Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,709, Jonathan Franklin, Mass. N.H. R.I.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Mass
N.H.
R.I.
Franklin, Jonathan
NUMBER
S. 10,709
carded
CONTENTS
.
Page 2

10.887
New Hampshire ┃
Jonathan Franklin
Grafton in the State of NH
who was a Sergt in the company commanded
by Captain --- of the regt commanded
by Col Pitkin in the *N.H. 
line for 7 Mos. --Days
             8  " Corpe
* Mass, R.I. and N.H. 
Mch 14/05
Records completed
Inscribed on the Roll of N H
at the rate of 64 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 2nd day of May 1833 and sent Moses Dow Haverhill, N.H.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar             1833 $128.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 4 "         32.16
                                                              $160.82
(Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.)
Recorded by J H Mc Blair   Clerk
Book E  Vol. 1,  Page 85
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of New Hampshire Grafton County ss.
On this 20th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of Probate for said County now sitting Jonathan
Franklin a resident of Lyme in said County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire aged 79 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
At Mansfield in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 20th day of April in the year 1775 he with others volunteered and marched to Roxbury in said Commonwealth and joined a company of Militia under command of Captain Benjamin Morey was stationed at said Roxbury at least two weeks and did the duty of a sergeant while there,  was dismissed the forepart of May and returned home.
He further states that at Norton in Massachusetts  about the middle of May 1775 he volunteered and joined the company commanded by Capt. Silas Cobb.  He enlisted as corporal in said Company for a term of eight months.  He marched through Mansfield,  Stoughton, Milton and Dorchester to Roxbury where he was stationed a short time.  His company with other companies had orders and marched to Braintree Shores and joined the troops under command of Col. Pitkin,
where he was stationed until the 16th day of June when his company with others by orders marched to Roxbury, Massachusetts most of the night and arrived at Roxbury on the morning of the 17th June being the day of the Battle on Bunker Hill for continuous at said Roxbury until the next day and marched back to Braintree where he was stationed until his term of enlistment expired which was about the middle of January in the year 1776.  Was dismissed and returned home having served in said company the full term of eight months.
He further states that at said Norton in the month of February in the year 1776 he enlisted as a sergeant into the company commanded by the same Capt. Silas Cobb for a term of
two months marched through Mansfield,  Stoughton or to Winter Hill so called in Charlestown in Massachusetts where he was stationed until a few days prior to the building East on Dorchester
---
Page 4

Heights his company was ordered to Dorchester where he was
stationed until his term of enlistment expired being in the
month of April in the same year and was dismissed having
served two full months according to his enlistment-
He further states that soon after he was dismissed as above
he went to the Town of Cranson in the State of Rhode Island
for the purpose and was engaged in making salt Peter and
while at said Granson in the fall of the year 1776 (the month
he does not recollect) he volunteered and joined a company of
Militia commanded by Captain Patter under Major Barton
&
afterwards General Barton) was stationed on the West side of the
River (which runs from Newport to Providence) until said
Captain Patters Company was dismissed having served in said
Company at least ten days -
He further states that in the year 1777 (he thinks in the
fore part of October) at Norton Massachusetts he volunteered
and found a company of Militia commanded by Captain
Isaac Hodges Marched through Taunton & Tiverton s to Howe
and Ferry so called where he was stationed until said Company
was dismissed having served in said company a term not
less than three weeks and did the duty of Sergeant
He further states that at said Norton in the same
year (thinks in the month of November) he volunteered as a
Sergeant and Joined a company of Volunteers commanded
by Capt Richard Cobb marched through Taunton & Liverton
to Howlands Ferry so called where he was stationed with said Cobb company and other companies a term of at least fifteen
days and was dismissed and returned home
     He further states that in the year 1778 he removed
to Lyme in the State of New Hampshire, and in the month
of October in the year 1780 under an alarm he turned out
and Joined a company of Militia commanded by Captain John
Sloan marched by order of said Captain Sloan to Hanover Vt.
from said Hanover back through Lynn Orxord Peidmont
& Haverhill to Newbury Vermont, where was stationed a while
was then dismissed and returned home to Lynn being absent
on said lower a term not less than three weeks and did the
duty of a private
Having served his country in the Revolutionary war in all a term not less than twelve months
and nineteen days and in the capacities before stated
Page 5

He further states that he has no documentary evidence and
that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure
who can testify to his service (except
whose affidavit is hereunto annexed) by whom he can
prove the last term only of his service
He was born in the Town of Norton in the common wealth of Massachusetts in the month of March in the
the year 1753-
He has a record of his age in a large family Bible
is in his own possession knows of no other record
He further states that the first term of his being called
into the service he lived in the Town of Mansfield in Massachusetts
the second and third term he lived in the Town of Norton Mass
this fourth term he lived in Cranson in the State of Rhode
Island - the fifth and sixth terms he lived in said Norton and
the seventh and last time he lived in the Town of Lyman
the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire where he
has ever since and now lives-
He volunteered
He further states that whilst he was stationed at Braintree
being the second term of his service he with a number of others
had a skirmish with the enemy on Moore head so called in which
one of his party was killed-- afterward Lieut Smith with him
and nineteen others were situated to go to Nantucket under command of Major Vose went in the night arrived at Nantucket
about day break went on to the light House had a skirmish
with the British succeded in taking serve amunition and
other articles and returned back to Braintree afterwards
learned that six of the enemy were killed in the Skirmish
He never received a written discharge but was dismissed
He refers to the Rev Erdix Tenny and Arthur Latham
Esq. who reside in his neighborhood and who can testify to
his character as to veracity and their belief of his service as a
soldier of the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the
Pension Roll of agency of any State, I
Sworn to and subscribed the
day & year aforesaid
[signature] Jona Franklin
Page 6

we Edix Tenny Clergyman residing in the Town of Lyme and
Arthur Latham residing in the same town of Lynn hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Franklin Esq who has
subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe
him to be 79 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolition and that we concur in that opinion, Endix Tenny
Sworn and subscribed to this day
[signature] Endix Tenny
[signature] Arthur Latham
 

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 the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And he that it
appears to them that Endix Tenny who has signed the preceding
certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Lyme and Arthur
Latham, Postmaster, who has also signed the same is a resident in
the said Town of Lynn and are credible persons and that their that 
statement is entitled to credit
[signature] Edward Webber Judge of Probate

I Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Jonathan Franklin for a Pension-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of Office this 20th day of December AD. 1832-
[signature] Moses Dow
Page 7

Johnathan Franklin
N Hampshire
Sergt.    7 months
Corporal 8 months
15
$6433
22152
Moses Dow E
Haverhill
N H
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Johnathan Franklin
Co of Grafton
in the State of NH
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 79
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[chart]
Period.
April 1775 volunter
May " "
Feb 1776
    " "
Octo 1777
Nov 1777
turned out "1780

Duration of Service.
Years,
Months,
8
2
3
Days.
14.
10
15
21
 
Rank
As a
Sergeant
Corporal
Sergeant 
Sergeant
ditto

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Cop Marcy
Cap Cobb Col Pitkin
Cap Cobb
Cap Potter Major Barton
Cap Hodges
Cap Cobb
Cap Stone

5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Mansfield Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
mentioned.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
[signature] George Taylor
Examining Clerk.
Page 9

RECORDS DIVISION
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
Mmh
s10709
 
3- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Sept. 14, 1922
In reply to your request of
received
a statement of the military history of Jonathan Franklin
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Apr 20, 1775
Middle May 1775
Feb 1776
Fall 1776
Early Oct 1777
Nov 1777
Oct 1780

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
2 weeks
8 mos
2 mos
10 das
3 wks
15 das
3 wks

RANK,
Sgt
Corpl
Sgt.
not stated
Sgt.
Sgt
private

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Benj.Morcy
Silas Cobb
Silas Cobb
Potter
Isaac Hodges
Richard Cobb
John Sloan

COLONEL.
Pitkin
Major Barton

STATE.
Mas
"
"
R.I.
Mass
Mass.
N.H.
 
Battles engaged in, Skirmishes
Residence of soldier at enlistment Mansfield, Mass.
Date of application for pension Dec 28, 1832 His cl was al
Residence at date of application, & yo, Grafton Co. N.H.
Age at date of application, Born in March 1753 in Norton, Mass.
Remarks: There is no family data on file

Respectfully,
  
Commissioner,
8 -- 2856
Page 10

10709
INVALID.

10709
Jonathan Franklin
Sergt Rev War
-
Act: June 7th 32
ex: -- Vol., Page 133
Arrangement of 1870.}

1922-Sept 14- Hist to Mrs
Robt.T. Strickler Mrh
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
Johnathan Franklin which require
further proof or explanation.
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
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 amout 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
Page 12

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? yes
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,
have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service yes
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; Foryear
months, and --- days, I served as a . For months
and days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 13

3
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 objection
able. 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.
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 mar
her 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 authenticaling
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.
Page 14

I Jonathan Mason of Lyme N.H. aged 74 years depose
and say that in the month of October in the year 1780 
that Jonathan Franklin Esq of Lyon with myself and many
Volunteered and found a company of Militia under comm
and of of Captain John Sloan marched to Dartmouth College
in Hanover from there back through said Lyme afore
Vermont & Haverhill to Newbury Vermont where we
stationed a while was then dismissed and returned home
to Lynn being absent from home on said lower
term not less than three weeks but I should think
a longer term, said Franklin was with me during
said term and on duty in said company
[signature] Jonathan Mason

State of New Hampshire Grafton & Lynn December 19
1832 Then the above named Jonathan Mason personally
appeared and made solemn oath that the above affidavit
him subscribed is true. Before me
[signature] D.C. Churchill Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the
a credible Witness
above named Jonathan Mason
[signature] D. C Churchill Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton
I Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate for
said County of Grafton do hereby certify that D C Churchill before whom the above affidavit was taken
is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly authorised
to administer oaths and take affidavits and that 
his signature to the above is genuine-
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal of Office this 20th day of December A.D.
1832-
[signature] Moses Dow
Page 15

17.H.E.

Frankfort Indiana
Aug 16, 1922
Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: Have you a record
of Sarah Strickler who was
alive June 1 1840, her husband
no claim {neg.}
was David J. Stickler Page
County Va, this was in
pension list at our State
library Page 136 Pensions of Va.
for [illegible], can you tell
me where she was living
when the last received her
pension and all you have
Page 16

in regard to her probably
you have when she was husband
died, this is Revolutionary war were
also that have you in regard
to Jonathan Franklin Rank
Sergeant Annual allowance
$64.33 Sum received 192.79 Description
of service Mass militia when
placed on the pension roll
May 2, 1832 commencement of
Pension Mar. 4, 1851 age  81 he
I think was living at this time
in Pa. Can you tell me where
his last check was sent to him
in what town had he living in
when he died and did
Page 17

his wife receive a pension
any information you can
furnish me will be graciously
received
an early reply will be graciously received
If this does not belong to
your department will you
please send it to the one that
can furnish the information
was told to write Auditor
of Treasury War of Revolution
Dept, but I never heard of
the Dept and thought I had
better write to you if this
is not in your Dept please
Page 18

pass it in to the Deft that
can furnish me with this
information
Very Respectfully
 
Mrs Robert L. Stickler
558. E. Washington St
Frankfort, Indiana

[stamp] U.S.PENSION OFFICE F AUG 21 1922