Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22062, for Abel Richards, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Mass.

Richards Abil Mary
NUMBER W. 22062
CONTENTS
Page 2

463
Massachusetts
Mary Richards
of Norfolk in the State of Mass
who was a Mass
in the
commanded
of the
commanded
by Captain
in the
widow of Abel Richards
decd late a Private & Captain
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 106 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Feby 1857 and sent 
Wm Ellis Dedham Mass

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $583.00
Semi-annl. allowance ending 4 Mar 74 53.00
$636

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D.D. Edison, Clerk
Book A  Vol. 1 Page [illegible]
Page 3

I John Richards of Walpole in the County of Norfolk and State of
Massachusetts, being eighty one years of age hereby testify and say
that when the Revolutionary war began I resided in the westerly
part of Dedham in said County, and within the distance of
a quarter of a mile from the residence of my Unkle, the late
Capt Abel Richards dec. I well recollect on the first day
of said war April 19th 1775. that my said Unkle turned out as a
soldier with myself and others and marched from said Dedham to Cambridge and fell in upon the rear of the Enemy as 
company of Infantry Commanded by Lieut William Ellis
to Cambridge and fell in upon the rear of the Enemy as
he entered Charlestown on his retreat from Lexington, and
our company encamped in the edge of Charlestown the first
night, we remained here and in the vicinity of Boston under arms
I should think for ten or twelve days and then returned back to
Dedham & during the first two months of the said war this
Company turned out a number of times beside the first time above
mentioned, and the said Abel Richards and myself marched
to the Boston lines in said Company but what amount of
service was rendered by said Abel Richards or myself cannot
determine with certainly, but believe it was not less than two
weeks more-- this company instance and turned out several
afterwards during the Sumner and fall of the same season
but do not recollect the particulars of but one, about
the first of September the same year 1775 the said Abel Richard
and myself marched with the same company to the lines at
Roxbury and performed soldiers duty I think for ten days and
despised and returned to Dedham, this is the last service
that I performed in the same company with Abel Richards
my said Unkle during that war, I engaged in the waggon service
soon after this time; I recollect that said Abel Richards went off
into the military service afterwords but I know not what
served he rendered. I recollect seeing said Abel Richards within
the times of Boston in service as a captain in the year 1778 or 1779
Signature of  John Richards

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk SS Oct 27. 1836.
Then [illegible]  John Richards a credible witness swore to
and subscribed the foregoing statement
Before me Willis
Justice of Peace
Page 4

I Calvin Durfee of Dedham in the County of Norfolk,
and State of Massachusetts, being the only stationary clergyman in the South Parish of said Dedham, hereby  and say, that I have at this time, the custody and
keeping of the clerical and church records of said Parish
and that on those records it clearly appears, that Capt.
Abel Richards and Mary White, both of said Dedham
were married on the twenty eighth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy
seven the Rev. Jabez Chickering one of my [illegible]  in the pastoral office in this place.
Dedham Oct. 26, 1836. Att. Calvin Durfee

State of Massachusetts,
County of Norfolk SS October 26th 1836 The Revd Calvin Durfee a credible witness, subscribed to, and made oath that the matter of record &c set
forth in the foregoing certificate is true 
Before W. Ellis Justice of Peace


Pensioner: Mary Richards. Veteran's Service: Mass.
Page 5

Application of Mary Richards, for a Pension or annuity
under the Act of Congress of July 4th 1836.

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk-SS
On this fourth day of October in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared
before the Honorable Sherman Leland, Judge of the Probate Court now sitting
at Dedham in and for said County of Norfolk, Mary Richards a
resident of Dedham aforesaid Aged Eighty four years; who being first
duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration,
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress
passed July 4th 1836

I Mary Richards of Dedham in the County of Norfolk
and State of Massachusetts Widow, being eighty four years of age
declare, That I am the widow of Capt. Abel Richards late of
said Dedham decd who rendered military service to the United States
in the war of the Revolution

That these services according to my best recollections and belief were
rendered by said Abel Richards my late husband in the capacity of
private or Captain of Infantry as follows

On the nineteenth day of April A.D. 1775 the said Abel Richards
turned out as a soldier in a company of Infantry of whom David
Fairbanks was Captain (but as said Fairbanks was in ill health, this
Company was on this day and for several months afterwards commanded
by Lieutenant William Ellis) and Marched in said Company from said
Deatham to the scene of action and had a skirmish with the enemy on
his return from Lexington and Concord and remained under arms in the
field for fourteen days & returned home to Dedham

That during the month of May and June 1775 in the said Abel Richards
turned out as a soldier in the same company and marched to the lines near 
Boston two or three times and performed soldier duly three weeks more
then returned home to Dedham.

That the said Abel Richards was commissioned a captain of the fifth
company of the first Regiment of Militia in the County of Suffolk in
Col. William McIntosh Regiment on the twenty first day of June 1776-

That in the early part of the summer of 1779 said Capt Abel Richards
from Dedham with his company to Dorchester Heights or some place in
that vicinity and performed military service  for five weeks and returned
to Dedham it is believed by order of Col Wm McIntosh - 

That the said Abel Richards about the 20th day of September A.D. 1777 marched nearly a hundred men and marched from said Dedham under the direction of Colonel [illegible] Howe, by way of Taunton to Tivertown and Little Compton in the state of Rhode Island and in this town performed military service for the term of five weeks & was discharged and returned home to Dedham. 

Again in the latter part of the month of March 1778, said Capt Abel Richards of Col. McIntosh Regiment mustered a company of soldiers and march from said Dedham to the works at Lamb's Dam at the lines of Boston and then performed military duty for a term of three weeks and discharged and returned to Dedham - 

Again said Captain Abel Richards was ordered out - he mustered his Company and marched to Fort Hill in Boston about the middle of September where in that neighborhood he performed Military service for a term of three months and twenty days in Col. Jonathan Cogswell Regiment and was discharged 
about the
Page 6

about the first of January A.D. 1779, and returned to said Dathamoking
the Term of Military service rendered to the United States by my
late husband Capt Del Richards-- Eight months and one week
And it seems proper here to say that the amount of service above suted
is considerably less than my late husband his informed me he had rendence
the country during the Revolutionary war, all however that I can state
&
from recollection or from documents in my possession therefore I hope and
trust, if there are rolls in the war Department that the more service to
have been rendered by Capt Abel Richards my late husband, the same will be
considered in connection with my claim, or that I may be informed of it
and imbrace it in a future application - and I have no knowledge that
my late husband has ever made application for, or received any pension
or annuity from the State or United States

And I the said Mary Richards further declare, that I was
lawfully married to the said Captain Abel Richards on the
twenty eighth day of May in the year seventeen hundred and
seventy seven, and that he the said Capt Abel Richards my husband
died at Dedham aforesaid, on the Eighteenth day of January
in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty two, and that I
have ever since that period remained a widow as will more
fully appear by refference to the proof hereunto annexed
the 14 1836
Signature of Mary Richard

Sworn to and subscribed, on the
day and year first above written
S Leland Judge of Probate
Page 7


Wid File 22062   Mass
Abel Richards
An order signed Abel Richards, Capt. dated
Dedham, July 1. 1776
An order signed John Hunt, dated Feb 5, 1779
An order signed John King Adl Capt. dated
Roxbury, July 2. 1779
A letter of instructions to Capt Abel Richards
Signed Alijah Draper, Major, dated Dedham
July 22 1776
A receipt signed Samuel Eaton dated June 1, 1779

Pay abstract of commissioned and non commissioned officers and soldiers Capt Abel
Richard's Co. Col. Jonathan Cogswells regt for
November, signed Abel Richard, Capt dated
Roxbury, Dec 10, 178.

Pay abstract Capt Abel Richards co of militia
Col. Jonathan Cogswells regt for 1778

Where papers have been removed from this
care and will be forwarded to the War Dept
M B H
May11 1911
Sent to War Dept Jan. 6. 1913
Page 8

Apl 75  Private 9 days
June 15  21/30
Sept 77 Capt- 1 mo 5 days
Marh 78
Lyl 78  9 days
Sept 78  3 mo 20 days  
-
have find a [illegible] 9 ds
for age 75. so accord pay
Page 9

[Handwritten text to left\
I Bordon
Jer Powell
W Spooner
Caleb Cushing
Winthrop
J Cushing
John Whitcomb
BWhite
Henry Gardner
Daniel Davis
Jos Cushing
D. Sewall
Jaber Fisher
D Hopkins
[illegible]

The Major Part of the Council  of the
Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, 
To Abel Richard Gentleman Greeting

YOU being appointed Captain of the Sixth Company in the first Regiment of
Militia in the County of Suffolk whereof William McIntosh Esqr is Colonel
By virtue of the Power vested in us, we do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and
Confidence in your byalty, Courage, and good Conduct, Commission you accordingly. -- You
are therefore careful and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Captain in leading or
ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep
them in good order and Discipline: -- And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their
Captain and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you
shall from time to time receive from the major part of the Council or your superior Officers.

Given under our hands and the seat of the said Colony, at Watertown rhe Twenty first 
Day of June
in the Year of our Lord, 1776.

By the Command of the Major Part of the Council John Lovell [illegible]

Suffolk ss.  July 8th 1776
Abel Richards Gentleman and Solemn oath as the law
Directs to the faithfull discharge of his duty as Captain
of the Sixth Company in the first Regiment of Militia
in the County of Suffolk
before Wm McIntosh  Colo
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Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22062
Mary Richards
Widow of 
Abel Richards
Capt Rev War

Act: June 7th  32
Index: - Vol M, Page 164

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 11

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register
of the Court of Probate of the County &
State aforesaid do hereby certify
that Sherman Leland Esquire
is Judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid
that William Ellis is a Justice of the Peace
within & for the County aforesaid & that this
sonal respective signatures to the annexed
papers are genuine + true

In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & caused the seal of
said Court to be affixed this thirty first day
of October A.D. 1836.
Jonathan H Cobb
Reg. Probate
Co:[illegible]
Page 12

I Jeremiah Shuttleworth
of Dedham in
the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts
being Seventy five years of age hereby depose
and say that Capt Abel Richards of said Dedham
deceased did in the latter part of April in the
year 1778 muster or Company of Soldiers
and march from said Dedham to the works at
Lamb Dam at the lines between Roxbury and
Boston and at that place on its immediate
neighborhood performed Military service for the
term of about twenty days the exact time he served
at this place I have no written evidence to determine
and further say that I served as a Soldier under said
Capt Abel Richards at the time this service was rendered
Oct 8 1836
Signature of 
Jeremiah Shuttleworth

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk SS
October 8th 1836. Then Jeremiah Shuttleworth,
he has served for nearly forty years last past as the Post Master at said Dedhan is a credible
witness, subscribed to and made Oath that the matter
forth in the foregoing statement is true
Before me Wm Ellison of Pence

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk SS October of 1836. then William Fairbanks
known to the subscribed as a credible witness, subscribed to and
made oath that the matter at forth in the foregoing
Statement is true-- Before me Willis Justice of Peace
Page 13

To whom it may amson
I William Fairbanks of Durham in the County
of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being Eighty three
years of age hereby testify and say, that I was personally
acquainted with the late Capt" Abel Richards of sd Dedham
who died in the month of February or March A.D. 1832
That he the said Capt Abel Richards in the summer of the
year that Genl Burgoyne Surrendered at Saratoga A.D. 1777.
(I think in the early part of that summer) mustered or
raised a company of Soldiers, and marched from said
Deatham to the lines at Boston and were part of the
time at Fort Hill in Boston and part of the time near
near Dorchester Hights, that he the said Capt Abel Richards
in this tour; performed military service of think at
less than six weeks, that I served as a soldier under
said Capt Richards in this term of duty, I well
recollect, that while in this term of service, myself
and some others were detached from the company
by said Capt Abel Richards and sent over to the Castle
(ILLEGIBLE Independance) on fatigue duty repairing
the fortification at that place, and when the service ended
the Captain and men returned back to Dedham
Oct 17th 1836.
William (his X mark) Fairbanks

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk SS October of 1836. then William Fairbanks
known to the subscribed as a credible witness, subscribed to and
made oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing
Statement is true.
Before me Wm Ellis  Justice of Peace
Page 14

I, John White of Dedham in the County of Norfolk
& State of Massachusetts, Clerk, hereby testify and
say that I was personally acquainted with Capt Abel
Richards of said Dedham for several years previous
to his death which took place on the eighteenth day
of Jany AD. 1832. & I further say that Mary
Richard, the widow of said Capt. Abel Richards
has remained a widow from the time of her late husband's decease till the present time
Dedham Oct 24th 1836.
Signature of John White

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk SS October 22d 1835. Then the Revd John White
a credible witness, subscribed to, and made oath to the truth of the maker
set forth in the foregoing statement
Before me Wm Ellis  Justice of Peace
Page 15

I Joshua Whiting of Dedham in the County of Norfolk
and State of Massachusetts, being seventy eight years of age
hereby testify and say that I was knowing to the fact that 
about the middle  of September AD 1777 Captain Abel
Richards of said Dedham, raised or mustered a company
of Soldiers of nearly one hundred men and marched from
said Dedham by way of Taunton to Tiverton or Little Compton
in the State of Rhode Island and in this expedition, performed
military service five or six weeks, it has always been my
impression that this tour of service was six weeks, and were
then discharged and returned to Dedham - this company belonged
to Col  Benj  Howes Regiment
And I further testify and say, that I served as a soldier
under said Capt Abel Richards, in the tour of service rendered
as aforesaid-
October 6th 1836  Signature of Joshua Whiting

State of Massachusetts ⎬
County of Norfolk SS, October 6th 1836. Then Joshua Whiting (for many
years served as Chairman of the municipal Board of Dedham) a credible witness, subscribed to
and made oath to the truth of the matter set forth in the foregoing Statement
Before me Wm Ellis Justice of Peace
Page 16

I Ebenezer Fisher of Deatham in the County of Norfolk
and State of Massachusetts being Eighty years of age hereby
Testify and say that I was personally acquainted with
Capt Abel Richards late of said Dedham decd many years
before the Revolutionary war began and untill his death, in
the month of January A.D. 1832.
And I further certify and say that I was knowing to
the fact, that the said Abel Richards turned and as a
soldier on the nineteenth day of April 1775, and marched
to the scene of action at West Cambridge, in a company
of Infantry of which David Fairbanks was then captain,
but which was, on that day and some time afterwards (on
account of the Indisportion of said Capt Fairbonts) commanded
by Lieutenant William Ellis and after remain under
arms in the neighborhood of the Enemy about two weeks
was dismissed and returned home to Deatham, I was also
knowing to the fact that said Abel Richards turned out as a
soldier two or three times more and marching in said
Company to the lives near Boston within the first two months
of said war, but I have no means to determine how long he
served at each time; my belief however is that said Abel
Richor tween the 19th of April and Bunker Hill Battle
June 17th 1775 rendered four or five weeks service as a
soldier. I served as a soldier in the said Company of
Infantry at the same time, how much said Abel Richards
served during the same year after the 17th of June I not
recollect. I will recollect that said Capt Abel Richards
left Dethorn and went out into military service several
times afterwards during said ever and one to Rhode Island
but the particular places where he served and the amount
of the service he rendered I can not determine, and I further
say that I never was acquainted with any man by the
name of Abel Richards who served as a Captain of Infantry
except the Capt Abel Richards aforesaid; and I further
say that Mary Richards the widow of said Capt Abel Richards
remains a widow from the time of her Husbands decease to the
present time
Oct 27, 1836
Ebenr Fisher

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk ss October 27th 1832. That Ebenezer Fisher Esq
lot of the Executive Council of Massachusetts, and a credible witness,
subscribed to and made oath that the matter at forth in the foregoing
statement is according to his best recollection and belief, true in all
its parts
Before me Wm Ellis Justice of Peace
Page 17

No. 523

3 Sec
Mary Richards 
Application for a Pension

Adm
Pri 1 mo 3.33
Capt 5 mo. 4 ds  102.66
165.99
Capt Mass Militia
Col Haws