Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23001, Asa Edmunds, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service
Mass.

Edmunds, Asa 
Eunice

Number
W,23001. 

Contents
Page 2

Maine 2455 
Eunice Edmonds widow of Asa Edmunds decd 
Mass
who died on the 3rd of May 1838 of Belfast in the state of Maine who was a Sgt & Ens of the company commanded by Captain [??rly] of the Regiment commanded by [S..o?] in the Mass line for 2 years
Inscribed in the Roll of Maine at the rate of 85 dollars and zero cents per annum to commence on 4th July 1838 [4th day of March 1835? - crossed out]
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of [illegible] 38 and sent to Honorable H J Anderson
H of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of September - 118.75
Semi-annual allowance ending       52.50
[Total]                                               171.25
Revolutionary Claim Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3d
Recorded by Len A Elliot Clerk 
Book A Volume 2 Page 5

[right side]
Letter to Honorable HJ Anderson
February 19, 1840
Page 3

Maine - No 5.299 [27246 - crossed out]

Asa Edmonds of Belfast in the State of Maine who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Healy of the Regt. commanded by Col. Larned in the Militia line for 15 mos. as Sargt & 9 mos. as private - 
(special)

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine  at the rate of 108 Dollars and -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Mar. 1834 - and 
R.C. Vose


Arrears to the 4th of March 1834  - 324.00
Semi Annual Allowance Ending 4th September 1834 - 54.00
[Total] 378.00

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by R. Burdine
Book E.  Volume 1. Page 13.
Page 4

[writing too faded to read]
Page 5

[most of the page is illegible but near the bottom is written:]
Served in the army of the revolution in the whole two years & four months.
I was born in said Dudley August 19, 1757 - I have reason to believe there  is a record of my age in that town 
Major Holt was an officer in Colo Samuels Regiment at the time I belonged to it - Salem Towne since that time a General in the Militia of Massachusetts was the Lieutenant of the Company the first time I was called into the service.
I refer to Reverend Wm. Frothingham, Manasseh Sleeper Esq. is the Selectman of Belfast or any other Inhabitant of said Belfast who can testify as to my character veracity & their belief of my service as a soldier of the Revolution.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -   Asa Edmonds

were Justices of the Peace at the times of [illegible]    Abijah Bigelow
Page 6

We William Frothingham a Clergyman residing in the town of Belfast and Manasseh Sleeper residing in said Belfast hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asa Edmunds who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 

William Frothingham
Manasseh Sleeper [signatures]

And the said court do hereby declare this opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after pulling the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies, that it appears to them that William Frothingham who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Belfast and that Manasseh Sleeper who has also signed the form is a resident in said town and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit-
A. Johnson Judge of Probate Waldo County [signature]

I Nathaniel M. Lowrey clerk of the Court of Probate for the county of Waldo do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Asa Edmunds for a pension-- 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of August A.D. 1832 --- 
Nathaniel M. Lowrey Register of Probate
Waldo County
Page 7

I Ebenezer Edmunds of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am now seventy Eight year old. That I served in the Continental or State line for the term of Eight months at Roxbury near Boston in Massachusetts in the year 1775 in a company and as Capt Nathaniel Healy and in Col. Ebenezer Edmunds Regiment. That I marched to Roxbury April 19th 1775 and enlisted soon after [illegible] there and served till into January 1776. I well recollect that Asa Edmonds was a private in said Company and was dismissed when I was but I think that remained at Roxbury some days before the said Asa. The said Asa Edmund that lived in Dudley was well known to me - He left Dudley before the close of the Revolutionary war, and I have understood went into the State of Maine and further the deponent saith not 
Ebenezer Edmunds [signature]

Worcester SS. August 15th 1832, 
Then personally appeared the above named Ebenezer Edmunds and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed 
Before me     Geo A Tufts Justice of Peace  [signature]

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Ebenezer Edmonds and know him to be a man of truth and entitled to credit & as so reputed 
Geo A Tufts Justice of Peace [signature]
Page 8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Worcester ss.
I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas  within and for the County of Worcester, do certify that Frederick W. Bottom, and George A. Tufts, esquires, before whom foregoing and annexed Depositions of Jonathan Perry, Stephen Sealy, and Ebenezer Edmunds, were signed and sworn to are Justices of the Peace within and for said county of Worcester, and that the signatures of said Justices to the certificates of the oaths of said Deponents, appear to be in their own proper hand writing 

In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of December in the year for one thousand eight hundred and thirty two -
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk [signature]

I also certify that Frederick W. Bottom & George A. Tufts were Justices of the Peace at the time of taking the affidavit above referred to. 

Abijah Bigelow, Clerk [signature]
Page 9

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1838 

State of Maine 
Waldo County ss.}

On this twenty third day of November in the year eighteen hundred & thirty eight personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for said County Eunice Edmunds aged eighty two years next December 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 4, 1836 -

That she is the widow of Asa Edmund who was a  Segeant & Private in the Army of the Revolution & a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832    his Certificate was dated March 18. 1834 & Numbered 5,299 all which will more fully appear by his declaration & other papers on file in the War Department-

She further declares that she was married to the said Asa Edmunds at the town of Rutland State of Vermont on the twenty third day of March in the year one thousand were hundred & eighty that her husband the aforesaid Asa Edmunds died at Belfast, Maine on the third day of May in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed -
Eunice Edmunds [signature]

 Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written in open court before me 
Alfred Johnson Judge [signature]
Page 10

State of Maine 
Waldo County ss}

I Solyman Heath Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Eunice Edmunds for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said Court of Probate this 22d day of Novr. 1838

Solyman Heath Register of Probate [signature]
Page 11

I Alvan Edmunds of Belfast in the State of Maine on oath declares that Asa Edmund formerly of said Belfast died on the third day of May in the year eighteen hundred & thirty eight that Eunice Edmunds his widow now lives in Belfast & has remained a widow ever since the death of said Asa Edmunds - 
Alvan Edmunds [signature] 
Nov. 22. 1838 

State of Maine 
Waldo County Ss 
Nov. 22. 1838 
Personally appeared the above named Alvan Edmunds who is well known to me & who is a man of truth & whose declarations on oath  are entitled to full credit & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me 
Alfred Johnson Justice Peace [signature]

State of Maine 
Waldo County ss}
I Solyman Heath Register of Probate for said County hereby certify that Alfred Johnson is a magistrate as above & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine -

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the Seal of said Court of Probate this 22d day of Novr 1838 
Solyman Heath Register of Probate [signature]
Page 12

4103
Declaration to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836

Me [Maine]
4 July 36

Admd
15 mo. Sergt
9. pri
105. $

Died 3 May '38
pen: Com. 4 May '38

4 July '36
Hon. H. J. Anderson, H. R.
Anderson
Page 13

Extract from the records of the town of Rutland in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont- 
"March, twenty third in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty Asa Edmunds and Eunice Hawley was lawfully married together by Joseph Bowker Asst." 
I Ambrose Perry Clerk of the said town of Rutland hereby certify that the foregoing is a true extract and copy from the Records of said town in my possession except the date which is expressed on the record in plain legible figures as follows "March 23d AD 1780"
 A. L. Brown Town Clerk [signature]

I Ambrose L. Brown above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of said town of Rutland in the County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the record in said town with the exception above named as certified by me 
A L Brown Clerk of the town of Rutland [signature] 

Sworn before me this 24 day of August 1838 
L. Daniels Justice of the Peace [signature]
Page 14

State of Vermont 
Rutland County SS}

I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that Luther Daniels is a justice of the peace for said County and that his certificate, and signature within are genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 14th day of August AD 1838
R Pierpoint [signature]

[sideways, below]
1814

N.M. Lowrey Esq
Belfast, Me
Page 15

No 2469
Asa Edmonds of Maine




Hon L Jarvis
Page 16

BRIEF in the case of Asa Edmunds of Belfast in the State of Maine (Act 7th June, 1832.) 

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?   Court 

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

3. How old is he?   75 

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[table with the following headings: Period, Duration of Service, Rank, Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]

April 1775 he served 8 months as a Private under Capt. Healey. Col. Larned [illegible]

May  1776 he served 3 months as a Private under  Col Converse Genl Lincoln,

latter part 1776 enlisted for 15 months & served it out, except 6 Weeks or [zellerdths?] being [sai?]] served between 13 & 14 months 1779. 1780-  3 tours about 28 days 

5. In what battles was he engaged?
[blank]


6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?          Worcester County Massachusetts 

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
   [living?]  for 3 & [8?] Months - Traditionary for the remainder 

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
    length of time not stated 

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

J Wilson (signature) Examining Clerk. 
Jy 20 1839
Page 17

2459
Asa Emonds [Edmonds]

Maine
5.7 -
priv: 2 years-- 80$ per annum
Admd
Hon. L. Jarvis
H. R. [House of Representatives]
Page 18

[mostly blank form]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Asa Edmunds which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 

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 declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No .

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?
Page 19

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? 

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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No. 

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  

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 _____ months , and _____days, I served as a _______  For _____ months , and _____days, I served as a _______   and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 20

3 

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served. and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about the four months is too indefinite , and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 21

Asa Edmunds 
Payments to be made at Portland by Pres: US Br: bank

Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Maine


Recorded by Francis F. Franciosi Clerk, in Book D. Vol 1st page 56.
Page 22

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claims.

I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Asa Edmunds, of the State of Maine who was a private in the Army of
the Revolution
is entitled to receive
Eighty dollars and  ____  cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this
Seventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Lew Cass [signature]
Secretary of War

Examined and
Countersigned.}
J L Edwards  [signature]
Page 23

Maine 5299.
Asa Edmunds
of Belfast in the State of Maine
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Healy of the Regt. commanded by Col. Larned in the Militia line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of $80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
 
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Feby. 1833 and sent to Hon. L. Jarvis - H. of R. 

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 $120.00
Semi=anl allowance ending 4 Mar. 33 $40.00
$160.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Francis F. Franciosi Clerk,
Book D. Vol 1. Page 56.


15 mo Sergt
9 mo private
$108
R. C. Vose Present
[75? 30 /108]
Page 24

Rev
WIDOW, &C.

File No.  25,001

Eunice Edmunds
Widow of 
Asa Edmunds
Sgt. Rev War -

Act:  July 4 1836

Index: - Vol. A, Page 210

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 25

Belfast Dec 6th. 1833 

I mentioned to Capt Weymouth, that according to my declaration I had not got any pension for being clerk he said he was a going see you upon his own account and would mention my case to you and says wished me to make out every particular in the service I performed and send it to you with my certificate you would do what you could for me,  Sir my declaration is at Washington which I cannot alter.   I will send you the substance of that declaration - when I sent that to Washington I had not found any witnesses;  after I found witnesses to prove my services at Roxbury and North river; after you have seen these you will know whether it will be best to  proceed any further or not and if not you will return the certificate soon 
your unseen friend and humble Servant 
Asa Edmunds [signature]

Remember Capt Weymouth by information he was Capt of the main top of the ship Ranger for 6 or 7 months. his word is not disputed where he is known -
Page 26

Asa Edmunds of Waldo Co Maine, states in his Declare [declaration] the names of the officers under whom he served - 
Mrs. Edmunds furnished me with the names,
[the following text is crossed out:
in order to enable her to make her declare]

H. J.  Anderson 



Asa Edmunds Me [Maine] act 7 June 32 when last pd? 
GMC

7 Dec 38
pd to 3d May 1838
JH
Page 27

I Jonathan Perry of Southbridge, in the County of Worcester, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being Seventy Nine years of age, do testify and declare that I was a soldier in the service of the United States in 1776   I belonged to a company of Militia commanded by Captain Timothy Newell of Sturbridge in the County of Worcester   Asa Edmunds of Dudley was a soldier and a member of the Same Company with me - and  he and myself both served two months in the same company. This was at the time of the taking of General Burgoine [Burgoyne] upon the North River - We were stationed at sundry places  upon the North River, when our times [illegible] We returned home together 
Jonathan Perry his X mark
Attest Stearly Healy 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester Aug 13 1832
Then personally appeared Jonathan Perry, who signed the above deposition by  making his mark in my presence and made on oath that the same is true. 
before me Frederic W. Bottom
Jus Pasis [Peace]

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Jonathan Perry who signed the above deposition and he is reputed by his neighbors, to be a man of veracity 
Frederick, W. Bottom-
Page 28

I Stephen Healy of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am now seventy years of age that I enlisted at Dudley in April in the year 1775 as a fifer in Capt Nathaniel Healys Company, for the term of Eight months and served that time at Roxbury in said Company and Company was attached to Col Ebenezer Larneds Regiment and was stationed at Roxbury all said term - I recollect that Asa Edmunds then lived in Dudley and served in said Company during said eight months, I do not recollect any thing of him before I saw him at Roxbury but well recollect of being with him there - that is, I do not know when he enlisted. I met him first at Roxbury immediately after my arrival there, and we both lodged in the same house with him during all said time of service - that he was dismissed when I was, and came home with me to Dudley- I had no written discharge and think he had none -  We were both dismissed in December I think. Said Edmunds has been gone from Dudley this many years, further the deponent saith not. 
Stephen Healy [signature]

Worcester ss. August 13th 1832. 
Then personally appeared the above named Stephen Healy and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me 
Geo. A Tufts Justice of the Peace [signature]

I hereby certify that the above named Stephen Healy is well known to me and that he is a man of truth and entitled to credit 
Geo. A Tufts Justice of the Peace [signature]
Page 29

Asa Edmunds
Masstts. Troops

Nathl. Healy the
Eben. Learned's regt } 8 months

Newell's Co:
Converse's regt. } 3 months

Sergeant
Bellow's co:
Holman's regt. } 15 months
Page 30

State of Maine
[illegible] on this sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared in open court before me [illegible] Probate for the county aforesaid, Asa Edmunds [illegible] of Belfast in the state and county aforesaid, aged seventy five years. He being first duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act [?] of Congress  passed June the seventh one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, that [illegible] the said Asa Edmunds then of Dudley in the county of Worcester in State of Massachusetts aged seventy years and [illegible] entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served service starting in April one thousand seven hundred and seventy five [six?] at the time of Lexington battle : marched in company of
Page 31

(illegible)
Page 32

(illegible)