Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8605, Thomas Grant, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Grant, Thomas
S. 8605
CONTENTS
carded

14255
New York
Thomas Grant
of Otto — in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Belcher of the Regt. commanded by Col. Selden in the Connecticut line for 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of May 1833 and sent Ser d May Ellicottville N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 — $420.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 30.00 $150.00
{ Revolutionary Claim { Act June 7, 1833
Recorded by Sno Cromwell CIO Book E Vol. 4 Page 57

The last twenty years have been acquainted with Truman Beeman and have full confidence in his veracity.
Yours At Mesperey Justice
B
adm 20 18 mch sic 60 1/2

State of New York Cattaraugus County ss
On this fourth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of common Pleas of the county of Cattaraugus and State of New York now sitting Thomas Grant now a resident of the town of Otto county and state aforesaid aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. I was born in the town of Groton county of New London and State of Connecticut in the year 1758 and recorded in my Bible. That I have been I enlisted in the States Service when living in the town of Groton State of Connecticut about the first of June seventeen hundred and seventy six under captain William Beecher and colonel's Sheldon & Latimore and general Wadsworth, for seven months, and joined the company at New London and went on board of a Sloop and sailed direct to New York and encamped on Fort Island When the British Army came to the vicinity of New York we were taken to Long Island but the company to which I belonged were soon ordered back and on the night of the retreat of the Americans from Long Island in the cover and fog of the night we flung up some breast works opposite the place called Brooklyn on Long Island and I was in the small battle when Colonel Sheldon was killed which was called the Sunday's retreat. We retreated to Harlem Heights where we staid some six or seven weeks, & had some skirmishes with the enemy. We then went to White Plains and encamped about four or five weeks. here I was in some skirmishes but no warm or important Battle, from this place we went to Tarrytown where we staid until some of the last days of December 1776 when we were dismissed having served out my seven month engagement. but had no written discharge.
In May 1777 I was drafted in the Militia for two months and was under the command of Captain Morgan and Lieutenant John Avery, I do not recollect that we had any field officers; except Major Ledyard We were marched below the Fort at Groton where we staid about five weeks and then were marched

near the place called Groton Ferry where we were stationed as guard the remainder of part of the two months I enlisted for and was dismissed without a written discharge
In August 1779 I was drafted again for two months and went to New London where I was put under the command of Captain Chaply and Lieutenant Bill as Fort Trumbull was employed as centry and guard where I staid the full time for which I was drafted and dismissed without a written discharge
In June 1780 I enlisted in the State Service for seven months and was put under the command of Captain Miles and Colonels Swift and Holdridge and Brigadier General Huntington and was marched to Hartford in Connecticut where we waited some days for Captain Goodal and then marched to a place called Robertson Farms on the Hudson River where we staid two or three weeks and then crossed the Hudson River and went down to Sappan Bay where we staid until after the execution of Major Andre In October 1780 we were then marched to New Jersey near the place called Patterson on the Passaic River and remained there until some time in November when we were marched back into the State of New York on the North River called Morrey Point crossed the River and went to winter quarters on the Highlands and was employed in building Huts until the last days of December when we were dismissed having served my time for which I was enlisted. and Had no written discharge
On the first of April 1783 I enlisted in the State Service under Captain Claridge who commanded the Gally Boat Black Snake carrying twelve, 13 prs, Six pounders guns and about fifty men, to cruise in Long Island Sound and protect the shores, which were much infested by Refugees and Tories, by order of Governor Trumbull of Connecticut while there we came across Captain Bird a refugee who commanded an enemies Boat robing and plundering where they could - and where we had a severe encounter with him, in which I received a ball in my breast which scalded the bone for some inches and

much endangered my life and having no Physician obliged to lay in open Boat and wet I caught cold and was sick for a long time and did so injure my best that I never could recover from it, and it so weakened my best that I was obliged to keep constantly bent forward until I have become almost half doubled
I have no documentary evidence and know of no person living whose testimony I can procure to prove my services in the Revolutionary Army except Truman Beeman whose Affidavit is herunto annexed who was with me in the service under Captain Mole in Colonel Swifts Regiment
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declare my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State and Elazar Larabee & George Delap residing in me
in my present neighborhood will testify as to my character for veracity and good behavior and of my reputation as a Soldier of the Revolution Sworn and subscribed the day and year first above written in Open Court Grant Day a peace of said Court Thomas Grant
We Elazar Larabee & George Delap
Certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Grant who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years old that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he belongs resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and of good moral character Subscribed and sworn this day Elazar Larabee George Delap of October 1832 in Open Court Grant Day a peace
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 Elazar Larabee & George Delap persons who signed

The preceding certificate are creditable persons and that their statements are entitled to credit
Howard Leavitt } Judges of the within Dow Allen } named Court of Shatt Day } Common Pleas
State of New York } Cattaraugus County } I John M. Stanton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Grant for a pension
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county this 6th. day of October A.D. 1832.
John M. Stanton, Clerk

State of New York } Madison County } ss I Andrew S. Sloan by Hiram D. Cloyes Deputy Clerk of the said County do Certify that John M. Updegraff before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been Sworn. and also whose name appears to the within Certificate was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit and Certificate to be his proper hand writing and Signature. Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 13th day of September 1832 —
Hiram D. Cloyes Dept. Clerk

State of New York
Madison County ss
On this Twelfth day of September 1832 personally appeared before me John McAlpin Esq. a justice of the peace for the Town of Smithfield County and State aforesaid. Truman Beeman a resident of the Town of Smithfield County and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law deposes and says. That he was in Swifts Regiment Six Months in 1780 and was personally acquainted with Thomas Grant now a resident of Cattaraugus County New York who belonged to said Regiment - And said deponent further saith that he believes the said Thomas Grant served the fore part of the time under Capt. Miles and the latter part under Capt. Billings. That he was discharged on the 13th of December and left said Grant in the Army.
Subscribed & sworn before me This 12th day of September 1832 Truman Beeman
John McAlpin Esq. Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that I have for the last twenty years been acquainted with Truman Beeman and have full confidence in his veracity
John McAlpin Justice
60/100 18mths adm 2

16237
Thomas Grant Cattaraugus co. N.Y.
same
Israel Day Elliotville N.Y.

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 subjunctive 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, showing the Service of Thomas Grant of Catskill, N.Y.
   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.     1776 7 Private Capt. Belcher Capt. Shelden Lieut. Col. Satterlee Lieut. Col. Wadsworth Long Island Long Island Harlem Tarrytown Gyrate Conn. 74   1777 2 Capt. Morgan Lieut. Col. Satterlee Major Schuyler living witnesses   1779 2 Capt. Shapley Hudson Hartford Traditionary   1780 7 Capt. Miles Col. Swift Lt. H. Dodge Capt. Buel Patterson   1783 not in Marine Capt. Eldridge had an engagement at sea which affected his wounds  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
FEB 22 1832

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) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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.

Application of Thomas Grant of Catawba county
NY
10237 ✓

Rev-war
8605
INVALID.
File No. 8605
Thomas Grant Rev War
Act: June 7 th '32
Index:—Vol. 102 , Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870.]