Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14647, Samuel Dunton, Mass.
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(8-1776)
Service 
Mass 
Dunton, Samuel  
Number W. 14647
Mary
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791
Massachusetts Roll
Samuel Dunton
Private 11
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 13 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 of June 1818 and sent to Hon. Edward Bangs Worcester, Mass-
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818
Semi [illegible and crossed out] ending
3 months 19/31 & 4/30 $ 29.96 
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818}
Continued 
Southborough Worcester Co
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let 14 Aprl 17
 T Wheeler 
let of Augt 31 L. Newton 
Notification sent to Abijah Bigelow Esq Worcester  Mass 11 Sept 1820
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Notification sent to Abijah Bigelow Esq 19 Sept 1820

Let
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Massachusetts - 1763.
Mary Dunton
widow of Samuel Dunton, Dec. 
who died on the 15th of July, 1829; 0 if Worcester Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Fletcher of the regiment commanded by Col. R. Putnam, in the Massachusetts line of 2 years private
Masss

Inscribed on the Roll of  Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th of February, 1838, and sent to Hon. Levi Lincoln, House of Representatives. 
Arrears to the 4th of September 1837 $ 520.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 1838 - 40.00
$560.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1838, Section [illegible] 32 
corded by S.A. Elliot Clerk Vol 2 Page 49
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Notification to Pen Agent February 8, 1838.
Suspd; See let to Pens Agt. Oct 8 44
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Samuel Dunton 
Southborough
13 May 
Correct DN
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State of Massachusetts County of Worcester
I, Samuel Dunton - a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Southborough in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declared, that in the War of the Revolution, In 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 April AD 1780 as a private soldier against the common enemy, without any interruption or absence; that I belonged to Capt Bejam Gates Company in the fifth Massachusetts regiment Col. Putnam for 3 years ending in April 1780 -
and that I left the service in April 1780 - having received an honorable discharge which I have lost. and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country support, being now of the age of 65 years & infirm - I further declare that I served two other campaigns in the army of the United States of 5 months & three months  that I was in the battle of White Pains & that the above services were performed in the Massachusetts line
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. 
            His
Samuel X Dunton
           Mark 

Att. E. Bangs

BE IT REMEBERED, That on the 13th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 18 pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the and 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 Judge CC Com Pleas [illegible][illegible]
the abovenamed Samuel Dunton and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subsribes 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. 
Edward Bangs
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I Robert Smith of Barre in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, testify and say that I was a soldier in a company of Capt Gates of Barre in the fifth regiment commanded  by Co. Rufus Putnam and I further say that Samuel Dunton then of Gerry   in our said county entered into the company commanded by said Gates I was personally acquainted with said Dunton in the service during the time of three years and he was a good solider & said Samuel Dunton enlisted in April 1777 and was discharged in 1780 
Robert Smith 
On this first day of May A.D. 1818 personally appeared the above named Robert Smith & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing statement of affidavit by him subscribed & in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name hand the day & year above written. 
Saml Lee Jus Peace

Note - Saml Lee is a known Justice of the Peace in Barre in the County aforementioned - x his name is in the list of Justices accordingly in the Mass Register. Edward Bangs
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Samuel Dunton. 
791
June 1818.
[illegible] 19 days 1820
CM
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My family consists of my myself and wife only, both of us being great invalids arising from old age and infirmities of body, neither of us being able to maintain ourselves, or to contribute but in a very small degree towards our support; having no property, either real or personal, of any kind, excepting a little very necessary clothing, and being aided by the town of Southborough for many years past in our support. 
            his 
Samuel X Dunton
          mark 
Witness Wm Jenison
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Commonwealth of  Massachusetts. 
County of Worcester, SS, 
ON this twenty third day of June 1820, personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, Samuel Dunton aged sixty eight years, resident in Southborough 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: In the month of April 1776, I enlisted in the Company commanded Capt Benjamin Gates in the Regiment commanded by Col Rufus Putnam of the Massachusetts line, and served 3 years, when I was regularly discharged therefrom, having been in Gen Nixon's Brigade my discharge was lost, but I made application for a pension on the 13th of May 1818, and had the same granted, as by pension certificate numbered 791 will appear, 
and I do solemnly 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 time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th 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 that what is contained in the Statement hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. 
           his
Samuel X Dunton
           mark
Witness Wm Jenison 
Sworn to and declared, on the twenty third day of June, 1820 before the said Court. 
Attest, Abijah Bigelow, Clerk
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the statement 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 said Samuel Dunton has no property necessary clothing excepted. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty third day of June 1820. 
Abijah Bigelow {Clerk of the Court for the Country of Worcester.
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Commonwealth of  Massachusetts 
Worcester County, ss
On this thirty first day of December eighteen hundred and thirty six  personally appeared before [illegible] Barton judge of the Court of Probate in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts  Barton Mary Dunton of Southborough in said county, aged eighty one 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, 1838 
That she is the widow of Samuel Dunton, who was a solider in the Army of the Revolution.
That her husband, some time in the months of April or May seventeen hundred and seventy seven enlisted, then a resident in the southerly part of Athol ( now Phillipston) in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, into the Army of the Revolution as a private for three years in Capt Fletcher's Company, Col. Rufus Putnam's Regiment and Gen. Nixon's Brigade. 
She further declares, that she was married at that part of said Athol (now Phillipston) in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid by a Jonathan Baldwin a Justice of the Peace, sometime in the spring of the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine; that her husband the aforesaid Samuel Dunton died at Southborough aforesaid July fifteenth A.D. eighteen hundred and seventy nine aged seventy seven years, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof documents annexed.  She further declares that an examination has been made in the office of the town Clerk in the town of Athol in the county of
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Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid for a record of her marriage and that there is no return of any marriages in the office of said town clerk made by Jonathan Baldwin a Justice of the Peace from year 1775 to 1784 - 
She further declares that her husband drew a pension under  the act of Congress April 18, 1818 - and that is is her belief that her husband was not in the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution for more periods than one;  and as for the evidence for the periods of service that her husband Samuel Dunton was in the service of the United States reference to be had to the documentary evidence in the office of the War Department at Washington in the Continental and Massachusetts Line. 
her
Mary X Dunton
mark 

Sworn as new evidence the day and year  first above written before  me 
Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate [illegible] County of [illegible]  Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Inscribed on Dec. 31 1838. Once [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] the Court do declare it as their opinion that Samuel Dunton 
the evidence of said  applicant  was a soldier of the Revolution; that the  said Mary [illegible] [illegible] was married, that the said Samuel Dunton deceased [illegible]  that the said Mary now remains his widow and  further claims on oath declares -  she being believed to be person of truth.
Ira Barton
Judge of said Court of Probate
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The record of Samuel Dunton's family stands thus
Mr. Samuel Dunton Children
Polly Dunton daughter of Samuel and Mary Dunton  born April 11th 1787
David Dunton son of the above  born August 15th 1789
Nathaniel Dunton son of the above born July 2nd 1790
William Dunton son of the above born Jan 2nd 1794
A true copy from the record book of births of the town of Phillipston, formerly Gerry. 
In complying with the request to sever a leaf from the town record book, I should violate the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which directs that the clerk of each town shall keep a fair and true record of all the births and deaths that occur in the town, in a book kept for the purpose; and the leaf that bears  the record of the birth of Samuel Dunton's children has the record of four other families comprising twenty individuals. 
Attest Joseph Knowlton Town Clerk 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester for Phillipston September 28th 1837 -  Personally appeared John Knowlton [illegible] and made oath in due form of law that the above certificate by his hand subscribed is correct & true - and I further certify the above named Joseph Knowlton is town clerk of said town of Phillipston
Oliver Powers Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester, ss
Probate Office October 3, 1837
[illegible seal)]
I hereby certify, that Oliver Powers is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his name signed  to the foregoing certificate is his own genuine signature. In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and the Seal of the Court of Probate for said County, the day and year above written. 
Cha. G. Prentiss, Register of Said Court.
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[illegible]
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
April 17, 1924
Mrs. Louie S. Jones
315 Beard Ave.,
Buffalo, New York.
Madam: I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 14647 it appears that Samuel Dunton, while a resident of Gerry, or Templeton of the southerly part of Athol ( all of which places were later Phillipston), Worcester County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in April 1777 and served as a private in Captain Fletcher and Benjamin Gates' Companies, Colonel Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged in April 1780. He also served
prior to the above service, two tours of five months and three months and was in the battle of White Plains, no further details given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 13, 1818 while a resident of Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, aged sixty-five years. He
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died July 15, 1829 in said Southborough. 
Solider married in March 1779 in Templeton, Massachusetts, Mary Martin of said Templeton, who was allowed pension on her application executed December 31, 1836 while a resident of Southborough, Massachusetts aged eighty-one years. They had the following children born Gerry, Massachusetts: 
Polly born April 11, 1781
David " August 15, 1783
Nathaniel " July 2, 1790
William " January 2, 1794

Respectfully, 
Commissioner.
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REV widow, &c

File NO. 14647
Mary Dunton
Widow of 
Samuel Dunton
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index: - Vol A, Page 199

{Arrangement of 1870}
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July 7 '99
Zach S Eldredge
San Francisco 
Ca[illegible]
[illegible]1924 Apr 17 Hist to Mrs Louie Jones, MMHF
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Mary Dunton Massachusetts
Suspended let 16 [illegible] ? 7
S Wheeler.
let 1 Aug 1837 to Larkin Newton
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Samuel Dunton Mass Act March 1818, to what time [illegible] and 
Pen Office Apr 16,'37
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1037
Please to return the papers to Theophsus Wheeler Worcester Mass
Mary Dunton Mass

Admt
2 yrs pri
80 $ pr an
no deduction 
Hon Levi Lincoln 
Ho.  Rep.
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[illegible seal] Commonwealth of  Massachusetts Worcester ss Probate Office 
 I, Theophs Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester certify that the Ira Barton is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester duly commissioned and that his name subscribed as such in five places on papers hereto annexed, is in own hand writing - and that Oliver Powers is a Justice of the Peace appointed & sworn, and that his name herein written on papers  here annexed as such is in his own hand writing.
 In the testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of the said County this 2 day of January 1837 - 
Theophs. Wheeler Reg of the said Court of Probate -
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I Peirson Richardson of Phillipston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being eighty seven years of age being duly sworn to testify and depose that I was well acquainted with Samuel Dunton then of Athol and Mary Martin then of Templeton said parts of said Athol and Templeton are now Phillipston and that at the time they were married said Dunton was one of nearest neighbour and that said Samuel Dunton and said Mary Martin were married about fifty seven years ago and they lived and kept house for several years in now said Phillipston and had four children born in said Phillipston and said Samuel and his wife and family moved to Southborough in said County of Worcester about 40 years ago by whom said Samuel and Mary were married  I do not now recollect but I think It was a Jonathan Baldwin a Justice of the Peace - 
Phillipston Nov 25, 1838 Peirson Richardson 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County ss Phillipston November 25th A.D. 1836 Then personally appeared the above named Peirson Richardson and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true and I am well acquainted with said Peirson Richardson and have been for forty years and that he is a credible witness Before me { Oliver Powers Justice Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County 
Athol November 25, 1835
I hereby certify that I have examined all the books of records in the office of the Town clerk in said town of Athol and I do not find any record of the marriage of Samuel Dunton and Mary Martin on record in said office
the only return of marriages in said office from 1775 to 1784 are made by the Rev. James Humphrey and no return made by either Jonathan Baldwin or Daniel Newhall who were Justices of the Peace at that period. 
Benjamin Estabrook, Town Clerk of Athol
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I Jeremiah Newton of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being sixty seven years of age and being duly sworn according to law, do testify and say that I have well acquainted with the widow Mary Dunton about forty years, or every since she with her husband Samuel Dunton moved from Phillipston to Southborough which I think is about that period of time and that I know her to be the widow of the said Samuel Dunton who was a pensioner under the Act of Congress April 18, 1818 and who died at Southborough July A.D. 1829 and that the said Mary Dunton the widow of said Samiel has remained a widow ever since and she now lives at said Southborough
Jeremiah Newton 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hereunder  Dec 31 1836 There personally appeared Jeremiah Newton above named, who is personally known to me as a man of veracity, [illegible] made oath that the above deposition by him as evidence is true. 
[illegible]
Before me 
Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate for said County
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I William Newton of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sixty-five years of age, being first duly sworn, do testify and say that I knew Samuel Dunton and Mary Dunton as husband and wife - that the said Samuel who had a pension and always reputed to be a soldier of the Revolution, [illegible] about  [illegible] years [illegible] , [illegible] then [illegible] Mary [illegible] had ever since remained his widow ]and now lives in the said town of Southborough
William Newton 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Herewith  Dec 31, 1836
There personally appeared by William Newton above named who is personally know to me as a man of truth and made oath that the above deposition by him  as evidence is true.
Before  me
Ira Barton Judge of the Court  of Probate for said County of [illegible]
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I Swain Parker of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being first sworn & do testify and say that I am the Clerk of the said town of Southborough, and that the following is a copy from the records of said town to wit 
"Samuel Dunton died July 15th 1829"
Swain Parker Town Clerk of Southborough 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
[illegible] Dec 31, 1838 There personally appeared Swain Parker above named who is personally known to me as a man of truth, and made oath that the above deposition by him is true 
Before me
Ira Barton Judge of Probate for said County of [illegible]
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I James Dunton of Medway in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being seventy eight years of age and being duly sworn according to law do testify and depose that Samuel Dunton a Revolutionary pensioner late of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid now deceased was my brother, that the said Samuel Dunton was married to Martin Martin in the the month of March 1779 by Jonathan Baldwin Esq. of Templeton in said County of Worcester at Templeton aforesaid, and I was present at said marriage, Said Samuel Dunton was one of three years men that enlisted in the Spring of 1777 said Samuel Dunton was at home at said Templeton on a furlough at the time of his marriage, and that he soon after his marriage returned back to the Army and served until the Spring of 1780 when his three years expired, and that I know that the said Mary Dunton is the widow of the said Samuel Dunton and that she still remains the widow of the said Samuel Dunton and that
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she now lives in said Southborough in the County of Worcester aforesaid
Medway Jan 17, 1838 James Dunton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk Janr 17 1939 There personally appeared the within named James Dunton & made oath that the facts contained in the written affidavit by him subscribed were true
before me  Jona P Bishop Jus of Peace 

This certifies that I am acquainted with the above named James Dunton and have no hesitancy in saying his character for truth & veracity is good.
Jon P Bishop Jus Peach
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK ss.
I Ezra W Sampson, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, beings Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that Jonathan P Bishop Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed certificates is genuine and true.
[illegible Seal]

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twenty third day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight 
Ezra W. Sampson Clerk
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Menu of payments made to Larkin Newton As attorney of Lovisa Amsden widow of John Amsden decd. under law of 4th July 1836 at $80 per annum.
$640.00 paid 15th March 1839 - See November no. 7 yr end end J. 31st
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Merchants Bank
Boston, 14th Sept 1844
Sir, Your letter of the 5th [illegible] addressed  to E. Clark Esqr respecting Lovisa Amsden's claim for a pension under the Act of 18378 has been submitted to me. It appears by the Rolls of this Agency that Larkin Newton as her Agent, received $ 720 [illegible]  to the within statement. As it is is now stated that Mrs. Amsden was not married  till 1784 it is probable that the certificate was fradulently obtained by Newton and the papers presented by him were forgeries. - Newton, who died about three years since, was at the time of receiving the the payment as attorney for Mrs. A. a resident of Southboro, Worcester County, and a Deputy Sheriff for the County. As he received pensions for others, under similar claims, - particularly for Mary Dunton widow of Samuel, paid to him at the same time - I would suggest that a re-examination be made of all such cases
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that the truth of them may be clearly attested. 
I am, very respectfully 
yr. obt. svt
Franklin Haven
Pension Agent 

J. L. Edwards Esqr,
Comm Of Pensions
Washington D.C. }
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James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pension 
Washington City -
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Southborough, Worcester County&lt; MAss
July 21, 1837
James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions }
Sir, I have enclosed additional evidence in the case of Mrs. Mary Dunton widow of Samuel Dunton of said Southborough, whose claim was forwarded to the Pension Office in December last, and an answer was received from you directed to Theophidus Wheeler Esqr. of Worcester, Mass. under date of the 14th of April last that the papers in support of her claim had been examined and filed with suspended cases in the office, when you shall have passed upon them you will please direct to me
Respectfully yours, Larkin Newton
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Washington July 3 [illegible]
J. L Edwards Est. Comm of Pensions 
Sir
At the instance of one of my most respectable  and intelligent Constituants, personally well known to me,  as entitled to all confidence, I beg to ask the review  of the case presented in the accompanying papers, & upon additional & supplemental  evidence, which they contain. I may permitted to add, that from my experience of 10 years at the bar and on the Bench I have no doubt, that evidence,  [illegible] [illegible] [illegible], would be sufficient to establish a right of inheritance, in any Court in Massachusetts. The  laws of that State, which require the registration  of births, will not justify the substitution of any part of the original Record. 
Will you do me the favor to transmit to me the results of your opinion. 
I am truly yrs
with great resect 
Your Obt Servant 
Levi Lincoln
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Left the service spring of 1780- no record of marriage alleged to have been solemnized in March '79 - record of births shews first born to be Apr  '81 - [illegible] testimony seems to depend solely upon memory without furnishing the data by which the date of such an event can as accurately preserve for 50 years - Brother of Decd husband now swears that he was present - but does not shew by what means he is able to fix the date. The record of births shews that the first born Aprl. 81 being 12 months after he left the service
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Copy of the letter 14th of April 1837
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War Department Pension Office  April 14, 1837
Sir, 
The papers in support of the claim of Mary Dunton, widow of Samuel Dunton have been examined and filed with suspended cases in this office. The proof of period of her marriage is not sufficient; none of the witnesses swear positively to the year her marriage.  A copy of the record of births of her children is exhibited; from which it would appear that her first child was not born until two years after her marriage, supposing that she was married in 1779. Her husband was discharged in April 1780. May she not have been married in the Spring of 1780, instead of the Spring of 1779? In order to a more full investigation of the claim, the sheet containing the family record should be taken from the Book, the fact sworn to by some person of known respectability; and the affidavit should be attached to the sheet, and duly authenticated by the proper officer, and then transmitted to this office - 
I am respectfully 
your obt. Servt. 
J. L. Edwards

Copy.
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Copy of the letter August 1st, 1837
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War Department Pension Office August 1, 1837
Sir, The additional testimony in the case of Mrs. Mary Dunton widow of Samuel Dunton, has been examined and filed with her other papers in this office. The sheet containing the original family record should be taken from the Book containing the same, in the presence of some responsible person, who should make an affidavit of the fact &. which should be sent to this office as required in my letter to you of the 14th of April last. 
I am respectfully
your obt. Servt
J. L. Edwards 

Larkin Newton Esq. 
Southborough  Massachusetts 
A Copy
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Larkin Newton Eqr Letter 

Hon Levi Lincoln
Page 45

Hon Levi Lincoln
Larkin Newton 
[illegible]
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Southborough Mass. January 26, 1838
Hon Levi Lincoln
Sir,
I take the opportunity of addressing you upon a claim that Mrs. Mary Dunton of said Southborough has as being the widow Samuel Dunton who was a revolutionary pensioner under the Act of Congress 1818 I made out the papers in her case and could not find any record of her marriage. David Pike one of the witnesses swears that said Dunton at the time that he enlisted into the service of his County in the War of the Revolution lived in the Southeasterly part  of Athol now Phillipston and enlisted in the month of April 1777 for three years, and that he the said David and Samuel were home at said Athol in the month of March 1779 on a furlough and that said Samuel Dunton was married to Mary Martin on or about the thirtieth of March 1779. Peirson Richardson another witness swears that said Samuel and Mary were married in the Spring of 1779. I also sent of copy of the births of her children the certificate was made by the town Clerk of Phillipston from the town records of said town, the certificate was not duly authenticated by Justice of the Peace. I had a return from said papers under date of the 14th of April last of which I have enclosed a copy. I again procured a certificate of the births of her children from the Town Clerk of said Phillipston duly authenticated by the proper officers, as also the affidavit of one
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[illegible] Rich who swears positively that Samuel Dunton and Mary Martin were married in the second Precinct of Templeton by Jonathan Baldwin Esq. in the month of March 1779 and that he was present at said marriage. In answer to the second papers I had the following answer under date of August 1st last of which I have enclosed a copy thereof
I have now procured the third certificate of the births of her children from the town clerk of said Phillipston with a brief from him that he cannot comply with the request to sever the leaf from the town records. I have also in addition procured the affidavit of James Dunton who is a brother of the said Samuel Dunton and he swears that his brother Samuel was married in the Spring of 1779 and that he was present at the marriage and that his brother soon after his marriage returned to the Army  and served in his country's service until the Spring of 1780
I cannot find any family record of the births of her children only in said town records. I think sir, that the Commissioner of Pensions is asking for what is unreasonable. I have enclosed you the third certificate of the Town Clerk of said Phillpston as also the affidavit of James Dunton and respectfully solicit you to call upon the officers of the Pension office, and see if your personal appearance will have any effect upon the Commissioner's views as respects the original leaf containing the births of her children and by so doing you will confer a great
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favor upon this poor widow, who is now and has been for a long period supported by charity. If a certificate should be granted you may enclose and direct the same to me at Worcester Mass. and when you shall have returned to Worcester I will call upon you and pay you for your services 
I am respectfully 
your obt. sevnt
Larkin Newton
Page 49

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester 
Town of Phillipston formerly Gerry 
July1st 1837

This may certify that Mr. Samuel Dunton and Mary his wide, have recorded in the clerks book of records of births for the town of Phillipston ( page 50) the births of the following children, to wit
Polly Dunton daughter of Samuel and Mary Dunton 
born April 11th 1781
David Dunton son of the above born August 15th 1783
Nathaniel Dunton son  of the above born July 2d 1790
William Dunton son of the above born January 2nd 1794

A true copy from the records 
Attest Joseph Knowlton town Clerk 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Worcester County, ss Phillipston July 3rd A.D. 1837
Then personally appeared Joseph Knowlton Jr. and made solemn oath that the above certificate by him subscribed was just and true and that I am personally acquainted with said Joseph Knowlton JR. and that he is entitled to full credit. 
Before me Oliver Powers Justice Peace
Page 50

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester Ss Probate Office 

[illegible seal ]
I hereby certify that Oliver Powers is Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his name signed to the annexed papers was written by himself. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court of Probate this eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. 
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register of said Court of Probate
Page 51

I [illegible] Rich of Phillipston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being eighty four years of age and being duly sworn according to law do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Samuel Dunton then of the Southeasterly part of Athol now Phillipston from the year 1772 to the time he moved to Southborough in said County of Worcester which was about forty years ago -
In the year 1777 in the month of April he enlisted for three years into the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War into Capt. Fletcher's Company is Col. Rufus Putnam's Regiment 
said Samuel Dunton and myself return home to Athol on a furlough in the same part of March 1779 and said Dunton was married to Mary Martin on or about the thirtieth day of March 1779 at the house of Capt Gardener Maynard in that part of now Phillipston which was Templeton by Jonathan Baldwin Esq. of said Templeton then a Justice of the Peace and I was  present at his marriage and saw them married. 
Phillipston July 3, 1837 
[illegible] Rich

Commonwealth of Massachusettss Worcester County, ss Phillipston July 3, A.D. 1837 Then personally appeared [illegible] Rich and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was just and true and I further testify that I am personally acquainted with said [illegible] Rich and he is entitled to full credit before me
Oliver Powers Justice Peace
Page 52

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, COunty of Worcester, Phillipston November twenty fourth 1838 copy of Record the births of Mr. Samuel Dunton & Mary his wife, Childred
COPY
Polly Dunton, daughter of  Samuel and Mary Dunton born April 11th, 1781
David Dunton of the above born Aug 15 1783
Nathanial Dunton son of the above born Aug  2 1790
William Dunton son of the above born Jan. 2 1794
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of records found on the Gerry Town Books of Records, Book & pg. [illegible] being the same town which now named Phillipston 
Chas C. Bassett
I hereby certify that I do not find on the Gerry (now Phillipston) town Book of Records any certificate or indication of marriages on record previous to the year 1755 in which records of the town of Gerry are now in the town office of Phillipson.
[illegible] [illegible] Nov. 25 1836
Cha' Bassett Town Clerk of Phillipston
Page 53

I David Pike of Phillpston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, bring seventy seven years of age and a Revolutionary pensioner, being duly sworn, do testify and depose that I was well acquainted with Samuel Dunton and lived with him at A Mr. Nathan Trips in Athol in said County of Worcester in the years 1776 and 1777 and in the months of April or May6 1777 said Samuel Dunton and myself enlisted into the service of the Army of the Revolutionary for three years in Captain Fletcher's Company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's Regiment and General Nixon's Brigade. As said Samuel Dunton was married to M Martin in the year 1779 and that said D and myself were discharged at Albany in the State of New York when we had served out our three years or service said Samuel Dunton I think was [illegible] at other periods after the expiration of service threes years either in the Cont[illegible]tal or Massachusetts line - that at  [illegible] close of the war of the Revolution said Samuel Dunton lived in now said Phillipston with his wife for a number of years and had several children born I think four and said Samuel with his wife moved about forty years ago to Southborough in said County of Worcester, I think they were married by Jonathan Baldwin Esquire of Athol 
David Pike 
Philliptson November 25, 1836
Commonwealth of Massachusetts  
Worcester County  ss November 25 1836 There personally appeared David Pike and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true and I also certify that I have been personally acquainted with the said David Pike more than forty years and that he is a credible witness before me. 
Oliver Powers Justice Peace
Page 54

Commissioner of Pension              Mac 15 1924
Adjutant General 
Washington D.C.  
Pension
E Mar 17 
1924
Office 

In " Executive Documents"
Document 444, NO. 3, Massachusetts Page 19, Boston Agency, referring to Pension Act July 4, 1836, I find the name of Mary Dunton widow of Samuel Dunton. 
My Revolutionary ancestor is Samuel Dunton and his widow's name was Mary.  Will you please to send me this record in full or any others
Page 55

regarding Samuel Dunton of Marlborough Mass.
I am searching for all possible records of my branch of the Dunton family but have had but little success so far. 
To whom in Washington should I write for further information?
I thank you for your attention. 
(Mrs. Louie S.) Bertha Dunton Jones
315 Beard Ave
Buffalo, N.Y.
Page 56

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services. Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States. 

L.W.B. W.14647.

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C., July 7th, 1899.

O.W. & N. DIV. Revolutionary.

Sir:-
In compliance with your request you are advised that Samuel Dunton made an application for pension on May 13th, 1818, at which time he was 65 years of age and residing in Southborough, Mass., and his pension was allowed for three years' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted at Athol, Mass., and served under Capt. Fletcher and Col. Rufus Putnam. 
His widow, Mary, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Mr. Zoeth S. Eldredge,
3412 Washington St., 
San Francisco, California.