Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29683, Stephen Buxton, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE 
Mass.

Buxton, Stephen

NUMBER
S. 29683
Page 2

21.244
Massachusetts
Stephen Buxton
of Middlesex in the State of Mass -
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Barcroft of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Bridge in the Mass
line for 17 m. 5 d.
Mid.

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 67 Dollars 22 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Aug. 1833 and sent J. Fiske
E. Cambridge

Arrears to the 4th of Mr '31                  $34.44
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept '31    33.64
                                                               _______
                                                             $168.08

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E, Vol. 2. Page  9. 

82
Middlesex
Page 3

Stephen Buxton
9620
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, ss

On this twenty seventh day of August, A.D. 1832, personally appeared before the HONORABLE SAMUEL P. P. FAY, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex
aforesaid, Stephen Buxton, a resident of Reading, in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, aged 80 years, too infirm of body to go from home 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 entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: Viz,
that he enlisted in 1775 in the (illegible) of (illegible) at (illegible) for eight months, in the service of the United States in the company commanded by Capt. Batchelder, as a private after he had marched on the 19th of April 1775, and went in said Company to Concord and Lexington and followed the British troops to Bunker hill and had marched to Cambridge aforesaid. The Regiment in which I served was commanded by Col. Bridge and in said Cambridge Then performed service for the term of 3 months till the term expired which was about the last of December 1775, when he was discharged.
(The following is written in the margin of the aforesaid paragraph:)
see Sec. Certificate
Cambridge
Mo. d.
P. 12
Ebenr Buxton
Depo. for this
See also Jonas
(illegible) depo.

In the summer of 1776, if he is not mistaken in point of time, he enlisted in said Reading as a private in Capt. James Bancroft's Company in Col. Reed’s Regiment and marched from Reading to Ticonderoga & there did duty on guard, till the time of his service was out and then he was dismissed and then he came home,
(The following is written in the margin of the aforesaid paragraph:)
m.
5.00
Ebenr Baxton
Depo for this

He further declares that he served for the term of 4 months, in 1776. immediately after his first term of service above described, expired, in a company the name of the Capt. of which
reason of his age he cannot now recollect.
(The following is written in the margin of the aforesaid paragraph:)
m.
4.00
______
17.12

He further declares that he was born in Reading aforesaid; that he has no particular record of his age; that he was living in said Reading when called into service, that he has always lived and now lives in said Reading, that he enlisted as aforesaid, that the names of some of his regular officers and such
continental and Militia services and the
general circumstances of his services are as above stated. that he never as, he recollects, received a written discharge of his or any of his services, that he never had a commission,
Joshua Prescott &
Daniel Flint
Page 5

Esqr. Edward Parker, Joshua Putnam, Timothy Wakefield Esq., Benjamin Flint, and Ebenezer Buxton, yeoman, all of said Reading in his present neighborhood, can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
              his
Stephen X Buxton
            mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  
S.P. Fay Judge of Probate.

We, Joshua Prescott and Daniel Flint, Esquires, two magistrates residing in Reading aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Buxton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 80 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.
We certify there is no clergyman now of the parish to which said Buxton belongs. The other clergymen in said town are not acquainted with him.
Joshua Prescott
Daniel Flint

Subscribed and sworn to before
S. P. Fay, J. Prob.
Page 6

And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Joshua Prescott, who has signed the preceding Certificate, and that the said Daniel Flint who has also signed the same are Magistrates, resident at Reading - and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
S.P. Fay Jus. Prob.


I, ISAAC FISKE, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Burton for a pension.  I also certify that the foregoing are the genuine signatures of the Hon. Saml. P. P. Fay, who is the Judge of said Court.

I also certify that Joshua Prescott, whose own proper signature is set to the Deposition hereto annexed, is a Justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty-seventh August - A.D. 1832.

Isaac Fiske
Page 7

9620
Stephen Buxton
Private 17 mo. & 5 days

13 of
May 7 1833

P 397

666 &
 55
_____
721


I. Fiske Esqr.
Sent Cambridge
Mass.
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Stephen Buxton
County of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)

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

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

3.  How old is he?  80 years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
Enlisted 
In 1775. April

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
                8         5
Rank.
As a
private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. 
Col Bridge  Capt Batchelde


Period.
1776

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
                5         
Rank.
As a
  "   " (private)

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. 
Col Reed  Capt Barcroft


Period.
1776

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
               4
            _____
               17   -    5         
Rank.
As a

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. 
does not recollect

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  blank

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service.  Reading Mass.

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary evidence

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Correct

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

Jno S. Watson Examining Clerk.
22nd febry 1833
Page 9

29683
INVALID.
Rvy

File No. 29,683
Stephen Buxton
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32"
Indes: - Vol. 2, Page 98

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 10

9620
Stephen Buxton


Defects are applied & then
application again forwarded for
further (illegible)  I Fiske




I Fiske Esq.
sent Cambridge
Mass.
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Shephen Buxton which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes

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

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?  blank

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  yes

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?  yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  no

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

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes

X.  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?  yes
Page 12

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?  no clergyman 
Danl. Flint and Joshua Prescott now made oath that there is no clergyman in the Parish or town who are acquainted with him.  The Rev. Eliab Stone former minister in his Parish is dead and the Rev. J Rees a minister in the other Parish is unacquainted with him, the Judge Fay's certificate of their (illegible) on the original declaration.

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  yes

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?  no

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?  no
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  blank
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  blank

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?  blank

XVI.  ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulation direct?  yes

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  and, if no, which of them is not so answered?  yes

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 ______ year ______ months, and  ______days, I served as a ____ ________For  ____ _____months and ______ ____ days, I served as a _____ ______; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 13

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 three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 by clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; a 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.

+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 14

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, June 3rd, 1833.

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 Stephen Buxton served under the following 
Officers Viz
_________________________________________
Captains
Jno Bachellor
Colonels
Bridge

Term of Service
Entered
April 19th 1775
Claimd
Mo. days
          5
found on Rolls
Mo. dys
     0.5
not found
Mos. days
     0     0

Where Stationed
1st alarm
________________________________________
Captains
ditto .  .  (Jno Bachellor)
Colonels
ditto (Bridge)

Term of Service
Entered
dio. 24 dio.  (April 24th 1775)
Claimd
Mo. days
    8..0         
found on Rolls
Mo. dys
   3..14
not found
Mos. days
    4..16

Where Stationed
Cambridge
________________________________________
Captains
________
Colonels
________

Term of Service
Entered
Jany. 1st 1776
Claimd
Mo. days
    4..0         
found on Rolls
Mo. dys
  - - - 
not found
Mos. days
    4 - 

Where Stationed
d " (Cambridge)
________________________________________
Captains
Jas Bancroft
Colonels
Read

Term of Service
Entered
sum. 1776
Claimd
Mo. days
    5..0         
found on Rolls
Mo. dys
    0.. 
not found
Mos. days
     5..0

Where Stationed
Ticonderoga
________________________________________
Captains
L Buckminster
Colonels
Peirce

Term of Service
Entered
May 18, 79
Claimd
Mo. days
    1..17 (scratched out)
__________
    18..22        
found on Rolls
Mo. dys
    1..17
__________
     5..6. 
not found
Mos. days
      0..0
__________
     13..16
Where Stationed
Tirnton (Trenton) N.J.

Whole time of service found on rolls is five months & six days

Edward D Bangs Secy
Page 15

Jona. Weston Depo
for
Stephen Buxton.
Page 16

I Jonathan Weston of Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts being seventy six years of age do depose and say that I inlisted (enlisted) as a private in the service of the United States in the latter part of April AD 1775 in to the company command by Cap John Batchelder of Reading in Col Bridge's Regiment and performed Military duty at Cambridge in said County of Middlesex during eight months, until the first of January AD. 1776:  During which time I was well acquainted with Stephen Buxton who then lived in said Reading and now lives there. & I well remember that he was in the same company with me and there performed military duty with me during the whole of said eight months and was then discharged.
Reading June 1st AD. 1833.
Jonathan Weston

State of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex ss.
On this first day of June personally appeared Jonathan Weston, and made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed were true according to his best knowledge and belief.  And I also certify that said Weston is a man of strict veracity and his testimony worthy of all credit.
Before me      
Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace.
Page 17

I Ebenezer Buxton of Reading in the Count of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts yeoman of seventy eight years of age do depose and say that in the last of June or first of July AD. 1776, I enlisted in Reading aforesaid as a private in to the company commanded by Cap James Bancroft in col. Reeds Regiment for the term of five months and went with said company to Ticonderoga and there performed military duty till our time was nearly out when we marched to Albony and were there dismissed.  During which time I was well acquainted with Stephen Buxton who then lived and now lies in said Reading and who served in said company with me during said term of five months aforesaid and was with me dismissed. and came also home with me.
Ebenezer Buxton
June 17. AD. 1833.

State of Massachusetts}
County of Middlesex ss}
On this 17th day of June AD. 1833. personally appeared the above named Ebenezer Buxton and made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed were true according to his best knowledge and belief.  And I further certify that the said Ebenezer Buxton is a very credible person and his testimony worthy of the fullest credit
Before me Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace
Page 18

I Ebenezer Buxton of Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts do depose and say that I was a minute man in the Company commanded by Cap John Batchelder in said Reading in Col Bridges Regiment, and on the 19th day of April 1775. I was called out on alarm with said Company and went to Lexington and thence forced the British troops to Bunker hill in Charlestown.  Our company was then marched and stationed in Cambridge where I therein performed military service until I enlisted either the last of April 1775 or first of May following for eight months in said Company and continued my service in said Company from said 19th day of April to the first day of January 1776. a term of time between eight and nine months. when I was discharged.  During all which time I was well acquainted with Stephen Buxton of the same Reading who went in the same company with me to Lexington and in the same Company with me served during the whole of the time foresaid 19th of April to the first day of January 1776.
Sept 3,1832
Ebn
Ebenezer Ebene
Ebenezer Buxton

State of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex ss - On this 3d Day of September AD. 1832 personally appeared the afore named Ebenezer Buxton and made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed were true
Before me Joshua Prescott Jus-Peace

I also certify that said Ebenezer Buxton is a very credible witness and his testimony entitled to full credit 
Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace
Page 19

A. Parker Depos
for Stephen Buxton
Page 20

I Aaron Parker of Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts of seventy five years of age do depose and say that I inlisted (enlisted) as a private on the first of January AD. 1776. in to the service of the United Stated in to the company commanded by Cap Ford and was stationed at Cambridge in the County of Middlesex aforesaid and served till some time in April next following and as nearly as I can recollect for a period of four months or there about and was there dismissed.  During which time I was well acquainted with Stephen Buxton who then lived and still lives in said Reading, who enlisted at the same time with me and war during the whole of said term from the first of January till sometime in April aforesaid in the same mess with me and did duty during the whole of said term.
Reading July 18th AD. 1833.
Aaron Parker

State of Massachusetts}
County of Middlesex}  on this eighteenth day of day of July AD. 1833 personally appeared the aforenamed aaron Parker and made oath that the facts by him stated in the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed were true, and I further certify that said Parker is a credible person and his testimony worthy of the fullest credit.
before me Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace