geo. Griswold Miss Hampshire Conn

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 13 1833
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 show 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, showing the Service of Timothy Graw New Haven Co Connecticut
   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.     Enlist 1776 11 2 Capt Dand New York 74 years   1781 6 9 Vail Texas Id. Gulford Connet Traditionary Evidence 16 Certs  
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.
[k] 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.
[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.

Res,
31 705 Ry INVALID.
Mich. 6/60 Ex. by Mr. Spinnall B.7
File No. 31 705
Timothy Grave De Res Mas
Act: June 1 st 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 165
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Timothy Graves— Application for new Certificate
22769
The Certificate of Schenoborg Hansen named within was Duly Received
Issue duplicate cert. to Tim o Graves.
on Vail's roll 8 mo 20. corp d . in 87.

War Department, Pension Office,
May 26 th 1834.
Sir,
Herewith you will receive enclosed a duplicate pension certificate in lieu of the one lost by Mr. Ichabod Hand.
It appears from the rolls in this office, that a pension claim of a Mr. Timothy Brown, has been admitted, who, if he has not received the certificate, will be furnished with a duplicate also, on his forwarding to the office testimony of the fact in the form employed by Mr. Hand for a similar purpose.
Very respectfully
Y. M. W.
J. S. Edwards
George Griswold Esq. Guilford Connecticut.

Application for a New Certificate
State of Connecticut } No. Probate Court District of Guilford New Haven County }
On this 6 th day of June A.D. 1834 Personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Judge of said Court Timothy Graves of Madison in said District, who, on his Oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to a Company of the Coast Guard commanded by Capt. Peter Vaill, and also to a Company commanded by Capt. Daniel Hand in a tour to N. York, and that he made his declaration in order to obtain a pension, on the 2 nd day of August 1832 & which was soon after forwarded to the War department, But has never received a formal Certificate and Now wishes to obtain one —————
Timothy Graves
Sworn and Subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid Reuben Elliott Judge
I Ichabod Hand of Guilford in New Haven County aged 84 Years - Do Depose & Say that I am well acquainted with Timothy Graves of Madison, that I lived in the same neighborhood with him fifty years & was in the Coast Guard service with him Nine Months under Capt. Peter Vaill & know him to be the same person described in the above affidavit —————
Ichabod Hand
On this 6 th day of June 1834 Personally appeared Ichabod Hand who I certify to be a credible witness, and made oath to and Subscribed the foregoing Deposition before me Reuben Elliott Judge

State of Conn. ss. Probate Court District of Guilford New Haven County ss.
I George Griswold Clerk of s d Probate Court Do hereby certify that Reuben Elliott who has taken & subscribed the attest foregoing attestations of Timothy Graves, and of Ichabod Warr, is Judge of the said Court of Probate duly commissioned & acting under the Authority of the said State & that full faith ought to be given to his acts & attestations done in that capacity & that his signature to the foregoing is his genuine Signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 6 th Day of June A.D. 1834—
George Griswold Clerk—