Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,898, for Jedediah Jepherson, Massachusetts
Page 1

Service
Mass.
Navy
Jepherson, Jedediah
Number S. 32,898
Contents
This man's widow Jerusha, was former widow of Holland Blackmar S 21459
Page 2


15535
To Massachusetts [crossed out Vermont
Navy
Jedediah Jepherson
Orange Co in the State of Vermont
was a Mariner in the ships Boston commanded by Capt. Tucker
U.S. Navy
line, for the term of ten months 1777.
Inscribed on the roll of Vermont
at the rate of 8
Dollars per month, to commence on
the 18th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st of Octr 1819 and sent to 
to Josiah Dana Esqr
Chelsea Vermont
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819 132.53
semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar. 1820 48.
16 mo 7/30
$180.53
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
C-2-59
Continued
Page 3

& Cir. Fr.. Aug. 16, 1834
to Massachusetts
4 Sept 1833.  - Sept. 34
notification of transfer ret to Pension Office and sent to teh pensioner at 
Douglass, Mass. Sept. 19, 1834
Page 4

& Cir. Fr.. Aug. 16, 1834
to Massachusetts
4 Sept 1833. - Sept. 34
notification of transfer ret to Pension Office and sent to teh pensioner at
Douglass, Mass. Sept. 19, 1834
Page 5

I Jedediah Jepherson of Washington in the
County of Orange and State of Vermont a citizen
of the United States of America Testify and say
that I served two months at Dorchester Massachusetts
under Capt Aldrich - in the year 1775.
In the same year I served 6 months at
Nantucket under Capt Carrol in Col Whitneys
Regiment in 1776. I served 6 months under Capt Sybley at Rhode Island-- In 1777 I enlisted
on board the Ship Boston Commanded by
Capt Tucker sailed to France. John Adams 
from Massachusetts late President of the United States
sailed in said Ship as a Foreign Minister
I was out as a marine in said Cruize Ten Months.
Returned to Boston and was discharged by Capt
Tucker which said discharge is now lost
in 1780 I enlisted under Capt [illegible]
for six Months marched to West Point
was commanded by Capt Rufus Putman
in Nixon's Brigade served out the time and
was discharged at West Point. I am now old
and poor and stand in need of assistance
from my Country for support. I have never
Received any pension from Government and
hereby discharge any if due me except what I may
be entitled to in consequence of a late act of
Congress making provision for Officers and soldiers mariners and marines & of those who served
in the Revolutionary War
Chelsea April 18, 1818-
Jedediah Jepherson
Page 6

State of Vermont
Orange County SS
Chelsea April 18. 1818
personally appeared
Jedediah Jepherson and made oath
that the within written declaration by
him subscribed is true
Before me
Josiah Dana Chief Judge of Orange County Court
I do hereby certify that it appears to my sattisfaction that the
said Jedidiah Jepherson did serve on board of the Ship
Boston as a Marine, as stated in the preceeding declaration. I do also certify that it appears to my sattisfaction that
he is very poor and needs the assistance of his Country for
support. And I now transmit the proceedings taken and
had before me to the Secretary of the War department pursuant to the aforementioned act of Congress.
Chelsea August 31, 1818 
Josiah Dane Chief Judge
of Orange County Court

State of Vermont Orange County Clerks Office
August 31 1818
-
I hereby certify that
Josiah Dana Esqr. of Chelsea in the
County of Orange & State of Vermont is
Chief Judge of Orange County Court within
and for the County
of Orange aforesaid acting
under the authority of the State of
Vermont.
and that his name
subscribed to the foregoing is in his
own hand writing.
Attest H.E. Laughler Clerk of
Orange County Court

Jedediah Jepherson
mariner
Washington
April 18, 1818
US Ship Boston - Com'd by Capt Tucker 1777 - 10 months
Page 7

95 Jedediah Jepherson
Declaration & Schedule
Jepherson
15,535
March 1820
Page 8

State of Vermont 
Orange County
On this 4th day of July 1820 personally appeared before the County Court for the said County of Orange
in open court (said court being a court of record agreeably to the
laws of this State having the power of fine and imprisonment &c)
Jedediah Jepherdson aged 59 years resident in Washington in
said County of Orange 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 a Marine on board Ship
Boston commanded by Samuel Tucker for 11 months in
the year 1778 and served said term in Massachusetts line
that he made his original declaration on the 18th day of
April 1818 has received a pension certificate No 15.535 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 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 one subscribed
3 Cows 3 Sheep 3 Calves farming tools and household furniture
$19.34 amounting in all to the sum of -- $62.34
Farm justly oweing 3 persons - $41.03
My family consists of myself my wife Jerusha aged 58 years Weakley, 2 Son Twins aged 14 years one of them heathy the
other Weakley.
Jedediah Jepherdson
Sworn to and declared on this 4th day of July 1820
before sd Court
State of Vermont
H E G McLaughlen Clerk
State of Vermont
Orange County ss
I H.E. G. McLaughlin Clerk of the County Court
for the County of Orange 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 shedule is $62.34
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court at Chelsea this 4th day of July 1820
H E G McLaughlen Clark
Page 9

Paid Vermont to 4 Sept. 1833--see Agents letter on file with papers
 Robert Rolling rec.
Sept 9 '34
Page 10

County of Worcester Ss Douglas
On this Twenty Third day of August 1834 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the sd. County of Worcester personally appeared Jedediah Jepherson who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Marines in the Navy of the Revolution in the service of the United States, ^ ship Boston, Capt. Samuel Tucker, that his name was placed on the Pension roll of the State of Vermont--that he rec'd a Certificate of the fact under the signature & Seal of Secretary of War, dated the 21st day of October 1819 which Certificate he now holds--that he had removed from his late residence in Barre in the State of Vermont to the Town of Douglas in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where he now lives--that one years Pension will be due him on the 4th of September next. He is therefore desirous the agency may be transferred from the State of Vermont to the sd. Commonwealth of Massachusetts & that he may be authorized to draw for sd. arrearage & all sums which may hereafter become due him on the sd. Massachusetts agency.
Jediah Jepherson (signature)
Sworn to before me
Benjain Craggin Jus. of the Peace
(signature)
Page 11

Worcester County Ss Douglas August 23-1834
This certifies that I am personally acquainted with Jedediah Jepherson (named in the-crossed out)
& know him to be the same person named in the within affidavit.
Oliver Hunt (signature)

Worcester Ss
Personally appeared Oliver Hund and made oath to the truth of the above certificate before me. I also certify that the said Oliver Hunt is a person of veracity and that full faith & credit may be given to his testimony.
Benjamin Craggin-Justice of the Peace
(signature)
Page 12

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester SS. Probate Office
(state seal)
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in said Commonwealth do hereby certify that Benjamin Craggin Esquire of Douglas in said County is a Justice of the Peace in & for County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn and that his signature to the two foregoing certificates is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this third day of September in the year of our Lord 1834
Theoph. Wheeler Regt.
(signature)
Page 13

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MMNH/sel

November 7, 1928


Susan H. Leet
1365 Randolph Street
St. Paul, Minnesota

Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension Claim, S. 32898, it appears that Jedediah Jepherson, while a resident of Douglass, Worcester County, Massachusetts, enlisted in 1775 and served two months as private in Captain Aldrich's Massachusetts Company.
He next enlisted in 1776 and served six months as private in Captain Sibley's Massachusetts Company.
In 1777 or 1778, he entered as a marine on board the United States ship "Boston", commanded by Captain Samuel Tucker and served ten or eleven months.
He enlisted in 1780 and served six months as a private in Captain Trotter's Company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts Regiment,
Page 14

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 18, 1818, while living in Washington, Orange County, Vermont.
In 1820 he was aged fifty-nine years and referred to his wife Jerusha, aged fifty-eight years and two sons (twins) aged fourteen years. He did not give their names.
In 1834 he had moved from his late residence in Barre, Vermont, to Douglass, Massachusetts. He died July 23, 1845.
Also from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension Claim W. 21459 it appears that Holland Blackmar, while a resident of Barnard, Vermont, enlisted and served in the Vermont Troops as follows:
August 23, 1780, five days as a private in Captain Benjamin Cox's Company, and on October 11, 1780, and served three days in same company.
February 4, 1781, on month and eleven days as a private in Lieutenant Beriah Green's Independent Company of Rangers.
One tour ending June 30, 1781, as a private in Captain Nehemiah Lovewell's Company, length of tour not stated.
July 1, 1781, to November 27, 1781, as private in Captain Nehemiah Lovewell's Company, Colonel Benjamin Wait's
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Battalion.
November 30, 1781 to March 31, 1782, as a sergeant in Captain Beriah Green's Company of Rangeers.
He married November 7,1782, Jerusha Cox, a native of Burrillville, Providence County, Rhode Island, but then of Barnard, Vermont. He died July 16, 1791, in Barnard, Vermont. His age is not given. They had a large number of children, no names given.
His widow, Jerusha Blackmar, married in Barnard, Vermont, about 1798, Jedediah Jepherson, of Douglass, Massachusetts. He died July 23, 1845 in said Douglass.
His widow, Jerusha Jepherson was allowed pension on account of the services in the Revolution of her former husband, Holland Blackmar, on her application executed March 5, 1850, while a resident of Burrillville, Rhode Island, aged eight-six years.
There is no provision of law that would entitle the descendants of soldiers of the Revolution to pension.
Respectfully,
E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
one Enc.
Page 16

(left corner torn)

ary history of Jedediah Jepherson
IONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
ained in his (or his widow's) application for pen
this Bureau.  S. F. 32898

Or 
ntment: 1775
Length of service: 2 mos.
Rank: Pri
Officers under whom service was rendered: Capt. Aldrich, Col...........
State: Mass.

1775/ 6 mos/ Pri/ Capt. Carriel/Col. Whitney
1776/6 mos/Pri/Capt. Sibley/Col. Whitney
1777 or 1778/10 or 11 mos/Marine on Ship "Boston"/ Capt. Samuel Tucker
1780/6 mos./Pri/Capt. Trotter/ Col. Rufus Putnam

Battles engaged in.............
Residence of soldier at Enlistment, Douglass, Mass.
Date of application for pension: Apr. 18, 1818
His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application: Washington, Orange Co., Vt.
Age at date of application: 59 yrs. old in 1820
Died July 23, 1845
Remarks: In 1820 soldier's wife Jerusha was 58 yrs old and his two sons, twins, (names not stated) were 14 yrs. old. In 1834 soldier lived at Douglass, Worcester Co., Mass.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
(addl. note-Date of death taken from Agency Book.)
Page 17

November 27, 1908

Mr. W. A. Fleming,
Brainerd, Minn.

Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 9" and received the 12" instant, you are advised that in order to identify a claim which may have been filed on account of the Revolutionary War Services of your great-grandfather.............Jepherson, you should furnish, in addition to the service, Captain Carriel's company, Coloney Whitney's Massachusetts regiment, some of the following data: Soldier's full name, the approximate dates of his birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and given name of widow.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
Page 18

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.    September 18, 1895

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of JEDEDIAH JEPHERSON a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment/Length of Service/Rank/Officers under whom service was rendered, Capt., Col./State

In 1775 served 2 months at Dorchester, Mass, under Capt. Aldrich; same year served 8 months at Nantasket, Mass. under Capt. Carroll and Col. Whitney; 1776 served 6 months on Rhode Island under Capt. Sibley; Dec., 1777, enlisted as a marine on the ship "Boston", commanded by Capt. Samuel Tucker, and sailed to France--served 10 or 11 months; 1780, served 8 months at West Point under Capt. Tuttle, in Col. Rufus Putnam's Regt.

Battles engaged in: None mentioned
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Douglass, Mass.
Date of application for pension: April 18, 1818
Residence at date of application: Washington, Vt.
Age at day of application: 57 years
Remarks: See supplemental statement.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner

Dr. Gardner Cox
Holyoke, Mass.
Page 19

Supplemental statement

In the year 1820, there were residing with him his wife, Jerusha, and two sone (twins), aged fourteen years, names not stated.
The date and place of the soldier's marriage and date and place of his widow's death are not a matter of record in the papers. the soldier probably died at Douglass, Mass., and it is presumed you may be able to obtain the date, approximately, by addressing an inquiry to the Auditor for then Interior Department, u. S. Treasury Department, giving the number of his pension certificate (15,535), the date when issued (Oct. 21, 1819), and the agency at which paid (Mass.).

(hand written note) Told died July 23, 1845 as shown by Auditors Records
Page 20

I Peter Sheanman of Burrillville in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island being duly sworn do depose as follows, viz. That some time in the month of December in the year 1777 that I listed and entred on board the Frigate Boston of thirty two guns in the Service of the United States commanded by Capt. Samuel Tucker-as a private in the company of marines commanded by Capt. Parris.
At the same time that I entred as above Jedediah Jepherson then of Duglas in the State of Massachusetts know of Washington in the State of Vermont also enlisted and Entered as a private in the same company of Marines commanded by said Capt. Parris. Some time after said Frigate saled for France having on board John Adams Esqr. who (illegible) sent as a minster to some of the Foreign powers by the United States.
And we landed him at Bordeaux. We afterwords made a cruise and returned to Leonant and Brest-we saled again on another cruise and after several months returned to America and Landed at Boston. In the month of November in the year 1778 I have this day seen the said Jedediah Jepherson and know him to be the same man whose presence I have related as above and further saith not. dated at Glouster this 21 day of June AD. 1819
Peter Sherman (signature)
Page 21

Providence Ss.
In Glouston June 21th AD 1819
Personally appeared Peter Shearman the signer of this deposition and being duly sworn made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
Amasa Eddy Jr. (signature)Just. Peace

Providence Ss. In Glouston September 27th 1819
I Peter Shearman of Burrillville in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island of lawful age do testify and say that I am a disinterested witness to the above deposition.
Peter Shearman (signature)

Providence Ss. In Glouston Sep 19th 1819
Personally came Peter Shearman signer to the above and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me Amasa Eddy Jr.(signature) Just. Peace

I do hereby certify that the deponent is a Disinterested and credible witness.
Amasa Eddy Jr. (signature) Just.Peace
Page 22

State of Rhode Island Secretary's Office
Providence Plantations September 29 AD 1819

I Certify that at the General Election within and for said State holden at Newport on the first Wednesday in May last Amasa Eddy Jun. was duly appointed a Justice of the Peace for the town of Glouster for the term of one year and that he has been commissioned accordingly as appears of record in this office.
Witness Henry Bowen
Secretary of State
Page 23

By His Excellency Nehemiah R. Knight
Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode Island & Providence  Plantations

I certify that the name "Henry Bowen" to the preceding attestation subscribed is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen Esq. who at the time of subscribing the same was Secretary of said State duly elected and qualified according to law.
Wherefor unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
Given under my hand and the seal of said State at Providence this twenty ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nineteen & of Independence the forty fourth.
N. R. Knight
(state seal & ribbon)

By His Excellencys Command
Henry Bowen Secry.
Page 24

(stamp) U. S. Pension Office Sep 6 1895
(stamp) Old War & Navy Files Sept 9 1895

Holyoke, Mass.
Sept 3d, 1895

To the Commissioner of Pensions.
To aid in the History of Barnard Vt., now preparing, it is necessary to apply to the Bureau for the following information. In a book issued by Congress in about 1836, if I remember correctly, it is stated in substance that--
Jedediah Jeperson (perhaps it is spelled Jepperson) was a Revo. sailor on the Ship Boston: drew a pension of $96. a year; placed on roll Oct. 21, 1819; commenced drawing April 18, 1818 aged 65 years. I have not that book at hand but I think it said he drew in all $1428.49.
He married (2d husband) Jerusha Blackmore, whose maiden name was Cox.
We do not know when or where he or she died but suppose somewhere in Massachusetts.
We want to know if the Frigate Boston and Ship Boston were the same for the Frigate was a privatier under command of Samuel Tucker and (took -added) made many prizes and was famous for its dare-devil work.
We want Jedediah Jepersons military record.
We want to know where and when he died.
We want to know when and where she died.
When they were married.
She was the first scholar enrolled in the town of Barnard. They were married and lived years in Barnard. She was the oldest dau of Captain Benjamin Cox, commander of Fort Defiance in Barnard in 1780. I have asked twice for favors before and feel I am asking much of the Dept. but it seems a necessity.
Very Respectfully 
Dr. Gardner Cox
Holyoke,  Mass.

address Gardner Cox
Page 25

Invalid  (Widow, &c. crossed out)
Navy
File No. 32898
(MHF)  Jedediah Jeperson
Marine
Ship "Boston"
Rev. War
Act: March 18, 1818
Index: vol. 2, page 59

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 26

Sept 1895 Hist. Dr. Gardner 
Holyoke, Mass.   MEC

1908, Nov. 27 History to W. A. Fleming
Brainard, Minn.  (fn)

1914 Aug. 7 History to Mrs. L. C. Jefferson  (fn)

1928 Nov. 7 History to Susan H. Lee
Page 27

Brainerd, Minn., November 9th, 1908

Hon. v. Warney, Commissioner Pension,
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:
My great grandfather's brother, Jedediah Jepherson, or Jeferson, and my great grandfather, were members of Cap't. Carriel's company, of Col. Whitney's regiment from Massichusetts, in the Revolution of 1776. This Jedediah was a pensioner, as I find and died in 1845, probably in Worcester County, Mass.
Wishing to join the Sons of the Revolution, I would like to have the record of these two men, particularly their ages, their residences, and where they lived after the war. If it is not asking too much, I shall be under great obligation to you for the above information.
Thanking you in advance for same, I am,
Very truly yours,
W. A. Fleming
Page 28

1365 Randolph St. 
St. Paul, Minn.
Com. of Pensions

Dear Sir;
I have a favor to ask. Will you kindly see if you can find the name of Jedediah Jefferson he was a (Spinet) private (Please spell the word). My grandmother was his child. He married my grandmother. (note in margin-"how can it be?") Please find out if any of his grand children can draw a pension.
I will enclose a letter I rec'd from my sister which I will enclose with a request that you return the same as I am requested to return the same to her.
Yours,
Susan H. Leet 1365 Randolph St
St. Paul, Minn.

(note-It was returned Nov. 6, 1928 with history)
Page 29

P. S. Jedediah Jefferson lived in Vermont.

(stamp) U.  S. Pension Office Oct 12, 1928
(stamp) Officer's Desk, U. S. Bureau of Pensions
Widow Division Oct. 15 1928
Page 30

Balsam Lake, Wis.
July 28, 1914

Pensine Bureau
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me the Pensine Record of Jedediah Jepharson of Windsor Co. Vermont-Mariner Ship Boston. Act of 1819, pensine (illegible) Apr. 18, 1818, Age 65.
Your Truly
Mrs. L. A. Jefferson
Balsam Lake, Wis
RFD#1