Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29903, Seth Hopkins, Continental (Mass.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Mass.) Hopkins, Seth
S 29903
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

21.258
Massachusetts
Jethro Hopkins
of Conway in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Lawrence of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sargent in the Mass line for 13 Mo. Continental
Leavitt
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 13 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Aug. 1833 and Smith E. Wood Greenfield
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1831 $ 86.67 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4th of Sep. 1831 21.00 $108.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
E. C. Hays
Clerk
Recorded by
Book
E
Vol.
2.
Page
24.
81 Franklin

Seth Hopkins 22,300
Prob 13 Months
11. 12. & 13 of
Jan 24 1883
P. 420
Calwood Greenfield Mass

BRIEF in the case of  John Hopkins  of Conway  in the State of  Mass  (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? 49 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 17 75 1 1 " Private Gen. Putnam  Capt' Harwood  C. [unintelligible]  " Tappan  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None named  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Harwich Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? no proof  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.
H. H. Atkinson Examining Clerk.

Seth Hopkins Conway
22300

DECLARATION,
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 7TH OF JUNE, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE  Franklin }
ON this sixteenth day of august 1832 personally appeared before the in open court  the  now sitting  Seth Hopkins Court of Common Pleas now sitting a resident of Conway in the County of Franklin Hampshire, and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine 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 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1775 , with George Webb and served in the Third regiment of the Massachusetts line, under the following named officers:
Col. Sarnel. Lt. Col. Shepherd. Major Sprout - Capt. Peter Harrwood, Lieut George Webb, Ensign not recollected - enlisted for one year, in December 1775 - immediately joined the army at Roxbury Ms. at the time of his enlistment he was a resident of Warwick, Barnstable County Mass. - In the Spring of 1776 he marched from Roxbury to Norwich Conn, when he embarked for New York - while at New York was detached with others under Col. Tappan to take the Light-house, but was unsuccessful - During the latter part of his stay in N York, his company was employed in guarding the river to prevent the Tories from communicating with the British shipping - he remained in New York until the British landed, then left the City, sailed up the river to Kingsferry, and his company were then ordered to keep the ferry, and did no other duty that he recollects, until the period of his discharge - 1st January 1777. - has lost his discharge -
I Seth Hopkins of Conway in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts sign of the above declaration for a pension, do upon oath, this fifth day of August 1833 make this additional declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension. and depose & say that I do not know of any living witness or evidence by whom I can prove my revolutionary service. I served thirteen months in the Continental line. and my name will appear on the Continental Roll at the War Department. I have no documentary evidence except the certificate of the select men of Warwick. which is herewith transmitted. It will be perceived that the certificate was given some time after my service. This will explain why in my first declaration George Webb is called Lieutenant, and in the certificate Captain. and also why Shepherd in the first declaration is called Lt. Col. and in the certificate Colonel. They generally having been promoted after my service. and respectively holding the office of Capt. and Col. in the year 1778 when the certificate was given. I want further state that I have produced all the evidence of my service that I can. Seth Hopkins
State of Massachusetts

select men of Horwich. It will be perceived that the certificate was given some time after my service. This will explain why in my first declaration George Web is called Lieutenant, and in the certificate Captain. And also why Shepherd in the first declaration is called Lt. Col. and in the certificate Colonel. They generally having been promoted after my service, and respectively holding the office of Capt. and Col. in the year 1778 when the certificate was given. I want further state that I have produced all the evidence of my service that I can. Seth Hopkins
State of Massachusetts } Franklin County }
August 5 1833
Then personally appeared Seth Hopkins before me the subscriber, Seth Hopkins, to me known as a credible witness, and made oath, in due form of law, that the above additional declaration by him subscribed is true.
John Williams Justice of the Peace
We Daniel Crosby a Bergymon residing in said Conway and Horace Childs residing in said Conway hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Seth Hopkins who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations; that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Daniel Crosby. Horace B Childs
State of Massachusetts } Franklin County }
August 5, 1833
Then personally appeared before me Daniel Crosby a Bergymon & Horace Childs and made oath in due form of law, that the above affidavit by them subscribed is true
John Williams Justice of the Peace
(over)

I hereby certify that the within named John Williams is a justice of the peace within and for the county of Franklin & is well known to me. I have no doubt the within noted written certificates are by official acts -
I further certify that Daniel Crosby within named has been for several years until within a few days past the residence Angryman of Conway, the residence of said Seth Hopkins.
Geo. Greenell M.C.
Aug 19. 1833
And I also certify that Horace B. Childs who has together with the said Rev. Daniel Crosby signed the within certificate is a credible person residing in said Conway and that their certificate is entitled to credit. And that I annexed the within supplementary declaration to the original declaration of the said Seth Hopkins as an amendment to the same - together with the certificate of the Selectmen of Hardwick dated Septm 28. 1778 -
Geo Greenell M.C.

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 Massachusetts
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Seth Hopkins
Attest E. Alvord Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk
I, Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Seth Hopkins for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixteenth day of August — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
E. Alvord
Clerk.
Seth Hopkins Conway
22300

file
See file 79,903
Rev. War.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190__
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Seth Hopkins , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 75 13mos. Pvt Peter Starwood Learned mass 3 Cont                                                   
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Harwich Barnstable Co., Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 16, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Conway, Franklin Co., Mass.
Age at date of application, 79 date + pl with not stated
Remarks: Allowed
No data as to family
Very respectfully,

29903 Recy INVALID.
1907 Mch. 29. History to Arthur Dickinson of 1915 July 19. Hist. to Mrs. Geo. H. Hassell, au
File No. 29,903
Seth Hopkins
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1891
Index:—Vol. 9, Page 198
[Arrangement of 1870.]

22300
Left Stephens
E Above Dr Greenfield Mass.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Seth Hopkins 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? No  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No  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? No  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?  Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?    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  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? ~ 
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.

copy War Department Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7 th of June 1832 Seth Hopkins who was a private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive 43 dollars and 33 cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4 th of March 1831 and payable semi annually on the 4 th of March and Sept of each year.
Given at the War office of the United States Aug 1 st 1833.
Lew Cass Secretary of War.

New Haven Ct March 9 th 1907
21258
Pension Bureau, Washington D.C.
Gents. - In tracing my ancestry in order that my daughter might join the D.A.R. I recently visited the home of a son of said Seth Hopkins in Conway Mass. and found a document of which the attached is a copy. Will you kindly furnish me with a record of the said Seth Hopkins, supposed to have moved from the town of Hatfield or Deerfield Mass.

(now Conway Mass.)
Thanking you in advance for any information regarding this matter.
I am yours truly,
Arthur Dickinson 92 Duvitt St.

Rec. War, 1861
Northampton Mass,
July, 15, 1915 -
Mr. G. M. Saltzgebet
Dear Sir -
Your letter of July 14, at hand.
Thank you for the information regarding Philo Bacon.
Seth Hopkins B. in Harwich Mass.
July 1, 1753 D. in Conway Mass.
April 26, 1841
married Mary Rogers about 1777

-2- Copy of Seth Hopkins Pension Certificate.
" War Department-
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7 th June 1832, Seth Hopkins of the State of Massachusetts, who was a private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Forty three dollars, and Thirty three Cents per annum during his natural life; commencing on the 4 th of March 1831 and payable semiannually on the 4 th of March, and 4 th of September every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 27 day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty three."
(seal)
Levi Cag
G. W m Crump Secretary of War Actg Commissioner & Pensions "

I would like to know from what town Seth Hopkins enlisted.
Under what Captains and Colonels, and how long he served in the war.
Thanking you for the favour.
Respectfully
Nethie Hopkins Nassell
Mrs George H. Nassell 31 High Street - Northampton Mass.