Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 14794, Benjamin Gleason, Mass.
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SERVICE Mass. 
Gleason, Benjamin 
Deborah
NUMBER  W.14794
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Massachusetts 1520
Deborah Gleason
widow of Benjamin Gleason, who died on the ___ of October 1808, of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Harndon of the regiment commanded by Col Robinson in the militia line for of Massachusetts for 11 months 9 days 
Map
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts, at the rate of 34 Dollars 33 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of November, 1837 and sent to Reuben Baldwin, Boston, Massts.
Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1837 $223.16
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar '38 17.16
$240.32
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3C
Recorded by D McCurdy, clerk,
Book A Vol 2 page 50.
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Woburn, County of Middlesex
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Oliver B. Coolidge, do hereby certify that it appears from the records in my possession, that Benj. Gleason and Deborah Beard, were married by Tho's Jones, Clerk, on the fourth day of February, in the year seventeen hundred & seventy two And I certify that the above is a true copy of record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record legible in figures as follows 4th Feb'y 1772.
I Oliver B. Coolidge, above named do depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Woburn, in the County of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town.
Oliver B. Coolidge
Town Clerk
of Woburn
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex
29th day of September 1837.
Sworn before me,
Wyman Richardson Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex SS.
I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Middlesex, do certify that Wyman Richardson Esq is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex and that his name subscribed to the within Certificate is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the second day of October 1837.
E. Phinney
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V2381 
Deborah Gleason 
Widow of
Benjamin Gleason
dec [?]
Married 1772
died 1808 
Adm [?] 11 mo 9 ds. $34.33 
Rank [?] conf 4 March 
1831. 
on roll vol
15 page 32, 8 mo 
on roll 3 mo July 
vol 19 page 160 
Maj. Mililea [?] 
Copt Harndon 
Reuben Baldwin Esq
Boston
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss 
 On this fourteenth day of January in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before the Hon Samuel P P. Fay Judge of the Court of Probate for
the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Deborah Gleason a resident of Bedford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid aged Eighty Seven 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 4, 1836, That she is the Widow of Benjamin Gleason late of said Belford deceased, and that the said Benjamin Gleason her late Husband served as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, fourteen months or more by of three several enlistments or drafts from the Militia of Middlesex County to wit. In the first eight months service in 1775, in Capt. John Harnden's Compy, Col Robinsons Regt and commenced service at the alarm at Lexington and was in the Skirmish with the Enemy at that place and also at the Battle of Bunker hill, and he continued to serve said term of eight months then again as near as she can recollect winter & spring of the year 1776 He the said Benjamin Served further term of three months at Fort Hill  in the vicinity of Boston. She remembers visiting him at Fort Hill while he was there & that he returned early in May but under what officers she cannot now recollect. Also one other tour of three or more months in the state of New York in inf.
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latter part of the summer & half of the same year as she remembers he came home very late in the full & left home before black cherries were ripe as she recollects making some cherry pie to be kept for him until his return. She cannot remember the officers he served under. She further declares that she had two Children by the said Benjamin, Viz. Jonathan and Dolly both now living, and were born previous to the commencement of Hostilities with the British in 1775.- 
She further declares that She was married to
the said Benjamin Gleason her late Husband
at Burlington then a precinct of Woburn in said Middlesex County by the Rev Thomas Jones on the fourth day of February In the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy two that
her Husband the aforesaid Benjamin Gleason, died in October, Eighteen hundred and
eighteen.  - And that she has remained a Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
her
Deborah x Gleason
mark
The above declaration after being amended
& underlined by me, as the said Deborah dictated, - was sworn to and subscribed by the said Deborah at hr residence in Bedford, she being too infirm to go from home the day and year above written Before me
 S.P.P. Fay J Prob

I Dolly Wilson of Bedford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being Sworn do on Oath testify and declare that I am sixty three years of age
and that I am the reputed Daughter and Second child of Benjamin and Deborah Gleason named in the foregoing
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Declaration, That I know my late Father said
Benjamin Gleason was a soldier in the War of the Revolution for I can distinctly recollect although I was then a child of his coming home from the Service, Sick with the Measles but at what particular period of said War I cannot now remember My Fathers family were then residing in that part of Woburn in Middlesex of County, which is now Barlington
My late Father the said Benjamin Gleason died in this Town of Bedford in October of the year Eighteen hundred and eight and left my Mother said Deborah his widow who has not
married since his death 
Dolly Willson
Mids. Jany. 14th 1837. Then the above named Dolly Willison made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed, in which four words were interlined before signing before me - And I certify that said Deponent is reputed appears to be a respectable & credible woman
S. P. P. Fay J Prob & [illegible]
And the said Judge of Probate hereby declared his opinion after investigation of the matter that the said Deborah was the lawful wife of said Benja Gleason & is now his widow, and that the statement of facts contained in her declaration is true, & that her said husband served as long in the war of the revolution as she there states and the further certifies that the said Deborah is a credible person-
S.P.P. Fay J Prob

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aforesaid hereby certify that Saml P P Fay Esq. Whose own proper signature is [illegible] written is the Judge of said Court of Probate duly commissioned & qualified. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed seal of said Court of Probate this twenty seventh day of July in a of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty seven 
Isaac Fiske Reg.
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Rev WIDOW &c
File No. 14794
Deborah Gleason
Widow of
Benjamin Gleason
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index:--Vol a Page 276
Arrangement of 1870
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Marriage Certificate 
of Benjamin Gleason
and 
Deborah Baird
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Burlington, Middlesex County, Mass. Dec. 16, 1836This certifies, that I the subscriber do find in the Records of the Church of this place, among the Marriages solemnized and recorded by Rev, Thomas Jones, one of its former Pastors, a record of the Marriage of Mr Benjamin Gleason, formerly of this Town, (then a Precinct of Woburn) of which the following is a Copy: viz.
"1772 Feb, 4 Benjamin Gleason was married to Deborah Beard."
Samuel Sewall, Pastor of the Church in Burlington
Middlesex [?] December 16, 1836
The above named Samuel Sewell made oath to the above certificate by him subscribed
Silvanus Wood, Just. Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex I Isaac Fiske member of the Court of Probate in & [?] the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Sylvanus Wood Esq, is a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature above written is genuine. In testimony whereof I [?] my hand and seal of said Court of Probate this twenty seventh day of July in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty seven
Isaac Fiske
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Boston Massachusetts
July 27th, 1837
Sir
I transcribe herewith the papers and Documents in Support of the claim to a pension by Mrs Deborah Gleason, Widow of Benjamin Gleason--whom it is alleged served as a private Soldier Fourteen months in the War of the Revolution; viz- 8 months in the year 1775 in Capt John Has [?] Compy of Welington also 3 months at Fort Hele in the town of Boston under Capt David Goodwin in the fall and winter of 1776-7. Also 3 months in the Campaign against Burgoyne in the year 1777 in Capt Samuel Belknaps Compy from Woburn. I would hers observe that the Widow of said Gleason has placed this last Service in 1776 which owing to time and loss of memory is probably erroneous as appears by the testimony of Calvin Simonds.
Should the above claim be considered admissible be pleased to issue the necessary certificate in satisfaction thereof and disport to me at this place.
I am respectfully
Sir your Observant
Reuben Baldwin
JL Edwards Esq
Court of pensions
Washington
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I Joshua Reed of Woburn in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the seventy fifth year of my age, being duly sworn and on Oath testify and declare that I Served in the War of the Revolution and served as drummer in the Capt James (illegible) Comp'y Col (illegible) Reg of the Rhode Island Line and am a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of March 18 1818. That I was intimately acquainted with Benjamin Gleason and his brother Thomas both of whom were Soldiers in the War of the Revolution and the Said Thomas Gleason was a pensioner of the United States until the time of his death.  that both Benjamin & Thomas Gleason were Natives of that part of Woburn once called Burlington  That the aforesaid Benjamin Gleason was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution in Capt.
(illegible) Comp'y Col. Blanchard Reg't in the first eight months Service in the years 1775 & 1776 and I often heard him talk with my Father
about the Battle of Bunker Hill in which he said 
Benjamin was engaged and He often invited me to go with him in the Army.  I have always understood and believed that Said Benjamin Gleason continued in the service during the great part if not the whole of the War.  As He was very fond of the service and a great Patriot.- And I very seldom saw him without his Regimental dress and He was always intimate with my Fathers family.
                                  Joshua Reed
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County SS.  Woburn, May 13, 1837
    Then personally appeared Joshua Reed named in the foregoing affidavit by him signed & made 
oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth relating to the subject therein contained, & he is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to confidence.
                                  Before me,                                                               Wyman Richardson}  Justice  of the Peace

I Calvin Simonds of Burlington in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the eight fifty year of my age, on oath do testify & say that I was born and brot up in the part of Woburn now called Burlington.  I knew Benjamin Gleason & Thomas, his brother.  They were fellow townsmen of mine and both were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, during said war the Militia of said Woburn were class'd for the purpose of raising men to serve in the campaign against Gen'l Burgoyne and the class to which I belonged hired the said Benjamin Gleason to serve for three months in the State of New York for which he was paid according to the best of my recollection thirty dollars and as I understood was to serve under  the command of Capt. Samuel Belknap of Woburn and believe said Benja. Gleason performed the above mentioned tour of three months service as he went from home for that purpose.
Middlesex Ss  July 26, 1837.    Calvin Simond
Then personally appeared the above named Calvin Simond and the above affidavit by him subscribed & made oath to the truth of.  
I am well acquainted with the above named Calvin Simond and know him to be a man of truth and veracity.
      Silvanus Wood Justice of the Peace
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I Abel Winn of Burlington - County of Middlesex, Massachusetts gentleman, testify & say that my father Joseph Winn - late of said Burlington (formerly Woburn) served in the war of the Revolution as a Lieutenant or an Ensign - I believe a lieutenant of Militia for seven months 2 weeks stationed at Fort Hill in Boston in said State, under Captain David Goodwin, after the British evacuated the town but the year I cannot recollect, several of my townsmen were in the same Company & among them was one Benjamin Gleason with whom I was well acquainted at the time, (illegible)- My older brother Timothy was a waiter to my father & late in the fall I being then a boy, ten or eleven years of age went down & took my brother Timothy's place, a few days I then saw Benj'm Gleason then & my father has since informed me that he served in the company three months or more.  I am now in my seventieth year of age - Ben'm Gleason lived near the line, in said Burlington, or Medford, adjoining, died  many years since.  I never had any acquaintance with said Gleason's widow.                   Abel Winn

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex Ss   (illegible) June 23, 1837
Than personally appeared the above named 
Abel Winn
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and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Applicantant by him signed, & he is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to implicit confidence which I certify from an acquaintance with him for more than thirty years.
[signed] Wyman Richardson Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex ss.
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Wyman Richardson Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned & qualified, & that his signatures written on the forgoing papers are his genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty seventh day of July in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty Seven
[signed] Isaac Fiske Ry

[right side on edge]
Joshua Reed's
Affidavit
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[postmark]    BOSTON    [beside it is written]
                      OCT 29              Nov 1st
                       MASS  
       [also written is]  Whg      

   James L Edwards Esq
       Com'r of Pensions
          Washington
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Boston Masschts October 28, 1837
Sir
I respectfully request the attention of the Department to the case of Mrs Deborah Gleason, widow of Benjamin Gleason whose application for a pension was forwarded in my letter of July 27th last- and answers in your letter dated September 14th, and the additional marriage Certificate was forwarded on the 6th [illegible].
It would be particularly gratifying to have this case decided with as little delay as possible as the Widow is fast declining. There are probably [? ] in the files of the Department-Several cases for which no returns have yet been received viz Mrs Eunice Everson widow of Levi Everson whose papers of application were forwarded on the 12th of August. Mrs Lucy Rice widow of Bauel Rice Mrs Lydia Stearns widow of Silas Stearns Mrs Molly Coolidge widow of Thomas Coolidge Mrs Abigail Bent widow of Lt Wm Bent The latter four cases were forwarded on the 22-23 August to all of which I request your early attention as the claimants are growing very impertinent
I am respectfully Sir Your obst
Reuben Baldwin
J L Edwards Esp
Court of pensions
Washington
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    James L. Edwards Esq.
      Commisss'r of Pensions
        Washington

[partially legible postmark reads:]
    Boston
    OCT
 
[written perpendicular and partially over the address is:]   2381   Oct 9
                     (illegible)
                     Deborah Gleason
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Boston, Massachusetts
October 5th 1839
Sir,
I herein enclose an additional Certificate
of the marriage of Mr. Benjamin Gleason to Deborah Beard, in support of the claim to a Pension by said Deborah whose case was mentioned in your letter of the 14th Ultimo
Be pleased to favour me with your reply as soon as convenient
Very Respectfully Sir I am
your Obt Servant
Reuben Baldwin
James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington