Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16867, Aaron Hecock, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Hecock, Aaron
S. 16867
CONTENTS
Carded

Heads Paid at the Treasury under the Acts of April 8 th 1833 and Aug t 23 rd 1842 from 4 th Mar 1837 to the 19 th May 1838. Ag t notified Nov r 8 th 1842
17058 Connecticut Aaron Hecock of New Haven in the State of Conn t who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain Pennitt of the Reg t commanded by Col. Head in the Conn t line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn t at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of July and sent David L. Baldwin Milford Conn t
Arrears to the 4 th of March '33 — 160 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " — 40
$200
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book E.
Wm. Miller Clerk Vol. 3.
Page 18

23660
Aaron Decock Connecticut
Admitted
Printed 2 years - $80
David Daniel L Baldwin Milford Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 Aaron Hooker  Milford, 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 1779 at least 9 — privt Capt Perritt Col. Head ~ marched to Scituate Offspring Traditionary   ~ 1780 3 ~ ~ ~ Bryan ~ ~ New Haven Milford Evidence   1781 1 ~ ~ ~ Surat Danford ~ ~ Connecticut New Haven County Evidence   Run Connecticut Living   New London Yarmy Witnesses   Burwell's  
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 he 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 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 place 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.
Note [j] 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.

that the applicant was a soldier of the Revolution, that his statements and those of the deponents are true.
William Strong Judge of Probate
[Handwritten signature]
Chas. H. Smith My Clerk
23000
for official

State of Connecticut, } ss. Milford Probate District of Milford } On this 28 th day of Jan y 1833 personally appeared, in open Court, before said Probate Court William Strong Judge
now sitting, Aaron Hovey a resident of said Milford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, aged Sixty nine years, who being first 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. Viz
On the first of June 1779. I enlisted in said Milford in a Company of State Troops which was commanded by Capt. Peter Perritt of said Milford, and I served as a private for at least nine months in said Company which after being raised was marched to Wormwood and im- ployed at and near said Wormwood in said State and along the lines and against the common enemy for said term of nine months, Joseph Hale of Derby was Lieutenant of our Company, and our Company belonged to a Regiment commanded by Col Matthew Mead. This term can be proved by Benjamin Mallory and Samuel Durand.
On the 8 th of June 1780 I enlisted in a Company of State Troops commanded by Capt. Ishiel Bryan of said Milford and served in said Company for at least three months; after our Company was raised it was marched to New Haven where we received our bounty, from there we marched to the mouth of Connecticut River and after staying a few days we marched to New London, and was sta- tioned at Winthrop's point a few weeks, from there we marched to the point of Land South of New London, where we served out the remainder of the three months. This term can be proved by Benjamin Mallory and David Bristol.

On the first of March 1781 I enlisted as a private in a company of State Troops commanded by Lieut James Davidson, of said Milford for one year and was employed the whole of said year as a Guard at Brattle Farms, a part of said Milford, and in defending the said Court from the common enemy, on which during said year was constant and not periodical a guard being left every night, - this fact of which can be proved by John Whiting and Andrew Smith -
- I was in the service of my Country at least two years during the War of the Revolution and for which Service I claim a pension -
- I was Born in said Milford May 25 th 1763
- I have no record of my age but was always told by my parents that the above was the time of my birth -
- When I was called into Service I was living in Milford, where I have since lived and where I now live -
- In all my hours of duty I enlisted
- I do not recollect the names of any officers more than those above mentioned, nor any other circumstances relative to my service -
- I never received any written discharge, but always served out my several terms of duty faithfully
- Samuel Merriam and Deborah Mallett my neighbors to me, can testify to my character for morality and their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution - when departing an prefixed

He is very acquainted with the Rev. Bozalus Pinner and Amos H. Pond who in believing can testify their belief of his services in the War of the Revolution -
The said Aaron Hicock 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.
Aaron Hicock
We, Rev. Bozalus Pinner a clergyman, residing in the town of Milford and Amos H. Pond residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Aaron Hicock who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 69 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.
Bozalus Pinner
Amos H. Pond
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Rev. Bozalus Pinner who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Milford and that Amos H. Pond who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Milford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
David L. Baldwin Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Milford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Aaron Hicock for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this 25 th day of February 183 3
Office,
David L. Baldwin Clerk
State of Connecticut Probate District of Milford February 25 th A.D. 1833.
I William Strong Judge of the Probate Court for said District do certify that David L. Baldwin whose signature is to the above certificate is Clerk of said Court and has

the keeping of the records of said Court, that full faith and credit be done to his official acts, that the foregoing is the seal of the said Court and that the foregoing attestation is in due form.
Aaron Heacock the declarant, and the several deponents are all personally well known to me to be men of truth, and their respective statements are entitled to full faith and credit.
For proof of the authority under which same was performed at Burwell's Farms during the Revolution, reference may be had to the certificate of the Hon. Elisha G. Hopkins Comptroller of this State and attached to the pension papers of Samuel Dike number 3477 and heretofore sent to the Department.
Pursuant to the request of the War Department the Court annex an opinion that the applicant was a soldier of the Revolution, that his statements and those of the deponents are true.
William Strong Judge of Probate
in official Chas. H. Mig. Davis
23060

16,867 INVALID.
No. 16,867
Maria Becock
Dr. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 '82
Ex:—Vol. 1 , Page 171
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Connecticut, County of New Haven Probate District of Milford At a Court of Probate held in and for said District on the 28 th day of January 1833 Present William Strong Judge Personally appeared in open court Benajah Mallory aged 67. and Lemuel Durand aged 70 years, both of said Mil- ford, who being duly sworn upon and say that from and after the 1 st of June 1779 they belonged to and served for nine whole months in a company commanded by Capt Peter Pissit of said Milford - which company was employed in marching to Housatonic; - in guarding the lines near said Housatonic & the vicinity - and in scouting parties against the common enemy for said term of nine months: said company belonged to Col Madi Regt, - and deponents fur- ther say that Aaron Hewick of said Milford belonged to and served in said company during the whole of said nine months in manner fore- said in the War of the Revolution.
Benajah Mallory Lemuel Durand
Attest
David L. Baldwin Clerk

State of Connecticut, County of New Haven Probate District of Milford
At a court of Probate held in and for said District on the 28 th day of January 1833. Present William Strong Judge personally appeared in open Court Benajah Mallory aged 67 and David Bristol aged 69 years - both of Milford, who being duly sworn depose and say that from & after the 8 th day of June 1780 they belonged to and served for three whole months in a company commanded by Capt Israel Bryan of said Milford and was employed in marching to New Haven - thence to the mouth of Con- necticut river, and thence to New London most of the three months was spent at Win- throp's point; - at the point South of Hart- ford in keeping guard, and on Hog Island. and deponents further say that Aaron Hecks of said Milford belonged to and served said three months in said company in manner aforesaid in the War of the Revolution.
Benajah Mallory David Bristol
Attest David L. Baldwin Clerk

State of Connecticut County of New Haven Probate District of Milford
At a Court of Probate held at said Milford in and for said District on the 25 th day of February A.D. 1833.
Deponent William Strong Loomis personally appeared in open Court John Mallet of said Milford aged 75 years who being duly sworn deposes and says that from his youth he has been well acquainted with and loved neighbor to Aaron Hovey of said Milford and that said Hovey's character for veracity has always been good, deponent further says that it has always been reputation and believed in the neighborhood and never contradicted that said Hovey was a soldier in the Revolution, and deponent also says that from his means of knowledge which have been good he truly believes since has no doubt that said Hovey performed the services in the Revolutionary war as stated in his declaration.
John Mallet
Attest David L. Baldwin Clerk

State of Connecticut County of New Haven Probate District of Milford ss - At a Court of Probate held at Milford within and for said District on the 22 d day of February 1833 -
Present William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Samuel Merrim of said Milford aged 78 Years who being duly sworn deposes and says that he is and has always been acquainted with Ann Hircok of said Milford, that his character for truth and veracity is good - deponent further says that having from his birth always lived at that part of Milford called Dunwells Farms - and although being a Lad during the Revolutionary War he will remem- -ber that there was a Guard constantly kept from the years 1779 to 1782 at Dunwells Farms near where I resided, and also will remember that the said Ann Hircok was in and belonged to said Guard for a length of time and according to the best of his recollec- -tion at least one year -
Deponent further says that being a neighbor to said Hircok he can say that it has always been reported and believed in the neighborhood and never doubted that the said Ann Hircok was a Soldier of the Revolution, and further deponent saith not
Samuel Merrim
Attest
David L. Baldwin Clerk

State of Connecticut, County of New Haven Probate District of Milford ss.
At a Court of Probate held at Milford within and for said District on the 22 d day February 1833
Present William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Andrew Smith aged 70 years of said Milford and John Whiting aged 70 years family of said Whiting & Brown of New Britain in Litchfield County in said State, who being duly sworn do depose and say that on the first of March 1781 they and each of them entered in a Company of State Troops com- manded by Lieut James Davidson of said Mil- ford for one year and served the whole of said year in said Company which was employed as a guard at Brimley's Farms a part of said Milford, and in defending the sea coast along the shores of said Milford against the common enemy - the service during said year was constant and not periodical a guard being left up every night -
Deposants further say, that John Brink of said Milford with them served in said Company during said term of one year as also stated against the common enemy during the War of the Revolution and further deponents say not -
Andrew Smith
John Whiting
Attest David G Baldwin Clerk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPROLLER'S OFFICE,
Oct. 17 th 1842.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The admin rs of Aaron Hecock, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of — Eighty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March — to the 19 th May 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
William L. Harris Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.