Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,314, Henry Blesdell, Mass.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE
Mass.
Blesdell or Blesdill, Henry
Mary
NUMBER
W. 14,314
COMMENTS
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6498 Massachusetts Roll
Henry Blesdell Private 4 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 the 3rd of April 1818 Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of Jany 1819 and sent to John Davis Esq Judge Boston. Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 5 hr. & 2/30 ----40.53 Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4th March 1819.----48 =$ 88.53 {Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.} 
Exd. Mighty
77-3 years- 
Continued
Charlestown Troop

Letts. RBaldwin, Mar 25, 1836
[handwritten on side]
Notification sent to Abraham Bigelow Esq. 22 Sep 1820. Cambridge, Mass.
Duplicates certificates placed on 23 Feby 1824 and sent to the Hon. S. Lanthrop, House of Reps.
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Massachusetts. 2287
Mary Blesdell, widow of Henry Blesdell, [illegible] who was pensioner under the Act of 18th March '18 and who died on the 7th Feby 1827 of Middleson in the State of Massty who was Pri. in the Company Commanded by Captain Maxwell of the Regt. Commander by Baileys in the Massty line for 2 years.
Inscribed on this Roll of Massachusetts, amount of 80 dollars - Cents per annum, [illegible] on the 4th day of March, 1836.
State of Pension issued the 9th day of April [illegible] and & ant and R. Bacovin, Boston, Massty.
[illegible] to the 4th of March - $240.00
[illegible]-annual allowance ending - $40.00
$280.00
{Act of July 7, 1838.} Recorded by R. Bacovin Clerk, Book A Vol. 1- Page 71.
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No. 163
Henry Blesdell Privt.
Baileys Mass. Regt.
1777 To 1780
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United States Massachusetts District
Henry Blesdell of Charleston Mass, a resident citizen of the United States makith oath, That in March A.D. 1777 he enlisted to serve as a private soldier in the war of the Revolution in the Continental establishment in Capt Hugh Maxwell's Company, Colo' Bailey's Regiment, General Leanned in Massachusetts Brigade, for the term of three years. That he faithfully served through that term under the said Colo & Gen., : and then enlisted in Capt Benson's  Company, Colo Rufus Putnam's Regt and continued to serve [inserted] about a year [and a half is crossed out]; that then he received an honorable discharge; but has last the same; that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of Assistance from his country for support. Henry Blesdill
{Massachusetts District Ss. Boston 3. April 1818}
Sworn to before me  M Davis Judge in District Ct
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Massachusetts District, Ss.
Boston June 9, A.D. 1818
IT  appearing to my satisfaction, that Henry Blaisdell subscriber to the annexed declaration, sworn to before me, did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as stated in said declaration, I now transmit the testimony in the case, with the proceedings had thereon, to the Secretary of the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the act entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons" engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary "war;" the testimony and proceedings in the premises being the declaration aforesaid, with the accompanying documents marked A together with this certificate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the District Court of the United States for this District to be hereunto affixed. M. Davis} Judge of the District Court U.S. Massachusetts District.
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MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT, SS.
Boston 18 January 1819.
I AM satisfied that the above named, Henry Blesdell by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, is in need of assistance from his Country for support.
M. Davis} District Judge U.S. Massachusetts Dist.
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
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26.
Henry Blesdell
Charlestown
6498

CW

Jany 1819
Could 22 Sep 1820
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MIDDLESEX, ss. At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Concord, within and for the County of Middlesex, on the second Monday of June A. D. 1820. Before the Hon. SAMUEL DANA, Esquire, Chief Justice, and WILLIAM WETMORE, and STEPHEN MINOT, Esquires,}  Associate Justices of said Court. In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Henry Blesdill resident at Charlestown in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 6498 now in his possession, of which the following is a true copy, to wit, "WAR DEPARTMENT REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM. "I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 18th March, 1818, Henry Blesdill 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 third day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen "Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty ninth day of January one thousand eight hundred and 
J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War,"
L.S. [in a square  to the left on  paper]
appears, and exhibits to the Court here a Schedule, subscribed by him, as  follows, to wit, SCHEDULE, containing his whole estate and income, his necessary clothing and bedding excepted, to wit, "He has no property real or personal is sixty years of age has a wife & two children one eleven & the other eight years old, entered the Revolutionary service Massachusetts line and served three years in Capt Maxwells company Col Baileys Regt General Learned Brigade & part of the time in [Capt Aldens, crossed out] Captain Aldens company was at the battles of Stoney Point, Massachusetts & Bemis heights; at taking of Burgoyne, no income but from daily labour and charity. Henry Blesdill Sworn to & declared before Wm Wetmore Judge &c"
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and at the same time he produces to the Court here the following Oath, taken and subscribed by him, before the Hon. Wm. Wettmore a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit, 
"I, Henry Blesdill do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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 eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, 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. So help me GOD. Henry Blesdiill Middlesex ss. C.C.C.P. June Term, A. D. 1820 Then the abovenamed Henry Blesdill took and subscribed the aforewritten Oath before me, Wm Wetmore Judge of said Court." 
I, ABRAHAM BIGLOW, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and 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 nothing.
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Cambridge, in said County of Middlesex, on this 20th day of July 1820.
Attr. Abraham Biglow
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Mrs Mary Blasdell
Widow of 2080
Henry Blasdell 

[faded] ouhy July 38 m 85  d 27

aomd
2 yrs pri
80 $
No deduction -

Reuben Baldwin
Boston.-
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County Ss}
On this twenty first day of August in the Year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight- Personally appeared before the Hon Samuel P.P. Fay Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mary Blasdell, a resident of Charlestown in Said County aged Seventy ____ 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 Henry Blasdell late of Said Charlestown decd who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution three years from 1777 to 1780 in the Company of Capt Maxwell and Capt of Alden of Col Baileys Regt of Mass Continental Troops for which Service he received a pension from the United States under the act of March 18, 1818. She further declares that She was married to Said Henry Blasdell on the Eleventh - day April in the year Seventeen hundred Eighty five that her husband the aforesaid Henry Blasdell died on the Seventeenth day of February Eighteen hundred and twenty seven that She was not married to him prior to his having the Service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four [illegible] at the time above Stated and She has not intermarried Since the period of
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the death of her husband the aforesaid Henry Blasdell.[signed] Mary Blesdill 
Subscribed sworn to by said Mary Blasdell the day & year first above written in open Court.
L. P. P. Fay - J Prob

I Noah Sanborn of Charlestown in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Forty eight Years do on Oath testify and Say that I was well acquainted with Henry Blasdell late of Said Charlestown died and his Wife, now leaving Widow Mary as II have heard that Said Henry Blondell was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States. He died in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty seven and left his Widow Said Mary who is Still living and resides in Charlestown and has not married Since the death of her husband Said Henry Blasdell. [signed] Noah Sanborn
the words "as I have heard" interlined before signing Attr. L.P.P. Fay
Midd Ss: Aug. 21st, 1838. Personally appeared Noah Sanborn a credible pension made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me J.P.P Fay JP.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts}
Office of the Town County of Middlesex Ss.}
Office of the Town Clerk of Wesford this twentieth day of September eighteen hundred 7 thirty eight.
I John W Abbot in the Town County and Commonwealth aforesaid make the following extract from the record of publishments in said town now in my possession. "Henry Blaisdell Resident in Westford and Mary Robbins of Westford were entered in order for marriage January first seventeen hundred and eighty five." I certify that the above is a true Copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "January 1st 1785" [signed] John W P Abbott Town Clerk. I John W P Abbot above named do depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town County & Commonwealth aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named and that there is  no record [inserted above "of the marriage"] of the two aforesaid persons recorded on in town records. [signed] John W P Abbott Clerk of the Town of Westford. Middlesex September 20th 1838 Sworn before me John Abbot, Justice of the Peace
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I Samuel Parkhurst of Chelsea in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that I was born Nov~ 4th 1759, and have lived in Chelmsford ever since.That I lived a near neighbor to and was personally acquainted with Henry Blaisdell of said Chelmsford and I [inserted above "have"] no doubt of his being legally married to one Mary Robbins of Westford. I was personally knowing to their living together as man + wife, and never heard their marriage disputed by any one. I am as positive of their being legally married as I am of any other marriage which I did not actually so performed. Chelmsford Sept 21. 1838 his his mark [hand drawn X] Samuel Parkhurst Middlesex S.S. Sept 21st 1838 Subscribed and sworn Before me. [signed] JM Reed Justice of the Peace 
I further certify [inserted above "that"] said Samuel Parkhurst is a respectable inhabitant of the Town of Chelmsford a Man of Truth and veracity, whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief. [signed] JM Reed Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County Ss. 
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid hereby certify that Saml P P Lay Esquire is the Judge of said Court of Probate duly commissioned & qualified & that his Signature written on the paper hereto annexed is his genuine Signature; -  
I also certify that John Abbott Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid and that his signature written on the paper hereto annexed is his genuine signature, the said Abbot being duly commissioned and qualified as a Justice of the Peace as aforesaid:-  
I also certify that Jonathan M. Reed Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Middlesex duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature written on the paper hereto annexed is his genuine Signature. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty seventh day of September in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight [signed] Isaac Fiske Ohy
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I John Perkins of Chelmsford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and formerly  Elder of the first Baptist Church in said Chelmsford do hereby certify I have lived in said Chelmsford ever since 1792. that I was well acquinted with Henry Blaisdell of said Chelmsford that he lived a neighbor to me I should [inserted above "think"] twenty years a part of the time on my premises and but a few rods from my own door. I was well acquinted with his family his wife always sustained a good character and I never heard it intimated the she was not liigally married, and I have no doubt of it myself. I was also acquainted with her Father Mr Jacob Robbins of Westford who together with his family were very respectable people and I feel confident they never would [inserted above "have suffered"] their daughter to have lived with Mr Blaisdell had [inserted above "they"] not been ligally married, nor would they have been suffered to have lived together as man & wife, had there been any doubt of their ligal marriage by their neighbors I feel as confident of their being ligally married as I am that my couple were ligally married which I was not an eye witness- Chelmsford Sept 21. 1838 [signed] John Perkins 
Middlesex S.S. Sept 21. 1838 Subscribed & Sworn Before me [signed] JM Reed Justice of the Peace
I further certify that said John Perkins is a respectable inhabitant of the Town oof Chelmsford, a man of truth and veracity, whose testimony is submitted to full credit and belief.-
[signed] JM Reed  Justice of the Peace
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Hon. John Davis 

Boston-
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Charlestown U.S. Hospital April 1st 1810 
Sir
Henry Blaisdell the bearer of this inlisted in Capt Hugh Maxwell Company in 2nd Mass Regt Commanded by Col. John Bailey March 20th 1777, and served three years, then reinlisted in the 5th Mass Regt. commanded by Rufus Putman. I have the original Muster Roll Sworn to by the Officers before Eben Larned, B. General of said Brigade. I am Sir yours Respectfully [signed] Adam Bailey
Hon. J. Davis
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Be pleased to say up to what time the Pension of Henry Blesdell, of the Massachusetts Roll Under the Act of March 18. 1818, appears from your books to have been paid?
Pension Office}
Mar 22. 1836}

[written faintly] Henry Blosdell died 17th. Feb 1827 & paid to the day of his death [signed] JH
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[upside down]
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissr of Pensions
Washington

[written on its side]
Act 7 July 1838
No. 2080
Oct 1st
[round stamp illegible]
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Boston, Massachusetts
March 27th 1839. 
Sir,
I would respectfully call your attention to the claim for a pension under the Act July 7th 1838, by Mrs Mary Blaisdell, widow of Henry Blaisdell decd; whose papers of application were forwarded to the Dept, in my letter of the 29th September last; this day, six months ago, and to this late period no notice appears to be taken of them, I therefore infer the papers alluded to are mislaid in the pension Office; likewise Mrs Lucinda Everton, widow of Benjamin Everton decd; her papers forwarded 30th November last. 
Verry Respectfully Sir I am Your Obt Servant Reuben Baldwin 

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissr of Pensions Washington
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Boston Massachusetts
September 27th 1838 
Sir
I herein enclose Documents in Support of the claim to a pension under the Act of July 7. 1838. By Mr Mary Blasdell, widow of Henry Blasdell, who was a pensioner under the Act of March 18, 1818. Be pleased to give this claim the usual course of examination and if admitted, forward the certificate for the Same to me at this place.
I am Respectfully Sir Your Obst
[signed] Reuben Baldwin 

James L. Edwards Esqr 
Comr of Pensions 
Washington
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Revy WIDOW, &c.
 --- 
File No. 14314 Blesdill 
Mary Blesdell
Widow of 
Henry Blesdell
Priv Rev War
---
Act: July 7th 1838 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.] 

[handwritten opposite top of page] 
1896 Apr 17 hold 
pensd Mrs Mary H Lane
1st Barrington Mass.
________________________________________
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I Henry Blesdille of Charlestown the in the County of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts do testify and say that I served as a private Soldier in the revolutionary War -that I was enlisted in Capt. Hugh Maxwell's Company Col. Bailey's Regiment, in Genl Learned's brigade; that by the County of the Government considering my peacemary wants and distresses) I was put on the pension list, and have received that County for several years, up to last September- that about two months since, I lost my certificate, suspect it was stolen from me by an ill minded person; so that I shall not be able to obtain the further bounty intended for me by the United States Government; and if I fail of receiving said bounty I shall not be able to furnish food and clothing for myself, my wife and children.
Feby 11th 1824 [signed] Henry Blesdill 
 
Suffolk Ss Feby 11th 1824 then personally appeared the above name Henry Blasdale and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me 
[signed] Benj. Parsons Just. of the Peace
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To the Hon the Secretary of War: ~~
The within named Henry Blesdale Humbly & ardently Prays, that he may be furnished with a new Certificate so that he may be inabled to obtain his pension allowed him by the bounty of the Government, the next part of which will be due the 4th of March next, and as in duty bound will we pray [signed] Henry Blesdale by Benj.  Parsons his Atty--Feby 11th 1824

I am well acquainted with Benjn. Parsons Esq.- & with his hand writing - have no doubt that the signature of his name, is in his own hand writing- & know that he is a Justice of the  Peace for Suffolk County in Massachusetts- 
Saml Lanthrop of the 
Ho. of Reps. from Masss
Feby. 23. 1824
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To the 
Commissioner of Pensions. 
The enclosed letters well explain themselves. Can you give me information about the pension of Mr. Henry(?) Blaisdell or Bleasdill - I cannot get nearer this name [inserted above] "than" exact, to which his wife's name Mary may assist you. 
Please return the enclosed letters. 
Respectfully 
Mrs. Mary H. Lane.
Great Barrington, Mass. 
April 18th 1896.
[faded] Our
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[square stamp] RECORD & PENSION OFFICE 446498 APR 7 1896 WAR DEPARTMENT 
[written]Great Barrington, Mass. April 6. 1896
-- Blaisdell or Blesdill War of Rev. or 1812 Mrs. Mary H. Lane Requests record of services, full name, name of his son. and any other information concerning above named Will remit fee if advised.
[faded] 24 Maiss inclosing

Record and Pension Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 8, 1896. Respectfully returned to
[round stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE H. APR 14 1896 
[typed letter]
Mrs. Mary H. Lane, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The records of the Volunteers of the War of 1812 have but recently been transferred to this Department from the office of the Auditor for the Interior Department (formerly the 3d Auditor of the Treasury), and reliable reports cannot be made from them until they shall have been carefully indexed and arranged for use. This work will occupy several months and it is not probable that it will be completed before about the first of September next. If you will renew your request after that date such information on the subject of your inquiry as may be practicable to obtain from the records will be cheerfully furnished you. In view of the statement that a pension was granted on account of the service of the within named soldier during the war of 1812, it is suggested as a possibility that the desired information may be obtained from the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C., who is the custodian of the pension records of all wars. The two-cent postage stamp received with your communication is herewith returned. By authority of the Secretary of War: 
[signed] F.C. Ainsworth
Colonel, U.S. Army, Chief of Office. (300a-a)
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2 ct. Stamp attached April 6th 1896.
Col. F.C. Ainsworth.
Sir-
I have been directed to apply to you for information of a man named Blaisdell or Blesdill. He rec'd a pension from the government for service, presumably in the war of 1812 tho possibly the Revolution. His wife rec'd the pension after his death & I think her name was Mary R Blasdill or Blaisdell & I have been. told that after her death in 1841 or thereabouts it was transferred
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to an invalid son- I would like to know her husbands & son's names, his [inserted above "(the father's)"] service in the army, & any information there may be on record. I do not know the customary fee but if you will advise me I will send it at once. Mr. Blesdill lived at different times in Westford  & other towns in Mass. & in Hartland Vt. about 1808 -12. I do not know where he died & wish to find out.
Yours respectfully
Mrs. Mary H. Lane
Great Barrington. Mass.