Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20574, Matthew Akins, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

Akins, Matthew
or
Mathew
            Meriam

NUMBER
W. 20574

CONTENTS
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8336
Massachusetts Roll.

Matthew Akins,
of Essex Coy. in the state of Massachusetts who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Little of the Massachusetts line, for the term of one year.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 20. of April 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27. of Mar. 1819 and sent to S. Putnam, Coy. Salem, Mass:

Appears to 4th of March 1819... 84.49
Semi-anl. all'ce ending Sept. 4 1819.. 48."
$132."

{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
Page 3

(left)
Matthew Akins

(right)
Matthew Akins Declaration

not on Rolls

Admd.
Page 4

The Declaration of Matthew Akins of Gloucester in the County of Essex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The said Matthew Akins upon oath declares, that about the last of December AD 1775. he enlisted as a private soldier for the term of on year, in Captain Nathaniel Warners Company of foot. in Colonel Littles Regiment of the Massachusetts line, that he served in said company during the whole term of his enlistment and was honorably discharged at or near Trenton about the first of January AD 1777. soon after the capture of the Hessians - that the original certificate of his discharge has now long been lost by time and accident -

That he is sixty four years of age, infirm and dependent on charity for a support, and from his reduced circumstances in life stands in need of assistance from his country for support, and that he hereby relinquishes all claim to any pension heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States --
Matthew Akins
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss.

On this twentieth day of April AD. 1818 the said Mathew Akins personally came before me Samuel Putnam Esquire one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the said declaration by him made, and it appearing to my satisfaction that the said Mathew Akins served more than nine months on the Continental Establishment, in the war of the Revolution, against the Common Enemy, I hereby transmit the evidence in the case, and the proceedings had thereon to the Secretary of the Department of War.

Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court at Salem this twentieth day of April Anno Domini 1818
S. Putnam Just.
S. J. Court of Massts

The Hon. Lowson Nash Esq. - and John T. Dodge, Esq who authenticate the depositions of Henry Wohor & Robert Elwell - hereto annexed, are magistrates of the said County of Essex, duly authorised to take depositions - and I know that their signatures are genuine.
S. Putnam J. S. j C.

I Ichabod Tucker Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth aforesd for the County of Essex do certify that the said Samuel Putnam is a Judge of the J. Sup. Jud. Court - that the seal of said Court is hereto annexed - & that the signature of the said Putnam is his proper hand writing.  Apl. 20, 1818.

Ichabod Tucker Clk
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451
Massachusetts

Meriam Akins
widow of Matthew Akins dec. who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 2 January 1835 of Essex Co in the State of MA. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain ____ of the Regy. commanded by Col Little in the MA. line for 16 months

Inscribed on the Roll of MA. at the rate of 53 dollars 33 cents per annu to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Sept. 1838 and sent [illegible] 

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $133.32
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Ma..., 26.66
$159.98

{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk
Book [illegible] Vol. 1st Page 68
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Meriam Akins
Wid. of Mathew
Mass. 
Act 7 July 1838
Married 1779
Died 1835
Allow 16 mos. for $5333
per anm. from

Wm Ferson Esq
Gloucester Mass
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State of Massachusetts
County of Essex, Is.
On this 3rd day of August, 1838, personally appeared before the Hon. Daniel A White, Judge of Probate for the County of Essex Meriam Akins, A resident of Gloucester in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 84 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 Matthew Akins, who was a pensioner under the act of Congress of March 18, 1818; pension certificate dated March 27, 1819 number 833[0 or 6]
She further declares that she was married to the said Matthew Akins on the fifth day of November, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine; that her husband, the said Matthew Akins died on the 2nd day of January, 1835; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, [illegible abbreviation].  at the time above stated. 
Meriam her [flourish below words] mark [under flourish] Akins
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written
before me
D A White
Judge of Probate
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"Matthew Aikins and Meriam Gardner were married November Fifth, one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine by Revered Eli Forbes, Minister of the First parish in Gloucester,"

I William Saville, Town Clerk of Gloucest in the County of Essex and state of Massachusetts, certify that the above is a true 
with the exception of the date which is 
in the
allows "November 5, 1779."
William Saville, Town Clerk of Gloucester

I William Saville, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk in the County, Town and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of the ..., with the exception above named as certified by me.
Willm. Saville Clerk of the Town of Gloucester

We George D. Hale and Joseph Stacy both of Gloucest in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts of lawful age on oath testify that Matthew Akins within named died on the 2d day of January 1835, leaving a widow named Meriam, who to our knowledge, has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband Matthew Akins, and has not intermarried since that period
Geo D Hale
Joseph Stacy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex, [illegible]s. On this eighth day of August, 1838, before me William Jerson(?), Notary Public, by legal authority admitted and sworn and dwelling in Gloucester in said County, personally came Georg D. Hale and Joseph Stacy, well known to me as credible witnesses, and William Saville, who severally made oath to the truth of the above deposition and certificate by them subscribed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial seal on the day and year above written
William Ferson, NotyPublic
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Additional Proof.

I, Andrew ...oll of Gloucester in the County of ESSEX, in the COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS of lawful age do on solemn oath testify and depose as follows:—
That I served in the war of the Revolution, for the term of theirteen months in the company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Wames, in the Twelfth Regiment commanded by Col ... Little: & that Matthew Aikins now making application belonged to the same company, & served during the time with myself
Andrew ...oll

[] December 21. 1818. When the above Andrew .. personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above ... by him suscribed Col. He.. 
I also certify that
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I William Kinsman of lawful age, testify and say, that I was a recruiting Sargent in the company commanded by Nathaniel Warner, and I did inlist Matthew Aikins into said company and he did serve as a private in the same company part of year 1775 and the whole year 1776. I also testify that said Aikins faithfully performed his duty, and had a regular discharge from the Army.
Wm. Kinsman

[illegible] Dec. 21.st 1818. [illegible] William Kinsman above named personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the above... by him subscribed.
... Henry Phelps du Pain (?)

I also certify that I am well acquainted with the above named deponent, and do believe him to be a ... witness and that the applicant... and stands in need of support from his Country.
Henry Phelps du Pach.
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ESSEX, ss.
I, SAMUEL PUTNAME, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the COmmonwealth aforesaid, hereby certify that the afrorenamed Deponent, Henry Walter?, Robert Elwell and William ...sman are credible and disinterested witnesses; and that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Declarant served in the Revolutionary Army on the continental establishment against the common enemy more than nine months at one period of continued service; and i further certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Declarant is in reduced circumstances in life, and stands in need of assitance from his country for support.

Given under my hand and seal of said Court this eighth day of February Anno Domini 1819.
S. Putnam [illegible]
S. J. Court of Masst

I, Ichabod Tucker, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court aforesaid, do certify, that the hon. Samuel Putnam is a Judge of said Court, that the above is his signature, that the seal affixed is the seal of said Court, that the within named Henry Phelps, ... Nash, ... Esq.rs who have certified the aforewritten depositions are Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Essex, duly empowered and qualified to administer oaths.
AWS? Ichabod Tucker Clerk.
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I Robert Elwell of Gloucester in the County of Essex.. of lawfull age depose and say that I served in the Revolutionary war the whole of the year AD 1776 and that Matthew Akins of said Gloucester served as a common soldier in the same company with me during the whole of said year in Capt. Nathaniel Warren Company of said Gloucester the said Warren is dead our company was allotted to Collo Little Regiment said Akins was a good soldier and was Regularly Discharged 
Robert Elwell
Essex Ss. April 15th 1818 Personally appeared Robert Elwell and made oath that the fore going by him subscribed is true before me John [illegible]
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I Henry Wotton of Gloucester in the County of [illegible] of lawful age depose and say: That I served in the revolutionary war the whole of the year AD. 1776. and that Matthew Akins of said Gloucester, served as a common solder in the same company with me during the whole of said year. Captain Nathaniel Warren of said Gloucester commanded [illegible] company in which we [illegible], but he is dead. Our company was allotted to Col. Little's regiment. Said Akins was a good solider, and I believe he was regularly discharged.
Henry Wotton
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ESSEX, ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas of the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Salem, within and for the County of Essex, on the third Monday of June, A.D. 1820.
Prefent, Hon Samuel Dana, Chief Justice
Hon William Wetmore, and
Hon Stephen Minot, Associate Justices
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 imprisonment, Matthew Akins
resident in [blank] in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 8336 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, Matthew Akins 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 twentieth
"day of April - - - one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
[filling indent left to the following text: decorative box containing "L.S."]
"Given at the War of Office of the United States, this twenty seventh day 
"of March one thousand eight hundred and nineteen
J.C. Calhoun, Secretary of War,"

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,

Real estate - none [underlined]
Personal estate - none [underlined]
Income - - none [underlined]

Said Akins is 65 years of age, resides in the town of Wenham, and is a town pauper - very feeble health - have been a town charge for more than 15 years
Enlisted in Capt. Nathaniel Warner's company of foot, in Col. Little's Regiment of the Massachusetts line, in August 1775 - served the rest of that year and at the expiration thereof, again enlisted in the same company and served the whole of the year 1776 - as is stated in my original declaration, at the war office
Matthew Akins
[all below contained within } ]
Sworn to and declared before
WM Wetmore Judge
within named
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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 Wetmore a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit,

I, Mathew Akins 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.
Matthew Akins

Essex, ss. C. C. C. P. June, Term, A.D. 1820
Then the abovenamed Mathew Akins
took and subscribed the aforewritten Oath before me
Wm Wetmore Judge of said Court.
I Ichabod Tucker, 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 dollars
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Salem, in said County of Essex, on this 17th day of July A.D. 1820
Attr. Ichabod Tucker, Hon