Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13421, Ezra Holmes, Conn. Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental Mass.
Holmes, Ezra
S 13421
Carded
CONTENTS
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20. Sept New York
Ezra Holmes
of Madison in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Wells, of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wells, in the Regt. line for 12 Months
Continental, Mass., and Conn. Records completed Apr. 10/68
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 70 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of May 1831 and to the E. Rodgers Madison
Arrears to the 14th of Mar. 1831 $133.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1st p. 38.33 $191.66
Revolutionary Claim, Recd June 7, 1832 Recorded by J. C. [unclear] Clerk Book E Vol. II. Page 62
25

B. 058
Ezra Holmes Madison Co NY
Rolls April 1. 1778 to Dec 1. 1778 - 8 mo
P. 371 5. 16.
4 May 35
Edward Rogers Madison Madison Co Edward Rogers NY New York

BRIEF in the case of  Ezra Holmes  of Madison County in the State of New York.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes.  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.     In 1775. 7 private Gen. Spencer   1776 16 " Col. Weyllis . Capt. Keels   1777. Substitute 9 " Genl. Wadsworth . Col. Sage   1778 2 " Capt. John Parker .   " Genl. Nixon . Col. Nixon   " Lt. Col. Googoo   " Ensign Root  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Skirmish White Plains.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Willington Hartford Co Conn!  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by living witness 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Properly attested and reg d
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
A. C. McLaughlin Examining Clerk.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New York
Madison County ss: On this second day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me Elisha Randall one of the judges of the court of common pleas issued for the county of Madison in the state of New York to Ezra Holmes who by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend court aged seventy six years the eighth day of July last past 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. Spencer General of Brigade Colonel W. G. Captain Solomon Wells Jonathan Parker was first and W. G. was second lieutenant Ensign Chapin other officers of the regiment are not recollected. That some time in the month of May 1775. he enlisted at the town of Wellington in the county of Hartford & state of Connecticut where he then resided as a private in the state troops of Connecticut for seven months. That he served seven months his term of enlistment and left the service in the month of December in the same year. He was in no battle during the time he served under this enlistment. He was marched from Wellington to Nonbury where he was stationed. He does not recollect any regiment with whom he served at the time or the names of the officers of them. He received no discharge but was dismissed from service at Nonbury. That he entered the service of the United States again under the following named officers. Brigadier General Wadsworth, Colonel Sage Captain Jonathan Parker Ichabod Hanks first and Simon Holt second lieutenant Joseph Nider Ensign the other officers of the regiment are not recollected. That he enlisted in the month of June 1778 as a private for six months in the New Levis as the state troops of Connecticut were called at that time. and served six months his term of enlistment. He resided at the town of Wellington the above named county & state. That he was dismissed from service

in the month of December 1776. at a place near Sing Sing on Hudson river. He was in the skirmish at White Plains tho' in no general battle. He marched from Willington to New Haven & from New Haven sailed on board a sloop for New York where he was stationed and at places adjacent and not far distant from during his term of service. He does not remember the regiments stationed near where he served nor the officers of any regiment except his own. In the month of March 1777. he was hired as a substitute for Joseph Holmes of Manson in the state of Massachusetts for nine months. and served under the following named officers on the continental establishment. General of Brigade Nixon in the Massachusetts line Colonel Nixon Captain Goodgood the given names he does not recollect nor the company officers not named nor the other officers of the regiment. He entered the service in March as a substitute for the person above named 1777. the day of the month is not recollected, and continued in service as a private soldier until the expiration of his engagement and was discharged on the twenty fifth of December 1777. at Peekskill or near there. He was in no battle. He resided at Willington in the county of Hartford and state of Connecticut when he entered the service. He was marched from Willington to Fishkill to join the regiment and was stationed at places between that and New York during the season. That in 1778 he was drafted and served two months under the following named officers Ensign Joseph Root other officers of the company and regiment are forgotten. He resided at Willington in the county of Hartford and state of Connecticut and entered the service of the United States as a private in the month of July or August 1778 and served till September or October when he was dismissed at New London the precise month or day of the month when he entered the service is not now recollected. He resided at Willington when he was drafted. He was in no battle, he was marched from Willington to New London where he was stationed until dismissed. He remembers no officers or regiments with whom he served either militia or regulars except as above stated. He has no documentary evidence in his possession of his service which was as a private during the several terms above set forth. Adonizah Benton is a witness as to the two first

terms of his service above set forth the third term he belonged to the Continental army - the fourth term he has no witness to prove within his knowledge - He was born either in Ashford or Willington in Connecticut which he does not know on the eighth of July in the year 1756. He has no record of his age except the record kept by his father in a family bible in his possession - He resided in Willington in Connecticut when called into the service - and for some time after the war he then removed to Cambridge in the State of New York from Cambridge to Kingsbury & then to Salem all in Washington County. in the year 1809. he removed from Salem to Madison in the County of Madison and State aforesaid where he now resides.
He enlisted into the service of the United States the two first terms of service of the one of six the other of seven months in the State troops of Connecticut. The third term of nine months he was hired as a substitute for Joseph Holmes of the Continental army - the fourth term he was drafted in the militia for two months.
He has no recollection of any officers or regiments except as above stated & set forth.
He received no discharge in writing from the service - in the State troops in Continental Army he received a discharge from Col. Dison which is lost. Abner Burnham & John Brown are neighbours of the older set who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier of the Revolution. Joel Hamilton Elizer Burnham Rockwell Burnham Asaph Brown are younger men neighbours who can testify to the same facts.
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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Ezra Holmes
Elisha Randall a Judge of Madison Common Pleas We John Brown a neighbor and residing in the town of Madison and Abner Burnham residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ezra Holmes of Madison who has subscribed and sworn

to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years old the eighth day of July last past; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion and we certify that no clergyman lives in the immediate neighborhood none who has resided in town two years - sworn & subscribed the day and year Ebenezer Burrougham year aforesaid. Elisha Randall a Judge John Brown State of New York
Madison County ss I Elisha Randall Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison do hereby certify and declare my opinion after 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 it appears to me that John Brown who has signed the preceding certificate and also that Ebenezer Burrougham who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Madison in Madison County & in the State of New York & is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify that Ezra Holmes by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend the Court at the regular term. Elisha Randall a Judge of State of New York, blks Madison Common Pleas Office Madison County ss:
I Andrew L. Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Madison do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Judge in the matter of the application of Ezra Holmes for a pension. And I further certify that Elisha Randall is a Judge of the County of Madison duly commissioned and qualified and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the above signatures are genuine and in his hand writing. For testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this third day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two. A. L. Sloan Clk.

Oct. 12-1901 Mr. Free L. Paine Boone Iowa
Perkins
13421 INVALID.
File No. 13,421 Ezra Holmes Prim. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 179
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Madison May 15. 1833
J. L. Edwards Esquire,
Sir, The error if it is one as to the year in which Ezra Holmes Esq; served in the regular army and as to the time, was one which originated in loss of memory. The witness Newton states positively his knowledge of the service of Ezra Holmes in the state troops for the two first periods of 13 th months and also his seeing the said Holmes in the town in the regular army while on duty. This witness is all that would seem, where no presumption is to be rebutted, to be necessary by the rules. He also states the testimony to be all that is in his knowledge to be obtained. He is a man of undoubted veracity & fair character.
I am Sir, with respect your ob t serv t E. H. Hovey

Ezra Holmes.
on Rolls & Visions 8mo in '78
75 100
Adm d 23mo. pric $76.66

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ezra Holmes 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  Only found on the rolls for eight months, applicant required to furnish the best evidence he can obtain to support his declaration.
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? No clergyman in immediate neighborhood.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
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? a witness
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? Yes
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? 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. 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.

State of New York Oneida County } ss
Adonijah Fenton of Westmoreland in the County of Oneida being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposes and says that he has been acquainted with Ezra Holmes of the now of the town of Madison in the County of Madison for seventy years last past or thereabouts, having been brought up together with him in the town of Wellington in the State of Connecticut; where this deponent and the said Holmes both resided at the commencement of and during the except as hereafter related, during the war of the Revolution in which the United States achieved their independence. In the month of May in the year 1775 this deponent and the said Ezra Holmes enlisted into the State Troops of Connecticut for the term of seven months. Their company was commanded by Solomon Wills and belonged to a Regiment generally called Spencer's Regiment, but was then commanded by Colonel Wyllis, in General Spencer's Brigade. This deponent and the said Holmes continued to serve in said company as privates during the whole period for which they enlisted as aforesaid. At the expiration of which time the Regiment was disbanded and the Troops composing it returned to their respective homes, but no written or formal discharges were to the knowledge of this deponent given to the Soldiers. This deponent further says that the corps to which they, he and the said Holmes, belonged marched soon after their enlistment to Roxbury in Massachusetts and was stationed there during the whole period of seven months, for which they enlisted;

and that their company and regiment were there at the time they were disbanded. The battle of Brinker Hill took place while they lay there; a part of the Regiment was called out but not the company to which this deponent and the said Holmes belonged; nor did the troops so called out arrive on the battle ground in time to take part in the engagement. This deponent further says that the said Holmes served as a private soldier in said company and Regiment during the whole seven months as above stated and was present and discharged at the time said Troops were disbanded or discharged as aforesaid. After the Troops were disbanded as above mentioned this deponent and the said Holmes returned to Willington where they remained until June 1776 when they again enlisted for six months in the Connecticut Line of Troops called the new levies. Their company was commanded by Captain Jonathan Parker; their Regiment by Colonel Sage and their Brigade by General Wadsworth. The Christian names of the Colonel and General this deponent does not recollect. Immediately after their enlistment, their company & Regiment were ordered to New York. They marched to New Haven and there embarked on board a vessel and arrived at New York in June or the first of July of that year, where they remained until the City was abandoned by the Americans, and taken possession of by the British Troops. The corps to which this deponent and the said Holmes belonged afterwards lay for several days at Harlem and were there at the time of the Battle at that place, but the company to which they belonged were not engaged. At Harlem

This deponent was taken sick and removed to New Rochelle and after he recovered did not join his Regiment again but went to Groton where he was employed in taking care of the sick soldiers until the expiration of the term of his enlistment, when the corps to which he belonged was again disbanded and returned to their respective homes. This deponent can say nothing about the service of the said Holmes after he left Harlem further than that he understood the said Holmes remained with his company until it was disbanded when he returned to Willington where he arrived about the same time with this deponent which was the 26 th of December 1876 - In 1877 this deponent enlisted into the Continental Troops for three years and during the ensuing season was stationed mostly in the vicinity of the North River. That summer he saw the said Holmes several times; he was then a soldier in the Massachusetts Line as this deponent understood, where he had enlisted for nine months, but how long he continued to serve this deponent has no personal knowledge - Adonijah Fenton
Onondaga County } ss Town of Litchfield }
On the 4 th day of July 1832 personally appeared before me at Clinton in said town Adonijah Fenton to me known to be the person mentioned and described in the foregoing affidavit and who signed the same and who being duly sworn by me on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God did depose and say that the contents of the

said affidavits were true in
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and name at Clinton aforesaid this day and year aforesaid -
Othniel Williams Justice of the Peace of the town of Kirk- land in the County of Onondaga
State of New York
Clerk's Office Onondaga County ss: I George Brown Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Othniel Wil- -liams before whom the above affidavits purports to have been taken and sworn was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly authorized by law to act as such that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature "Othniel Williams" subscribed to the final of said affidavits to be genuine -
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 13 th day of August A.D. 1832
Geo. Brown Clerk
13.055 Rolls April 12-1778 to Dec 1-1778

State of New York
Madison County ss:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace of the town of Madison in and for the county of Madison County who being duly sworn, deposeth & 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 in his declaration and below as a private. For seven months in the year 1775. I served in the State troops of Connecticut as a private. For six months in the year 1776 in the State troops of Connecticut called the New levies I served as a private. For nine months according to this deponent's recollection & in the year 1777. I served in the Continental army in the Massachusetts line I served as a private. But I may be mistaken as to the year & as to the precise time, tho' I think I entered the service as stated in my declaration. I served for some time before mustered, and the rolls may have taken date from that time. I served but one term in the regular army and it is possible that I may have antedated the service in the Massachusetts line & post dated the service in the Militia at New London. I have no event that can fix the service distinctly in my recollection. I have no witness that is living to my knowledge who can prove my service in the regular army. The rolls probably as to the date and time may be correct. I served in the Militia at New London two months as a private either in 1777. or 1778. if I was in the regular army in 1778. I served at New London in 1779. but I can state nothing more particularly as to the service than is stated in my declaration. For thirteen months in the state troops of Connecticut as stated and proved, and for the time I am bound on the rolls right

months & two months in the Militia - in the whole one year & eleven months I claim a pension -
Ezra Holmes
State of New York
Madison County ss I certify that on the thirteenth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred thirty three personally appeared before me Thomas Miller Junior a justice of the Peace of the town of Madison in & for said County Ezra Holmes and subscribed & made oath to the foregoing affidavit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year aforesaid - Thomas Miller Jr. S. Peace
State of New York
Madison County Clerk's office ss: I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison do hereby certify that Thomas Miller Junior is an acting Justice of the Peace duly qualified of the County of Madison. And I further certify that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature of his name and title of office is genuine and in his own hand writing to the foregoing certificate of the oath or yurat of the foregoing affidavit. And I further certify that annexed to this is the original declaration of the said Ezra Holmes with the accompanying certificates of the respective persons & officers required by the pension office on the same sheet of paper. And also the affidavit of Adonaijah Kenton a witness for said Ezra Holmes with the certificates attached thereto.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 14 th - day of May 1833.
A. S. Sloan Clk.

1219 R. St
Boon Iowa
Oct 6 th 1901
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Have you a record of John  Holmes - Ezra Holmes and -
James  Holmes of "Salisbury County" having drawn a pension for services in the Revolutionary war? -
Mrs. H. S. Paine
Boon Ia 1219 R St