Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,255, Cornelius Bassett, Mass Mass Sea Service. Navy.
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(3-1776)
Service                 Number
Mass                    S. 30.255
Mass Sea Service
Navy
Bassett, Cornelius

Contents
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10515
Massachusetts
Cornelius Bassett
Berkshire in the State of Mass
was a Pri & Seaman in the company commanded by Captain Tobey of the Mass. line for 14 months & 18 days a Private
              5      "            11  "        Seaman
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Inscribed on the roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 70 Dollars 14 cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th of April
183 and sent to Mr.Bishop, Lenox Mass.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833    $140.28
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "   35.07
                                                          $175.35

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 ⎬

Recorded by D D Addison  Clerk
Book.   E    Vol. 2 Page  5 

Overleaf:
Date of death not on AB
80
Berkshire
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office Jan 17. 1833
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 Sloop Republic's Portage bill, John F
Williams Esq Commander, contained sixty four
Men including officer, in the service of this
State, from May 14 to Dec 6, 1776. It also appears that Cornelius Bassett claims to be one of the Crew of said sloop; and there is a Name of Corndes Bassett who entered the service Aug 7th & left. Nov. 18, 1776.
His whole time of service three months & Eleven days the amount extended as due to him is £ 4" 14 and a warrant was ordered to be drawn on the Treasury for £ 337,, 4,,10-1/2  by the Council, Dec. 16. 1776. That amount being due to said Crew.
Edward C Bassett  Lec
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Commonwealth of Mapachusetts
County of Berkshire, ss.
On the twenty eighth day of August in the
year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty
two personally appeared in open Court
before me William Walker Judge of the
Court of Probate within & for the County of
Berkshire now sitting
Cornelius Bassett of Lee in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy eight 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
In the spring on the forepart of the summer of 1775 I enlisted at Sandwich the County of Barnstable & Commonweath of Massachusetts into a company of State troops Captain Joshua Tobey was Captain and Stephen Fish & Peter Swift were first lieutenants I enlisted for six months the whole of which time I served for the defense of the sea coast at Scituate
I again enlisted at Sandwich in August 1776 into the State service  under Capt Elisha Nye for one year I served by a memorandum made at the time that I enlisted on the 19th of January & marched
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on the 25th of the same month to Nashawn
Island where I was stationed untill we
were ordered to Dorchester Heights where
I served till after the British evacuated Boston then returned to Nashawn Island where I remained in the service till hereinafter stated. Leave was given to any of the soldiers to enlist aboard of a State Sloop. I enlisted aboard the State Sloop of war "Republic" Capt John Foster
Williams on the 7th Aug 1776 & sailed soon after from Boston; we took the British Ship
Julius Caesar & brought the same into Boston.
I find by a memorandum that on the 12th of December 1776 we had arrived at Boston &
expected  soon to be discharged.
In February 1777 I enlisted at Boston for the cruise on board the Continental Brigg "Cabbat" & served two months on board of her when the Brigg was run ashore on the Coast of Nova Scotia by the British Frigate "Milford", which was then off our Coast.
We were obliged to abandon the Brig. 
The commandant of the Brig was Capt Joseph Olney of Providence. Capt Linceth commanded the marines
In the summer of 1777. I enlisted into the service of the State under Capt Joseph Palmer for the term of two months which term I served at Providence & the vicinity in the State of Rhode Island.
I was born at Sandwich in the county of Barnstable aforesaid on the twenty fourth day
of June 1754. I have no original record
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stable aforesaid on the twenty fourth day
of June 1754. I have no original record
of my birth or age I have no doubt my
birth is recorded in the town records of
Sandwich I was living in Sandwich at the
time I first entered the service. About
1780 I went to Richmond in the County of
Berkshire & State aforesaid where I lived two years & then moved to Lee in said County where I have since resided & now reside. I always enlisted as a volunteer I never had any written discharge. Nathaniel Bassett of Lee & Nathan Dillingingham lately of Lee but now of Pittsfield in said County served with me at Nashawn & at Providence & the sd Nathaniel Bassett was with me on board the Brig Cabbat
& at Dorchester. The above named persons have been acquainted with me from my childhood to the present time. The Rev Doct Hyde has been acquainted with me for more than forty years.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
-Cornelius Bassett
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year
aforesaid
W. P. Walker J. Probate
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I Nathaniel Bassett residing in Lee in the County of Berkshire hereby certify I have been well acquainted with Cornelius Bassett  who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration from my childhood to the present time; in 1775 soon after he enlisted & went to Mashawn Island the said Cornelius had enlisted & gone to Scituate under Capt Tobey
& soon after my return to Providence, the said Cornelius returned & I then understood & believed & have no doubt that he had served
six months under the State Troops at Scituate.
In January 1776 the said Cornelius enlisted with me into the State service under Capt Elisha Nye for the term of one year and served at seashore and Dorchester til August and there served 2 years when the said Cornelius
with the permission of his officers enlisted into a State Sloop of War & served with the said Cornelius two months aboard the Brig "Cabot"
and two months at Providence as stated in his declaration. I believe him to be seventy eight years of age.  I have lived in his neighborhood  ever since he moved to this town in 1783. I never have heard any one express any doubt that the said Cornelius served in the 
revolutionary war. I believe I have no doubt that he has served as stated in his declaration-
-Nathaniel Bassett
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid
W. P. Walker J. Probate
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I Nathan Dillingham residing at Pittsfield
the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth
of Massachusetts hereby certify that I have
been well acquainted with Cornelius Bassett
who has subscribed & sworn to the above
declaration, from my childhood, to the present time I well recollect that the said Bassett at Sandwich in the County of Barnstable & State of Massachusetts in 1775 enlisted into a company of State troops under Capt Tobey & went to Scituate in the County of Plymouth
there served in said Company in the defense of the sea coast as I then supposed & now
believe for the term of six months. In January 1776 the said Cornelius Bassett enlisted with me into the State service under Capt Elisha Nye for the term of one year & went with me to Mashown Island where I continued in the said service there until he was detached to go to Boston where he was gone about two months. After Boston was evacuated the said Bassett returned to Mashawn where he continued in the service until he enlisted with permission of the officers on board a State Sloop of war & went a cruise from which he
returned late in the fall. I well recollect that the said Cornelius in 1777 went a cruise on board the Continental Brig "Cabbat" (Sic) & was gone as I verily believe two months. I subsequently
served with the said Cornelius in the summer of 1777 at Providence & vicinity
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ity in the State troops for the term of two months, I believe him to be seventy eight years old. I have lived in his neighborhood from 1781 to the year 1819 I never have heard any one express any doubt that the said Cornelius Bassett served in the revolutionary army. I believe & have no doubt that the said Cornelius served at different times as above stated.
-Nathan Dillingham
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
W. P. Walker J. Probate
I Alvan Hyde a Clergyman residing in the town of Lee aforesaid hereby certify that I have for more than forty years been well acquainted with Cornelius Bassett who has subscribed and
sworn to the above declaration. I believe him
to be seventy eight years of age; that he is
reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of
the revolution and that I concur in that opinion.
-Alvan Hyde
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
W. P. Walker J. Probate
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and the said Court do hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to the Court that the Rev Alvan Hyde who has signed the
preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Lee. And that Nathaniel Bassett who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing certificate is a resident in the town of Lee & that Nathan Dillingham who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing certificate is a resident in Pittsfield in sd County and they are both
credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit
W. P. Walker J. Probate
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I Henry W Bishop Register of the Court
of Probate within for the County of Berkshire, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Cornelius Bassett for a pension- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of
the said Court this twenty eighth day of
August in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred & thirty two
Henry W Bishop Register of Probate
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4801
Cornelius Baskett
Lee
Berkshire Co
Mass
Seaman 5 Mo 11 days
Private  14 "    18  "
11, ob
Dec 22 1832

F W Bishop
Lenox
Mass
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BRIEF in the case of Cornelius Bassett
of Berkshire Cty in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? --
3. How old is he?  78 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.     Duration of Service     Rank
In 1775          6 Mos                   Private
76 Jan-Sep     6 Mos 18 days         "
76 Sep-Dec    3 Mos  11 Days     Seaman
77 -                 2 Mos                      "
77 -                 2 Mos                  Private
-


Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.

Capt Joshua Tobey
Capt Elisha Nye
Capt John Foster Williams (Sloop "Republic")
Capt Joseph Olney  (Brig "Cabot")
Capt Joseph Palmer

5. In what battles was he engaged?  None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service. Sandwich
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence, Living witnesses.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective, not properly connected.

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
J F McBlair
Examining Clerk.
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March 23, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Cornelius Bassett-S.-30255
BA-J/AWF-

Mrs. Charles R. Myers
Tyringham
Massachusetts

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request the Revolutionary War record of Cornelius Bassett of Sandwich, Massachusetts.
The data furnished herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, S. 30255, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Cornelius Bassett.
He was born June 24, 1754 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts; the names of his parents are not given.

Cornelius Bassett, while residing at said
Sandwich, enlisted in the spring or summer of 1775 and served six months as private in Captain Joshua Tobey's Massachusetts company. He enlisted January 19, 1776 and served as private in Captain Elisha Nye's company until August 7, 1776, when he went on board the state sloop of war "Republic", commanded by Captain John Foster Williams; they captured the British ship "Julius Caesar and brought her to Boston, December 12, 1776. He entered in February, 1777 on board the Continental Brig "Cabot", commanded by Captain Joseph Olney; the British frigate
Milford" ran them ashore on the coast of Nova Scotia, where they were obliged to abandon their brig, length of his service two months. He enlisted in the summer of 1777 and served two months as private in Captain Joseph Palmer's company,
The soldier, Cornelius Bassett, in 1780 moved to Richmond, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, lived two years and then moved to Lee, Berkshire County,
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Massachusetts, where he was living when he was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832.
There is no reference to wife or children.
In 1832 Nathaniel Bassett, resident of Lee,
Massachusetts, stated that he served a part of the time with the soldier, Cornelius Bassett; no relationship shown.
Very truly yours
A.D. MILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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30255
Rvy INVALID.
No. 30255
Cornelius Bassett
Pri Rev War
Act. June 7" 32"
Index: -- Vol. D , Page 25
[Arrangement of 1870.]
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
-Jan. 1908 History to Mrs. Carrie Bassett Barnes
-1925 Apr. 24. Hist to Wallace J. Wooden AWF.
-1933, Mch 23 hist to Mrs Chas. R. Myers AWF.
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4801.
Cornelius Bassett

H.W. Bishop
Lenox  Mass
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Cornelius Bassett, Berkshire Cty of Mass which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason as signed for his not doing so? -------
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? ---
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?--------
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For...........Year........months and ...... days. I served as a ............. For........ months and ........
days, I served as a ...............: and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Evidence must be exhibited to them, that the Republic was a public armed vessel. This may
possibly be obtained from E.D. Bangs Esqr, Secy of the State of Mass. whereon evidence of the claimants service on board of her as well as the act of his service
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Mrs. Charles R. Myers
Tyringham, Massachusetts
February 27, 1933
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C. Dept. of Interior
Dear Sir,
Can you send me the Military history of Cornelius Bassett, a Revolutionary Soldier, born 1754 who came from Sandwich, Mass. to
Lee, Mass. about 1783? Does your record give the name of his parent or the list of his children?
Thanking you for your trouble, 
I am
Very truly yours,
Mrs. Charles P. Myers
Tyringham, Mass.
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From the Mass. Record of Revolutionary
Soldiers and Sailors

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
If any or all of the following men were granted a pension for Revolutionary War service, will you kindly send me your record of each? I am trying to trace their whereabouts after the war.
Cornelius Bassett, Sandwich. Private, Capt.
Joseph Palmer's Co., Col. Josiah Whitney's
Regiment; arrived in camp May 16, 1777,
discharged July 12, 1777; also, on alarm in
Rhode Island;  also, on alarm at Falmouth in Sept. 1779; one time in Lieut Ebenezer Baker's Co., Col. Nathan Freeman's regt.
Comelius Bassett, Private, Capt. Elisha Nye's
Co. service, June 1, 1776 to Sept. 1, 1776, at
Elizabeth Islands.
Cornelius Bassett, Seaman, sloop "Republic",
commanded by Capt. John F. Williams;
engaged Aug. 7, 1776; discharged Nov. 18,
at Boston.
Fortunatus Bassett, Falmouth. 2nd Lieut.,
Capt Nathan Smith's Co.; enlisted Jan. 15, 1776; service at Marthas Vineyard; also,
1st Lieut., Capt. John Russells Co., Col.
Bradford's Regt.
Thanking you for this information, I am,
Respectfully Yours
Wallace J. Woodin
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26 N. Belleme Blvd
Memphis, Tenn
Jan 17 -1908
---
Dept of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir- I am desirous of tracing my revolutionary ancestors, and think that my great grand
father Ebenezer Bassett, & great great grand father Cornelius Bassett rendered service -thought that possibly they might have received a pension of which
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I could secure a copy know my grand father
Cornelius Bassett received a Pension after the war of 1812 and I would be glad to know
the date of his birth.
The family records have been lost and the absence of dates is the reason I have not been able to have my papers made authentic.
His ancestors were from Massachusetts in the vicinity of Marthas Vineyard, and
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the Secy of State (Mass,) wrote me that a Cornelius Bassett served under Capt Nye, he at the Elizabeth Islandsn seacoast defense in 1776.
Cornelius Bassell of Sandwich who served as a private in various alarms in 1777, 78 &1779; and ref, was made  to a man of the same
name who served in a company commanded  by Capt Joshua Tobey of Scituate for 6 months in 1775.
Ebenezer Bassett of Yarmouth served in a company commanded by Capt.
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Griffiths in June - Dec. 1778, and to a man of the name who served as a private in Capt. Smith's Co. detached from Barnstable Co. Militia for sea coast defense at Marthas Vineyard in June - Sept 1776; also to a man of
the name who served in Capt. Hamilton's Co
detached from Barnstable Co Militia Aug - Oct
1780.
Any information that you may be able to give me will be most gratefully received, and if there is any charge for same I will be glad
to pay same -

Sincerely yours-
(Mrs.) Carrie Bassett Barnes
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Rev. and 1812
War Section.

April 24, 1925.

Wallace I. Woodin,
Asylum St
Hartford, Conn.
Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 30855, it appears that Cornelius Bassett was born June 24, 1754 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
While residing at said Sandwich, he enlisted
in the spring or summer of 1775 and served six months as private in Captain Joshua Tobey's Massachusetts Company.
He enlisted January 19, 1776 and served as private in Captain Elisha Nye's Massachusetts Company, until August 7, 1778, when he enlisted on board state sloop of war "Republic", commanded by Captain John
Foster Williams; captured the British ship "Julius Caesar"  and brought it to Boston December 12, 1776.
He enlisted in February 1777 and served on Contin-
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tinental Brig "Cabot", Captain Joseph Olney; were run ashore on the coast of Nove Scotia, by the British Frigate " Milford and were obliged to abandon their Brig.
He enlisted in the summer of 1777 and served
two months as private in Captain Joseph Palmer's Massachusetts Company
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, while a resident of Lee, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
The above noted Cornelius Bassett is the only
soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau
fail to afford any information in regard to any Fortunatus Bassett.
Respectfully,
WILDER S. METCALF
Commissioner.
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In reply to your request of.../.../....., received.....
for a statement of the military history of Cornelius Bassett a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  Serv.  # 30,255

DATES OF ENLISTMENT,,,,,,LENGTH OF SERVICE
OR APPOINTMENT.

-Spring or summer 1775   6 Mos. RANK: Priv.  CAPTAIN  Joshua Tobey - Mass Line
-Jan. 19, 1776 to Aug 7, 1776  RANK: Priv.  CAPTAIN  Elisha Nye  -  Mass Line
-Aug 7, 1776 Enlisted on board State Sloop of War, Republic, commanded by Capt. John Foster Williams; took British ship Caesar & brought it into Boston on Dec 12, 1776.

Feb. 1777. 2 mos. Enlisted at Boston on Continental brig Cabot, Captain Joseph Olney
then run aground on coast of Nova Scotia by British Frigate Milford and were obliged to abandon the brig.
Summer 1777. 2 mos. RANK,  Priv. CAPTAIN Joseph Palmer
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  - COLONEL. (none listed)
 
-Battles engaged in, .......
-Residence of soldier at enlistment, Sandwich, Barnstable Co Mass
-Date of application for pension, Aug. 28, 1832 His cl. was al.
-Residence at date of application, Lee, Berkshire Co, Mass.
Age at date of application, Born at Sandwich Mass, June 24, 1754
Remarks:
The above noted is the only Cornelius Bassett of Mass. found in the Rev. War pension records.
Very respectfully,