Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1677, Isaac Washburn, Mass.
Page 1

Service
Mass

Washburn, Isaac
       Betsey

Number
W. 1677
Page 2

Reported

642
Massachusetts.

Betsey Washburn widow of Isaac Washburn
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private Mass Sine

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 56 Dollars 61 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Augt 1850 and sent to 
Hon. O. Fowler
         House of Reps

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 27 
Page 47 Vol. 1

July.          Book A
Page 3

2853:

Massachusetts 

Isaac Washburn of Bristol in the State o f Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain……….. of the regt commanded by Col Learned in the Mass line for 1 year 18 Days            

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 56 Dollars 61 Cents per annum, t commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Dec 1832 and sent A Bassett 
Taunton Mass

Arrears to 4th of Sep 1832.                      $ 84.91
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33’.      28.30
                                                                 —————
                                                                    $113.21

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

Recorded by T H McBlair Clerk
Book D.     Vol. 2.          Page 93.
Page 4

3970
Isaac Washburn
  Taunton 
      Bristol Co.
        Mass

Private
1 year & 18 days
 A Amd

$56.61

A Bassett
Taunton
Bristol Co.
Mass
Page 5

BRIEF  in the case of Isaac Washburn 
Taunton of Bristol Co. in the State of Mass
   (Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge:   open Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he?      77 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
  In 1775
          76

Duration of Service.
   Years,
   Months,
   Days.          10
                        8

Rank.
    As a private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
  Gen.
  Capt R Crossman.     Col Learned 
  Capt O Lopez.              Col Walker
  Capt D.                           Col. Reed

5. In what battles was he engaged?  none

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?    Taunton

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
         Living Witnesses. Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
      Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

  T H McBlair
       Examining Clerk.
Page 6

  Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
  Bristol ss. 
  At a Court of Probate held at Taunton in & for said County on the seventh day of June 1850.
Personally appeared Elizabeth, otherwise called Betsey Washburn a resident in Taunton in said Count, aged seventy- nine years and upwards, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the follow declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed July 29, 1848 For the relief of certain surviving widows of Officers & soldiers of the Revolutionary Army and the other Acts of Congress in addition thereto-

  That she is the widow of Isaac Washburn late of said Taunton, deceased who was a soldier as she believes in the War of the Revolution, and a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832 and drew a pension at Boston of $56.61 per annum during his life—
And she further says that she cannot state any of the facts in relation to the service of shia dWashburn in the Army of the Revolution, but must refer to his declaration on file in the proper office in Washington and the evidence thereto for his said services.
  She further declares that she was married to
Page 7

the said Isaac Washburn on or about the sixth day of May 1798 at Providence in the State of Rhode Island where she then resided, as will appear by the evidence herewith submitted — She further declares says that said marriage was solemnized by the Revd. Mr. Snow -
She further declares that her husband the said Washburn died at said Taunton on or about the second day of November 1832 and since that period she has remained a widow-
She further declares says that she was not aware and had not been informed that she was entitled to a pension for the services of her said husband until between one & two years ago according to her best recollection.
Therefore she requested that the same pension may be allowed her as was allowed to her said husband the said Isaac Washburn- She further says, as she believes that the said Isaac Washburn resided in Taunton at the time he entered the service aforesaid- 
He removed from Middleborough to Taunton as she is informed & believes before the commencement of the Revolution: but of this she is not absolutely certain- He resided at Taunton at the time he made his declaration -

   Betsey Washburn
Page 8

subscribed & sworn to on the day first before mentioned-
    before me Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate 
             of s’d County-
Page 9

I William Washburn of Taunton in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts 
aged sixty nine years do depose and say that Isaac Washburn late of said Taunton deceased was my father - That he died on or about the second day of November Eighteen hundred & thirty two leaving a widow viz: Betsey Washburn who is still living in said Taunton & has not been married & therefore is still a widow- She is my stepmother-

  William Washburn

  State of Massachusetts -
     Bristol County ss - June 7, 1850- William Washburn, a credible witness made oath to the truth  of the above affidavit by him signed 
Before me

  Oliver Prescott } Judge of Probate for said                    
                               County
Page 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
  Bristol County ss. 

  I Anselm Bassett, Register of the eCourt of Probate in  & for said county do hereby certify that Oliver Prescott whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificates is the Judge of said Court of Probate.
  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court this seventh day of June Eighteen hundred & fifty-
            a Bassett
Page 11

I Stephen Abbott Phillips of the city and county of Providence in the state of Rhode do depose and say that I am clerk of the Richmond Street Church in said city of Providence and have equally with the Pastor who is now absent from said city of Providence custody of said Church Records. on which I find the following record 
  “ Isaac Washburn of Taunton and Betsey Richmond of 
  “ Providence were lawfully joined together in marriage on
  “ the sixth day of Ma AD seventeen hundred and ninety 
  “ eight                       On Joseph Sow Pastor.”

and that the aforesaid is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which which is expressed on the record in plain legible figures as follows “the sixth day of May AD 1798.”

   Stephen Abbott Phillips 
           Clerk

Sworn before me }
this 8th day of July AD 1850 }
Franklin J. Dickman }
  Justice of the Peace
Page 12

State of Rhode Island / Providence Plantations

  County of Providence Ss.

  I John W. Smith, clerk of the court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Providence in the estate aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Franklin J Dickman Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, is a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence in said County of Providence, and is by law empowered to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the aforegoing signature is the genuine signature of said Dickman
  In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court, at the City of Providence this eighth day of July D 1850.

  John W. Smith clerk
Page 13

3970

Isaac Washburn

G. L. B.
Page 14

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,}
   Bristol, ss.}

  At a Court of Probate holden at Taunton - in and for said County on the twenty seventh day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, by adjt. before the Honorable Hodijah Baylies, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Isaac Washburn a resident of Taunton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy seven years who being first duly worn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration.
  That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit: under Capt Robert Crossman, Lt Edward Blake, as a Minute man is called of Massachusetts, in the regiment commanded by Lt Col. Nathaniel Leonard, another time under Capt. Oliver Soper, Lt Williams whose first name I do not remember, Rufus Barney ensign in Col Walkers regiment, whose first name I do not know that I ever heard, Lt Col said Leonard, and Major Mitchell whose first name I have forgotten; the next time I entered again under the same company officers but our regiment was under Col. Reed the regiment officers I cannot recollect, I entered the service twice afterwards; in all I served twenty one months and ten days; and th particular of said service she will state in his reply to the fifth interrogatory herein after 
and further declares as follow, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:

 1. Where, and in what year were you born?
      And. That he was for in Middlebourough in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty five

 2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it ?
  I do not know that there is any record of may age, I compute my age from what my parents told me it was, when I was a boy.

  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? 
  I lived in Taunton always since I was sixteen        years old.

4. How were you called into service into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
  The first time I belonged to a company of minute men & marched in obedience to the orders of my officers, the two next times I voluntarily enlisted; the two last times I was drafted.
Page 15

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
  The first time I belonged to a company of minute men & marched in obedience to the orders of my officers, the two next times I voluntarily enlisted; the two last times I was drafted.

5. State the names o some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
  The first time I entered the service at aforesaid we marched from Taunton to Roxbury near Boston, immediately of hearing of the attack on the militia at Lexington; we were quartered in a dwelling house with another company under the command of Capt James Williams, we did nothing there 11 days but keep guard & were dismissed at the end of ten days service, I do not know of any one now living who can corroborate my statement on this point nor of any document to prove it; The next time I enlisted in the militia or state troops for a term of eight months, the last of April or beginning of May in the year Seventeen hundred an seventy five we marched from Taunton to Dorchester near Boston and were at Dorchester at the time of the Battle of Bunkerhill,- employed in standing guard & fatigue duty; and towards cold 
weather were removed to Roxbury where we built barracks and staid there until our time of service was out; for myself before this term was out;  for myself before this term was out I enlisted the third time above mentioned for the term of one year 
I staid at Roxbury until after the British evacuated Boston; for proof of this service I refer to the deposition of Jacob Phillips hereto annexed; I recollect that Gen Thomas commanded on Dochester heights, and that I saw Gen. Putman there, it was he who continued the barrels filled with sand to be rolled down against the enemy if they should venture an attack. We had no engagements; but the British sometimes commanded & bombarded us & on the day of Bunkerhill battle kept up a constant fire to prevent us from reinforcing the Americans there; after the evacuation of Boston, we marched from Roxbury to Providence in Rhode Island, then to New London in Connecticut where we embarked for New York in a stormy evening & were all sea sick & after we arrived at New York, a regiment was formed of Mechanics and I placed in that regiment under the command of a Captain whose name I cannot remember, his Lt’s name was Eddy, as I think & belonged to Taunton, he is now dead; when the British took possession of Long Island, we marched to Kingsbridge, & there built barracks, thence we marched to Whiteplains, I was there at the Battle; but the regiment of Mechanics was not allowed to take part in it; we afterwards marched to Pickskill, and thence still further into the highlands where we staid till our time was out; when that time came, our Captain was removed from command and under arrest, & we did not wait for his release to get regular discharge, but returned home, for proof of this last mentioned service I refer to the annexed deposition of Lemuel Dean
for my other terms of service, my recollections is so indistinct I will not declare for
Page 16

then particularly; they amounted in all to about one months time.
Page 17

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it ? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it ?
  I was a soldier & never received a written discharge 

7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
  I refer to the Reverend John West, and John Baylies

And th said Isaac Washburn ditch further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, [“or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of’’ is crossed out]
                Isaac Washburn

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
                H. Baylies,  Judge of Probate.

  We John West a Clergyman residing in Taunton and John Baylies residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Isaac Washburn who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy seven 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.
     John West.             John Baylies
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
 
   H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
Page 18

AND the said Court do hereby declare their 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 it appears to them that John West who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Taunton in said County of Bristol, and that John Baylies who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
  H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
                                  [“Register of Probate” is          
                                     crossed out]

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, }
                Bristol, ss. }

  I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Cort in the matter of the application of Isaac Washburn of Taunton in said County, for a Pension.
  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this day and year first above written.
          Anselm Bassett
Page 19

0: W: & W. Div.
W 1677
L. W. B.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
   BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
      WASHINGTON, D. C.

October 13, 1896.

Sir:        W. 1677

  Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Isaac Washburn, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made application for pension in August, 1832, at which time he was 77 years of age and residing at Taunton Mass., and his pension was allowed for one year and eighteen days’ actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary War a part of the time he served under Capt. Crossman and Col. Nathaniel Leonard. He enlisted at Taunton Mass.
His widow, Betsey, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Mr Tasman Washburn,
  Taunton, Mass.
Page 20

Revy

WIDOW, &c.

File No. 1677
  Betsey Washburn
  Widow
Isaac Washburn
 Priv. Rev. War

Act: July 29, 1848.

Index:— Vol. M, Page 304

(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 21

Jan. 23/94 Mil Hist. to Geo A. Washburn
  Taunton, Mass.    C.

Oct 13’ 96

Told pensioned to Mr Tasman Washburn
             Taunton, Mass.
Page 22

George A. Washburn
      President 

Capital- - - $600,000.
Surplus- - -   200,000.

George W. Andros,
  Cashier

The Taunton National Bank.

Original Charter 1812
 Reorganized as a National Bank, : : 1865

  Taunton, Mass., December 12 1893

  The Hon, the Commissioner of Pensions,
    Washington D. C.

  The writer is desirous of ascertaining the Company & Regiment in which (or his) My Grandfather Isaac Washburn served in the War of the Revolution: He enlisted and served as a Minute Man, and I find his name in a Taunton Company commanded by Capt Robert Crossman which left Taunton Mass on the 19th of April 1775 for Roxbury:
  It is also stated that he served in the Middleborugh (Mass) Co of Minute Men: He could not have served in both companies & to solve the query as to which, I respectfully
Page 23

George A. Washburn
      President 

Capital- - - $600,000.
Surplus- - -   200,000.

George W. Andros,
  Cashier

The Taunton National Bank.

Original Charter 1812
 Reorganized as a National Bank, : : 1865

Taunton, Mass.,                            189

ask to be informed if the name of Isaac Washburn of Taunton Mass is borne upon the roll of Pensioners of the Revolutionary War and especially if his widow Elizabeth (or possibly Betsey) Washburn of Taunton Mas was in receipt of U. S. Pension, War of the Revolution & if so  the name of the Company & Regiment in which said Isaac Washburn served: This latter is the information bought to be obtained & which I can herr from no other source: 
  I have no claim against the US
    
  My address is George A Washburn
     Taunton, Bristol County Mass
Page 24

[ this page has two stamps]
         A.
U. S. Pension Office.
  Dec 14 1893
 

DEC 16 1893
Page 25

Taunton Bristol County Mass

September 26 1896

  The Hon the Commissioner of Pensions
        Washington D C.

Sir:

  My father Isaac Washburn was a “Minute man” in the war of the Revolution, he having enlisted in April 1775 from Taunton Mass in Captain Crossman’s Company in Col Nathaniel Leonards Regiment: He afterward served two enlistments from Taunton Mass in Capt Oliver Sopers Co Cols Walker & Reed: He was in receipt of pension granted him in 1832 or 1833 and I desire to obtain a copy of his record at your office for preservation & evidence
  My address in Taunton 1 Bristol County
     Massachusetts Corner of Barnum St & Harrison Avenue
(Barnum St & Harrison Ave.) 
                   Salmon Washburn
Page 26

[ two stamps]

Old War & Navy
 Oct 6 1896

U. S. Pension Office.
  Oct 3 1896
Page 27

House of Reps

Washington July 24th 1850

  J. L. Edwards Esq
           Commissioner of Pen”

Sir
  Herewith I present the application of  Elizabeth Washburn of Mass, for a pension.
  An early decision is most respectfully requested-
  I have the honor to be 

  Truly 
Yours
         Oliver Fowler
Page 28

754
Betsey Washburn
widow of Isaac 
Mass
Bristol Co
admitted
P. $56.61
___ a com 4 March 1848

Act 29 July 48
____, 2 Nov 1832
Page 29

BRIEF objections to the admission of pension Claims of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Isaac Washburn Bristol Mass which require further proof or explanation.

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?    Yes

II. Did the declaration make the declaration in the count where he resides?    yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? ——-

IV. Has the declaration 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 pensions he 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
Page 30

                              2

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 th 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?  yes

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____ days. I served as a _____. For ____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”
Page 31

I Jacob Phillips of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy four years, last October do testify and say that soon after the battle of Lexington in April AD. 1775 Isaac Washburn of said Taunton and myself enlisted into a Company of Militia under the command of Capt. Oliver Soren, in the eight months service, so called and marched from Taunton to Dorchester near Boston and in the at vicinity served out our enlistment of eight months aforesaid together in said company— I further testify and say that one Company during said time and that one Burney served as Ensign in said company during said time—I further testify and say that I have known said Washburn ever since the year 1774 & that we have made it our homes in Taunton aforesaid from that to the present time within two miles of each other —

       Jacob Phillips

sworn to Aug 11, 1832
Page 32

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  Bristol Ss.   August 11. 1832.

  Jacob Phillips made oath to the truth of the within affidavits by him subscribed—
 Before me Anselm Bassett Just. of the Peace.
Page 33

I Samuel Dean of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy seven years, testify and say that I have known Isaac Washburn of said Taunton ever since the early part of the year 1776– That some time in December 1775 I enlisted in Taunton in a company of Militia or State troops where officers were Oliver Soper, Capt. Thomas Williams 1st Lieut. Alijah Lincoln   2d Lieut. Rufus Burney, Ensign for the term of one year- I went to Roxbury and joined the company then about the first day of January 1776- Remained at Roxbury a short time I then went to Dorchester: from there the Regiment to which our Company belonged was marched to Providence R. I. thence to New London Con. & there we were put on board a vessel for New York - I arrived there - then after I joined the Company at Roxbury. I became acquainted with said Isaac Washburn, who had enlisted into the same company with myself for the term of one year- at New York said Washburn was called to the workshop he being a Mechanic- I saw him a few times afterwards during th time for which we enlisted-
Page 34

After my years time had expired I returned to Taunton & some time after that, said Washburn also returned to said Taunton where we have made it our homes ever since-
  The name of the Colonel of the Regiment to which we belonged as aforesaid was Jospeh Read—
                    Lemuel Dean

Commonwealth of Massachusetts .
  Bristol Ss. August 14, 1832 Lemuel Dean made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed- before me A Bassett Just of the Peace

     Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS-  I James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that, Anselm Bassett Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the peace in & for said Bristol and duly qualified to administer oaths.
   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord Eight hundred & thirty two 
   Ja’s. Sproat