Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38617, John Cotton, Mass.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE                                  NUMBER

Mass.             Cotton, John    S38617
Page 2

[Left side column]
0607  
Maine Roll

John Cotton

of Litchfield in the Dist. of Maine
who was a 2nd M. Sergt. in the regiment commanded by Colonel Francis of the Massachusetts line for the term of three years. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 10th of April 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29th of Mar. 1819, 
and set to R.C. Vose, Esqr. Augusta, 
Maine.

Arrears to 4th of March 1819-------[$]86.63
Semi-anl. all'ce ending Sept 4, 1819. [$]48. "
arvl. 10 mo. 21/30-4/31.                  $134.63

{Revolutionary claim}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}
 Continued

[Right side column]
Notification sent to 
R C Vose Esqr. 23rd
Oct 1820 - Augusta M
Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I, John Cotton, aged Ninety six years,  a citizen of the U. States, born in Manchester,  Massachusetts, now resident in Litchfield, in the District of Main, upon oath testify and declare, that as much as I can recollect, in the summer or fall of 1777 I enlisted as a private soldier (but was  soon after was or made a Quarter Master's Sergeant) in the service of the U. States in the war of the Revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, the Captain's name commanded my company, I do not now recollect, the regiment was commanded by C A. Francis of the Massachusetts line. This period I fully served out, and was finally and honorably discharged from the army at West Point. I think in the of 1780, but I distinctly recollect being present which in the services at the execution of Maj. Andre. My discharge has been since eaten by mice and destroyed. I was discharged as a quarter master's sergeant. I was in battle at the taking of Burgoyne, and in several other battles.  From my reduced circumstances, I am in need of assistance from my country for support. And I do hereby relinquish all my claim to every pension heretofore allowed me by the Congress of the U. State, if any, but I am not to my knowledge found on any pension  list whatever. I request that I may be placed upon the pension list for the District of Maine.
[signature]
John Cotton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Lincoln Js
On the tenth day of April AD 1848 James Cotton above named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration, by him subscribed--
Before me,
Nathan Weston, here Chief Justice of Court C. Pleas, second Eastern District
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I, John Neal of Litchfield in the District of Maine of lawful age testify and declare, upon oath, that I am well  acquainted with the within named John Cotting[sic]. From his reduced circumstances of life, he is in need of assistance from his country for support. He sustains the character of a man of truth--I have understood in years past that he served in the Continental Army, and fully believes that he served as he has within stated
[signature]
John Neal
[Upside down handwritten text]
R.C. Vose, Augusta, Maine

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kennebec Js
On the twenty first day of May AD 1818 John Neal Esq before named, after having been carefully examined made oath to the truth of the foregoing deponation by him subscribed.
Before me
Nathan Weston Esq
Chief Justice of Court
C. Pleas, Second Eastern Circuit

[Sideways handwritten text right side of page]
(Crossed out text) Proof of service
Proof wanted that
Francis's was a
Continental Regt?
-Col Francis was
killed at Hubbardston
& Col. Tappan
took command of his Reg

[Upside down notation lower center of page]
John Cotton Litchfield
V. Mack Sergeant  Col Francis
Massachusetts Reg. 1777 to
1780 - 3 years
April 10, 1818
[A different handwriting]
Frances....(text crossed out)

[Upside down text lower left side of page]
Fc. No 12749.  53.29
83265 ---------31.58
----------------------
_______________$85.87
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No. 17
John Cotton
Litchfield
8009
Lincoln County

Sept  1819
Pensioner 93 years old!
his wife 78 years both
purported as Paupers
Sworn to in Lincoln Co.
R. Vose
Con
29 Mch 19
R.C. Vose
Augusta
Maine
Page 6

State of Maine
Lincoln COUNTY, ssz.
ON this seventh day of June, 1820
personally appeared before Josiah Stebbins Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Please, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec