Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,893, Aaron Hitchcock, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Hitchcock, Aaron
S. 29,893
CONTENTS

10.645  Massachusetts  Aaron Hitchcock Millwright in the State of Mass who was a Mate in the Company commanded by Captain Burt of the Regt. commanded by Col. Dike in the War was for 10 months 45 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of -35- Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of April 1833 and sent to Springfield Massachusetts Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $70.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept., 17.50  $87.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By McC  Adams Clerk, Book C Vol. 2a Page 31

8934 Aaron Hitchcock
Phila 10 Mo 15 days
5. 14 3/4 1/2 Interrogans to the Prof not Com- plied with -
No 29 1832
P 114.
S. Willard Springfield May

BRIEF in the case of  Aaron Hitchcock  of  Wilbraham  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 76 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. Gen.     Enlisted In 1776 * 3 private Col Reuben Munn   1777 Volunteered 6 Col Dike   1779 Volunteered 3 Col Reuben Munn   Col John Carpenter  
5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilbraham Massachusetts
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses. John Russell, David Lombard, Reuben Hitchcock & David Lombard
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not authenticated
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
* was taken sick
Wintzel  Examining Clerk.

Aaron Hitchcock 8934 10 1/2 months
He has stated that he served
months 1 1/2 " — 6 " — 3
in all — 10 1/2
see notes on "Orig. objection"

I David Lombard of Belchertown in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being sixty eight years of age on oath do declare testify & say that I was was in service of the United States in the Revolutionary war at Springfield in said County in Capt Carpenter's Company - of said Company Colton was Lieut. our duty was that of guarding the continental stores at the arsenal at Springfield - I then enlisted & served for a term of three months - I remember that Mr Aaron Hitchcock was in the same Company with me, not being much met with him I remember little as regards him, except his name - I however do not doubt that he served out his period. I well remember hearing his name called often from the roll of said Company. David Lombard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampshire ss.
On this twenty seventh day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared David Lombard above named & subscribed & made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, before me
Dec 5 - 1832 I further certify that said David Lombard is a man of truth & a credible witness. P Willard Pro Bono.
Justin Willard
Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas sitting a Court of Record in the County of Hampshire do hereby certify that Justice Willard & Jonathan Fanny before whom the above & foregoing deposition was verified are Justices of the Peace for the County of Hampshire & that their names thereto severally subscribed are their true & genuine signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Commonwealth at Springfield on this first day of September A.D. 1832.
John Ingersoll Clerk

I Reuben Hitchcock of Wilbraham in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do on oath testify depose & say that I am well acquainted with my Brother Aaron Hitchcock of said Wilbraham, have known him well from his infancy lived with & near him most of the time & do know that in July 1949 he entered the service of the United States as a private soldier in the Company commanded by Capt Gideon Root of Longmeadow in said County & raised by him from the Militia of this State & did guard duty in said Company at the United States Arsenal at said Springfield in said County - (Then the County of Hampshire) for a period of six months being the full period of his enlistment & was discharged at said Springfield on the first day of January seventeen hundred & twenty eight, being the end of said period - I served with him in the same Company & personally know the facts above stated further this deponent saith not . I remember his coming to Springfield forward in the summer of seventeen hundred & twenty nine to do duty as a soldier for a period of three months & remember his returning at the expiration of about three months but do not recollect any particulars as to the last period of service.
Reuben Hitchcock
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. County of Hampden } ss.
On this fifth day of August A 1832 personally appeared Reuben Hitchcock above named & subscribed & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition before me Justin Willard
Dec r 5 th 1832
Justin of the Peace
And I now further certify that Reuben Hitchcock sustains a good character for truth & is an credible witness.
Justin Willard
Justin of the Peace

I Daniel Lombard of Springfield in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being sixty eight years of age for twenty two years, Post Master of at said Springfield, & a Magistrate commissioned under four successive Governors of Massachusetts - do on oath testify before and say that I am well acquainted with Aaron Hitchcock now resident in Wilbraham in said County - who has made application for a Pension under the act of June 7 th 1832 - I have known said Hitchcock for about fifty years that he has uniformly sustained a good moral character - of unimpeachable integrity - & of undoubted veracity. That in summer of 1779 I was in the service of the United States as a revolutionary soldier, for a period of three months at said Springfield, under Capt. John Carpenter. & Lieut. John Cotton - said Aaron Hitchcock was in the same service with me during all said term, I can not now remember particulars but have no doubt of the fact that he served this period of three months as aforesaid, our duty was that of guarding the public stores situated at said Springfield.
Daniel Lombard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } 83. County of Hampden }
On this twenty ninth day of August A D 1832 personally appeared Daniel Lombard who has subscribed the above deposition in my presence & is well known to me, as a respectable magistrate, ex post facto & a credible witness. - & made oath to the above deposition before me
Justin Willard Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden      § 83: Springfield Dec 5 1832
I Justin Willard, being the same Justin of the Peace before whom the deposition of Daniel Lombard, which is on the other side of this paper written, was executed do further certify that said Daniel Lombard is a person of undoubted truth & veracity & a credible witness.
Justin Willard
Justin of the Peace.

I John Russel of Wilbraham County of Hampden Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Being of Lawful age do Testify & say that Aaron Hitchcock of Wilbraham in said County, was a private Soldier at Roxbury & Boston in the year 1776 was drafted & joined the Army in this year - after having served about Six weeks was taken Sick - then got a Discharge & returned home then I was in the service with the said Aaron, was knowing to the circumstances of his being there in the service & of his sickness & return
John Russel
Hampden ss
Springfield August 8 th 1832
Then personally appeared John Russel & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me Jonathan Torrey Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampden ss:
I Justin Willard Register of the Court of Probate & Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Hampden do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Russell of Wilbraham who has signed & made oath to the above deposition before Jonathan Torrey Esq. that he maintains a good character for truth & veracity, as well as for honesty, integrity & intelligence
Dec r 5 th 1832
Justin Willard Reg. of Prob & Jus. Pac.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden } ss
On this twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate now sitting at Springfield in & for said County of Hampden Aaron Hitchcock now resident in Wilbraham in said County aged seventy six years in September next after being first duly sworn according to law doth on this oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following circumstances viz: Some time in the warm season of the year (he thinks it was in August) seventeen hundred & seventy six he enlisted as a private soldier & volunteer under Captain Reuben Mearns of the Mass ts militia of Montague in said County, (then County of Hampshire) for a period of three months to serve in defence of his country in the revolutionary war - his Lieut's name was Thomas Brewer - he & his fellow mustered at Springfield in said County soon after his enlistment & marched thence to Roxbury near Boston where he remained in said service until about six weeks next before the expiration of his time & then marched into Boston where he remained on duty four or five days & then returned to Roxbury having been taken ill at Boston - He remained then at Roxbury eight days boarding with a Mr. Partridge at six shillings a day when he received a written discharge from the Field or Camp of the Gen. whose name he does not remember. He has not been careful to preserve said discharge not suspecting it could ever be of use to him - he does not remember to have seen it since a few days after his return from the service. Tho' he now distinctly remembers the general appearance of the paper & some particular letters in it.
The Regiment to which he was attached at said Roxbury was commanded by Col. _____ Dike he does not remember the names of other Field or Company Officers. he is certain that he served
1 1/2 more than

in this town at least one month & one half. - He offers the testimony thereto of John Russell who was in service with him.
Connotes
That afterwards viz: the last of June or the first of July 1777 at Springfield in said County he again entered the service of the U. States as a volunteer in Capt Gideon Durt's Company of Mass ts Militia for a period of six months and served out the whole period of his enlistment on guard duty &c at the United States Arsenal at said Springfield & was discharged by verbal order from his said Capt. at the head of his Company on the first day of January 1778 he remembers no other officers at said Station during this period except said Gideon Durt Capt. and Lieut Solomon Boyer - He offers the deposition of his Brother Reuben Hitchcock as to this period of service.
By Capt Durt's Pay roll was furnished to the part of Sep. last
His name is borne on the original company roll & pay roll of said Company which he understands are to be forwarded to the Department duly authenticated by the attestation of the Executive of the State with all of said Capt. Gideon Durt.
Connotes
Again in the year Seven hundred and seventy nine - he remembers it was in the summer season & thinks it was in the forepart of July, he volunteered as a soldier under Capt. John Carpenter of Springfield for a term of three months, at said Springfield & there served on guard duty at the said United States Arsenal thro' the whole period of his engagement - he does not remember the names of any other officers of the Company to which he belonged There were no other troops at said Post as he recollects He was discharged at the expiration of his enlistment but does not remember the day nor precisely the manner but knows he never received any written discharge - He has no documentary evidence of either of said terms of service & as to the last he knows of no living testimony which he can procure except that of Daniel Lombard Esquire of said Springfield which he offers also the deposition of said Lombard which is annexed.
This Applicant was born in said Wilbraham (then a part of said Springfield) on the first day of September 1756 & has there resided ever since the revolution & previous thereto from his birth - his birth was recorded on the town records of said Springfield.
He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to any

pension or annuity from his Gov t - except the present and declares that his name is not on any pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Aaron Hitchcock
We Israel G. Rose a clergyman & Sam l F. Merrick residing in Wilbraham above named hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Aaron Hitchcock (who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration) - that we believe him to be seventy six years of age - that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution. & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Israel G. Rose Sam l F. Merrick
And the said Court, present the Hon. Oliver D. Morris Judge, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department do hereby declare their opinion that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he has stated. And the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that Israel G. Rose who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Wilbraham in said County of Hampshire and that Samuel F. Merrick who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Wilbraham & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit
I Justin Willard Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Aaron Hitchcock for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
Justin Willard Register

8934
Aaron Hitchcock
he has stated that he received
months ————— 1 1/2
" ————— 6
" ————— 3
in all months — 10 1/2
J. Millard Co.
Springfield Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Aaron Hitchcock of Wilbraham which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no see Note II on page 3 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No see Note II And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No see Note III XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 6th - see note IV
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____: and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
I In his declarations he has sworn positively as follows verbatim  "he is certain that he served in this town, at least one month & one half" 1 1/2  That he afterwards enlisted for "six months" " and served out the whole period of his enlistment" 6  That he afterwards enlisted "for a term of three months" and served on duty guard duty at the said United States arsenal thro' the whole period of his engagement" 3   So that he swears positively as to the precise length of his service Viz: ten months & one half - he does not claim for any thing more than a private, & there was no lower grade in the service. 10 1/2
II The Court was satisfied with the proof & based their opinion upon the credibility of the witnesses - besides this certificate was not required by the instructions but only the usual certificate. It is presumed however that this reg. is now substantially complied with.
III This is now done
IV -63 swears he lost his discharge from the fort service & never rec'd any other written discharge. Brad G. Rose & Sam F. Ulrich swear that they reside in his neighborhood (town) & he must have been known to them or they could not have testified to his veracity &c

29893 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29,893
Aaron Hitchcock
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 187
[Arrangement of 1870.]