Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32991, for Nathan Lester, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Lester, Nathan

NUMBER
S.32991

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left side of page]
4.442
To Massachusetts
Nathan Lester.
Private
Capt Webb
Connecticut Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of eight Dollars per month to commence on
the 27th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th of Nov. 1818
and sent to John Hooker Esq
Chief Justice Stockbridge Berkshire
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 4 8/30 34.13
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1819 32.00
$66.13

[Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
7 years
[check mark]
Lee Berkshire Cy

[right side of page]
Transfer from New York
to Mass 17 July 1831
from March 1831 and
notification sent to Pensioner,
South Lee, Mass.
Danl B. Campbell
Nov 1 1833
Page 3

[left side of page]
4.442
To Massachusetts
Nathan Lester.
Private
Capt Webb
Connecticut Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on
the 27th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th of Nov 1818
and sent to John Hooker Esq
Chief Justice Stockbridge Berkshire
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 4 8/30 34.13
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1819 32.00
$66.13

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
7 years
[check mark]

Lee Berkshire Cy

[right side of page] Transfer from New York 
to Mass 17 July 1831 
from 4 March 1831 and 
notification sent to Pensioner,
South Lee, Mass.
Danl B Campbell
Nov 1 1833
Page 4

77
Nathan Lester
4442 Nov 18
Page 5

District of Massachusetts, ss:

On this third day of July 1820; Personally appeared in open Court before the Circut Court of Common Pleas, begun and holden at Lenox, within and for the County of Berkshire, in the Western Circuit, on the 4th Monday of June 1820, the same Court, being a Court of record for said Circuit; proceeding according to the course of the common Law, with a jurisdiction, unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Nathan Lester aged Sixty years, resident in Lee in the County of Berkshire aforesaid, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows; that he enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Webb in the regiment commanded by Colonel John Durgy or Durkee in the line of the State of Connecticut on the Continental establishment. That his original declaration is dated The 27 day of April A.D. 1818 and that his pension certificate is numbered four thousand four hundred & forty two.

And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent, thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons, engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule, hereto annexed, and by me subscribed - schedule of property, necessary clothing and bedding excepted - to wit: one horse - 30 -
one cow - 15.25
one old waggon - 22.50
[illegible] - 6.00
Household furniture - 20. -
$93.75
John Ingersoll Phineas Pease } appraisers

That I am by occupation a Husbandman that I am unable by bodily infirmity to pursue my occupation - that the number of my family residing with me is three that their names and ages are as follow: Lucy Lester my wife aged fifty-seven, who has been infirm for a number of years - Lucina Lester aged seventeen - Lydia Lester aged fourteen years -
(sign?) Nathan Lester

Sworn to, and declared on the third day of July 1820, before the said Court
Parker L. Hall Clk pro tem.

I Parker L. Hall Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Berkshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is ninety three dollars and seventy five cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this ninth day of August 1820.
Parker L. Hall} Clerk of the Court for the County of Berkshire.
Page 6

Nathan Lester's
Affidavit

Durkees Con rgt
Correct

John Hooker within [illegible]
from evidence given
that the said Nathan Lester
reduced circumstances
need of assistance 
support - Oct 27
Page 7

District of Massachusetts.
Berkshire County, ss.
On this 27th day of April in the year of our Lord 1818 before the subscriber Chief Justice of the Circuit Court including said County personally appeared Nathan Lester aged 58 years, resident in the Town of Lee in the County of Berkshire aforesaid, in the said District - who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That he the said Nathan enlisted in April 1776 Canterbury in the State of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain John Scott Colonel Sargeants 16th Regt of the Massachusetts Line for one year & in June 1777 enlisted at New Haven in Captain John Webbs Company Col Dirghen Regiment Connecticut That he continued to serve in the said corps, in the service of the United States, until the Peace [illegible]  when he was discharged from service at West Point State of New York in June 1783 which discharge was delivered to this person who bought the land 100 acres that he was entitled to for said service That he was in the battles of Harlem, White Plains, Kings Bridge so called; -and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of assistance of his Country for support; Asa Patten of Tyringham a witness who served with him And that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid.
Nathan Lester
John Hooker

I John Hooker Chief Justice as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Nathan Lester did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
John Hooker

I Joseph Woodbridge, Clerk of the said Court for the County of Berkshire do certify and attest, that the abovenamed John Hooker is Chief Justice of said Court and that the foregoing is his signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, the day and year first above written.

Jos Woodbridge Clerk
Page 8

I Asa Patten of Tyringham Berkshire Mass do solemnly affirm that I was in the same regiment with the said Nathan Lester & knew of his serving in the Continental army in the year 1782 untill the same was discharged
Asa Patten
Affirmed by me this 27th day of April 1818 -
before me John Hooker

[written vertically] Nathan Lester's
Affidavit
Durkee's Con rgt
Correct

I John Hooker within named do hereby certify that from evidence given me now I am satisfied that the said Nathan Lester the applicant is in reduced circumstances in life and in need of assistance from his country for support - Oct 27th 1818
John Hooker
Page 9

Nathan Lester's
Affidavit

Durkee's Con rgt
Correct

I John Hooker within named do hereby certify that from evidence given me now I am satisfied that the said Nathan Lester the applicant is in reduced circumstances in life and in need of assistance from his country for support - Oct 27th 1818
John Hooker
Page 10

D. B. Campbell
Power of
Attorney
from Lydea Curtis

Nathan Lester
Mass 32 Admd
Page 11

Know all men by these presents that I Lydia Curtis of [illegible] in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby constitute Daniel B. Campbell of Richmond in said County my free and lawful attorney for me and in my name and stead to make all needful inquiries at the Department of the Government in Washington in relation to my claim for a pension on account of the service of my late father Nathan Lester in the War of the Revolution - to examine all books and papers in relation thereto and to do such other acts and things in relation to the premises as I might do if personally present.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of June in the year 1833.
Lydia Curtiss
Signed & sealed in presence of}
Geo. W Kniffin

Berkshire Ss June 1833. There personally appeared Lydia Curtis above named & acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney by her signed with her act & deed
Before me
Geo. W. Kniffin Justice of the Peace
Page 12

Pension Office
July 11 1831

Free

[illegible Lee }
July 7 }

The Hon. Secretary of War

Washington City
D.C.

Transfer.

County
Esq of
Justice
Page 13

Application for a Transfer.

County of Berkshire ss.
On this Twenty Ninth day of June 1831, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Berkshire personally appeared Nathan Lester who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Lemuel Cleft in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Willis in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Massachusetts where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from this state of New York to the State of Massachusetts
To promote my interest & experience and to be near my friends. Nathan Lester

Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.} Charles M Owen Justice of the peace

[hand with finger pointing to text] The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The county Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

[hand with finger pointing to text] The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the Pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify, that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
Page 14

State of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss - June 29th 1831
Then Personally appeared Lawson D. Bidwell Esq Attorney at Law and made Oath that the person who took and subscribed the within oath is the same Nathan Lester described in the within affidavit - And I certify that the said Lawson D. Bidwell is a person of veracity.
Charles W. Owen Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire Ss
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Judicial Courts of said Commonwealth with & for the County of Berkshire do certify that Charles M. Owen Esq of Lee is & was on the 29th day of June current a Justice of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified as such & acting under the authority of said Commonwealth - that full faith & credit are & ought to be given to his acts of attestation done in that capacity & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are as I verily believe genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 30th day of June AD 1831

Chas Sedgwick Clerk.
Page 15

32991
Revy Invalid.
File No. 32.991
Nathan Lester
Pri Rev War
Act: 18" March 18"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 403

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

Application for a Transfer.

City & County of New York SS.
On this 12th day of April 1825, before me, the subscriber, a Notary Public for the said County of New York personally appeared Nathan Lester who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Lemuel Cleft in the regiment commanded by Colonel Durgee 1st company & regiment in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Massachusetts from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory) of New York in Ulster Co where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. That he at present receives eight dollars per month as a private on the Revolutionary list, and wants to be transferred from Massachusetts to New York list.
Nathan Lester

Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.}
Wm Orrington NP