Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15938, for Jesse Perkins, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3 - 1776 )
SERVICE: 
Continental (Mass.

Perkins, Jesse & Elizabeth

NUMBER: 
W. 15938

CONTENTS
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1681
Concord New Hampshire
====================
Elizabeth Perkins
widow of Jesse Perkins
who served in the Revolutionary
war, (Mass.) as a Private
Increased from $40 per An.
====================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
-96.00 Dollars. 
00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 
first day of July 1848.
====================
Certificate of Pension issued the 
seventh day of Jany 1857
and sent to
Hon. A. Tuck
Ho. of Rep.
====================
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 118 Vol. 1
Page 5

I Jesse Perkins a resident Citizen of the United States of Brookline in the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire of the age sixty three do solemnly swear, that the fore part of January AD 1776 I enlisted a private soldier for the term of one year in the Continental establishment to serve against the Common Enemy in the Revolutionary war, and served  my time faithfully in Capt Adam Wheeler's Company in Col John Nixon's Regiment in
the Massachusetts line from said fore part of Jan'y 1776 untill some time into Jan'y 1777 when I returned home from Morristown in New Jersey. I had no written discharge being taken sick with the Rheumatism at the time the rest of the Regiment was discharged & was returned to the Hospital & boarded out with one Isaac Pridon about 
half a mile from the Hospital. I have never been on the Pension list of Invalids and am in reduced circumstances and actually stand in need of assistance from my Country for my support not being
Page 7

no written discharge he being sick at the Hospital when his Regt. was discharged that he is reduced in his circumstances & stands in need of the Assistance of his country for his support & is not on the pension list of the U.S. 
From which I certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Jesse Perkins did serve in the Revolutionary  War on the Continental Establishment against the Common Enemy more than nine months & that he is reduced in his circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for his support & that  he is not on the pension list of the United States. And I now transmit the proceedings & the testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary of War pursuant to the aforementioned Act of Congress.
[signed] J. H. Smith; Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

This Certifies that the Signatures of J. H. Smith on this paper is in his own handwriting and that he is one of the Judges of the County of Hillsborough aforesaid. His Testimony whereof I have here affixed the seal of said Court.
[signed] Moses Eastman Cler

[illegible Court Seal affixed lower left]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex ss }
Office of the Clerk of the Church in the first Parish in the town of Westford this  twenty first day of September eighteen hundred and thirty eight.

I Ephraim Abbot Clerk of the Church in the parish in the town County and Commonwealth aforesaid make the following extract from the record of marriages in the records of said Church now in my
possession.
Seventeen hundred eighty one May twenty ninth was married Jesse Perkins of Carlisle to Elizabeth
Proctor of Westford.[signed] Mathew Scribner

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 "1781 May 29"
[signed] Ephraim Abbot

I Ephraim Abbot above named do depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the Church in the first Parish in the Town County and Commonwealth aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church with the exception above named as certified by me.
[signed] Ephraim Abbot
Clerk of the Church in the first Parish in the town County & Commonwealth aforesaid

Middlesex ss Sept 21 1838 
Then personally appeared the above named Ephraim Abbot and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. before me 
[signed] John W P Abbot Jus. Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss.
I Elias Phinney, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the County of Middlesex, being a Court of record, do hereby certify, that John W. P. Abbot Esquire is an acting Justice of the Peace in aforesaid County, duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission is dated on the twenty third day of December 1834 and will expire on the twenty third day of December 1841-- and that his signature to the foregoing certificate & to the certificate
below is Genuine.
Given under my hand & the seal of said Court the fifth of June 1839.
[signed] E. Phinney Clerk
[illegible Court Seal affixed at left]

I hereby certify that the within named Ephraim Abbot is a credible witness and a man of truth and integrity.
[signed] John W P Abbot Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss 
I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, for the County of Middlesex, do certify that John W. P. Abbot Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, within & for said County & that his name subscribed the within & foregoing certificate is his genuine signature.--
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & afixed the seal of said Court the thirteenth day of November 1838.
[signed] E. Phinney, Clerk
[illegible Court Seal affexed at left]
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3741
Elizabeth Perkins
Wid of Jesse
N H

Act July 4. 1838
Married 1781
died Jan. 1. 1837
Allow. 12 mos. for
$40 per annum from Jan 1, '37
Capt. Wheeler
Col. Nixon Mass line

P. M. Farley
Hollis, N. H.
Page 11

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County ss. }
On this sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight. before the Court of Probate of wills &c. holden at Amherst within and for said County of Hillsborough, personally appeared Elizabeth Perkins a resident of Brookline in said Countyaged seventy six, 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 7th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows", that she is the widow of Jesse Perkins late of Brookline in said County, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States, under the act of Congress of the 18 March 1818, and at the time of his death inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of New Hampshire agency, at the rate of Eight
dollars per month.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Jesse Perkins on the twenty ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one. That she has remained a widow ever since that period. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.
[signed] Elizabeth Perkins

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.
Before me in open Court.
[signed] Luke Woodbury,  Judge of said Courts.
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I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Luke Woodbury is Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills &c within and for said County of Hillsborough as before mentioned, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County, and subscribed my name at Amherst in said County, this sixth day of November Anno Domini 1838.
[signed] A. Wallace Clerk

[illegible Court Seal affixed lower left]
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State of New-Hampshire Hillsborough ss
At the Superior Court of Judication holden at Hopkinton within & for the County of Hillsborough on the third Tuesday of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty one -
Being a Court of record having power of fine and imprisonment and unlimited Jurisdiction in point of amount.

Present.
The Honorable William M. Richardson Esq. Chief Justice
The Honorable Levi Woodbury, Justice
The Honorable Saml Green, Justice

Personally appeared in open Court Jesse Perkins aged sixty five years resident in Brookline in said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows to wit enlisted into Capt Wheelers company in Col. Nickson's (Nixon's) Regiment in the Massachusetts line on the continental establishment in Jany 1776 for one year & served in said Company during said term and was honorably discharged. The date of my original declaration was on the 27th day of May 1818.
I have received a pension and my pension certificate is No 16.335 & dated the 15th day of January 1820-
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in
Page 16

the land or naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" passed on the 18th day of March 1818 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. My occupation is that of a laborer.
My family residing with me consists of my wife fifty nine years old & rather infirm. I am very lame
& infirm in consequence of having had my thigh & leg broken to pieces about thirty years ago. I am constantly afflicted with the rheumatism & am unable to do much toward my support.  [signed] Jesse Perkins

Sworn to and declared in open Court on this  eighteenth day of April Anno Domini 1821.
Attest    
[signed] F. French, Clerk

I Frederic French Clerk of the above named Court for the County of Hillsborough aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oath & the 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 foregoing schedule is thirty five dollars thirty seven cents-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court on this ninth day of May Anno Domini 1821-
[signed] F. French

[illegible Court Seal affixed lower left]
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Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15938
Elizabeth Perkins
Widow of Jesse Perkins
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2d, 1848
Index: Vol. M, Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Jesse Perkins. Concord. August 16, 1818
Died Jan. 1837
Died 1st January when paid
1837 pd. that period? IH 
[Initialed] H Hl

died Jan 1837
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Reported

3747.
New Hampshire Concord
===================
Elizabeth Parkins
widow of Jesse Perkins
who was a Private
in the Revolution
===================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
 40 Dollars and ---
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
===================
Certificate of Pension issued the
12th day of December 1843
and send to 
B. M. Farley
Hollis, N.H.
===================
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol 1. Page 20
Page 22

1681.
New Hampshire Concord
===================
Elizabeth Perkins
widow of Jesse Perkins
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private.
===================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
40 Dollars --
Cents per annum, to commence on
 the 4th day of March 1848.
===================
Certificate of Pension issued the 
1. day of Sept. 1848.
and sent to
Ben. F. Emerson
Nashville, N. H.
===================
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 118, Vol. 1

Recorded
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[printed form, blanks filled by hand]

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848.
Elizabeth Perkins, widow of Jesse Perkins, who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of forty dollars ['and ___cents' lined thru] per annum, commencing on the 4th of March 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry ; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 1st day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
[signed] W. L. March
Secretary of War.

[illegible Seal affixed at left]

Examined and Countersigned.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
By F. S. Evans
Page 25

Before me Robert Means a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hillsborough in the state of New Hampshire, appeared Elizabeth Perkins, and on oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Joint Resolution of the first of July 1848, That she is the widow of Jesse Perkins who was a pensioner under the Act of 18th March 1818 of Ninety six dollars per annum.
That she has received a pension under the Act of Feb. 2, 1848 at the rate of forty dollars per annum and she asks an increase of her pension to the same amount received by her husband with arrearages. 
[signed]  Elizabeth Perkins
October 31st,1850

I certify that Elizabeth Perkins is personally known to me to be the person she represents herself to be and is a credibleperson. 
[signed]) Robert Means, Justice of the Peace.

I certify that Rob. Means whose genuine signature is above written, is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough, and that his commission is dated Jan. 2, 1849, and continues 5 years thereafter.
[signed] Amos Tuck, Member of Cou. 1st Dist N. H.
Page 26

Admitted

Ben. F. Emerson
Nashville, N.H.
Page 27

[printed form, blanks filled by hand]

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2d. February, 1848, entitled" An Act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. County of Hillsborough ss. }
ON THIS twenty second day of July 1848 personally appeared, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Elizabeth Perkins who is a resident of Brookline in the County of Hillsborough aged eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War: That she is the Widow of Jesse Perkins who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolutionary war, That she was a pensioner and received a pension under the act of
the 17th of June 1844, at the rate of forty dollars, per annum, That her said Husband was a pensioner of the United States at rate of $96.00 per annum and that he served as a private in said Army, under Col. Nickson [Nixon] and in the Co. of Capt Adam Wheeler.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
[right] her
[right] Elizabeth   X   Perkins [X being her mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark
Attest: 
[signed] Sally Perkins   

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written- Before
[signed] Edward Emerson Justice of the Peace

I FURTHER CERTIFY, That the above Declarant is personally known to me.
[signed] Edward Emerson Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough COUNTY, SS.
I, Purley Dodge Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Edward Emerson is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the Twentieth day of May 1847 and will expire on the Nineteenth day of May 1852 and that his signature above written is genuine.
[illegible seal blocks beginning] hand, and the seal of said County, this 29th day of July 1848.
[signed] Purley Douge CLERK.

Sold by John F. Brown, 171, Main Street, Concord, N. H. [form sales person]
Page 28

1848
E. Perkins
$40 per an [annum]

B.M. Farley
Hollis, N.H.
Page 29

State of New Hampshire County of Hillsborough ss.
On this first day of May A.D. 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber, Benjamin M. Farley Esq. a Justice of the peace within and for said County of Hillsborough Elizabeth Perkins, a resident of Brookline in said County of Hillsborough aged eighty one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Jesse Perkins late of said Brookline, deceased, who was a private in the army of the Revolution in the Regiment of Col. Nixon, (according to the best of her recollection, but she may be mistaken as to the name,) in the Massachusetts line, and that she received under the act of July 7, 1838 an annual pension of forty dollars-
She further declares that she is still a widow. 
[signed] Elizabeth Perkins

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before.
[signed] Benjamin M. Farley Jus. Peace

I hereby certify that the above named Elizabeth Perkins is personally known to me the subscriber, and has been for more than forty years and that she is a credible witness.
[signed] Benjamin M. Farley Jus. Peace
Page 30

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County } ss.
I Perley Dodge Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of the County and State aforesaid,  do hereby certify that Benjamin M. Farley is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 13th day of June 1840 and will expire on the 12th day of June 1845, and that his signature above written is genuine.-
Given under my hand and the seal of said County this sixth day of June 1843.
[signed] Perley Dodge Clerk.

[illegible Court Seal affixed at left]
Page 31

Inc'd [Increased] to $96 per annum dedg. [deducting] former payts [payments] at $40 per annum comg [commencing] 1 July 1848

[signed] Hon. A. Tuck
H. of R.
Page 32

Exeter N.H. Nov. 4, 1850

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm. Pensions:
Sir,
I send you the Pension
certificate of Elizabeth Perkins and
her application for increase of pension
and for arrearages.
Send new certificate to me.
Respectfully,
Amos Tuck
M.C.
Page 33

Free

Amherst, N. H. May 11th [left side on edge] 86
The Honorable John C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
Washington City
Page 35

free [obscured]
Hollis, NH
Sept 9th
Honorable J. L. Edwards.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C. -

[left side on edge]
Rev claim
13 Sep 1843
A. Abigail Colburn
Abel Youngman
Elizabeth Perkins
Act. 1843
Page 36

Hollis, N. H.  Sep. 9, 1843 
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions -

Sir,
I have made the certificates on the enclosed declarations required by your letters of the 31st of August- I very much regret that the certificates required, were not inserted in the first instance, as the omission has caused some delay in obtaining the Pension Certificate, & occasioned[sp] you inconvenience.
I am very respectfully, your obedt.
Servant
[signed] Benjamin M. Farley
Page 38

This certifies that Randal McDonald and John Daniels who gave their affidavits on the other side
of this paper are both creditable witnesses in Courts of Law & that Sam'l T. Boynton who made the Certificates of their oaths is an acting Justice of the Peace whose official Acts as such are entitled to Credit by the Laws of the State of New Hampshire.

[signed] J. H. Smith, Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
Page 39

I Calvin Stevens of Hillsborough in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire Esqr. of lawfull age, do, testify and say, that Mr. Jesse Perkins the bearor of this, now calling himself a citizen of Brookline, in the County and State aforesaid was an enlisted soldier, in the army of the United States, and did serve as such one year at the same time Viz - from January 1776 to January 1777 - and was under what was then called Continental establishment - Company command by Capt. Adam Wheeler- Regiment Commanded by Colonel  John Nixon - at that time considered Mass'ts [Massachusett]s line - and further saith not.  
[signed] Calvin Stevens

Hillsborough ss. May 22nd 1818 - 
Personally appeared the above named Calvin Stevens and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed contained the truth, and the whole truth of what he knows relative to the above cases before me.
[signed] Nathaniel Johnston Justice of the peace

This certifies that the signature of J. H. Smith on this paper is in his own hand writing & that he is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Hillsborough. In testimony where of I have put the seal of said Court.
[signed] Moses Eastman Clerk
Page 40

This certifies that Calvin Stevens who gave his affidavit on the other side of this paper is a creditable witness in Courts of Law & that Nathaniel Johnston who made the certificate of his Oath is an acting Justice of the Peace & that his official acts as such are entitled to Credit by the Laws of the State of New Hampshire.
[signed] J. H. Smith 
Associate Justice of the Court Pleas for said County
Page 41

I Stephen Perkins of Brookline in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire of lawful age testify & say that Jesse Perkins late of said Brookline deceased, a pensioner of the United States, died at said Brookline on the first day of January A.D. 1837-- I was present at his death. I further testify that said Jesse Perkins left a widow by the name of Elizabeth, who has remained a widow to the present time.
[signed] Stephen Perkins
Attest:  [signed] Benjamin M. Farley  

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County ss } November 12th 1838.
Then personally appeared the above named Stephen Perkins & made that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true-
Before me [signed] Benjamin M. Farley Jus. Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Stephen Perkins is acredible witness.
[signed] Benjamin M. Farley Jus. Peace

I Sally Perkins of Brookline in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire of lawful age, testify & say that Jesse Perkins late of said Brookline, a pensioner of the United States died on the first day of January A.D. 1837 at said Brookline. I further testify that said Jesse left a widow by the name of Elizabeth, who has remained a widow to the present time. I was present when said Jesse died.
[signed] Sally Perkins

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County ss } November 12th 1838. 
Then the above named Sally Perkins personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed.
Before me [signed] Benjamin M. Farley Jus. Peace

I hereby certify that the above named Sally Perkins is a credible witness. 
[signed] Benjamin M. Farley Jus. Peace