Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23556, Jesse Bemis, Mass.
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Mass   Bemis, Jesse or Bemiss   W. 23556
Hannah
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676
Massachusetts Roll
Jesse Bemis, Private
Mass. line 3 years
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 24th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd of May 1818 and sent to Hon. Edward Bangs, Worcester, Mass
Arrearages to 4th Sept. 1818 4 months 11/30  $34.93
Revolutionary claims,
Act 18th March, 1818,
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DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. COUNTY OF WORCESTER, SS. 

ON this Sixth day of September in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before Nath Paine Judge of Probate for County of Worcester now sitting Jesse Bemis a resident of Spencer in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty one 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, that on the twentieth day of April A.D. 1775, the next day after the battle at Lexington and Concord he marched from thence to as a minute man so called, in the company commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Mason, went from there to Roxbury and there home being gone about ten days.

Immediately after I came home in April aforesaid I enlisted into a company of Massachusetts Militia commanded by Capt Joel Green. David Prouty was Lieut and Reuben Slayton was Ensign, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Ebenezer Larned, was stationed at Roxbury Mass. the whole term being eight months, and was there while the battle of Bunker hill was fought, and was honourbly discharged. 

also, sometime in the month of February or March 1776, he again enlisted into a company of Massachusetts Militia, commanded by Capt. Seth Washburn in the Regiment manded by Col. Whitney, marched from said Spencer to Dorchester near Boston, Mass. for the term of two months and was then honourably discharged, and was at Dorchester when the Brittish troops evacuated Boston. 

also, sometime in the latter part of the month of August or beginning of September 1776, he again enlisted into another company of Massachusetts Militia, commanded by Capt Josiah White and Col. Samuel Denny commanded the Regiment, and marched to Tarrytown, on the river Hudson, and we stationed there and at Singsing for the term of two months and was then honourably discharged, 

also, on the seventh day of April A.D. 1777 he enlisted into the United States service in the Continental line for the term of three years, the company was command by Capt Mick Holden, in Colonel Nixtons Regiment and General Nixton's Brigade he marched from Spencer to Peekskill on the river Hudson, N. York, was stationed at various on the river Hudson, assisted at the taking of Genl Burgoynes army, was at the close of the battle at Stillwater, and many small skirmishes and received a written discharge on the seventh day of April 1780, having served in the continental service three years, and having served in the whole four years. The first year in the continental service I was a corporal and did corporals duty and the two last years I was a Sergeant and had a sergeant, warrant for the same, for this last service I received a pension under the act of Congress of March 18. A.D. 1818 the certificate is numbered 676, but was stricken as I suppose on account of property. My discharge I suppose is in the Secretary of wars office, and suppose my sergeants warrant is there also, to which I refer for further evidence. 

In my former pension I was paid as a private only but ought to have been paid as a sergeant. 

He was born at said Spencer June 3d 1751, lived in Spencer during all his enlistments, and live, there now and essence, except four or five years in the State of New York. My age is recorded in the records of the Clerk in said Spencer. 

His enlistments were all voluntary, have no other documents except my discharge and sergeants warrant above referred to. I refer to  Jonas Bemis and William Pope Ergrs, also to Major Isaac Lamb & Capt. David Livermore some of my neighbours who can testify to my character for truth & veracity. 

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 the agency of any state. 
Jesse Bemin

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before  Nathl Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
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Worcester ss September 3d. 1832 

We Levi Packard a Clergyman residing in the town of Spencer and William Pope Esqr residing in said town of Spencer hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jesse Bemis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty one years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. 

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before me James Draper Just Peace 
Levi Packard
William Pope  

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Levi Packard who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Spencer and that Wm Pope Esqr who has also signed the same is a resident in the The Town of Spencer and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Nathl Paine, Judge of Probate for the county of Worcester.

I Theophilus Wheeler Regn, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jesse Bemis for a pension.

In  TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 6th day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two. 
Theophilus Wheeler Regr of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts
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Jesse Bemis
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State of Massachusetts, I Jesse Bennis a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Spencer in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on the 7th day of April AD 1777  I entered and was engaged in the Land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the 7th day of April AD 1780 as a private & Sergeant against the common enemy, without any interruption or absence; that I belonged to the Company of Infantry, Commanded by Capt Abel Holder in the 6th Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Col Thomas Nixon and that I left the service on said 7th day of April 1780 and that, [crossed out: by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty] I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of Sixty Six years 

And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed. 
Jesse Bemis 

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 24th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, ""An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me, Edward Bangs Esquire, for associate Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for that Circuit  the abovenamed Jesse Bemis and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination duly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true. 

Given under my Hand and the Seal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid. 
Edwd Bangs
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Massachusetts 2815 

Hannah Bemis Mass widow of Jesse Bemis who was a Sergeant in the Revolution 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of Nov 1843 and sent to James Draper, Esqr Spencer, Mass 
[Act of March 3, 1843.] 
Vol. 1 Recorded in Book Page 37
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7th of July, 1838, entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" 

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester SS) 
On this fourteenth day of August Eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me Ira Barton Equire, Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester aforesaid Hannah Bemis a resident of Spencer in the County of Worcester aged seventy 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 7, 1838, entitled"an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. 

That she is the widow of Jesse Bemis who was a Sergeant in the war of the revolution for the term of three years. That according to the best of my knowledge and belief, sometime in the month of April or May in the year 1777, he enlisted into a company of foot commanded by Capt. Abel Holden, in the sixth Massachusetts & regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Nixon, was soon after appointed a sergeant, was at Saratoga at the surrender of Burgoynes army in 1777, and at various other places near the river Hudson N. Y. and elsewhere until the month of April or May 1780, when he was discharged.  

Said Jesse Bemis resided in Spencer aforesaid when he entered said service the said Jesse Bemis was a pensioner under the act of Congress passed March 18, 1818, and was also a pensioner afterwards under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, under which pension he received pay as sergeant, reference to the declaration and accompanying papers is hereby had for further proof of the service of the said Jesse Bemis.

she further declares that she was married to the said Jesse Bemis on the twenty sixth day of May in the year seventeen hundred and Ninety one; that her husband the aforesaid Jesse Bemis died on the nineteenth day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty one; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated. And she further declares that he has now been a widow since
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the death of her said husband. The barian of her husband is annexed macher 
Sworn & subscribed the day year above written
Hannah her X mark Bemis

Before me Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester
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I Jonas Bemis of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts Esquire, being seventy eight years of age do testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Jesse Bemis of said Spencer now deceased, and have known him from my earliest recollection to the time of his death, which last event took place on the nineteenth day of April 1836. I am also well acquainted with his widow Hannah Bemis and know that the has not been married to any other person since his death but still remains his widow. I also further testify that I have no doubt that the said Jesse Bemis was out as a soldier in the revolutionary war several campaigns and that in particular he was out as a Sargeant three years from sometime in the month of April or May in the year 1777 to sometime in the same months of the year 1780, that he was a Sargeant more than two years of said term, that he was at Saratoga at the surrender of Burgoynes army as I myself was there but not in the same company or regiment, the said Jesse being in the company commanded by Capt Abel Holder in Col Thomas Nixon Regiment, being the ninth Massachusetts Regiment  
Jonas Bemis

Worester August 13. 1838  then the above named Jonas Bemis personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed, and I further certify that the said Jonas is is a person of truth and veracity 
before me James Draper Justice of the Peace,
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Jesse Bemis of  Spencer and Hannah Bemis of Sutton was joined in Marriage May 26th 1791 by James Kingley, Jus Peace. 

A true copy of record taken from the Records of Marriages in the Town of Sutton 
Attestt Dan Turner Town Clerk Dutton August 9th 1838 

Worcester, August 8, 1838Town Clerk aforesaid and make oath in one form of law that the above certification by him is  true. and heretofore certify is [too faint to read] . Before me Edw Clarke Justice Peace 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester SS

I Jos G Kendall, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial County in said Commonwealth for said county being a county of record that I Clark above Recon within and for said certify that ward Clark above named is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified as such, and that the signature of his name above written appears to the same in his own hand writing 

In witness whereof I have hereto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Worcester, this eighth day of August A.D. 1838
Jos. G. Randall Clerk
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373 Hannah Bemis 
Massachusetts, 
Admitted Augt 
Sergt $120 

died 19 April 1836 

James Draper Spencer Mass
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester, Co.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the
Court of Probate for the County of
Worcester, do certify that Ira Barton
is the Juge of Said Court, duly com-
missioned and qualified, and that his
Signature to this paper hereto [illegible]
is his own genuine Signature.
I further certify, that James Draper
is a Justice of the Peace, within and
for Said County, duly Commissioned
and qualified, and that his Signature
to the paper hereto annexed, is his own
genuine Signature.
In Testimony whereof I do here-
unto set my hand, and the Seal of
Said Court, this fourteenth day of 
August, in the year of our Lord,
one thousand, eight hundred and
thirty eight.

         Chas G. Prentiss, Register
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( Pages are blank, except for the following, at the bottom  of the left-hand page.)


Jesse Bemmis (Mass.)
78.23556
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This certifieth, That (blank)
regiment has served (blank) in the 
Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, being the full Term
of his Inlistment; has conducted himself as a good and 
faithful Soldier, and is hereby discharged the Service.

        Given under my Hand, at Address
[illegible] this 7th Day of April 1780.




Note: This is in the shape of a card, with a decorative border enclosing the words.
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(Page is blank, except for the following):

Jesse Bemis Mass.
M.23556
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    By Thomas Nixon Crugs
Colonel of the sixth Massachusetts Regiment of [ illegible]
in the Service of the United States of America
To Jesse Beamas of the third Company, in the sixth
Massachusetts Regiment, in the Service of the United States of America

Greeting
Reposing a special Trust and Confidence in your Prudence and good  conduct, I do, by these Presents  appoint you a Sarjeant to the third Comp. sixth Massachusetts 
Regiment, in the Service of the United States; you are therefore, carefully and 
diligently to discharge the Duty of a Serjeant, by doing and performing all Manner of
Things thereunto belonging : And I do strictly charge and require all those commissioned Officers and Soldiers, under your Command, to be obedient to
your Orders as a Serjeant.  And you are to observe and follow such Orders and
Directions, from Time to Time as you shall recieve from one, or any of your superior
Officers, according to the Needs and Discipline of War, in pursuance of the Trust 
reposed in you; for which  this shall be your sufficient Warrant.
           Given under my Hand this 18th day of November 1777
                      [ 3 lines which seem to be signatures and ranks]
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Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. [illegible]
Hannah Bemis
wid. of Jesse Bemis
Sgt. Rev War

Act: Mar 3 1848
Index: Vol A, Page 54
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Massachusetts 315
Hannah Bemis
widow of Jesse Bemis
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 32 and who died on the 19 April 1830 of Worcester Co in the state of Massetts
who was a sergeant in the compy commanded by Captain Holden of the 
commanded by Col Nixon in the Massachusetts line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 120 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1836 & terminating 19th April 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of April 1843 and sent to E Clark Brighton Masstts
Arrears to the 4th of - 
Semi annual allowance ending 
$15.00
[Act July 7 1838]
Recorded by Nellsteuart clerk
Book A Vol 1 Page 70

Repd April 4 1843
New certificate
issued in this case see the opinion of the atty Genl of teh 2d September 1842
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10791
Massachusetts
Jesse Bemis
of Wocester in the state of Mass who was a sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Holden of the Regt commanded by Col Nixon in the Mass line for 2 years
Issued on the roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 120 Dollars 00 cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of April 1833 and sent James Draper Spencer Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $240.00
Semi anl allowance ending 4 Sept 60.00
$300.00
{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D A Addison Clerk
Book E Vol 2d Page 9
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Jesse Bemis Mass Act 7 June 1832
to what time paid?
Per office
Sep 10 1838
Died 19th [illegible] 18[illegible] to that period
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315
Massachusetts
Hannah Bemis
widow of Jesse Bemis decd
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 19th April 1836
of Worcester Co in the state of Ms
who was a sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Holden of the Regt commanded by Col Nixon in the Massa 
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of MS
at the rate of 120 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 19th April 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Sept
1838 and sent James Draper Spencer Massa
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $300.00
Semi annual allowance ending 4 Mar 1839 60.00
$360.00
{Act July 7 1838}
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk
Book A Vol 1st Page 70
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Jesse Bemis

Payable on the 4th March and 4th Septr of each year at the U S Branch Bank in Boston
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WAR DEPARTMENT

Revolutionary Claim

I CERTIFY That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES, of the 18th of March 1818 Jesse Bemis late a Private in the Army of the Revolution is inscribed on the Pension List Roll of the Massachusetts Agency at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the 24th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES this 23d day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
JC Calhoun
Secretary of War
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2854 Aug 29, 1843
Hannah Bemis
March 3d 43
Mass
$120 per anm
James Draper
Spencer
Mass

25
Spencer Mass
July 26
James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
DC
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State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester } Ss
On this twentieth day of June AD 1843 personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Worcester, Hannah Bemis a resident of Spencer in the county of Worcester aged seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war that she is the widow of Jesse Bemis who was a sergeant in the company commanded by Capt Abel Holden in the sixth Massachusetts regiment commanded by Col Thomas Nixon and that he received a pension of one Hundred and twenty dollars per annum under the act of July 7 1838 She further declares that she is still a widow
attest Abigail Bemis  Hannah her X mark Bemis

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me James Draper Justice of the Peace
I James Draper a Magistrate as above stated do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Hannah Bemis and that her declaration is true
James Draper Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester Ss
I Joseph G Kendall clerk of the court of Common Pleas being a court of record in and for said county of Worcester do certify that James Draper Esquire within names is a justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature as written appears is in his own proper hand writing

In testimony whereof I hereto set my name and affix the seal of said court at Worcester this twenty fifth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three
Jos G Kendall Clerk
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Spencer July 26 1843
James L Edwards Esqr
Dear Sir
I herein enclose to you the Declaration of Mrs Hannah Bemis in order to obtain the benefit of the act of March 3 1853 When the certificate is made out please to transmit the same to me and oblige yours with respect
James Draper
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Hannah Bemis
Mass
Act 7 July 38
120$ from
4 March 36 to 19 Apl 36

Elijah Clark
Brighton
Mass
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester }Ss
On this sixteenth day of March eighteen hundred and forty three Personally appeared before me William Baldwin a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Worcester Hannah Bemis a resident of Spencer in said county seventy nine years of age who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the fourth of March 1836 to the eighteenth day of April in the year 1836 from which period she has been already paid under tyhe act of the seventh of July 1838 and the declarant further alleges that she is still the widow of Jesse Bemis who was a sergeant during the Revolutionary War that her pension was allowed at the rate of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum and was paid to her at the agency at Boston in the state of Massachusetts and further saith not
singed in presents of William Baldwin Hannah her X mark Bemis
justice Peace
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me William Baldwin Justice Peace
Worcester  Spencer March 16 1843
I hereby certify that Hannah Bemis who has signed the above declaration by making her mark and made oath to the same is well known to me to be the widow of Jesse Bemis [illegible] deceased 
who was a pensioner William Baldwin Justice Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office March 24 1843
I hereby certify that at the date of the within attestation William Baldwin was a Justice of the peace for the county of Worcester
Witness the seal of the state
Jno A Bolles
Sectcy of 
the Commonwealth
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James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
DC
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Spencer Mass August 15 1838
Please to transmit to me & oblige
James Draper
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Jesse Bemis
Mass Roll
Sagt 2 years Capt Holden's compny col Nixons Regt Mass

James Draper Eq
Spencer
Mass

Spencer Mass
Jesse Bemis Declaration for pension
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Spencer Mass Sept 12 1832
Enclosed is the Declaration of Jesse Bemis for a pension under the late act of Congress passed June 7 1832
James Draper
Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of War Washington DC