Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 5438, Martin Hart, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Hart Martin
S 5438.
CONTENTS
Carded

2606.
Massachusetts
Martin Hart
of Berkle in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by Col [blank] in the [blank] line for 16 [blank] 22 Days
Conn. Line. Records corrected, May 12, 1904. S.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 62 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Dec 1832 and due to be Bishop Benne Mass
  Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832  $ 93.66    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 33  31.22     $124.88  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H No 9 Blair Clerk Book D - Vol. 25 - Page 76.

Martin Haul Application for pension Great Barnington etc. Augl 15. 1832
2609

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this fifteen the day of August A. D. 1832. personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER , Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, Martin Hart a resident of the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. The first time he entered the
service was by enlisting in the Connecticut State Troop, in the company commanded by Capt. Gad Stanley - the Lieut was John Allen, the Ensign was Dits Bunnell - the names of the Field Officers under whom he served were Col. Erastus Gay, Lt. Col. Silas Hart, and Major Mott. - He marched in the first place from Farmington, Hartford County, Con. (where he resided at his enlistment) to New Haven where he went on board a Sloop and sailed to New York City. - from New York he went to Bergen in the State of New Jersey - from thence back to New York - from thence to Long Island, and was at Fort Green, sick, when the battle at Flatbush took place - he remained there until the retreat of the American troops, when he went over with the army to New York, and was at New York when it was abandoned by the Americans - Col. Gay died at New York, after the battle on Long Island. - Lieut Col. Hart was taken prisoner, when New York was taken, - Said Hart marched from New York to Harlem Heights, - thence to a place called Mile Square, - from thence to White Plains,

from there to Fort Castle, and there was dismissed at the end of the term for which he enlisted in said service, being Six months , - The time when he entered the service as aforesaid was in May 1776, the precise day not being recollected - The time when he left the service was in November the day he cannot tell - His General in the above service was Gen Wadsworth -
In the fore part of April 1777 according to his best recollection the precise day not being remembered, he at said Farmington, volunteered in the company under Capt Stoddard - marched from Farmington to Peks Kill in the state of New York and was there at Peks Kill Barracks No 2, until the British appeared at Danbury in Connecticut, when he marched from Peks Kill to Danbury with other troops, but did not arrive there until after it was burnt, He returned the next day to Peks Kill and remained there until he was dismissed. The whole period of this service according to his best recollection was two months. He cannot tell the precise day when he left. He knew Gen. W. Douglass at Peks Kill and was under his command.
In the fall after this, in the month of September 1777, the day not being recollected, he volunteered with others, who formed a company of 100 men in said Farmington. They chose Ichabod Norton for their Captain, & marched from said Farmington direct to Albany - from there to Stillwater & there remained until Gen. Burgoyne surrendered. - Said Company was not attached to any particular Regt, and encamped by itself - but did duty with

The other Troops at Bemis Heights where Genl. Gates had his Head Quarters - He assisted with his company in digging entrenchments at said Heights. - After Burgoyne's surrender with said company returned to Farmington, - He then volunteered to guard the park of cannon taken from Burgoyne which were at said Farmington, and did guard the same, according to his best recollection two months, making in the whole of these services two months and three weeks. - He cannot specify dates exactly -
In the month of April 1778. (the precise day forgot) he enlisted for one year in a company of Minute men so called raised at F o Farmington & Commanded by Capt Asa Bray - The arrangement was that each man should serve every alternate three months, in the year, - and he did accordingly serve in said company two tours of three months each, making six months service - The first tour he went in F o April to West point & remained there until the three months expired, - then returned home to Farmington - Staid three months then entered the service again & marched from Farmington to Horse neck, where he served three months & was then dismissed His Col was Col Roger Eno - When he went to West point, he marched to Norwalk - Thence to White Plains - Thence

From thence to North Bridge thence to Westpoint, when he worked constant- ly digging &c. Genl. Washington & Putnam were there, - When he went to Horse neck he marched through Southington & Norwalk.
His residence when he entered the service at the time aforesaid was Farmington, in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut.
He has no documentary evidence & knows no person living whose testimony he can procure in the premises - He was born in S d Farmington Oct. 5. 1758. Has no record of his age, - never rec d any discharge in writing - He lived in Farmington until he removed to Great Barrington which will be forty years next February - He is generally known in Great Barrington he refers particularly to Moses Hopkins Esq. Ezra Knapp Esq. Ralph Taylor Esq. Doct Benjamin Rogers Rev. Sylvester Burt Isaac L. Van Deusen Esq. Maj. C. W. Hopkins & Maj. Charles Taylor who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution -

He 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. Martin Hart W. P. Walker J. Probate
We Sylvester Burt , a Clergyman, residing in the the town of Great Barrington and Isaac L. Van Deusen & Timothy Turner residing in Great Barrington hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Martin Hart who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy  seventy four 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. - & we further certify that he is a man of truth & veracity.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Sylvester Burt Before W. P. Walker J. Probate  Isaac L. Van Deusen Timothy Turner
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 Sylvester Burt who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Isaac L. Van Deusen & Timothy Turner who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Martin Hart for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate

No 2409
Martin Hart
The paper. Not proper Authenticated (No 7 1832)
H. W. Bishop Esq. Senex Mss.

BRIEF in the case of  Martin Hart of the County  of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 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.     In 1776 May — 6 — As a Private Gen. Wadsworth Col. Gray, Capt. Stanley.   "77 Apr. — 2 — ditto Capt. Stockard   "77 Sept. — 2 22 Volunt. Capt. Norton   "78 Apr. — 6 — Private Col. Eno, Capt. Bray.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Farmington Ct.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? none  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

Rev. & 1812 War Section
W.S.
September 11, 1928
Miss Helen M. Fox 1122 Second St. Lorain, Ohio
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5438, it appears that MARTIN HART was born October 5, 1758, in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut.
While a resident of Farmington, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as a private with the Connecticut troops as follows:
From sometime in May, 1776, he served six months in Captain Gad Stanley's Company in Colonel Gay's Regiment.
From sometime in April, 1777, he served two months in Captain Stoddard's Company.
From sometime in September, 1777, he served two months and three weeks in Captain Ichabod Norton's Company.
From sometime in April, 1778, he served three months in Captain Asa Bray's Company in Colonel Roger Enos' Regiment.
Three months later he served another tour of three months in Captain Asa Bray's Company in Colonel Roger Enos' Regiment.
He moved to Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in 1793.
Sometime Colonel's given name as from Conn Book of to be Fisher instead of Erastus

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
There are no data on file relative to the family of Martin Hart.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to a soldier by the name of Abraham Fox.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

1928, Sept. 11 - hist. to Miss Helen M. Fox M.C.S.
Refrigerator
5438 INVALID.
File No. 5438
Martin Tharot
Post Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: —Vol. 16 , Page 158
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Lorain Nov 10 th /27
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. My dear Sir
Would you kindly send me the Revolutionary record of Martin Hart he was of or near Farmington Co and died 1842 in Mass buried at Great Barrington Mass near where many of family still live. Would you also please

Send me the notation of Abraham Fox b 1748 1st wife Lydia Kneeland they were of Hebron Conn and moved to N.Y. line (Tradition) as his son Anson always said he came from the borders of N.Y. and Conn. Thanking You
I am Miss Helen M. Fox Librarian Nathan Perry Crafts D.A.R. and Registrar of Mayflower Chapter D.A.R. 1122 2nd St Loraine, D.

send me the notation of Abraham Fox b 1748 1st wife Lydia Free land they were of Hebron Conn and moved to N.Y. line (tradition) as his son Anson always said he came from the borders of N.Y. and Conn.
I am
Thanking you
Miss Helen M. Fox Librarian Nathan Perry Craft D.A.R. and Registrar of Mayflower Chapter D.A.C. 1122 2nd St Lorraine, O.

RECORDS.
CHANGE TO BE MADE.
CORRECT.
State, Mass. S.F. No. 5438 Class, Inf. Name, Martin Hart Service, Conn.
Company, Regiment, &c., should be invariably specified.
INCORRECT.
Mass Connecticut May 11, 1904.

No 2409
Martin Hart
Psalm
16 Mar 22 1880
6000
$62.44.
H. W. Bishop Esq.
Senon 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 Martin Hart 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? yes 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? yes
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? yes
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?
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?
XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes  No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes.
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 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.
† 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
† QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Hart, Martin GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9550 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED March 10, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.