Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,902, Abel Cheeseman, Mass.
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(3—1776)
SERVICE 
Mass.
Cheeseman, Abel
Mary
NUMBER
R. 1902
CONTENTS
[blank]
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8.065

Mary Cheeseman
—Mass—
wid of Abel

Act 7 July 1838
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire ss.

On this sixth day of October in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty one personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate Mary Cheeseman of Hinsdale in the County of Berkshire aforesaid aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law on her oath makes 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 & pensions to certain Widows":— That she is the Widow of Abel Cheeseman late of Becket in said County, deceased, who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution: that his services as such took place before her marriage with the said Abel & she cannot state the details of his services but for proof thereof she refers to the Revolutionary Records Rolls & Documents which have heretofore been transmitted from the Secretary's Office of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by direction of the Legislature of said Commonwealth to the War Department of the United States which as she is informed & believing contain the particulars of his said services; the said Abel having enlisted at Braintree Mass. & during the period of his services or a part of the time, served in a Company commanded by Captain Silas Wild, as he the said Abel has often many years ago informed her.  
She further declares that she was married to the said Abel Cheeseman on the fifth day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine: that her husband the aforesaid Abel Cheeseman died on the fifteenth day of May in the year
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one thousand Eight hundred and twenty six — that she was not married to him prior to his leaving this Service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, to wit, on the day and year herein before stated: for proof of which marriage & his death she refers to the proofs herewith transmitted.—
her X mark
Mary Cheeseman
S. Oct. 6. 1841.

Subscribed & sworn to before me
William P. Walker Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss. I Henry W Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Berkshire do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Judge of said Court in the matter of the application of Mary Cheeseman for a pension. that the Hon William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified and the above signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of October in the year Eighteen hundred & forty one.
Henry W. Bishop
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State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } ss.
Be it known, that on the 9th day of December A.D. 1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared [crossed out] Benj. F. Kitridge & Munro Emmons two disinterested and respectable witnesses and made oath according to law, that they are well acquainted with Mary Cheeseman late of this date in said court deceased, widow of Abel Cheeseman (who was [crossed out] a soldier in the Revolutionary War) and that Samuel Cheeseman Abel Cheeseman, Betsey Briggs, Lydia Cockerin, Edward Cheeseman and Anna Sprigg are her only surviving children. And that she the said Mary Cheeseman departed this life on the 22d day pf February A. D. 1842
Benja F. Kittridge
Monro Emmons.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year las above mentioned, before me,
Oliver P. Colt

I Charles Sedgwick clerk of the Court of Common Pleas [crossed out] in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Chas. H Plunkett & Oliver P Colt before whom the [f]oregoing papers were execute, [crossed out] were at the date of the same Justices of the Peace in and for said county duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and [crossed out] their names thereto subscribed [crossed out] are their genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 9th. day of December A. D. 1851.
Chas. Sedgwick Clerk

Know all men by these presents that I Arthur McArthur of Lemington [?], Maine attorney of the children of Mary Cheeseman deceased for arrears of pension do hereby substitute Robert W. Young of Washington, D.C. to act in my account & stead in the duties of said attorney — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of December AD. 1851
Arthur McArthur
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of-
William G. Lord
State of Maine
York County } ss: Be it known that on this twentieth day of December AD. 1851 personally appeared Arthur McArthur above named & acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be his free act and deed
Before me James McArthur Justice of the Peace
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64
Mary Cheeseman
Mass: suspended case —Widow of Abel Cheeseman


R W Young
Feb 52
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State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } ss.
Be it known, that on the 9th day of December A. D. 1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Edward Cheeseman and made oath according to law, that he is the child of Mary Cheeseman deceased— widow if Abel Cheeseman (who was a crossed out] private in the War of the Revolution,) [crossed out] that he has reason to believe that the said pension ought to be granted and that he is directly interested in the same, and makes affidavit to be filed by his attorney, with any additional evidence or argument he may deem necessary in the prosecution of said claim.
Edward Cheeseman
Sworn and subscribed the day and year las above mentioned, before me
Chs. H. Plunkett Justice of the Peace 

State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } ss.
Be it known, that before Chs. H Plunkett a Justice of the Peaces in and for the said county, personally appeared Edward Cheeseman of Hinsdale in said County who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that he is one of the children of Mary Cheeseman late of Hinsdale deceased, widow of Abel Cheeseman (who was [crossed out] a private in the War of the Revolution,) [crossed out] that he now makes this declaration to recover the pension, that may be due, on account of the services of Abel Cheeseman as aforesaid, for the benefit of the children of said Mary Cheeseman under any acts or resolutions of Congress applicable to the case.
Sworn and subscribed this 9th day of December 1851 before me.
Chs. H Plunkett Justice of the Peace

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I, Edward Cheeseman of Hinsdale in Massachusetts, a child of Mary Cheeseman of said Hinsdale deceased, widow of Abel Cheeseman (who was a [crossed out] in the War of the Revolution,) do hereby constitute and appoint  Arthur McArthur of Lemington [?], Maine my true and lawful attorney for me, and in my name to prosecute my claim to any arrears of pension that may be found due on account of the services of said Abel Cheeseman as aforesaid; and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers and documents touching my claim, on file in the department of Washington or elsewhere and file any additional evidence or arguments he may think proper, to ensure the recovery of the same.
Witness my hand and seal this 9th day of December A. D. 1851
Edward Cheeseman
Signed and sealed in the presence of 
WITNESS, Z. K. Harmon
WITNESS, Oliver P. Colt
{L.S.}

State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } ss.
On this 9th day of December A. D. 1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Edward Cheeseman and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Chs. H Plunkett Justice of the Peace
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I Elisha Mack of Lenox in Berkshire County in Massachusetts being now in the Eighty third year of my age, do testify & say, that I am the Brother of Mrs Mary Cheeseman, Widow of Abel Cheeseman deceased that I was present at the time of the marriage of the said Abel Cheeseman to my said Sister Mary. Said marriage took place at the house of my Father in a part of Becket, Massatts. & which is now annexed to Middlefield, Massatts. I was present at the Wedding & was then in my twenty first year. The ceremony was performed by a Clergyman who was then settled in said Becket by the name of Hare [?] — The said Abel & Mary boarded with my father untill the Spring succeeding their marriage & then commenced housekeeping together & lived together as Man & Wife untill his death. & had several children; He died several years ago but I do not recollect the precise time of his death. — The said Abel came to my fathers in the Spring prior to his marriage (which was in the fall or early part of the [crossed out] Winter) and worked for my father as a hired man through the summer. he then stated that he came from Braintree Massatts. and I have often many years ago heard him state that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War & tell many of the particulars of his Services. which I cannot now recollect. I recollect however of hearing him state that he was stationed for a part of the time in or near Boston. and my impression is (though of this I cannot positive) that he told me he served three years in all. And further I say not. —
Elisha Mack

Commonwealth of Massatts. Berkshire ss. {illegible] Oct. 8. 1841 Then the above named Elisha Mack made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed before me. & I certify that I am well acquainted with said Elisha Mack & that he is in all respects a credible witness— The word "year" was [illegible] before signature by me. —
George J. Tucker Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss.
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court of Common pleas for said County of Berkshire do certify that Charles H Plunkett Jabin B Williams Franklin Sturgis & George J Tucker Esquires are all Justices of the Peace within aforesaid County of Berkshire duly commissioned & qualified as such that they were such Justices at the date of their several certificates hereto annexed & that I verily believe the signatures respectively purporting to be those of said Plunkett Williams Sturgis & Tucker to their certificates on the several Depositions hereto annexed are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of October 1841.
Chs Sedgwick Clk
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A Memmarandom of Abel
Cheesemane Childrin
Samuel first born Sept 6 1780
Elizabeth first born July 18 1782
Martha born July 18 1784
Molly born June 17 1786
Sarah born April 11 1788
Samuel 2 born March 14 1790
Abel born January 29 1792
Elizabeth 2 born augst 2 1794
Silence born Oct 1 1796
Lyda born Dec 9 1798
Edward born November 26 1801
Anna born February 27 1804
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Abel Cheeseman
12:6
6:7
1:6
Abel Cheeseman
Abel Cheeseman
[illegible]
abel Cheessman 444:4:3
7
[illegible] [illegible] 1/08
20
1/69
:18 [?]
7/7 [illegible]
9
2/91
Abel Cheessman
Qos [?] T SS Pause
9  11  10
7. 0. 6
2. 14 4

7
49
20
00
98
9/80
12
60
80 [?]
8/60
4
[illegible] 40

Quarts Mugs Points Gils
Half Points Half Gils
110110
9
790770
20
1900
110110
9

790770
20
1900

70
11
70
70
770

C C
F Funct 

123456789
[illegible]

1118 19 [illegible]
[illegible]
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I Anna Post of Hinsdale in the county of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Wife of Ichabod Post, now in the thirty Eighth year of my age, do testify & say, that I am the daughter of Mrs Mary Cheeseman Widow of Abel Cheeseman deceased: and that the record or memorandum hereunto annexed of the births of my brothers & sisters & myself: is in the hand writing of my father said Abel Cheeseman. and that I cut said record or memorandum from my father,s account book, about fourteen years ago, for the purpose of keeping it safely and that it has been in my possession most of the [illegible] since. That my said father died fifteen years since, and that my mother said Mary Cheeseman has not married since but remains a widow. That I have often heard my father speak of his services in the revolutionary war and of his being an inhabitant of Braintrey Massachusetts, during his service in said war, and that he was at the taking of Burgoyne — and that his whole service in said war was three years and further I say not
Anna Post

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. Hinsdale October 11. 1841. Then the above named Anna Post made oath to the truth of the Deposition by her subscribed before me. And I certify that I am well acquainted with said Anna Post and that she is in all respects a credible Witness
Chs. H Plunkett Justice of the Peace
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I David Cannon of Becket in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being Clerk of said Town of Becket and having the custody of the Books containing the records of said Town — do hereby certify that I have examined the Books in my possession containing said records for the purpose of finding a record of the marriage of Abel Cheeseman and Mary Mack — and that I further certify that I cannot find any record of such marriage - and I further say that I find but three marriages recorded from A.D. 1774 to the year 1782 inclusive to wit Asa Baird and Abigail Burchard July 13th 1778 Enos Kingsley and Rachael Crane November [?] 26th 1778 and Josiah Remington and Adah Wait July 11th 1779 all three of which marriages were solemnized by Nathaniel Kingsley Justice of the Peace
Dated at Becket this twenty third day of October A.D. 1841
David Cannon

Berkshire ss. becket Oct 23d 1841 Personally appeared David Cannon above named signer of the above certificate and made oath, that the above certificate by him subscribed is true and I further say that I am personally acquainted with the said David Cannon and know him to be a man of truth and a credible witness before me
Jalim [?] R. Williams Justice Peace
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I Gaius Carter of Becket in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age [crossed out] being first duly cautioned ansd sworn do depose & say That I am the Clerk of the Church of Christ in the Town of Becket and that by virtue of that office I now have in my possession the Records of the Clergymen of this town from the year 1758 up to the present time there being now no settled minister in the town the Rev Mr Mills the last settled pastor having deceased during the present year. That I have examined sd Records, and find that from the year 1774 up to the year 1806, no record whatever is made therein of any marriages in sd Town, That I find therein no record made of the marriage of Abel Cheesman to Mary Mack
I do further depose & say that on sd Records I find the following words "Names of the deceased" "May 15th 1826. Abel Cheesman age 68" I was acquainted with sd Abel Cheesman, and know of his death, and do further testify that it is generally believed in the neighborhood where he lived that he was a soldier of the Revolution
Gaius Carter
{Scribe of the Church of Christ in Becket
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Limington, Maine
October 18 1861
Sir,
A communication from Comm. of Pensions dated Sept 29 1857 [?] in answer to my application in behalf of Childre of Mary Cheeseman widow of Abel for arrears of pension under Act of 7 July, 1838 the Comm alludes to a then recent decision of Secretary o Interior that "the law does not authorize a pension allowance "to the children of Revolutionary soldiers "of their widows" in accordance with which my claim was rejected.
I am informed this decision of Secretary of the Interior was founded on the legal opinion of a late Attorney General and reversed the settled opinions of all his predecessors and changed the rule of the Department, which had prevailed for many years.
You will confer a favor by forwarding to me the opinion of the Attorney General in extenso, provided [?] it has been printed an dont give [illegible] too much trouble.
[illegible] [illegible] respectfully
your obt serv.
Arthur McArthur
[illegible] Joseph H. Barrett
Comma. of Pensions
Washington
D C.
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I Noah Torrey of Braintree, Massachusetts depose, testify and say, that I am Town Clerk of the Town of Braintree aforesaid, duly elected, qualified and sworn and have the custody of all Records of said town, and of Deaths, births & Marriages which are recorded in said Records, and have carefully and diligently searched said Records from the year 1640 to 1783 the close of the Revolutionary War and do not find the name of Abel. or Abiel Cheeseman occuring on said Records excepting the following which I copy verbatim et literatim, and which is in legible, distinct and intelligible letters and figures following viz "The Children of Edward & Margaret"
"Cheeseman are as follows Viz"
"Anson a Son born July 14th 1752"
"Benjamin a Son born Sept 20th 1756"
"Abel a Son born Feb 22nd 1758"
"Rhoda a Daughter born March 5th 1760"
"Calvin a Son born Nov 12th 1764"
That I find two other families recorded spelt Chessman, which from similarity I suppose to be the same name, but a misnomer, but do not find among them any one of this name Abel or Abiel, that by a general examination of all the Records of said Town up to the
(over)
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close of the Revolutionary War I do not find any notice of but one pension bearing the name of Abel purporting to be the son of Edward and Margaret Cheesman born Feb 22nd 1758 as aforesaid
Signed Noah Torry; Town Clerk of Braintree, Massachusetts

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County S.S. On this Ninth day of September A.D. 1857 personally appeared Noah Torrey above names, with whom I am personally acquainted, and who is Town Clerk of Braintree in said County & State, a disinterested and credible witness, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me, and I certify that I have no interest in the claim for which aforesaid deposition was taken
John Kimball Justice Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk, ss.
I, Ezra W. Sampson, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, aforesaid, hereby certify that John Kimball was, at the time of making the above, Certificate of Oath and now is, a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, in and for the County of Norfolk, aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the above certificate I believe genuine and true.

IIn Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name, and afffixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth, aforesaid, at Dedham, this Nineteenth day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven
Ezra W Sampson Clerk.
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Braintree Mass.
Abel Cheeseman d 1826
May m. 1779 5 [?]
Silas Mild [?]

Vol 13 p 152 AD 1775 9 days on

Edw - Cheeseman n Last Mo
Haton [?] C 1778
Page 19

Mass. — 8065
Mary Cheeseman wid of Abel 
Letter to Geo. J. Tucker 4. Nov. 1841
A. McArthur Aug 25/57
Same Sep. 29. 1857
A. McArthur Oct. 23d '6
1902
Act. 1838
Page 20

LIMINGTON SEPT [illegible] Me [stamp]

McA
Mary Cheeseman
Abiel Massas
1838

Hon George C. Whiting
Commr. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 21

Limington, Maine,
Sept. 23 1857.
Sir,
I herewith forward you additional evidence in the Certification of Edward Cheeseman Administrator of Mary Cheeseman widow of Abel Cheeseman deceased for a revolutionary pension under Act 7 July 1838. agreably to the requirements of your communication of August 25 1857.

I am very respectfully
Your obt. servt.
Arthur McArthur

Hon. George C. WHiting,
Commr. of Pensions
Washington,
D.C.
Page 22

Limington, Maine,
August 12 1857
Sir,
I herewith forward you the Application & documents of Edward Cheeseman Administrator & child of Mary Cheeseman widow of Abel Cheeseman for pension & arrears, due him under the Act 7 July 1838, the same being Additional Declaration & evidence to his original declaration made under Act 7 July 1838 for revolutionary pension
I am very respectfully
Your Obt. servt.
Arthur McArthur

Hon. George C. Whiting
Commr. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 23

Cheeseman
Page 24

Lenox Oct. 26. 1841.
Nea/2 [?] &c.
Sir,
Enclosed I send you the Declaration &c. of Mary Cheeseman. __ Please to communicate to me the result when ascertained.
In the case of the application of Mrs Temperance Sedgwick you are requested to delay a decision adverse to her claim for the services of her late Husband Asher Sedgwick dec. as Assistant Quartermaster or Storekeeper, as it is believed that the circumstances referred to in your letter, as showing that he did not act in that capacity may be satisfactorily explained. __
Respy Yours
Geo. J. Tucker
Page 25

[crossed out]
REJECTED [stamp]
1902

Mary Cheeseman
Service: widow of
Abel Cheeseman

[illegible]sted: __, 18
[illegible]harged: __, 18

[illegible]ication filed: __, 18

[illegible]ges: __
enlisted: __

Attorney: __
P.O. __

__Recognized.  __Contract.
__Cert. of Dis.  Searched for __, 18.
Page 26

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
BERKSHIRE SS.
I, Henry W. Taft Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Theodore Barrows Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth
and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Theodore Barrows and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this tenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fiftyseven
Henry W. Taft Clerk.
Page 27

Berkshire County ss.

I, Daniel N. Dewey, Esq., Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Berkshire. To all to whom these Presents shall come,
Greeting.

BE IT KNOWN, That Andrew Waterman whose signature is affixed to the annexed Certificate, is Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Berkshire, and has custody of all the files, records and proceedings of said Court, for the County aforesaid, and is by law the proper person to make said Certificate. That full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts done in his capacity as Register aforesaid, and that the Certificate hereto annexed is in due form, and the signature subscribed thereto is his genuine signature.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be hereto affixed, this twenty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven and in the 83 year of the Independence of the United States.
Daniel N. Dewey
Page 28

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshiire COunty ss.
I, Andrew J Waterman Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County,

DO CERTIFY THAT, at a Court of Probate holden at Lenox in and for said County, on the third day of February eighteen hundred and fifty two Edward Cheeseman of Hinsdale in our county of Berkshire was duly appointed Administrator on the Estate of Mary Cheeseman late of said Hinsdale deceased and took upon himself that trust, by giving bond according to law—which appointment is still in full force.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this Twenty first day of July eighteen hundred and fifty seven
Andrew Waterman
Register as aforesaid
Page 29

Secretary's Office, Boston,
April 27th 1857.

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 name of Abel Cheesmen is borne on alarm of April 19. 1775 in Capt. Silas Wild's Comp. Col. William Heath's Regt. name borne on Court roll, dated Cambridge Comp Dec. 12. 1775. 8 mos. from Braintree. Also on pay roll of Capt. Samuel Holbrook's Comp. of June 14. 1776. 3 days, as private from Braintree.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Stephen Penniman's Comp. Col. Dykes Regt. of 3 mos. service from Dec. 1. 1776. as private from Braintree. Also on pay roll of Capt. Stephen Penniman's Comp. Col. Benjamin Gill's Regt. from Aug. 15. to Dec. 12th 1777. (Joseph Tower promoted in said company to Capt. and Stephen Penniman to Major.) 3 mos. 27 days, as private.
Own[?]
Page 30

Application of Edward Cheeseman child & Administrator of Mary Cheeseman late of Hinsdale Massachusetts Widow of Abel Cheeseman a soldier of the Revolutionary Army for the Evidence of his services
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Berkshire and Town of Hinsdale April 1857
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish Evidence from the Rolls and Revolutionary Documents in his office of the service of Abel Cheeseman my late father in the war of the Revolution Abel Cheeseman my late father was a native of Braintree in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts & as I think, & hailed from there when the service was rendered I believe my said father served as a private in Massachusetts State troops or Continental line for more than two years during which time I think he served under Captains Penniman Wild Thayer Belcher & Hollis a portion of his time & I think he was at the Battle of Bennington I ask for a general search under others officers I hereby appoint Arthur McArthur of Lemington Maine my attorney in the premises, Witness my hand the day and year above named
Edward Cheeseman
Signed by the said Edward Cheeseman in my presence
Theodore Barrows Justice of the Peace
Page 31

Also on pay roll of Capt. Na [page cut off] Belcher's Comp. Col. Andrew Symons [?] Regt. of Guards, from July 26 78 April 26, 1778. 2 mos. as private
Also on pay roll of Capt Abel Richards Comp. Col. Jonathan Coggswell's Regt. from Sept. 15. 1778. 2 mos. 18 days, as private.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
F. DeWitt
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 32

State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } ss.
Be it known, that on the 2 [?] day of July A. D. 1857 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Edward Cheeseman of [crossed out] Hinsdale in said State and made oath according to law that he is the child and Administrator of Mary Cheeseman deceased—widow of Abel Cheeseman (who was [crossed out] a private of the War of the Revolution,) and [crossed out] the applicant for a pension for his services; that he has reason to believe that the said pension ought to be allowed and that he is directly interested in the same, and makes this affidavit to be filed by his attorney, with any additional evidence or arguments he may deem necessary in the prosecution of said claim. Edward Cheeseman
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me 
Theodore Barrows Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } ss.
Be it known, that before Theodore barrows a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, personally appeared Edward Cheeseman who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that he is the child 7 Administrator of Mary Cheeseman deceased, widow of Abel Cheeseman (who was[crossed out] a private in the War of the Revolution,) [crossed out] now makes this declaration to recover any pension or arrears of pension, that may be due, on account of the services of her said husband as aforesaid, for the benefit of Samuel Cheeseman Abel Cheeseman Betsy Briggs, Lydia Cockerin Edward Cheeseman & Anna Sprigg under any acts or resolutions of Congress applicable to the case 
Edward Cheeseman
Sworn and subscribed this 22 day of July 1857 before me.
Theodore Barrows Justice of the Peace 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I Edward Cheeseman of [crossed out] Hinsdale Massachusetts child and Administrator of Mary Cheeseman deceased, widow of Abel Cheeseman (who was [crossed out] a private in the War of the Revolution,) do hereby constitute and appoint Arthur McArthur of Limington, Maine my true and lawful attorney  for me, and in my name to prosecute my claim to any pension or arrears of pension that may be found due on account of the services of said Abel Cheeseman as aforesaid; and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers and documents touching my claim, on file in the department at Washington or elsewhere and file any additional evidence or arguments he may think proper, to ensure the recovery of the same. Edward Cheeseman
Witness my hand and seal this 22 day of July A. D. 1857
Signed and sealed in the presence of 
WITNESS, Theodore Barrows
WITNESS, John Cady
{L.S.}

State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } ss.
On this 22 day of July A. D. 1857 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Edward Cheeseman and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Theodore Barrows Justice of the Peace
Page 33

State of Massachusetts
County of berkshire } ss.
Be it known, that on the day of July 29 a.D. 1857 before the subscriber, A Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared [crossed out] Monroe Emmons and Benjamin F. Kittredge two disinterested and respectable witnesses, and made oath according to law, that they are well acquainted with Mary Cheeseman deceased, widow of Abel Cheeseman (who was [crossed out] a private in the Revolutionary War,) and that Samuel Cheeseman, Abel Cheeseman Betsy Briggs, Lydia Cockerin Edward Cheeseman & Anna Sprigg are her only surviving children. And that she the said Mary Cheeseman departed this life on the 22d day of February A. D. 1842
Sworn and subscribed the day and year las above mentioned, before me, 
Monroe Emmons 
Benj F Kittredge
Theodore Barrows Justice of the Peace

I Henry W. Taft clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court in in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Theodore Barrows before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and his name thereto subscribed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 10 day of August A. D. 1857.
Henry W. Taft Clerk