Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34,839, Thomas Fay, Mass.
Page 1

Mass.     Fay, Thomas           S.34.839
Page 2

2,735
Massachusetts Roll
=========================
Thomas Fay
Capt Parks
[prive]
Mass Line 1 year
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 30th of April 1818
==========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 of Sept. 1818 and forwarded to Samuel
Putnam Esq. Salem Massachusetts
==========================
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818          $33.33
Semi-anl all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819 48 00
==========================
Arrs. 4 Mo. 5. ds..                          $81:33
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
[following section written faintly along side]
Notification sent July 31 1820 to
John Ingersoll, Springfield Massachusetts
Page 3

Mass
Thomas Fay
30 [illegible]
[illegible] Putnam Esq. DM Salem
Admitted

Thomas Fay deposition
Page 4

Thomas Faye of Brimfield in the
County of Hampden, Commonwealth of Massachusetts deposes -
testifies and says - 
That he enlisted into, and joined the army
of the United States, in December
1775 as a common soldier for one year
from the first day of January
then next following - That he faithfully served
out the term of his enlistment and six weeks over - and was
discharged and thus returned home -
That he belonged to the Massachusetts line of troops to Col. Larneds Regiment and to Capt Warham Parkes Company. -
That he needs the assistance of his Country for support  - That he
sixty six years of age & served on the continental establishment
& relinquishes all claim to any pension to wh he might be entitled
by the Laws of the U.S.
Thomas Fay
Justify, depose and say that Thomas Faye
I am acquainted with -  That he served
as a soldier during the Term aforesaid
in the Regiment and Company aforesaid
That I belonged to the Company & 
Regiment aforesaid.
Levi Fay
April 29. 1818
We certify also to the same things - and that Thomas Faye is a person of truth and veracity
Apl 29. 1818  Zadok Nichols
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden SS April 30. 1818.
Then the within
named Thomas Fay and Levi Fay
personally appeared before me Samuel Putnam
one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court
of said Commonwealth - and made oath to the truth of the Declaration & Affidant by were respectively subscribed in my presence - 
And it appearing to my satisfaction that the said Thomas
Fay served for one year at one period in the
Revolutionary war upon the continental establishment against the common Enemy - I do transmit
the testimony in the case to the Secretary
of the Department of War
Given under my hand and the seal of said
Court the 30. Apl 1818
by
S. Putnam Just
S. j Court of Mass
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Hampden Ss. 

I John Ingersoll Clerk of all the Judicial Court of said Commonwealth for the County of Hampden aforesaid do certify that Samuel Putnam is a Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth that the above signature is his proper hand writing and that the seal hereto affixed is the seal of said Court
Attest John Ingersoll Clerk April 30th 1841 

Additional proof- I Abner Morgan of Brimfield in the County of Hampden, of lawful age testify, depose and say That Thomas Fay before named, is in reduced circumstances as  to property - and in my opinion in need of the assistance of his country for support. July 8th 1818.- 
Abner Morgan

1 certify that Abner Morgan Esq above named the 8th day of July A.D. 1818 made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed that he is a person of credibility and is disinterested. 
Stephen Pynchon Justice of the Peace for 
Hampton County
Page 7

We the Subscribers of Brimfield in the County of Hampden of lawful age testify, depose and say that Thomas Fay of Brimfield in the County if Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Served the United States during the Revolutionary War, as a common soldier against the common enemy in the year 1776. That he served for one year under an Enlistment of one year - --- 
July 6 1818- Zadok Nichols 
Christopher Ward 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden Ss July 6 1818
personally appeared Zadock Nichols and Christopher Ward subscribed to the above deposition made oath to the truth of this same - 

I also certify that they are persons who sustain good characters for truth and veracity and are and be verily believed & certified 

Stephen Pynchon 
Justice of of the peace
Page 8

I Samuel Putnam, Judge of the Sup. Jud'l Court of Massachusetts, do certify that within named ward & [illegible] Nichols credible and dissinterested Witnesses and it appears to my satisfaction that the within named Thomas Faye is in [illegible] in circumstances in life and needs assistance from his Country for Support July 30th, 1818. S. Putnam Just S.S. Court of Massts.  I John Ingersoll Clerk of said Court do certify that Stephen Pynchon Esq is a Justice of the peace and in the County of Hampden duly authorized and qualified to administer [illegible] that the signature in this [illegible] is his [illegible]  hand writing. July 1818.  John Ingersoll Clerk
Page 9

Ward &
Nichols
deposition
additional
Proof
for
Thomas Fay
-
Page 10

Thomas Fay
2735
22 Sept 1818
Noven
Renfield
Mar. 1879
Page 11

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
COUNTY of Hampden  88.

On this tenth day of July 1820, personally appeared, in open court, before the Circuit
Court of Common Pleas the same being a Court of Record and so established by a Statute of said Commonwealth, said
Court being now in session at Springfield within and for said county of Hampden

Thomas Fay aged sixty Seven years, resident in Brimfield in said County
who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: That he enlisted in the 
United States Service during the Revolutionary War in December 1775 for one year in Capt Warham Park's Company and Col Fearned Regt and joined the Army in December 1775 at Roxbury Massachusetts that he belonged to the Massachusetts line that he was stationed at Roxbury till the Spring
after then was ordered to New York - that he served in said capacity, during the year for which
he enlisted and two months over, was then honorably discharged that he afterwards enlisted
for six months or served that time out and was again honorably discharged - that he beloaged
to Capt Sibleys Company & Col Keyes' Regiment of the Massachusetts line--and was stati
oned at Providence in Rhode Island That the date of his original application was april
30th 1818 That the nor of his certificate is 1735 That his family consists of a wife aged
66 and of one little Girl aged Twelve years - That he is infirm & unable to do any and
Labour and that his wife has been a feeble Comon for several years
The
swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that the, by gift, sale, or in any
manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to do as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled ""Annot

, nor
has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than that is contained in the shedule
hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
SCHEDULE.
all
&
Penn
1 Yoke of
High $12 -
20th
25th
1 hand
Ald Benton
one and 25th
give Iron
the debts inno


1820.
Estate
46 Acres per year
nal Estate
36.00
Gen 60 2 Cows 361 for No 815- 2 Calves 10 Sheep & 101 Hog or 20-182.00
Waggon & Harney - 1 to 84 - 1 Iron bar - Shovel 25
25.25
the 50 the 81 chains & 2 fide Saddle $2 1 Ox Yoke 1- 1 Kettle 20
6
-
6.90
Large Kettle 82 - 1 Kettle 1.25-1 Bake Kettle 30 1 Yea Kettle 5 - 1 Table $2 - 6.50
50 Shed tongs 1- 13 Old Barrels $2-2 Baskets 25 - 1 pail 17-
3.92
Earthan lose Crocky Glashan 100 One Old Chest $1-
2.50
one Old Table 25 1 Day old Chairs $150 - 1 Strong of Betts 40-
2,40
25
which the 1 day ower amounts to $184.05. & he has no obligation of Note against
$235.72
any debts due to him of Two Dollars consequence-
Sworn to and declared on the the
Common Pleas
day of July 1820
Thomas Day
before the Circuit Court of
West John Ingersoll Close
John Ingersoll Clerk of Current Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify, that the
foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court
that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Two hundred thirty five dollars and seventy two
Cents recession of debt.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, on this fifteenth
John Ingersoll
day of July
Clerk of the Court for the County
of Hampton
Page 12

for a statement of the military history of Thos. Fay a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. F. 34839

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Jan. 1  76
77

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
1 yr. 2 mos.
6 mos. 

RANK.
Pvt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Warham Parks
Sibley

COLONEL.
Learned
Keyes

STATE.
Mass

Battles engage in, Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga

Residence of soldier at enlistment,

Date of application for pension, April 30, 1898 
Residence at date of application, Brimfield Hampden Co. Mass

Age at date of application,  66

Remarks: In 1823 soldiers wife was 72, and a grand dau 15. Two sons also referred to - no names stated.
Page 13

34839
Rev
INVALID

File No. 34, 839
Thomas Fay
Pri Rev War

Act:  18 March 18"
Index: - Vol. 2 Page 132

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Text on right side of document]
1909 Aug. 10  Hist to A.E. Fay 
9 Stoneland Road
Worcester Mass

letter to W.F. 17875
Page 14

3 - 871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Briefed by (FJWB?)
Claim No.

Certificate No 
of Sturbridge or Brimfield Mass

Claimant  Wid Esther C.
Soldier Thomas Fay
Service- Mass Ser
Additinal Service -  Rev War

No. claim, State records , 190
No claim, combination records , 190

REMARK
File No 18819  not as above
File NO 34839 send this
FIle No 38690 not as above
Aug 6 1909

O - 8
Chief Division
Page 15

Massachusetts

Thomas Fay, private, $8 per month - placed on the revolutionary roll 22nd Sept 1878 dropt 31 July 1820
Restored - pension, under act March 1823, commencing on the 30th of Nov. 1825 - Notification sent to John Wyles, Esqr. Brimfield, Mass. on the 2nd day of Septr. 1826


22 Sept 1818
(March 1819)
Page 16

Hon James Barbour
Secy of War
Washington

[text written sideways]
1 March 1823
Mass.
Thomas Fay
Selectmen of Brimfield 
Brimfield, Mass.

Recvd 9 Dec 1825
Page 17

Brimfield Mass. Nov. 21. 1825

Hon. James Barbour
Secy  at War. Sir. Having received the communication from the pension office
dated 13 July 1825, relative to the case of
Thomas Fay, an inhabitant of this Town and
formerly a pensioner, we find upon further
enquiry and the fullest investigation, that the
statement which we made & transmitted to your department, was true & correct:
but in order to comply with your requisitions we will repeat that the lease which Mr. Fay has of the 48 acres of land has been destroyed as mentioned; but were it now in existence
in full force of fact  & virtue, we do hereby state & declare as our firm belief and opinion that with the covenants annexed thereto, it would be of no use or value to him because if could be impossible for him under his age & 
infirmity to carry on & cultivate it

We find on enquiry that in addition to the sum due the first son for his labor & services that he had paid the sum of $500. to the loan office in Boston, which was secured by mortgage on the farm.
Page 18

so that in fact Mr Fay had not in law or equity
any lien upon the real estate, and that the lease
was a mere gratuity from his son calculated
to soothe misfortune rather than allay it.

As an evidence of Mr Fay's poverty, he was
committed to prison since our last
communication on an execution for about
five dollars-- and was precluded from taking
the poor debtor's oath in consequence of
sickness, occasioned by confinement during the intense heat of summer, which induced
his son to liberate him, the creditor consenting
to receive a small part of the debt say the cost and discharge the residue rather than permit Mc Fay to take the oath for which his poverty has qualified him

Since his release from prison, he has
been wholly dependant upon support from Charity. We do finally know Mr. Fy to be a poor & honest man soldier of the revolution, the father of a large family of frugal & temperate habits and as much above dishonesty as he is below competency.

Signatures of 
Solomon Hoar
John Myles
Lewis Williams
Marquis Converse
Justin Morgan
Selectmen of Brimfield
Page 19

Hampden
Brimfield Nov. 24, 1825 

Personally appeared Solomon Hoar, John Wyles, Lewis Williams, Marquis Converse, 
Justin Morgan, Selectmen of this town and made solemn oath that the foregoing
affidavit or statement by them subscribed,
to according to their best judgment &  opinion
Just & true in all its parts

Before me
William W Thompson
Jus. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss.
I John Prall Clerk of the Court with
and for the County of Hampden do Certify that William W. Thompson is a Justice of the Peace within aforesaid County of Hampden and that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to all acts done by him in said capacity and that the above signature is his proper hand writing

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this thirtieth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred & twenty five
John Ingersoll Clerk
Page 20

Thomas Fay 
Application for a Pension 
Augt 1823


March 19
Page 21

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampden

on the twenty sixth day of August A.D. 1823
personally appeared in open Court being the Court of Common Pleas begin a holden at Springfield within & for said Hampden County on the fourth Monday of August instant the same being a Court of Record, Thomas Fay resident in Brimfield in said Hampden County aged Seventy one years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of March 1811 of May 1820 & first of March 1823 - That he the said Thomas Fay entered the Continental Army in the revolutionary war in December A.D. 1775. and continued in the service untill February A.D. 1777 in Capt Warham Parkes Company & Col (?) Regiment & was in the actions at Trenton and Princeton & participated in all the sufferings of the army at that eventful crisis-- that afterwards he was six months
in the service at the Capture of Burgoyne - in the performance of these duties he suffered much from want, fatigue and the inclemency of the seasons & injured his constitution &
has experienced much pain Infirmity in consequence and the said Thomas Fay do solemnly swear that I was resident citizen of the United States on the 18th of March
A.D. 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby sold demit it as being myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled
an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land a Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me
subscribed - I am by occupation a Farmer but am unable from ill health and disability to pursue that of any other employment for the most part of the time - my wife is Seventy years of age and was unable or has been for
a number of years to support herself by labor - her infirmities are increasing and for six months immediately preceding have rendered a Physician & nurse frequently necessary-- Our Grand daughter is fifteen years of age
these three constitute my family-- we are supported from the use & company of forty eight acres of rocky land worn out like its occupant by hand usage. This
Page 22

land is sacred to myself & wife by a lease for life a which accompanied my second application under the act of May 1, 1820. In consequence of age & infirmity not able to cultivate the premises without having labor to
expense of which greatly diminishes the income and abridges my means of support - since the exhibition of my first schedule which is in the war office and the Copy retained by Stephen Pynchon Esqr since deceased cannot be found-- the following changes have been
made in my property (viz) one cow sold for Sixteen Dollars which were paid Lewis Williams Merchant for family necessaries - One old cow fatted & killed for my family One cow which was a calf when inventoried died last winter - One steer exchanged last fall for (?) my oxen were sold last fall for sixty dollars which were
paid fifteen dollars to Daniel Hodges Esqr debt due eight years, ten dollars to Levi Bliss for necessaries fourteen dollars to Lewis Williams for debt due for necessary supplies in sickness, and the remaining twenty one Dollars were paid for labor on my land - the horse mentioned in the schedule together with my farming tools has been turned out to Henry Day to satisfy the demand he has against me for Labor - the remainder of the avails of my property sold, has been expended for the payment of Mechanics, Doctors & taxes and
I have no other property except what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed

I owe the following debts (viz)
To Elijah & William Tarbell $54.04
Lewis Williams -- -- 35.04
Williams & Ferry - 30.81
Ferry & Puffer --- 15.00
Barnard Dean - 19.50
Sundry Persons- 90.     $253.99

To discharge this debts I have no means or resources except what are before mentioned and in the schedule annexed and for which my body worn as it is with age and infirmity is now liable to imprisonment-- It is therefore
Confidently hoped that I may be restored to the time when I was rejected from the pension list that something may and for the payment of these debts, honestly & necessarily
contracted and that one more soldier of the Revolution may derive sustenance from the grateful bosom of that country which he once assisted to defend
Thomas Fay
Page 23

Schedule

2 cows (poor) @13. $26.00
(?)  Sheep (poor) @6/  8.00
1 Old Hog   4.00
1/2 doz  old chains   1.00
One 4 ft. Table   2. 00
1 do - do poor   .36
2 Cases old drawers (poor)   2.00
5. peices iron  ware  3. 00
Shovel & tongs   .75
1/2 dor old Barrels  1.
Crockery ware (poor) - 1.25
10 lbs. Pewter   1.50
1 old side saddle  1.50
$52.34

The use or income of 48 acres of land of
 toiling poor land with one half of poor house a born --- 30. 00
$82.34

Thomas Fay

Sworn to and declared on the twenty sixth day of August before the Court of Common Pleas
Attest John Ingersoll Clerk

I John Ingersoll Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Thomas Fay did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceeding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine months
under one engagement on the continental establishment

I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule hereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court - And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Eighty two Dollars & thirty four cents

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this thirteenth day of September 1823
John Ingersoll Clerk of the
Court of the Common Pleas 
of the County of Hampdon
Page 24

Aug. 25 1826

Pension office
Brimfield Mass
August 19

Hon. James Barbour

Pension Office  Secretary of War
Washington
Page 25

Brimfield Augt 18. 1826

Hon. James Barbour
Secretary of War
Sir

The Selectmen of the Town of Brimfield
have had the honour to address you two several times in behalf of Mr Thomas Fay formerly a pensioner.

As he has heard nothing from the Department since our last letter to you (which was in the form of an affidavit he fears it has never reached the pension office. will you have
the goodness on (?) of this to advise him or as of the fact -  He is poor and needy & very anxious to leave the fate of his application.

I am Sir with great respect
your obt hb Servant

John Wyles of the board of Selectmen
of the Town of Brimfield
Page 26

Brimfield Mass
July 5th

FREE

Hon. James Barbour
Secy of War
Washington

Recd 11 July 1825
Page 27

Brimfield, Mo. June 6. 1825.

Hon. James Barbour
Secy of War

Sir.
We intrude upon your attention at this time, to introduce the case of our fellow citizen & townsman, Thomas Fay, who in consequence of having the possession of a small
parcel of real estate was in 1823, struck from
the pension list & consigned to the deepest
shades of poverty.

In order to comply with the requisitions of the act of 1818. 1820 & 1823, Mr Fay made an application to the Secretary of War in 
August of the last mentioned year transmitted the documents required, together with a
Schedule of his debts, amounting to $253.99 and an inventory of his personal estate, appraised upon oath & amounting to $52.34. Exclusive of this, the use of the real estate, before mentioned, was returned by the appraisers at $30.00 per annum. This, they described as the "use of 48 acres of poor land and one half of a poor house

The facts in this case are simply these. About thirteen years since, Mr. Hay conveyed his little, poor farm, situated
Page 28

on what has been, always justly called "Death Hill to his son by deed, for the purpose of extinguishing a debt due the son for his labor in carrying the same after he was of full age. About five years since another son, purchasing t e Premises from the first, gave his father a lease of one half, in which it was covenanted by the father to improve, cultivate & carry on the same after the manner of good & careful
husbandry. This instrument, unrecorded was
deposited with a third person for safe keeping
or cancelling in case the father should fail of performance, which from his privity, weakness
& inability, was then reasonably apprehended. In consequence of the necessity of hiring labor; his own & his wife's infirmity, the presence of former debts & the unavoidable creation of new ones, Mr. Fay has found himself totally unable to comply with the covenants in said lease. It has therefore been cancelled & destroyed. Thus the last earthly prop is taken from the old soldier
Page 29

his stumbling block of offence, to the former Secretary of War is removed

He is almost 74 years of age, was at the action of Trenton, Princeton & Saratoga, has ever
maintaned an unsullied reputation, been frugal
temperate & industrious & has lived & brought up a large family on a spot under circumstances where a common man, even a yankee would have (starved). . He now appeals to the Justice & clemency of his country, confident, of being restored to a participation of its bounties if that the means of obtaining them will printed out to him. Trusting that this
statement, which if necessary can be [illegible] by the most indubitable testimony will be received as an excuse for the intrusion; we remain with due respect
your humble friends, & [illegible]
⎬
Solomon Hoar
Lewis Williams
Justice Morgan
Marquis Congerfield,
John Wyles
Selectmen of the Town of Brimfield Mass
Page 30

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Sir:

At your convenience will you please kindly inform me as to the record of service in the Revolution (or payment of pension) of Thomas Fay who lived in Sturbridge & Brimfield, Mass. as late as 1798 at least. If this cannot
Page 31

be found perhaps there is record of application for a pension by his widow Esther Fay, which was refused.

Thanking you in advance for your courtesy & trouble in the matter.

I am very "      "

A. E. Fay
339 Main St.
Worcester, Mass

Aug 7. 09