Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2853, for James Pressey, New Hampshire
Page 1

Service
N. H.
Pressey, James
Betsey
Number
W2853
B.L.Wt. 13208-160-55
Contents
[blank]
Page 2

9280
Vermont
James Pressey of Randolph in the State of Ver who was a pri in the Com commanded by Captain Frye of the Reg commanded by Col Cilley in the N. H. line for 6 mo. 3 dys
Inscribed on the Roll of Ver at the rate of 20 Dollars 31 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 Day of April 1833 and sent J. K. Parish Randolph Vt
Arrears to the 4th of March: 33: $40.62
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 4 33: 10.15
[total] $50.77
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 83
Page 3

6 mo 3 days
Private
Admit 6 mo 3 days
$20.31 cts
J. K. Parish Esq
Randolph Vt
Pressey
James Pressey
77 1874.
Page 4

State of Vermont
Orange County ss.
& District of Randolph
At Randolph in said County on this 15th day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. the Probate Court within aforesaid district in the said Orange County, now setting, being a Court of Record James Pressey a resident of Randolph in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged 69 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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he was born in Amesbury Mass. and when quite young removed to Warner in the State of N. H. and that in the summer thinks in June he entered the service of the U. States at said Warner and mustered at Amherst N. H. and marched to West Point N. Y. & joined the first company & first Regt. of N. H. Troops under command of Capt. Frye and Col. Joseph Cilley and served the full six months & was discharged at a place called Soldiers Fortune on the North River not far from West Point, R. I. a discharge from Col. Cilley but which he lost - the orderly Sergt. name was John Douglass - a Corporal Peter Haney - during the time of service was in the State of N. Jersey a past of said time.
He has no documentary evidence & knows of no persons whose testimony he can procure except that of Francis Davis & Philina Davis which accompany this declaration.
Page 5

922
Massachusetts
Betsey Pressey widow of James Pressey who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private N. H. Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 31 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of March 1851 and sent to F. Bradford Portland Maine
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 44 Vol. A
Page 6

Secretary's Office Boston, March 9th 1852
I Hereby Certify That at the date of the annexed attestation Samuel P. P. Fay was Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
[signed] Amasa Walker Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 7

Tuesday Novr 4th at Groton
Page 8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss.
On this fourth day of November AD 1851 personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of Probate in and for said County Betsey Pressey a resident of Groton in the County & State aforesaid aged 81 years who on oath makes the foregoing declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of July 29 1848.
And this declarant states that she is the widow of James Pressey late of Chelsea Vermont that her said husband was a resident of Henniker or Warren New Hampshire in the time of the Revolution and served as she has heard him say the last part of the war. He was a pensioner of the United States under the act of 1832 at the rate of $20.31 cts per annum as will appear in the Pension Office.
She further states that she was married to the said James Pressey in the town of Middlesex Vermont on the ninth day of July 1798 at the house of William Holden that her late husband died at Chelsea Vermont on the 17 March 1834 and that she has remained a widow ever since. She there
Page 9

fore claims a pension by virtue of her husbands services aforesaid.
[signed] X her mark Betsey Pressey
Signed and sworn to on the day and year first above written in open Court.
Before me [signed] S. P. P Fay Judge of Probate Court County of Middlesex
Page 10

I John W Smith of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 59 years depose testify and say that I was well acquainted with James Pressey and his wife Betsey Pressey who formerly resided in this town. They resided here some two or three years and lived together as husband and wife and he James Pressey died here in the Spring of the year 1834 in March as I verily believe and as appears from my pension Minutes. I drew his pension $20.31 for him up to the time of his death, and well recollect paying the last draft to his widow Betsey Pressey soon after his decease. I further testify and say that the said James & Betsey Pressey had several children and were always reputed to be husband and wife & lived together as such.
[signed] John W Smith
Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of November AD 1851 at Chelsea in sd Orange County
before me [signed] Perley C. Jones Justice Peace
Page 11

State of Vermont,
Orange County ss.
I, C W Clarke Deputy Clerk of the County Court of January fourth County of Orange in the State of Vermont do certify that Perley C. Jones, John W. Smith, Loren Griswold, Nathan S. Pennock as acting Justices of the Peace is and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that the commissions were dated on teh 30th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that their signature to the certificate attached hereto is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this 18th day of November A. D. 1851
[signed] C W Clarke Deputy Clerk
Page 12

I, Horace Holden Town Clerk of Middlesex in the County of Washington & State of Vermont on oath depose and say that I have in my custody and possession the Books of Record belonging to said town. In one of the ancient Books of Record purporting to contain a record of births, Marriages & intentions of marriage. I find the following among the list of intentions of marriage viz.
" June Seventeenth, one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight then the intention of Marriage Between James Pressey & Betsey Parker made public. By Seth Putnam Clerk."
The above is a true extract from the aforesaid Book of Record with the exception of the dates which are written in fair legible words & figures thus "June 17th 1798."
I have made diligent search & do not find the marriage of the above said parties on record.
[signed] Horace Holden Town Clerk
Washington ss. November 19th A. D. 1851. Then personally appeared the above named Horace Holden and made oath that the above statements & record by him signed are true. 
Before me [signed] Thomas Stowell Justice of the Peace
Page 13

State of Vermont
Washington County ss.
I Luther Newcomb Deputy Clerk of the County Court of the County of Washington in the State of Vermont which is a Court of record do hereby certify that Thomas Stowell Esqr of Middlesex in said County was on the 19th day of November A. D. 1851 and still is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified that his signature to the foregoing is genuine, and that he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take depositions and administer oaths for general purposes.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said County Court this 20th day of November A. D. 1851 
[signed] Luther Newcomb Deputy Clerk
Page 14

Act March 3/55
Apl 30/
106792
Betsey Pressey widow of James Pressey
Private Col Cilley NH Troops
Rev War
Rev. Pensioner
Mass  [illegible] 48-922
Ad 160 acs Decr 24/55
Dodge
Z K Harmon Portland Me
Vol P. page 139.
No 13208 iss Dec 28/55
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office Boston, April 21, 1855.
I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestations hereunto annexed, Welcome Lothrop was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
[signed] E M Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss.
On this tenth day of March A. D. 1855, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, Betsey Pressey, a resident of Groton in said County and State, aged eighty four years who being duly sworn, doth on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain Bounty Land under the act of Congress passed March 3d 1855.
And your declarant states that she is the widow of James Pressey late of Chelsea, Vermont that her said husband was a resident of Henniker or Warren N. H. in the time of the Revolution & served as she has heard him say the last part of the war. He was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of 1832, at the rate of Twenty dollars and thirty one cents per annum. She further states that she was married to the said James Pressey in the town of Middlesex, Vt. on the 9th July 1798 at the house of William Holden. That her said husband died at Chelsea, Vermont on the 17th March 1834, and that she has remained a widow ever since. that her
Page 17

name before marriage was Betsey Parker. She further states that after the death of her husband she made application for a pension under the act of 29th July 1848, which was granted to her on or about the month of May 1852, and that she has continued to draw her pension under said act at the rate of $20..31 per annum.
For proof of marriage, and identity she refers to the evidence filed in the Pension Office with her declaration aforesaid.
She therefore claims Bounty Land and adduces the following additional evidence in support of her claim.
Attest: [signed] Betsey Pressey, Walter Shattuck, Joseph Rugg
Signed and sworn to before me, on the day and year first above written. And I hereby certify that Betsey Pressey the above named is the identical person she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration.
[signed] Welcome Lothrop Just of the Peace.
Page 18

I Betsey Pressey before named hereby constitute and appoint Z. K. Harmon of Portland, Maine, my true and lawful Attorney to receive my Bounty Land Warrant from the Department of the Interior
Attest: [signed] Betsey Pressey, Walter Shattuck, Joseph Rugg
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlsex ss. March 10, 1855
Signed and acknowledged, Before me
[signed] Welcome Lothrop Just. Peace
Page 19

106792
Claim of Betsey Pressey
To Bounty Land.
Act of March 3, 1855.
War of the Revn.
Z. K. Harmon Portland, Maine.
Page 20

We Walter Shattuck and Joseph Rugg of Groton, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, on oath depose and say that we are personally acquainted with Mrs. Betsey Pressey, the widow of James Pressey late of Chelsea, Vermont, deceased. We have been intimately acquainted with her for more than ten years last past. She is a widow Pensioner of the United States, and has not been married since the death of her husband James Pressey, and is now a widow. We were present at the time of her signing her declaration for Bounty Land, and we believe she is the identical person she represents herself to be in her application.
We have no interest in the claim of said Betsey Pressey for Bounty Land.
[signed] Walter Shattuck, Joseph Rugg
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. March 10, A. D. 1855. Then personally appeared the above named Walter Shattuck and Joseph Rugg known to me as persons of truth and integrity and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by them signed. Before me, Welcome Lothrop Just. Peace
Page 21

Revy
Widow, &c.
File no. 2853
Betsey Pressey widow James Pressey Pri. Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index: - Vol. M, Page 139.
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 22

Official Business
Bounty Land Claims.
Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D. C.
[stamp] Portland ME Free Apr 26
106792
Page 23

13,208
Rev Army
Page 24

[check mark]
[illegible]
Betsey Pressey, widow of James, 
Mass 
act 28 July 1848
Married 1798
Husd died 1834
Adn 6 mos 3 days his
$20.31 per annum
[illegible] 4 March 1848
Page 25

Brief in the case of Betsey Pressey, Middlesex County and State of Massachusetts act 29 July 1848
Claim, original [or for increase - crossed out]
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner.
Record of proof of marriage
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
[blank]
Name and residence of Agent
F. Bradford, Portland Me
S. Cole Examining Clerk.
Page 26

James Pressey
Payments to be made at Burlington by Pres: W: S: Br. Bank Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Vermont
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 3 Page 83 by E. D. Bullock Clerk.
Page 27

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States f the 7th June, 1832, James Pressey of the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty dollars and thirty one cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States, this 22d day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Capt Ebens Faye Comp of Infantry Col Los Cilley's Regiment - Randolph 20 [illegible] & previous hereto in Warner N. H.
Page 28

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, James Pressey of the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty dollars and Thirty one 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 22d day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty=three
[signed] Lew Cass Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
[signed] H L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 29

We Francis Davis and Philena Davis both of Brookfield in the county of Orange and State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that in 1780 the town of Warner in the State of New Hampshire was called upon for two men to fill up the [illegible] in the Continental army and James Pressey who then lived in said Warner, but now in Randolph in said Orange County, was one of those two which the town furnished.
We say that we lived in the same neighborhood with the said Pressey, and were then knowing to his being gone into the Army and understood at the time that he was serving in the Revolutionary Army. We say that he was gone from home as aforesaid Six months and further say not.
[signed] X his mark Francis Davis, Philena Davis

State of Vermont
Orange County ss.
Randolph August 15. 1832
Personally appeared the signers of the above Affidavit and Made solemn oath to the the [illlegible] truth of the same
Before me [signed] Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate

State of Vermont
Dist of Randolph ss.
I certify the foregoing affidavit was taken & subscribed in open Probate Court the day & year aforesaid - 
Witness my hand & seal of office this 15th day of Augt A D 1832
[signed] J. K. Parish Clerk [illegible] Req