Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,543, for Abel Perry, Massachusetts
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE Mass 
Perry, Abel 
NUMBER S.18543 Carded
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21.160
Massachusetts
Abel Perry of Middlessex in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Braid of the Reg. commanded by Captain Wullard in the Mass line for 6 Mat. 2 dr
Inscribed in the roll of Mass at the rate of 20 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pensions issued the 21st day of Aug 1833 and [can't read signature] East Cambridge
Arrears to the 4 of [Ma] '33 $ 40.44
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep '33  $10.11
total $50.55 Revolutionary Claim Act June7, 1832
Recorded by P. [?] clerk
Book E Vol. 2 Page 65
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Abel Perrys Declaration
25,958

Phase to make communcations in relation to this application to Ira Fiske, Regr of Probate, East Cambridge, Mass.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. 
On this twenty fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court, before the Honourable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid now sitting, Abel Perry a resident of Natick in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy six 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, A. D. 1832: That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: viz 

That on the nineteenth day of April 1775 when most of the Inhabitants of Natick were called to concord it was thought by the inhabitants of Natick that it would not be safe for all the soldiers who for bore arms to leave the town for it had at that time many indians & blacks in-- this having been formerly an Indian town-- The Committee of safety requested that a number of soldiers should stay to keep guard- I was one who was requested to stay in Natick 

I did stay & kept guard there not less than eight days at that time I know of no person living who kept guard with me - we had no officers - all were volunteers & privates in this service 

On the seventeenth of June following I went a volunteer to Cambridge-- did not arrive till after the battle of Bunker hill was over - Hezekiah Broad of Natick was my Captain - Asa Dana was my Lieutenant. I do not recollect the other officers of my Company Bullard of Sherburne was Col of my Regiment I cannot say positively who were the other officers served four days in this tour - 

In December 1776 I enlisted as a private under said Capt. Broad-- I went to New York then Providence & Hartford to Tarrytown - Thomas Miller of Holliston was my first Lieut Amos Perry was my 2d Lieutt. went to the White Plains & was discharged at Woodbridge otherwise called Thosway in N. Jersey-- I served at this time three months and a half 

In 1779 About the first of August I was drafted to go to Rhode Island - I went under Capt. Amos Lieut. Reuben James and Ensign Thomas Mellin - 
Asa Hawes of Wrentham was my Colonel John Trowbro was my Major General Sullivan had the chief command
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at the Island-- I served on this expedition six weeks- 

In 1779 I was called twice to Rhode Island on an alarm and served twenty days on both alarms Perry of Holliston was Col. Said Trowbridge Lt. Col Joshua Fisk my Captain, Asa Drury my Lieut Abijah Stratton ensign 

I have no documentary evidence-- I know of no person living who was with me at Cambridge or at Natick 

I was born at Sherburne but we removed to said Natick when a child where I have lived ever since. I served as a private in all the said expeditions & never had any written discharge- I have named all the officers under whom I served that I can recollect 

I am personally acquainted with Phinehas Rice Charles Frain Wm Buckminster esquire --- 

the third man, Moore of Natick has been some to about said train lives in Framingham an adjoining Town 

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 any state, 
subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid 
Abel his X mark Perry
J. P. P Fay Prob

We, Charles Frain a clergyman, residing in the Town of Framingham and Phinehas Rice residing in Framingham aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abel Perry of Natick who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Charles Frain 
Phineas Rice
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
J.P.P.Fay, Prob

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of t 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 certify, that it appears to them that Charles Frain who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Framingham and that Phineas Rice who has also signed the same, is a resident in Framingham and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

J.P.P. Fay, Prob

I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abel Perry for a pension. I also certify that William Buckminster whose own signature is not to the two depositions hereto annexed is justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid. 
Isaac Fiske Reg
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No 25958 Abel Perry Middlesex County Massachusetts 
Private 6 mon 2 days Isaac Fiske Regr Probate East Cambridge Massachusetts East Cambridge Mass
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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 tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and regulations will show 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 Abel Perry Middlesex County Massachusetts
Period when service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service. Year, months, days
Rank of the claimant
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.  76 years County of Middlesex Massachusetts
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Served Apr 1775, 8 days, Private, Traditionary evidence Hevo
Vol. Jun 1775, 4 days Private, Cap Braid, Colonel Bullard, witnesses certified credible
Enlisted Dec 1776, 3 months 15 days, Private, Cap  Broad, paper correctly attached
Draft Aug 1778, 1 month 15 days, Private, Cap Perry, Col Adwed
Served 1779, 20 days, Private, Col Perry

I am respectfully , your obedient servant, J.L.Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
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2 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, mucicians 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 Territy, or Disrits County of On this day of A B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District of 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. 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) 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 days 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. 1, 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
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3 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 atlempted ; 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. . 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? 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 traditionary 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 inquiry 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 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. 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 confirming to the rule. The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 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 differ rent 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 , 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 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 ingly 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. The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. The opinion of the Court is always required. The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. The Clerk must fix 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. 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. The notes are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note applies to continental troops only. This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
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May 8, 1939
Mrs. Lula E Miller
31 Pitts Street
Norwalk, Ohio
Abel Perry S. 18543 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam: You are furnished herein the record of Abel Perry as found in pension claim, S. 18543, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Abel Perry was born in Sherborn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and when a child, moved to Natick, same county. The date of his birth and name of parents were not stated.
While a resident of Natick, Massachusetts, which had formerly been an Indian town, Abel Perry volunteered April 19, 1775 to guard that place from blacks and Indians who lived there and served at this time eight days as a volunteer guard under no officers, He volunteered June 17, 1775, to go to Cambridge, arriving there after the battle of Bunker Hill, and served on this tour four days as private in Captain Hezekiah Broad's company, Colonel Bullard's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted in December,1776  served three and one half months as private in Captain Broad's company; one Amos Perry 
( relationship not stated) served with him on this tour as 2" lieutenant. He enlisted about August 1, 1778, served as private in Captain Amos Perry's company, Colonel Hawes' Massachusetts regiment, on General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island, length of tour one and one half months. He served in 1779 on two alarms to Rhode Island,  amounting in all to twenty days, as private in Captain Joshua Fisk's company, Colonel Perry's Massachusetts regiment.
Abel Perry was allowed pension on his application executed June 25, 1835, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
It is not stated in the claim whether Abel Perry, the soldier ever married.
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In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of Abel Perry, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Abel Perry 
Certificate # 21160
Issued August 21, 1833
Rate, $20.22 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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Wm Goodenow Deposition for Perry
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I William Goodenow of Natick in the County of Middlesex aged seventy four years testify and say that Deacon Abel Perry of said Natick was a soldier of the revolution - that he in 1776 went as a soldier to New York and New Jersey and passed thro' the Island and Hartford in Connecticut, went to Tarry town and to the White plains that I was with him in Capt Broad company, that we both served in his our three months and a half and were discharged at Toway in March 1776 

In 1778 the said Abel Perry inlisted and went to Rhode Island about the first of August in Capt. Perry's company- I was in the same company and we both marched to the Island and served in this tour one month and a half 

In 1779 said Perry was called out to the Island again on two alarms I was called out with him under Capt Joshua Fisk and we served under these two calls twenty days according to the best of my recollection 

the above statement is according my best knowledge & belief- William Goodenow
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. June 28. 1833 then the above named William Goodenow personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed before me
Wm Buckminster Just of Peace 

I certify that I am acquainted with the same William Goodenow and that he is a credible Witness 
Wm Buckminster Just of Peace
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1939 May 6 Hist to Mrs. Leila E. Miller

P 18543
INVALID. 
File no.: 18242 
Abel Perry 
Pri Rev War --- 
Act: June 7" 32" 
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 294 [Arrangement of 1870.}
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[postmark NORWALK JAN 18 1939 6 PM]
[canceled stamp]
[stamp RECEIVED JAN 23 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV. ]
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C. -
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51 Pitts Street Norwalk, Ohio Jan. 17, 1938
Veterans Admin. Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen:
Will you please send me any information your files contain on the following: 
1. Noah Matheny, [^ more full name etc] or any other Revolutionary soldier of that surname. I think they were from Monongalia Co., Va. (now West Virginia ) 
2. Elizabeth (Matheny) Perry, widow of William Perry. I do not know whether Wm. Perry served in the Mexican War of the Civil War . He was born 11 Sept. 1811; died 10 Dec. 1900. Thank you for your courtesy in this matter. 
Respectfully, Julie Miller Mrs. Lulie E. Miller
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[cancelled stamp]
[postmark NORWALK 1939]
[stamp RECEIVED FEB 6 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV.]

Veterans Administration Washington D.C.
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Veterans Admin. Washington D.C.

Gentlemen: Will you please send me any information your files contain on the following Rev War Soldiers

1. Jacob Wooley, N.J. died in Ohio [^none of Ohio ]. 

2. Abel Perry Sr. Mass. Abell Perry [^only one on file] Jr prob served in R.I. Line died Mass 

3. Paul Perry R.I. later NY 

4. Abel Wooley, Dutchess Co. NY. 

Thank you very much for this information 
Mrs. Lula E. Miller 31 Pitts Street Norwalk Ohio
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May 6, 1939 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BA-J/MAGIFMB 
Mrs. Lula E. Miller 31 Pitts Street Norwalk, Ohio 

Dear Madam: Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Noah Matheny, and the records of any soldiers of Virginia with that surname, those of Jacob Wooley of New Jersey who died in Ohio, Abel Wooley, Abel Perry, Senior, of Massachusetts, Abel Perry, Junior, who served from Rhode Island and died in Massachusetts, and Paul Perry, also the Mexican War or Civil War record of William Perry, born September 11, 1811, married Elizabeth, and died December 10, 1900. 

There are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Jacob Wooley who died in Ohio, nor of a Paul Perry, nor Abel Wooley, nor Noah Mathony. 

In order to identify the Revolutionary War record of any other soldier with surname Matheny, his full name is essential and any other data you have by which to identify a record should be given. For information in regard to William Perry who died in 1900, you should address The National Archivist, this city. 

The record of one Abel Perry, only, has been found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. His record is furnished you herewith. Very truly yours A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator