Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28699, Gideon Cushman, Mass.
Page 1

Mass.  

Cushman, Gideon

S. 28699
Page 2

Maine 

No. 27,332

Gideon Cushman
Hebron in the State of Maine
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Wood of the Regt. commanded 
by Col. Cary in the Massachusetts
line for 16 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of April 1834 
and 
Hon. Moses Mason


Arrears to the 4th day of March 1834  153.39
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 of Sept. 1834 - 26.66

$ 186.65

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

Recorded by R. Burdine 

Book E   Vol. 1   Page 9
Page 3

United States of America

MAINE DISTRICT ss.

At a Special District Court of the United States begun and holden at Minot, within and for said District, on the fourteenth day of August A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty before the Honorable Ashur Ware, Judge of said Court.

On this 14th day of August aforesaid, personally appeared in open Court before said District Judge Gideon Cushman a resident of Hebron in the county of Oxford in said Maine District, aged eighty one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.  That he the said Cushman enlisted in the town of Middleboro in the County of Plymouth in the state of Massachusetts into the American army during the Revolutionary War on the first of February A.D. 1776 and served two months as a private soldier in the company commanded by Nathaniel Wood of Middleboro in the regiment commanded by Col. Cary of Bridgewater in State of Massachusetts that he was in no engagements or battles but was employed in procuring materials and erecting fortifications on Dorchester Heights near Boston during said term of service.
That he the said Cushman again enlisted sometime in the last of June  in the town of Middleboro aforesaid in A.D. 1776 and served five months in the Company  commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wood aforesaid in the in the regiment commanded by Col. Cary  and on the first of July ensuing marched from Middleboro to New Haven, thereby water to New York where he was stationed a few weeks, thence to Chelsea up the Hudson River, about four miles from the City of New York he thinks, and remained at said last mentioned place seven or eight weeks, or till the 14th of September thence up river to a place called at that time, Harlem, within two miles of King's Bridge so called at which place he remained about a fortnight, thence to White Plains where he was employed in erecting fortifications for a week or ten days, at which place he had in view of the British army - thence to a placed called Colton Manor in the State of New York where he remained until he was discharged on the first of December.
That he the said Cushman again enlisted sometime in November A.D. 1777. and served three months in the company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wood aforesaid in the regiment commanded by Col. Sprout of Middleboro and was employed to guard the provision stores at North Kingston.  The he never received any written discharge - that the proof of his service is hereunto annexed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of

Gideon Cushman (his mark)

Attest T. Bradford

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.  Before,
Ashur Ware

U.S. Judge for the District of Maine
Page 4

the whole ten months as before stated in the several enlistments

Gideon Cushman (his mark)

Attest.  F. Bradford


Singed and sworn to before 
Ashur Ware
Justice of the Peace
District. of Maine

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War Department)  that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states

I, John Mussey Clerk of the District Court of the United States for Maine District, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gideon Cushman for a pension.
And that Simeon Perkins, Freeman Bradford and Gideon Cushman ? Esquires who took the named depositions of North, Shaw, Caleb Cushman, William Barrows and William Churchill, are Justices of the  Peace duly qualified that their official attestations are entitled to full faith and credit.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this eighteenth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two

John Mussey 
Clerk of the United States District
Court for Maine District
Page 5

Gideon Cushman

Application should be made to E.D. Bangs
Secretary of the State of Mass.
for evidence of the claim
service


John Mussey Esq.
Portland Maine
Page 6

War Department
Pension Office

Oct. 7, 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.   On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined noted you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and regulations will show what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus }).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Gideon Cushman

Period when the service was rendered - 

1776
1776
1777

Duration of the claimant's service - 

2 months
5 months
3 months

Rank of the Claimant - 

Private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served

Capt. Wood /  Col. Cary
Capt. Wood/ Col. Cary
Capt. Wood/ Col. Sprout

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service - 

81, Middleboro Mass.

Proof by which the declaration is supported

Nathaniel Shaw, Caleb Cushman

William Barrows, Holmes Thomas

4 witnesses, 3 not certified to be credible

Three months service by 
William Churchill

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 7

2 REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claim ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or Distric of } ss. On this day of County of A B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before of in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) with and served in the (e) regiment of the (Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he servunder more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. And then will follow the certificate of the Court. And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c. If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia. except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 days and year aforesaid. And then will follow the certificate of the Court. 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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 8

3 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected . All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his ease. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it givon , and what has become of it? Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what To has become of it? 7. State the names of 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. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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, anddays , I served as a . For months and days, I served as aand for such service I claim a pension." It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, in 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 past four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the 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. The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. ⌨ The opinion of the Court is always required. and it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubseal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 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 papers 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. 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 witness who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and as 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. The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note applies to continental troops only. This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 9

I Caleb Cushman of Hebron County of Oxford State of Maine of lawful age testify and say that in the year AD Seventeen hundred and seventy six I went to visit my brother Gideon Cushman who was then a soldier in the service of the State of Massachusetts at Roxbury in said state and tarried there with him about two days and I understood then that he had been then about one month prior to my visit and I frequently visit his family in Middleborough in said State, and had some care of his family while he was absent in said service, and I have no doubt but that my brother served out his time according ot his declaration in the Secretary's office and the explanation herewith connected
And I further testify and say that there were two Colonel Sprouts belonging to the town of Middleborough, the father and son; and the son was employed in the Continental Service, and the father was a Col. in the Militia service - And I was knowing to his being absent on service to Rhode Island in the Company of Capt. Wood and the Regiment of the older Col. Sprout and according to the best of my recollections he was absent about three months, in said service.

Caleb Cushman

Oxford ss.
March 25,1834

Then personally appeared the above named Caleb Cushman and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition before me.

I hereby certify that Simeon Perkins Justice of Peace that the above named Caleb Cushman is is a man of truth and veracity.

Simeon Perkins
Page 10

I William Barrows of Hebron in the County of Oxford and State of Maine of lawful age do testify and say that in the year AD Seventeen hundred and seventy five I was living in Plymouth adjoining Middleboro in the State of Mass. about eight or nine miles from Col. Sprouts a militia Col. and that the first of May in said year I enlisted into the eight months service; and Ebenzer Sprout Col. Sprout's son; afterwards Col. Sprout also was our Major at that time; and afterward was a Col. and both of said Col. Sprouts belonged to said Middelboro.

William Barrows

Oxford ss.
March 25, 1834

Then personally appeared the above named William Barrows and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him signed before me.

Simeon Perkins - Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the above named William Barrows is a person of truth and veracity.

Simeon Perkins
Page 11

J.L. Edwards Esq.

Commissioner of Pensions

Washington
Page 12

March 20th 1834
J.L. Edwards Esq.

Dear Sir:

Having received a communication from the Hon. Moses Mason enclosing your letter of March 5th to him, relative to the claim of Gideon Cushman, an applicant for a pension, and learning thereby that further information of an explanatory nature is called for in order to establish the claim, the applicant has endeavored to give you a history of services and circumstances relative to the two terms of service, which seemed to hold his claim, in ? viz. at Roxbury, Dorchester and at Rhode Island
Relative to the service in Roxbury and fortifying are Dorchester Hills 1776 - you have the testimony of Nathaniel Shaw who served with the applicant and the corroboratory testimony of Caleb Cushman who saw him in the service, said Shaw is now dead, but Caleb Cushman has made some further statements that seems to explain his knowledge of this service by his visiting his brothers' family in his absence, and assisting them, do not know what the Bangs certificate ? to , I have been recently informed by a gentleman who had occasion to search names of applicants in Mr. Bang's office, that the Revolutionary Rolls and papers were a confused mess, and as they have been considered of no value, little or no care has been taken of them til within two years, and some of them are not to be found.
Page 13

Relative to the service three months in the State of Rhode Island you have the testimony of William Churchill with the declaration of the claimant, he has not been called upon to make further statements as he resided (if living) considerable distance from this place and is the only person known by the applicant to be living who served with him, but you now have the corroborative testimony of Caleb Cushman attached to the explanation of the claimant, also the testimony of William Barrows to prove there were two Col. Sprouts, and that the elder Col. was of the Militia. 
Nothing now may be expected to be proved unless Churchill can give some further explanation. It is hoped the explanations will prove satisfactory should it fail in point of formality, you will undoubtedly return them for amendment.  
That the claimant served two months in Roxbury and Dorchester, five months in the State of New York, and three months in the State of Rhode Island is fully confirmed in the minds of his acquaintances.  Should be part of the benefits of the provisions of the act, it must be said the act has in this instance failed of accomplishing its end.

Very respectfully,
Gideon Cushman Jr.


J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 14

Mr. Parris whose letter accompanies the papers is a gentleman of whose public service,( you may agree),  knowledge , he was a few years Governor of this state, now Judge of the Supreme Court of this state
Page 15

INVALID

NO. 28699

Gideon Cushman

Pri. Rev. War


Act:  June 7 1832

Index:-Vol. D, Page 94


[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts


Secretary's Office, Jan. 21st 1834

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 Gideon Cushman is born on 
"A Pay Roll of Capt. Nathaniel Wood's Company, of Militia in Col. Simon Cary's Regt, Roxbury April 1, 1776" where he is allowed Four Days
Gideon Cushman claims for services under Capt. Nathaniel Wood from June 1776 five months; also for Three months service under Capt. Wood in Col. Sprout's Regiment but the rolls he describes  is not found in this Office.

Edward D. Bangs
Page 17

J.L. Edwards, Esq.

Commissioner of Pensions

Washington
Page 18

Portland March 25, 1834

J.L. Edwards Esq

Dear Sir:

I hear that Mr. Gideon Cushman of Hebron in this State finds it somewhat difficult to make such proof as to obtain a pension under the late law for the relief of the soldiers of the Revolution.  I have not seen Mr. Cushman's papers, and, do not know what proof he has obtained, but I understand that Deacon William Barrows,and Mr. Caleb Cushman are witnesses in his behalf.
Perhaps it may be serviceable to Mr. Cushman for you to know what implicit reliance may, with safety, be placed on such testimony.  I have known Mr. Gideon Cushman, the applicant, and also the two Gentlemen named above as witnesses, ever since my first recollections.  They, and each of them, were the friends and companions of my father, living in the neighborhood where I was born and grew to manhood; and I assert, what will not be contradicted or doubted by anyone, that these individuals are not to be found in the town of Hebron on whose statements
Page 19

either with or without oath, more implicit reliance can be place than on the three Gentlemen above named - I should place as much confidence on what either of them should state to me as fact, as  tho not under oath, as on any testimony I ever heard in court.

With entire respect, I am, 
Your friends etc.

Albion K. Parris
Page 20

N Shaw
C. Cushman
Gideon Cushman
Case
Page 21

I Nathaniel Shaw of Buckfield County of Oxford State of Maine aged eighty seven, testify and say I was a Soldier in the American army during the Revolutionary War in the year AD 1776 and that Gideon Cushman of Hebron in the County of Oxford was also a Soldier with me in the Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wood belonging to Col. Cary's Regiment stationed at Roxbury in the State of Massachusetts, and Mr. Cushman began his services as a Soldier the first of February 1776 and served two months February and March.

Nathaniel Shaw

State of Maine County of Oxford July 20 1832 then personally appeared the above named Nathaniel Shaw and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me

Simeon Perkins
Justice of the Peace

State of Maine County aforesaid
Nov. 9 1833
I hereby certify that the above named Deponent Nathaniel Shaw is a man of truth and is entitled to full faith and credit

Simeon Perkins
Justice of the Peace
Page 22

1 Affidavit of
Caleb Cushman
Gideon Cushman
case
Page 23

Caleb Cushman of Hebron of County of Oxford State of Maine aged seventy six years testify and say that I visited Gideon Cushman in the year AD 1776, who was then a soldier in the Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wood belonging to Col. Cary's Regiment stationed at Roxbury in the State of Massachusetts and that Mr. Cushman commenced his service as I have before stated the first of February 1776 and that he served two months in said company.

Caleb Cushman


State of Maine County of Oxford
July 20 1832 then personally appeared the above named Caleb Cushman and made oath for the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me

Simeon Perkins
Justice of the Peace

Hebron, County of Oxford aforesaid
Nov. 9, 1833

I hereby certify that the above named deponent is a man of truth and is entitled to full faith and credit

Simeon Perkins
Justice of the Peace
Page 24

Gideon Cushman 
Case
Affidavit of William Barrows
Page 25

I Holmes Thomas, of Hebron, County of Oxford, State of Maine aged seventy seven years on oath testify and say, that I served as a Sergeant during the Revolutionary war, in the AD. 1776 - When I was in the City of New York Gideon Cushman arrived there being a soldier in the company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wood in the regiment commanded by Simeon Cary which regiment was called the five months regiment.  I further testify that the said Cushman served in said company during five months.  I further testify that eh is the identical person who served as above said.

Holmes Thomas


Cumberland ss.  August 14th 1832
Then personally appeared the above named Holmes Thomas and made solemn oath to the truth of the affidavit by him signed.  Before me

 Ashur Ware
?

I hereby certify that Holmes Thomas is a man of truth and veracity and that full faith may be put on his declaration under oath.

Freeman Bradford
Justice of the Peace
Page 26

I William Barrows of Hebron in the County of Oxford State of Maine aged seventy six years, testify and say that I served in the revolutionary war with Great Britain AD 1776.  When I was in the city of New York Gideon Cushman, now of Hebron County of Oxford aforesaid arrived in the company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wood in Col. Cary's regiment.  He the said Cushman belonged to a regiment called five month's men and I have no doubt but he served said term of term.  Said Cushman has always been known to me and is the identical person who served as above stated.

William Barrows

Cumberland ss.  August 14th 1832 
Then personally appeared the above said William Barrows and made solemn oath to the truth of the affidavit by him signed.
Before me
Freeman Bradford
Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with William Barrows for more than ten years and can state that he is a man whose statement is entitled to full faith and credit.

Freeman Bradford
Justice of the Peace
Page 27

Affidavit of William Churchill

Gideon Cushman's
case
Page 28

William Churchill of Wayne in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine aged sixty nine years, testify and say that I served in the (fold) during the revolutionary war with Great Britain for several periods, and which was one of three months in the state of Rhode Island under the command of Capt. Nathaniel Wood of Middleborough in Massachusetts, Col. Sprout's Regiment in the winter of seventeen hundred and seventy seven and eight (having enlisted, the last of November - seventy ?)
The company was stationed at Obdike's Newtown - and I with six others, was ordered to North Kingston to guard a provision store, And I further say that Cushman, now resident in the town of Hebron, County of Oxford and State of Maine, was there with me in the same company and served with me for said period of three months when we were dismissed, I have been acquainted with said Cushman from my youth to the present time, more or less.  And I well know him to be the man who served with me as aforesaid.

William Churchill (his mark)

State of Maine County of Oxford July 18th 1832
the above named William Churchill to me known as a man of truth, personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me.

Gideon Cushman Jr.
Justice of the Peace
Page 29

Declaration of 
Gideon Cushman

No. 5084

Portland, Maine

no letter




Maine


Pension Certificate may be returned to Freeman Bradford
Portland
Page 30

10 ? private


Hon. Moses Mason

H.R.
Page 31

WE John Tripp  a Clergyman residing in the town of Hebron and Chandler Freeman of Minot within  a few miles of said Cushman
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gideon Cushman who has subscribed the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be eighty one 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 Tripp
Chandler Freeman

Before Ashur Ware U.S. Judge for Maine District

And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Tripp who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident of the town of Hebron and that Chandler Freeman of Minot who has signed the same is resident of Minto and are creditable persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Ashur Ware
Judge

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with John Tripp of Hebron and Chandler Freeman of Minot and know them to be persons entitled to full faith and credit.

Freeman Bradford
Justice of the Peace
Page 32

The following is an explanation of Gideon Cushman of Hebron in the State of Maine to services as a revolutionary soldier, as set forth in his declaration, he being an applicant for a pension under act of Congress passed June 5th 1832, in reply to Mr. Edwards objections as stated in his letter of March 5th 1834 to Hon. Moses Mason M.C.

I Gideon Cushman of Hebron in the State of Maine being desirous to give a satisfactory explanation to those services specified in any declaration, as an applicant for a pension under the act of June 5th 1832, do say and declare that I was a soldier in the company of Capt. Nathaniel Wood and that the company marched from Middleborough Massachusetts on the first day of February 1776 and arrived at the place of our destination the day following being the second of February at Roxbury, we were joined to a Regiment commanded by Col. Simeon Cary's, we were occupied in procuring materials for fortifications when we were not on guard (doing the duty of sentinels).  Dorchester Heights were selected for the fortifications, sometime in March, I think it was the eleventh day of the month or near that time our company was ordered to go on to Dorchester Hill where we commenced the work of fortifying; this work was commenced in the night.  I was in the second relief, I was called into the trenches at four o'clock in the morning.  I continued to work at the business of fortifying night and day (in my turn) until the platforms were laid, and the cannon were planted.  When this work was completed the forts commenced a heavy cannonading directed to the town of Boston, and the enemy left Boston in a few days (before the twentieth of said month).  I saw the British fleet sail out of the harbour in the
Page 33

full moon, and the Americans took possession of the town in the afternoon. I did no other duty after this time, during this term of service except the ? duty of drilling and a sentinel.  Carie's Regiment continued in the fort till it completed the term of two months.  Four days I think before our company was dismissed, I was taken sick and Capt. Wood advised me "to get home as soon as I could, as the company would be dismissed in a few days." the probability was that I should soon be unable to return home.  The affidavit of Nathaniel Shaw, who served with me, is attached to my declaration, he was the only person living who served with me in the above term, to my knowledge, he has since deceased.  Caleb Cushman visited me and spent a night with me in the Barracks, while in the above said service.
Relative to three months service in the state of Rhode Island 1777-1778, commenced first of December, Dismissed first of March. 
Col. Sprout who commanded the Regiment in which I served this term of three months was a Colonel of Militia, I think his Christian name was Ebenezer, and his son who was a Colonel in the Continental Army I think bore the name of his father (Ebenezer).
Old Colonel Sprout's Regiment was stationed along the shore of the main line in Rhode Island to guard the coast as a body of the enemy were in possession of the Island.   Capt. Woods' company in which I served was near the center of the limits we were stationed to guard, and in the vicinity of the Col's quarters, the provision store of the Regiment was more than a mile back in the country, from the Regiment and in the vicinity of persons unfriendly to our cause.  (Tories as they were called)
Page 34

under these circumstances it was thought proper to station a guard at the store, for its protection, (as I understood at the time) and seven men were detached from Capt. Wood's company for the special duty of guarding the store, and I was one of the number detached, and performed the duty with William Churchill, whose affidavit is attached to my declaration, (if not lost) and he is the only person now living to my knowledge, that served with me at that time; at the close of this term of service I was dismissed by Capt. Wood on the first of March having served three months.

Gideon Cushman

Oxford ss. - Hebron County of Oxford
State of Maine

Then personally appeared the above named Gideon Cushman and made oath that the above named statements and explanations by him signed were true.

Before me

Simeon Perkins
Hebron March 25, 1834