Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 738, Gideon Foster, Mass.
Page 1

Mass. 

Foster, Gideon 
Mary

H. 738 
BLWt. 1309-160-55
Page 2

10.489
Massachusetts
Gideon Foster of Essex in the State of Mass who was a Captain in the Company, command by Captain Howell of the Regt. command by Col Mansfield in the Mass line for 8 months Captain 

The certificate issued in lieu of one dated April 10. 1833 Cancelled

 Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts the rate of 160 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of May 1833 and sent to W. Proctor Danvers Mass

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $320.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept - 80.00 
= $400.00 

⎨ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk

Book E Vol. 3 Page 24

See letter to H. A. H. Sevier March 15. 1844
Page 3

2,239
Massachusetts
Mary Foster 
widow of Gideon Foster 
who served in the Revolutionary 
war as a Captain [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 160 Dollars 
cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853. 
Certificated of the Pension issued the 4th day of October 1853 and sent to James Gregory Marblehead [illegible] 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 39, Vol. [illegible]
(1832)
Page 4

Act March 3 - 1853
March 14 /55 

Mary Foster widow of Gideon Foster dec'd 

Served as Capt; in Mass; Mil 
Enrd? Died?

Pensioner, since Oct 4. 1853 

Admit 160 Acres June 27 1855
Revolutionary War. Bly 
Boynton 
1309 iss June 27/55
Henry Ropes
Salem, Mass

Sent to M. Ropes, Apr 23d/55
"       "  "     "        June 27/55 
Vol. F. 93
Page 5

[illegible]
Gideon Foster. 
Captain.
Service 8 months [underlined]
Page 6

Declaration in order to btain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF ESSEX, SS.  Gideon Foster
     On this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, not sitting at Salem  [illegible] County, a resident of Danvers, in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 83 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 7, 1832: 
       That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:

I was a commander of a Company of Militia in Col. John Mansfield's Regiment, being the 19th Regiment, under Major General Ward (?) and commenced service in the Spring of seventeen hundred and seventy five, and continued in the service for the [illegible] of Eight months - We were at first stationed at Prospect Hill - and then at Winter Hill.  I was there at the time of Bunker Hill battle and my company had charge of the Ammunition- the powder was contained in barrels and handed out with their hands, and very little or none was made into cartridges - the balls were done up in canvas bags.

I recollect my Commission was signed by Jonas Dix and Jonathan Hastings, Justices specially authorized by Congress to grant the same, which papers I now have in my house, but am unable to find it. 

William Reed and Newhall Wilson are the only surviving members of my company within my knowledge.  

I have procured their affidavits and forward them with this application.
Page 7

I further certify that I was born at Salem, now Danvers, in the year 1749, Febry [February] 13th - and that I believe my birth to be entered of Record in the Books of the Town  - and that I have ever since had my home in the town where I was born.

That at the commencement of the Revolution I volunteered my services, and enlisted the men that I was commissioned to command.

I am known personally By the Rev Charles C. Sewall of Danvers and Dr. Andrew
Nichols of the same place.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, expect the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

signature of Gideon Foster

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
D A White JUDGE OF PROBATE 

We, Charles C. Sewall a clergyman, residing in Danvers aforesaid,  and Andrew Nichols Esquire, a magistrate, residing in Danvers aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gideon Foster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 83 years of age; that he is reputed  and  believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Andrew Nichols
Ch's. C. Sewall
Subscribed and sworn to before
John W. Proctor  Justice of the Peace
Page 8

And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Gideon Foster, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Danvers, and that the said Andrew Nichols, who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at Danvers, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

D A White Judge of Probate

I, Nathaniel Lord Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gideon Foster for a pension. 
And I further certify that John W. Proctor Esq whose named in [illegible] subscribed is a Magistrate in and for the County of Essex, duly qualified to administer oaths, and that his signatures [illeglible] to, and to the affidavit, accompany [illegible] this application [crossed out] of William Reed and Newhall Wilson, are genuine. 
[illegible] TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on this fourteenth day [illegible] of August, A.D. 1832. Nath. Lord jr.
Page 9

I Benjamin Jacobs Clerk of the Town of Danvers in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Masachusetts - certify that it appears of Recrod in the Town Books, That Gideon Foster - now Gideon Foster Esq. of Danvers, the pension within named, was Born February 13th A.D. 1749 - 
Danvers August 13, 1832, 
Benjamin Jacobs,
Page 10

[illegible stamp]
State of Massachusetts
County of Essex -js

On this fifth day of July
A.D. 1853. personally appeared before the Probate Court in and
for the said County of Essex, Mary Foster, a resident of Danvers,
in the County of Essex and State aforesaid, aged fifty 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 February, 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons
who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Gideon Foster, who was pensioned
as a Captain in the War of the Revolution, at the rate
of one hundred and sixty dollars per annum
under the provisions of the act of June 7th 1832.
That her said late husband was a resident of Danvers &
was paid his pension at the agency for paying pensions
at Boston, Mass. and she begs to refer to the evidence
upon which he was pensioned, in proof of her title to the
benefits of the said law of Feb 3d 1853
The further declares that she was married to the said
Gideon Foster on the twenty third
day of November AD 1828
that her said husband died on the
first
day of
November A.D. 1845 that she was not married to him
prior to the second
day of January eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated.
She further declares that she is now a widow.
Witnessed by
James Gregory
---
Mary Foster X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
W. S. Howe
Judge of Probate
Page 11

I Jane Tapley of Danvers, in County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, do testify and declare, that I am on my oath of my the in the thirty first year of my age, that I was well acquainted Gideon Foster, late of said Danvers, Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, who died on or about the first of November A.D. 1845 

That said Gideon Foster left a widow named Mary Foster, who is understood to have signed the declaration herein and I do well knows that said Mary Foster is now a widow and has not married since the of her husband Gideon Foster aforesaid.
Jane Tapley 

Sworn to & Subscribed on this fifth day of July AD 1859 before me, I believing the above witness to be every way credible & reliable

James Gregory, Justice of the Peace
Page 12

State of Massachusetts, County of Essex, Town of Danvers

Extract from the Record of Marriage in town of Danvers, County of Essex aforesaid. Gideon Foster to Mary Tapley by Rev. Charles A. Sewall November twenty third eighteen hundred and twenty eight. 

I certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the fair legible letters and figures as follows: rev Nov 23, 1828.

Nathan H. Poor Town Clerk

I, Nathan H. Poore above named, depose and say & I hold the office of Town Clerk, in the Town County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy in the records of said Town as certified with exception above named as certified by me 
Nathan H. Poor Clerk of said Town 

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this fifth day of July A.D. 1859 
James Gregory, Justice of the Peace
Page 13

State of Massachusetts County of Essex ss

On this twelfth day March, 1855. personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid, 
Mary Foster - - aged sixty two years, a resident of Danvers, in the State afore said who being duly sworn according to law, declares that the is the identical Mary Foster, who is a Pensioner of the United States, under the Act of February 3, 1853, its amount being one hundred and Sixty dollars per annum, and is payable in Boston. 

She makes this declaration, for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she is entitled under the Act of Congress passed in March, 1855. --- --- 
Mary Foster 

Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day and year above written. And I hereby certify that the subscriber, is the identical Pensioner above mentioned 

Sidney C. Bancroft Justice of the Peace

[on the left side, written sideways]
The date of the pension certificate is the 4th October, 1853.
Page 14

Please direct to General Ropes 
Salem Massachusetts
Page 15

W.738
Gideon Foster 
Aug 14, 1832 
Danvers Essex Co. Mass 83
b.  Salem Mass Feby 13, 1749 
Spr 75
Capt of co of mil. Col. John Mansfield's 19 regt 

Mar Nov 23, 1828 Mrs. Mary Tapley 
Dec'd Nov 1, 1845
Page 16

ESTABLISHED 1878
HENRI R. FOSTER. 
REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE LOAN AND COLLECTION A NOTARY PUBLIC AND FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER 
POST OFFICE BLOCK.
[stamp OLD WAR & NAVY FEB 18 FILES]

 Rev War 
NO 2406 DUNKELD PLACE, DENVER, COLO. Feby 13, 1905. 

Bureau of Pensions Washington, DC. 
Will you give me the military history of Gen. Gideon Foster who fought in the Revolutionary War at Lexington 

Yours Respectfully Henri Foster
Page 17

Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir 
It is suggested by the Chief of Record & Pension office at Washington that I can obtain information in regard Gideon Foster who was a Captain in John Mansfield's regiment of Massachusetts troops in the Revolutionary war. He was my Grandfather. I am seventy five years old His widow Hannah Ray Foster drew a pension and my father John Foster also received a Grant of land, but whether assigned to him by his mother or granted to him by U.S. Government I do not know as all family papers that could give me information were lost by fire nearly fifty years ago - but I know the land was situated in Arkansas near Little Rock City-- I know that Capt. Gideon Foster commanded the Rangers at the battles of Concord & Lexington-- I will be grateful for any in formation you can give me to establish my right to become a Daughter of the Revolution" as I would like my daughters to become identified with that organization- 

Very respectfully- Catherine Foster Doolittle Sept 1st 1888. San Diego Cal 
2170 Fourth Street
Page 18

Nov 2'99 

Miss C. F. Doolittle San Diego, Cal 

Mch. 11, 1905 History to - Henri R. Foster, Denver, Colo. 

Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File no.  738 
Mary Foster, Widow Gideon Foster,
Capt. Rev. War 

Act Feb. 3. 1853. 
Index: -- Vol. 4 , Page 240 - 

Arrangement of 1870.
Page 19

No. 1836

ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Mar 14 25 
Mary Foster Wid of Gideon Foster Rev. War 

Warrant No 1309-160-55 

Henry Ropes 
Salem Mass
Page 20

No. 2750 
Appl of Mary Foster, widow of Gideon Foster, 
Essex Co, Mass

$16
20489
Act 3rd Feby. 1853

Rev. Allowed $160 per an 
Com Feb. 3- 1853 

James Gregory 
Marblehead Mass. 

[sideways on right]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Pension Office, Official Business
Page 21

Pension Office
Sept 22/53

Sir  Please report time last payment to on death of within named pensioner 

Respectfully &c 
S. Waldo Commissioner
F Burt Esq 
Present 
Gideon Foster Act 1832 $1,60.00 p. an. 

Died 1st Novr 1845 Paid to his death. 

F Burt Auditor
Page 22

1836 Act March 3 1855
March 14 1855
-------
Mary Foster, widow of Gideon Foster, Deced
-------
Served as Captain in Massachusetts
-----
Ent- 
Dis-
-------
Pensioner since Oct. 21, 1853
------
Revolutionary War
------
Original brief enclosed

Henry Ropes, Salem Mass
Page 23

1309.

160 acres
Page 24

10489
Massachusetts
Gideon Foster of Essex Co in the State of Mass who was a Private in Company commanded by Captain ---- of the Regt. commanded by H Mansfield in the Massachusetts line for 8 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 26 Dollars 67 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th of April 1833 and sent John W. Proctor Danvers Mass

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $53.34 
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 13.33 
= $160.67 

{Revolutionary Claim, the Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk
Book E Vol 2nd Page 24

See letter 22 Apl 1833
J. M Proctor Esq
Page 25

to the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Page 26

Mass
Mary Foster
Wid 
Gideon 
Boynton
June 14th 1833

Ad - 3 Feby '5 35 No 2239
Reg 3 M 55 " 1836

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 27

Gideon Foster, Application
Page 28

I William Reed of Salem in the County of Essex, on oath depose and say, that I was a  soldier in the American Revolution in the company commanded by Captain Gideon Foster in Colonel John Mansfield Regiment - that our terms of service was eight months, commencing in the Spring of 1775 and that the said Gideon Foster now of Danvers in the County of Essex Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire, is the same person who commanded the Company while I was a member of the same 

Dated at Danvers this 18th day of August 1832
Wm. Reed 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts- Essex Ss
 August 11th 1832. Then William Reed personally appeared, subscribed the foregoing certificate, and made oath that the same is true before me 

John W. Proctor Justice of the Peace and Notary Public
Page 29

I John W. Proctor, the Magistrate before whom William Reed and Newhall Wilson the witnesses who subscribed their names respectively to the affidavits hereunto annexed and who made oath to the same before me, do hereby certify that the said William Reed and Newhall Wilson are persons of credibility, and unimpeachable character for truth and veracity, and that I have personally well known them for twenty years last past  

John W. Proctor Justice of the Peace 
Essex Done at Danvers this 27th day of December A.D. 1832
Page 30

I, Newhall Wilson of Danvers in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Condrance, on oath depose and say, that I was a soldier in the Company of Militia commanded by Gideon Foster of Danvers in Col John Mansfield Regiment and that our terms of service was Eight months, and that Gideon Foster Esquire now of Danvers, is the same person, who commanded the company while I was in the same - we entered the service in the spring of 1775- 
Dated the 13th day of August 1832 
Newhall Wilson 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Essex Ss Aug. 13. 1832. Then Newhall William made oath that the Certificate subscribed by him is true before me 
John W. Proctor Justice of the Peace & Notary Public
Page 31

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Essex, SS. 

I George R. Lord, register of Probate for said County, hereby certify, that the honorable Nathaniel S. Howe, before whom the annexed declaration was made, was at the date thereof judge of the probate court for said County of Essex, and that James Gregory, before whom the annexed affidavits were made, was at the date thereof a justice of the peace for said county, both duly qualified according to law, and that their names thereto subscribed are their genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this fourteenth day of July, A.D. 1853 
Geo. R. Lord-
Page 32

Danvers Dec r 27, 1832.
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Sir, I have added to the application of Gideon Foster Esq. my certificate. of the Credibility of the Witnesses produced by him; and [illegible] as this is the only objection noted to his application, that his certificate may be forwarded soon.
I am desirous that he should receive it as soon as may be, as I fear that he will not be able to wait for it many months - his health being very infirm.
Most Resply
Your Obt. [Obedient] Servt. [Servant]
John W. Proctor
Page 33

 Payments to be made, 
at Boston Mass 
by the Pres of the B Bank Agent for paying Pensioner is the Agency of Mass 

Recorded in the Pension Office , in Book E Vol. 2 Page 24 by 
D D Addison 
Clerk.
Page 34

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Revolutionary Claim. 

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Gideon Foster of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty Six dollars and Sixty Seven cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States , this Tenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty Three
Lew Cass 
Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned.
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 35

Brief in the case of Mrs Mary Foster widow of Gideon 
Essex County and State of Massachusetts
act of Feb 3 1853

Claim, ("original" or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under the act of June 7 1832 at $160 per annum

Private & paid to his death

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
 
Marriage proved by public record
Death  "  " {proved by] Auditors report
Identity  "  [proved by] credible wittnesses

Name and residence of Agent
James Gregory
Marblehead Mass

Examining Clerk.
J L Gray
Page 36

Marblehead, July. 15th. 1853.

Honored Sir:

I have the Honor to forward herewith the Declaration of Mary Foster, - widow of "Major General Foster" late of the neighboring town of Danvers, Revolutionary Pensioner, deceased, - claiming the benefit of the second section of the [illegible] of 3rd of February last.

I am, with great respect
Your [illegible] humble [illegible].
James Gregory

Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D C
Page 37

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Essex, ss.
To all people to whom these presents shall come.
I Asahel Huntington Clerk of the Court of Common [illegible] for the County aforesaid, do certify, that Sidney C. Bancroft before whom the accompanying affidavit was made was, at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, duly authorized and qualified to administer oaths, and take acknowledgements, and that his signature thereto is genuine.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, at Salem, on the twelfth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
A Huntington, Clerk
Page 38

Additional Evidence
Page 39

State of Massachusetts
County of Essex
On this second day of June A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county and State aforesaid, Mary Foster, aged [blank] years, a resident of Danvers, in the State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn according to law, declared that she is the widow of Gideon Foster, deceased, who was a captain in the revolutionary war, and that he was a Pensioner of the United States, by virtue of said services, and she, the said Mary Foster, is now a Pensioner of the United States by reason of the aforesaid services and the death of her said husband, and her Pension certificate is dated the 4th day of October, 1853, for $160 per annum, payable in Boston. She now claims the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled, not knowing that her said husband did receive any bounty land, for his services in the revolutionary war.
The fact of her having a pension certificate, induces the belief that evidence sufficient of her marriage, and of the death of her said husband, is now on file in the pension department
over
Page 40

Please direct to Henry Ropes, Salem, Massachusetts
Mary Foster
We, the undersigned, on oath, do hereby declare, that Mrs Mary Foster is the widow of the identical Gideon Foster, of Danvers, in the State of Massachusetts, and County of Essex, who was a revolutionary pensioner. We also on oath testify that the aforesaid Mary Foster, has remained the widow of the said Pensioner, during the time elapsed, since his death, and we further declare that we have not any interest in the result of this claim for bounty land.
John Wheeler
Phebe Bancroft
Danvers,
June 2nd,
1855
Page 41

The foregoing affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest  in this claim.
Sidney C. Bancroft. (Justice of the Peace.

The additional evidence annexed, is in conformity with a written notice from the Department, under date of the 23 [illegible] of April / 55
Page 42

Additional evidence
Gideon Mass 
Mary Foster
wid Gideon Foster 
Reg 3 Mar '55 - No 183
Ad 3 Feby - 53 " 223

Boynton 
June 26th 1833
Page 43

Secretary's Office, Boston,
June 22nd 1855
I Hereby Certify That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the Name of Gideon Foster is borne on Roll of Capt. Samuel Epes' Comp. Col. Pickering's Regt on alarm of April 19. 1775 2 days as Lieut. from Danvers.
also on pay Roll of Capt. Gideon Foster's Comp. Col. john Mansfield's Regt. from May 6. 1775 3 mos. 2 days as Capt. from Danvers.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E M Wright