Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 882, George Black, Mass.
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SERVICE Mass.  |  Black or Blake, George   |  NUMBER R 882
Bethia Allen
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7586
Baethia Ann Black
w of George
mass
Ail 4 May 1831

Repetro. died 19 April
1831 before the passage
of the Law
882
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, August 27th 1849 -
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the
attestation hereto annexed James Allen
was a Justice of the Peace for the
County of Worcester
[signature of some kind]
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.
Wm Tufts
Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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I, Samuel S. Watson of Rutland in the County of
Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Yeoman aged eighty six years, do testify and say that I was formerly acquainted with Lieut. George Black who removed from Oakham to Rutland before the Revolution and kept a Tavern for a time, and afterwards returned to Oakham. He married (as I understood) Bathiah Allen, Sister of Dea. Jesse Allen of Oakham.
According to my recollection, he was a minute man at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and marched at the first call, but for some reason, which I do not now remember, he soon returned.
Samuel S. Watson
his X mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss. On this twenty third day
of August AD. 1849, personally appeared Samuel S. Watson, who is well known to me as a credible witness and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Before me -
James Allen Justice of the Peace
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Know all men by these presents, that I, Bathiah
Black of Oakham in the County of Worcester and
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Single woman,
do hereby constitute and appoint Apollos Cushman of Oakham aforesaid, Yeoman, my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name and
for my sole use, to receive all papers, to take all testimony and to do whatever may be necessary in order to obtain whatever pension may be due me under the several Acts of Congress as the Orphan Child of George Black who served in the War of the Revolution and of Bathiah Black, Widow of said George Black, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of August in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
Bethiah Black
Executed and delivered
in presence of
James Allen Justice of the Peace. -

I certify that the above named Bathiah Black
is well known to me, and that at the present time,
it would be difficult for her to appear before a
Court of Record on account of bodily infirmity.
James Allen Justice of the Peace
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George Black born February 9, 1744
Died March 25. 1803 aged 59 years,
Bethiah Allen Black born November 5th 1749
and died April 19th 1836.
Steward Black born April 7th 1775
William Black born November 28th 1776.
Martha Black born May 18th 1778.
Caleb Black born February 16th 1780
Thomas Pollard Black born July 2 1783
Bethiah Black bornJuly 11th 1789
Joseph Black born August 6th 1791
died August 28th 1793. -
Oakham August 13, 1849. -
The above is a true copy of the Record in the
Old Family Bible of George Black late of Oakham
deceased, which Bible is now in the possession
of Bethiah Black, daughter of said George
Black and Bethiah Allen Black both now
deceased.
James Allen Justice of the Prove

I certify that the above record taken from the old
family Bible of George Black deceased, contains the names of the children of George Black and Bethiah his wife, and that I have been personally acquainted with them all, except Joseph, who died according to the record, the year after I was born And I have no doubt but George Black
and Bethiah Allen were lawfully married as they were reputed to be, and that the above is a correct list of their children.
James Allen Justice of the Peace
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"At a legal meeting of the free holders and other inhabitants of the Town of Oakham legally warned on Monday the 3d day of March, 1777.
I - Mr. Thomas White chosen Moderator
II  Capt Isaac Stone chosen Town Clerk" --
"The Committee chosen to receive and adjust the
claims of the persons in town for any service done in the present War, whether by themselves or otherwise to estimate the service of each campaign they have served in, and to keep a fair list of their proceedings &c. beg leave to make the following report. -"
"Men's names that served in the several Campaigns,
1. Eight months & half to Roxbury &c.
Lieut. George Black, Ensign Stewart Black" &c.

Town of Oakham in the County of Worcester
Aug 13th 1849. I certify that the above are
true extracts from the Records of Oakham Vol. 1.
Attest James Allen Town Clerk of Oakham

I, Mercy Weeks of Oakham in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Widow of Nathaniel Weeks, now deceased, aged ninety nine years, do testify and say, that I removed to the town of Oakham with my husband seventy six years ago last October, -
That I knew Lieut. George Black of Oakham, and that he married Bethiah Allen, a sister of Dea. Jesse Allen, of Oakham as was reputed; and although I was not present at the wedding, I have no doubt of the fact of their marriage, as they were both reputable, and I know lived together as husband and wife - They were reputed to be married, according to the best of my
recollection, about the year seventeen hundred and (over)
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seventy four, and I think, by the Rev. Mr. Strickland then the Presbyterian Minister of Oakham. Lieut Black and his wife removed to Rutland after their marriage and kept a Tavern - My Husband and I went to Rutland, after they removed there, to trade at Blake's store and called at Lieut. Blacks tavern and saw Mrs. Black, I think Lieut. Black was then in the Army -
I think he was in the Army a considerable
time, but I do not remember how long -
Mercy Weeks
her X mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, }
Worcester County, ss. }
On this twenty third day of August AD. 1849, personally appeared Mercy weeks, who is well known to me as a credible witness (and whose powers of mind and memory appear to have been retained in a wonderful degree,) and
made oath that the foregoing affidavit by her
subscribed is true, according to the best of her
knowledge and belief. Before me-
James Allen Justice of the Peace
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7586
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Oakham September 19th 1899 County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts to the Hon Commitioner of pensions Ageabe to your instuctions I Send you Sutch testimony as I have
Been Able to Collect in the case of Lieutenant George Blake or as it is now Called Black the Different Spelling was to Designate Between two families of the Same Name as it appears from what is Recorded in the family Bible in the possession of Bethiah Blake or Black as it is now Caled with Regard to the marriage of Bethiah
Allen to George Blake or Black I Refer you to the testimony of Mercy Weeks and also of Captain Watson As all the Records of the Reverend Mr Stricklin have Bin Destroyed as I understand I find that Lt Blake otherwise Black was an active patriot According to the History of Rutland and I have no Doubt but that he served more than one Campain if you are not satisfied with Sutch Record and testimony as I have obtained please inform me what more is wanting.
your Humble Servant  Apollos Cushman attorney for
Bethiah Black otherwise Blake
NB the orphan Child of Isaac Stone a Revolutionary Soldier who died in 1828 has any Claim to a pension on her fathers account
her father never having Drawn pension under the first act on account of possessing property but Died a town pauper
Yours &c
Apollos Cushman
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
Sept. 12 1849.
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 George Blacke is borne on a Muster roll
of Capt John Crawfords Co. Col. Warner's Reg't. as a Sergeant Apr 19 1775. 12 days Service - The name of George Blake is borne on rolls of 8 mos. Service. Capt. Simeon Hazeltines Co. under command of Genl Fellows, as a Lt. of Oakham.  -Lt. Blake made the return of the Co. Sept. 7. 1775. Capt. H. being absent on leave.- many of the names borne on roll of Capt. Crawford are also on Capt. H's roll & there stated to be from Oakham or Hardwick. --
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Wm Tufts
Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
made by the Child of the party who rendered the service.
State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester Town of Oakham
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish
evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of George Black
in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Oakham
in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts
He enlisted from the Town of Rutland
in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts in the year 1775 as a Minute man in the Company commanded by Captain
Hazleton in Regiment          and he served as follows, *viz:--
I believe in Lt Col. Holden's Company on the
Lexington alarm - He served as Lieutenant
in the 8 months service in the neighborhood of -
Burton in the year 1775 - 6 - 4 -
I think he served some time after this but in what service I do not know -
⎬
*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.
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I am now __ years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated. [this text is crossed out]

WITNESS my hand, this twenty seventh day of August A. D. 1849.

Signed by said
in my presence, at Boston,
Wm Taft
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

Apollos Cushman
attorny to the applicant
Bethiah Black
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I certify that I have diligently searched the
Records of Oakham and find not the name of
Lieut. George Blake of any revolutionary
soldier of the name of Blake on the books.
Lieut. George Black is accredited for "eight months and a half" service "to Roxbury &c.
as I have before certified. -
I knew Lieut George Black when I was a boy
and recollect well that he pronounced his
name Blake -  He was of Irish descent,
Sept. 17, 1849.
James Allen Town Clerk of Oakham
I certify that since making the above certificate,
I have been shown a Record in the old family Bible of Lieut George Black which appears very ancient, of which the following is a true copy.
William Blake and Isabel Cunningham was
married the 8 of May 1729 he was 26 & her 20
years age.
John Blake was born Thursday the 29 of January 1730
James Blake was born Friday the 23 of June 1732
William Blake was born the 28 of September
1742 }
munday }
George Blake was born the 9 February on Thursday 1744
Martha Blake was born the 1 of June on Saturday 1746
William Blake came to New England in the year 1737.
Attest   James Allen Justice of the Peace
N.B. The Bible from which the above record was copied was printed at Edinburgh in the year 1726.
Attest J. Allen
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Ex'r.     INVALID.
No. 882
RECEIVED

Bethia Allen Black
P. O.    wid. of George
Service:
Enlisted: ________________________, 18
Discharged: _____________________, 18
Application filed: ________________, 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
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No 7586
Bethia Ann Black or Blake
Mass
Letter Apollos Cushman 15th Nov 1849
Hon G W Jones.  Chairman of
Senate Committee July 29/50
Rejected
Lt. Black died in 1803.
Bethia died 19th Apl 1836.
Letter to
A Cushman 9th Sept. 1853.
Ail 4 July 1836

Amidst the Strife on Bunkers Hight
Where the Patriot Warren fell
while Some there were Bereft of Sight
yet no ukeckand [?] now Can tell
and Do you Say that all that is Given
is the only hope to meet in Heven
Say not So judge not So Light
the Child of one Benefit of Sight
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Oakham Massachussetts County of Worcester July 2 1853 Sir I wish to call your attention to the aplication of Bethiah Black of Oakham for the pension that was Due her Mother agreable to the 3d Section of the act passed 7th day of June 1832/ Lieutenant Black father of the aplicant marched to Lexington on 19th April 1775 Leaving his wife and a Child But ten Days old/ to Suffer the horrors of Seperation in the Duties that
Devolved on her as the Conductor of a public House at that time/ Lieutenant Blac made the muster Roll in September of the Same year/ Capt Hazletine Being absent on Leave/ But Continued in in Service untill Discharged/ But Died 1803 Leaving the aforesaid wife a widow that remained Sutch untill her Death on the 19 April 1836/ 61 years after her husban was first
Called into the Service/ and 33 years a widow/ her husban Became Blind from Some Cause Suposed to have injured his Site in Battle/ Said widow was Left poor and by the united
exertions of the applicant was Supported/ the aplicant has had the misfortune to have a Broken Limb By which means She has Become a Cripple/ and having Exausted her Earnings in the Support of her mother/ now finds herself in Destitute Circumstances/ By the act of 4th July 1836 Children are made Recipiants of any thing that may have been Due their Parents while Living/ By the act passed 7th Day of June 1832 the mother is Clearly provided for/ the annuity of pension
which might have Bin allowed her in [illegible]/ this would Leave the widow a full pension for the term of three years ten months and twelve Days
Over
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the aplication of Bethiah Black was rejected and Gone on file 15th November 1849 Because her mother Died 75 days before the Signature of the act 4th July 1836/ Did not Congress grant the pension from the Valuable Services that our Country has Received of those patriots Soldiers/ If so then the Grant is for value received/ and Congress may not Set Bounds to an Event of providence in order to prob the widow and
Orphan/ and if there is any Appendage to the Law after it has acknowledged the Service/ that gives a contrary meaning/ or would deprive the widow of the most unfortunate of the provision it has for the Least/ it has no Constitutional meaning/ and the Oath of the judge would Oblige him to jude on Constitutionnal Ground/ the act being for Value Received the widow is justly entitled to 3 years ten months and 12 day full pension By the act of 1832 and By the
act of the 4th July 1836 the aplicant is made the
Recipient for the same on Constinal Ground/ if this Claim Cannot Be Passed on Constinel Ground and the aplicant Receive her just Due for which her father fought the Battles of his Country amids the Roar of Cannon from Bunkers hill/ I Should not think their was one Drop of
patriotic Blood Remaining in those whose duty it is to judge in this Case
your OBt Servant
Apollos Cushman
Atty for Bethiah Black
to the Commissioner of pensions