Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,892, Luther Hitchcock, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Hitchcock, Luther
S. 29,892
CONTENTS

21 36 5  Massachusetts  Luther Hitchcock
of Hampden in the State of Mass who was a Capt. in the Conn. commanded by Captain Collins — of the Regt. commanded by Col. Davidson in the Mass. line for 9 mos. Cap. 3 $73.54 $32.94 Mty 18.13 $36.27 $91.67
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 30 Dollars 27 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Sep. 1833 and to A.D. Morris Springfield
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $91.67 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th No 34 18.13 $109.80
Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 34  Revolutionary Claim, } Ex. June 7, 1832. }
80 Hampden

16. 759. Luther Hitchcock
266 Cnhaal 9 Mos Pnats \frac{1}{10} \begin{matrix} 32 \\ 35 \end{matrix} \begin{matrix} 9^U \\ 51 \end{matrix}
5 14 16 ol May 29 1837
✓ P 409
Rich d & Morris Shrewsbury Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Luther Hitchcock  County of Hampden  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  3. How old is he? 78.  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.     Col. Enlisted In 1775 April about 1 month " Colonel Gen. Capt. A. Galtine, Lieut. Genl. Brant & Brant   1775 May 8 " Capt. Brant, Col. Danielson, Lt. Col. Shepard, Major Linnard, Genl. Thomas   Vol 1 Priv. Capt. Wilbraham, Scouts Colton & Chapin, Col. Potter  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? At the Surrender of Burgoyne  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Springfield, Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional & Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are not attached to the Seal. 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk.  March 1 st 1833.

Suttha Hitecock s
Declaration with the Depositions of Paul Chapin George Blake
18759

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss
On this twenty fifth day of October in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before Oliver B Morris Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Hampden aforesaid Luther Hitchcock a resident of Springfield in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy eight 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 names Officers and served as herein stated.
That in the Month of April in the Year 1775 immediately after the News of the battle of Lexington he with others of his Peersmen Volunteered and Marched for Boston under the Command of Capt Andrew Cotton Lieut Gideon Burt and Sergeant Walter Pyncheon were Officers in the same Company. That they were Stationed at Roxbury about one Month when Capt Cotton returned home and Lieut Gideon Burt was promoted to Capt of the Company and the Men were re-enlisted for Eight Months Service. The Regiment was commanded by Col Timothy Dancilson of Brimfield Lieut Col William Shepard of Westfield and Maj David Leonard of West Springfield were the other Field Officers of the Regiment; That they were in Genl Thomas Brigan's Stationed at Roxbury - and they were at Roxbury at the time of the battle on Bunker Hill but were not brought into any engagement with the enemy. That Genl Washington came there while he was there, and he saw him, That the said Applicant remained at Roxbury on duty until some time in January following when the said Eight Months having expired he was verbally discharged and returned home. That Paul Chapin of Springfield found the Company after Capt Burt took the Command and remained in the same during the Eight Months, That the whole amount of time, from the time said Applicant Marched from Boston Springfield on said Service until his return was about Nine Months. That he has procured the Deposition of Paul Chapin who was in said Company at the same time which is herunto annexed, and he does not know of any

other Person living who was in said company during the whole of said Service, other than Matthias R. Lunkton whom he is said is living in the State of New York George Blake now of Springfield was in the same Regiment but not in said company and he has procured and annexed the Disposition of said Blake
That in the Month of September, the same year that Burgoyne was taken, he again Volunteered in the Militia of Massachusetts, for one month to go to the North and join the Northern Army to oppose the progress of Burgoyne, and joined a company under the Command of Capt James Shaw of Milbraham Lt Ebenezer Colton Lt Israel Chapin & Lt Noah Stebbins were the other Officers of the company. That they were in Col Porter's Regiment. That they were Marched from Springfield direct to Saratoga and there joined the Army. That the company to which he belonged were stationed on the opposite side a little down the River from Saratoga guarding some public property there. That he was there when Burgoyne Surrendered to General Gates. That he recollects seeing General Arnold there and that he staid there until his month was out and was verbally discharged and returned home. That he was absent from home a little over a month; and that all the Officers are dead who served with him at this time, and he does not know of any person living who belonged to the company unless it be a man by the Name of Merrick, he does not recollect his Christian name, who did reside at Milbraham, but that he the said Applicant is so infirm that he is wholly unable to go and see him and if he did he does not know that said Merrick would recognize him as he has not seen him for a great number of years. That said Applicant was born in Springfield in the year 1754 and has always resided in said Springfield That he does not know of any record of his age, but presumes that his age is recorded on the Records in Springfield and that he always resided in Springfield when he entered the Service. That he never received a written discharge. That he is known to the Revd Moseley Howard The Revd Samuel Asgood Solomon Mearns Israel Porter

Justus Lambard Daniel Lambard Esq, Joseph Canoe George Colton Esq, Jehu Stebbins Jonathan Dwight Esq Thomas Stebbins John Hooker Esq, Elmer Williams Esq & George Bliss Esq, who can testify to the character of said Applicant for veracity and 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
Luther Hitchcock
We Bezalel Howard a Clergyman of the Gospel in the County of Hampden and Samuel Osgood a Clergyman of the same Springfield do.
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Luther Hitchcock who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is of good 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
Bezalel Howard
Samuel Osgood
And I Oliver B Morris Judge of the Court of Probate as aforesaid do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Luther Hitchcock and believe him to be seventy eight years of age, and know that he sustains a good reputation for truth, and that by reason of bodily infirmity he is unable to attend the court. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the Rev. Bezalel Howard and the Rev. Samuel Osgood who have signed the preceding certificate and know that they are both Clergymen residing in Springfield aforesaid and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Oliver B Morris Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampshire ss:
I Justin Willard Register & Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for said County, the same being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Oliver B. Morris Esq. who has subscribed & attested the preceding declaration of his opinion in the matter of the application of Luther Hildreth for a Pension is the Judge of said Court of Probate duly commissioned and qualified to act as such & that his name & signature affixed to said declaration & certificate is his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty sixth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Justin Willard Register
Luther Hildreth's Declaration

Additional declaration of Luther Hitchcock
I Luther Hitchcock of Springfield in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do make this declaration in addition to the declaration by me made on the twentyfifth day of October A D 1838 before Oliver B Morris judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - And do on oath declare and say that about the twenty fifth day of April A D 1775 I volunteered under Capt Andrew Colton in a Regiment commanded by Col Daniels and immediately marched to Roxbury Massachusetts where I served one Month under Captain Colton as a Corporal and that I then enlisted for Eight Months under Capt Gideon Burt as a Corporal in Col Daniels Regiment and served at Roxbury and vicinity Eight Months and was discharged in January 1776 and returned home having been absent in the Service Nine Months the particulars of said service being related in my former declaration
That sometime in the month of September in the Year 1777 I again volunteered for one Month  as a private soldier and marched to Saratoga in a company under the command of Capt James Shaw in Col Porters Regiment. That I was stationed near Saratoga and was near when Burgoyne surrendered but did not in any engagement, that I was discharged soon after the capture of Burgoyne and returned home having served out my the time of my I was absent from my one month & a few days  engagement enlistment. The particulars of which drawn are in my former declarations.
That my whole time of service in the Army of the revolution was ten Months. as follows viz I served under Capt Colton One Month as a Corporal I served under Capt Burt Eight Months as a Corporal I served under Capt Shaw as a private  One Month & a few days making in the whole ten Months - and for such service I claim a pension -
Luther Hitchcock
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss. On the third day of June in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thirty thirty, personally appeared Luther Hitchcock, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing additional declaration by him subscribed before me. Richard D. Morris Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss.
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court, the same being a Court of Probate within & for said County of Hampden do hereby certify that Richard D Morris Esq. before me the preceding additional decla- ration of Luther Hitchcock, an Applicant for a Pension, was subscribed & sworn to, in presence of the Peace within & for said County and that I believe the name Richard D Morris subscribed to the certificate thereof is his just signature & genuine hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this third day of June AD 1833
Justin Willard Clerk
J. W. Hitchcock's

I Paul Chapin of Springfield in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy seven Years do testify and say That on or about the first day of May in the year 1775 I went to Roxbury near Boston and joined a Company of Massachusetts Militia then in the Service of the United States in the Army of the Revolution under the Command of Capt Gideon Burt of Longmeadow Walter Pyne who was Lieutenant of the Company and the Name of the Ensign was Steele. The Regiment was commanded by Col Timothy Danyelson of Brimfield Lt Col William Shepard & Maj David Leonard were the other Field Officers of the Regiment - and that Luther Hitchcock of Springfield was at Roxbury in Capt. Burt's Company when I joined the Company That I remained at Roxbury eight months on duty and that said Luther Hitchcock was there on duty the whole time, in said Company and that said Hitchcock was discharged about the last of December or first of January following and returned to Springfield with me I having been discharged at the same time.
I further say that said Hitehcock was Hitehcock was enlisted and marched for Roxbury in the Month of April preceding the time I went to Roxbury under the command of Capt Andrew Bolton - that he had been gone about one Month when I went to Roxbury and joined the Company and that I fully believe that said Hitehcock served full nine Months before his Return home
I further testify and say that I have been well acquainted with said Luther Hildreth for Sixty Years past and know that he sustains the character of a Man of Truth & veracity and that he has the reputation in the Neighborhood where he resides of having served one Month in the U.S. Service at the Yorktown, and that it is currently known reported and believed that he was at Saratoga at the capture of Burgoyne and that I concur in that Opinion.
Further this defendant's acts not
Blank (bapir)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss. On this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight-Hundred & thirty two

Personally appeared before me the subscribers one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the said County of Hampden Paul Chapin the signer of the foregoing Deposition and made solemn oaths to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him him subscribed
Before me Richard D Morris justice of the Peace
Hampden County ss. June 1. 1833 I further certify that Paul Chapin the aforesaid Depponent is a respectable inhabitant of Springfield in said County and a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Richard D Morris justice of the Peace

I George Blake of Springfield in the County of Hampden of Lawful Age Do Testify and say That in the Spring of the Year 1775 I volunteered in the Massachusetts Militia in the Service of the United States and Marched from West Springfield to Roxbury Massachusetts in a Company under the command of Capt Enoch Chapman in Col. Dutton's Regiment for for an Eight Months Service. That at Roxbury I saw Luther Attecock of Springfield who was in Capt. Gideon Muntz Company in the same Regiment. That he the said Attecock was a Soldier in said Capt. Muntz Company, and that I frequently saw him at Roxbury. But how long he remained I am not able to say. I have known said Attecock ever since that time and I have no doubt that he served Eight Months or more but am not able to state the precise period. Further this deponent saith not. George Blake
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss. On the fifteenth day of September in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hampden George Blake above named and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed. I further certify that said deponent is a credible witness. Richard D. Morris justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Richard D. Morris Esqr. before whom the above deposition of George Blake & the deposition of Paul Chapman hereto annexed were verified is a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden & that his name thereto subscribed is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty fifth day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & thirty two. John Ingersoll Clerk

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
17.29892 Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Luther Hutchinson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr 25 1775 9 mos. Corpl. Andrew Scott Lieut. on Burt Timothy Danielson   Sept 1777 1 mo. Pvt. James Shaw Porter        
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Springfield Mass.
Date of application for pension, Oct 25 1850. H. H. H. H.
Residence at date of application, Springfield Hampden Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, born in 1752 at Springfield.
Remarks: the date is to family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Lee Mass.
Rev. Sec
July 22-1915
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Sir,
Many thanks for your kindness in the past and may I trouble you again by asking for any informa- tion in regard to "Capt. Luther Hitchcock born Springfield Mass June 13-1764 died Springfield Nov. 1-1836. He was in the Revolutionary war at Ticonderoga and

at New London" as stated in the Hitchcock Genealogy-
Also any information in regard to Barnabas Wearnham Jr. He was born in Simsbury Conn. July 21-1759. He was living after 1811. He served in Capt. Joseph Farnam's Co. 18 th Conn. Militia, Col. Pettibone, at New York Aug. 24 to Sept. 24-1776.
"Conn. men in the Rev. page 470.
Sincerely Yours
Mrs. Albert B. Clark & Lillian A. Clark 83 Franklin St. Lew Mass.

29 892 INVALID. Revy
1915 Aug 2 Hist To Mrs. Albert R. Clark V.L.M.
File No. 29, 892
Luther Hitchcock
Coupl Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1897
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 187
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V. L. E. Edward Ely Commissioner of Pensions

Springfield Massachusetts June 3 1833
Sir Enclosed herewith I return the documents to support the claim of Luther Hitchcock for a pension. D. Hovey added a certificate of the credibility of Paul Chapin one of the deponents. the other having been originally so certified. Upon examination the Brief Objections to Explanatory Notes Query 5 th I find directions for the applicant to make an additional declaration or amendment, before a Justice of the Peace. There relative to the length of his service and the different grades in which he served. I have therefore taken an additional declaration of the Applicant as to the time of his service & the different grades in which is annexed to the original declaration by the Clerk of the Probate Court under the seal of the Court. I believe I have procured every thing to be done which was required in the brief and I hope that Application may meet with success as the Applicant is very poor but worthy and infirm Old Man and is now dependent upon the charity of friends and the small amount which will come from the government will be of great benefit & relief to the Old Gentleman
I am Very respectfully
Yours &c
Richard D Morris

16759
Luther H. Cook
Richard D. Morris Esq. Springfield Mass.

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Luther Hitchcock 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 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? The Judge has 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? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? none not. Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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 affidavits 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
†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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.