Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,567, for Nathan Leeds, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3-1776) NUMBER
SERVICE
Mass....Leeds, Nathan      W. 2[1?] 567
                       Elizabeth
Shay's Rebellion 1787
CONTENTS
Page 2

Massachusetts 844
Elizabeth Leeds widow of Nathan Leeds
who died on the 27th July 1819
of Norfolk Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a Corpl. in the company commanded by Captain Rose of the reg. commanded by Col. Lovell in the Massachusetts line for two years
Inscribed on the roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of $108 Dollars ---- Cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March,1831.
Certificate of Pension issued  the 12th day of 
May 1837 and sent to R Baldwin Boston
arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $594.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 36 $54.00
$648.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3.
Recorded by Danl. Boyd clerk,
Book [A?] Vol. [1?] Page 58
Page 3

Certificate of Service
Nathan Leeds
Page 4

I Edward Kelton of Dorchester in the County of Norfolk & 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do solemnly testify and
swear that I enlisted as a Soldier in the month of May 
One thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy five in a Company
commanded by Capt. Elijah Vose then of Milton and I
do further testify & swear that Nathan Leeds of the
aforesaid Dorchester did enlist with me in said
company for the term of Eight months and that the
said Nathan Leeds did continue in said Company
the said term of Eight months, serving his Country faithfully. & I do further testify & state the
aforesaid company was attached or belonged to
a Regiment commanded by Col John Graton
that we were stationed at Dorchester aforesaid a
part of said term, & the remainder of said term
were at Cambridge in said Massachusetts there
in Fort called Notuo. In witness whereof have set
my hand & seal at said Dorchester aforesaid this
Sixteenth day of November AD One thousand Eight Hundred & thirty six
Edward Kelton
executed in presence of us
Stephen Baker
Robert Vose
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
-
Norfolk SS Dorchester Nov. 16th AD 1836. Then appeared the above named
Edward Kelton personally & made oath that the above affidavit by him signed & sealed is true
Robert Vose Jus. Peace
Page 5

I Thomas Tolman do on oath declare that I am clerk of the town of Dorchester, in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that I have the custody of the Records, of said town, and that by said records, that Nathan Leeds, the son of Isaiah and Rebecca Leeds, was born March 2, 1753
Nathan Leeds was married to Elizabeth Tileston
October the 11th 1778 both of Dorchester
by the Reverand Moses Everrett
A true copy from Dorchester records
Thomas J. Talman town clerk
Dorchester November 9th 1836
Norfolk S.S. Dorchester November 9th 1836
Personally, appeared the above named Thomas J. Tolman made oath that the above Declaration by him subscribed in true Before me Robert Vose Jus. Peace
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk TS
I Jonathan H Cobb registrar of the 
Court of Probate for the County that aforesaid hereby certify that Sherman Leland is the judge of the court of Probate aforesaid & that Robert Vose is a Justice of the Peace within aforesaid County of Norfolk & that their several 
several respective signatures in the papers annexed are genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & caused the seal of said Court to
be affixed this twenty first day of November
A.D. 1836
Jonathan H Cobb
Reg [illegible]
Norfolk
Page 7

Elizabeth Leeds widow of Nathan Leeds
No. 666 3 sec.
Married 11 October '78.
[illegible] 2 years Corpl. Artillery

New case-no deduction
R Baldwin Esq
Boston Mass
Page 8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County SS
On this Nineteenth day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred 
and thirty six personally appeared before the Subscriber Sherman Leland, Judge of the Probate Court for the
County of Norfolk in said Commonwealth,
Elizabeth Leeds, a resident of Dorchester in said
County and Commonwealth, aged Eighty years
who being first duly sworn according to Law doth
on her oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the
Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836. That she is the
Widow of Nathan Leeds late of said Dorchester
deceased, and that the said Nathan her late Husband Served as a Soldier in the War of the Revolution
as Corporal in the Company of Capt Vose in Col John
Gratons Regt Massachusetts Line, also in 1776 as Sergeant
Major in Col Solomon Lovells Regiment of Foot of
Massachusetts State Troops, Also from 1777 to 1779 or 80
as Corporal in Col Reveres Corps of Artillery of said State
and likewise he performed other terms of service during the
War and also since its termination, which will
appear on reference to the records and rolls on file in
the War Department and partially corroborated by the Documents and papers hereto annexed.
She further declares that she was married
to the said Nathan Leeds by the Rev Moses Everett
of Dorchester on the 11 October 1778. the said Nathan Leeds her late
Husband died 27 July 1809 that she has ever since that [illegible] remained a
Widow as more fully appears by reference to the pages hereto annexed.
Elizabeth Leeds
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year above written
S Leland Judge of Probate
Page 9

Jonathan Bridgham of Dorchester
in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
being first duly sworn do on oath testify and declare that I am Fifty Eight years of age and that I was formerly well acquainted with Nathan Leeds late of Dorchester deceased that
Said Nathan Served as a Soldier ^ as I always understood in the War of the Revolution.
Said Nathan died over Twenty five years Since, I attended his Funeral at said Dorchester.
I also testify that I am well acquainted with Elizabeth, Widow of Said Nathan Leeds
and do know that she has not married since the death of her late Husband the aforesaid Nathan Leeds.
Jonathan Bridgham
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk SS November 19th 1836. Personally appeared
Johnathan Bridgham a credible witness and made oath to the
truth of the above statement by him subscribed
Before me S Leland J Probate
I Nathan Leeds of Dorchester in the County
of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being first
duly Sworn do on Oath testify and declare, that I am well
acquainted with Elizabeth Leeds Widow of Nathan Leeds late
of Dorchester deceased. That the said Elizabeth is my Grandmother.
I have been acquainted with her ever since my recollection.
That I have always known her as the Widow of the said late
Nathan Leeds deceased and am confident that she has
not married since the death of my late Grandfather the
late Nathan Leeds deceased.
And I also testify that I am
Twenty Eight years of age.
Nathan Leeds
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk November 9th 1836. Personally appeared
Nathan Leeds, a credible witness and made oath to the
truth of the above statement by him subscribed
before me S Leland J Probate
Page 10

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., -----19---
In reply to your request of -----, received ----
for a statement of the military history of Nathan Leeds
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in [crossed out] his (or [end cross out] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[Table below]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | Length of Service | Rank | Officers under whom service was rendered. | State
May 1775 | 8 mos | | Captain Elijah Vose | Colonel John Greaton | Mass.
Dec 26, 1776 | | Sgt Major | | |Colonel Solomon Lovell | Mass.
May 8, 1777 | May 8, 1780 | Corpl | Captain Jonathan Warner | Colonel Crafts & Revere | Mass.
4 mos ending | June 21, 1787 | Sgt Major | In expedition against Col Daniel Shays | Colonel Ezra Badlam | Mass.

Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [blank]
Date of application for pension, Nov 19, 1836  Her cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Dorchester Norfolk Co Mass.
Age at date of application, 80

Remarks: Sol. the son of Isaiah and Rebecca Leeds was born at
Dorchester Mass. Mar 2 1753. and mar. at said place on Oct. 11, 1778 Elizabeth Tileston of Dorchester. (names of her parents
not stated) He died July 27, 1809 at Dorchester Mass. Grandson
Nathan Leeds age 28 & res of Dorchester in 1836. No other data as to
family on file
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 11

Nathan Leeds
Wid F. 21567
Mass.
Page 12

Boston January 22 1781
this is to testify that I the sub[illegible]
[illegible] Nathan Leeds to receive all
my pay and clothing that
be due to me for my service in the train of Artillery, Mass
Page 13

Nathan Leeds
W F 21567
Mass.
Page 14

Dorchester April [illegible]
Colo Revere Sir please to [illegible]
Berer all my wages and rations due 
me for my service in the States [illegible]
train of Artilery and you will a[illegible]
Humble Servant Richard Leeds
Page 15

Nathan Leeds
W F 21,567
Mass.
Page 16

Dorchester November the 26th 17[illegible]
Captain Boolard Sir please to pay to
the bearer all my Wages and rations and
Travling fee which is due to me and this
recate shall be your discharge
Richard Leeds
Page 17

Nathan Leeds
Wid. F. 21,567
Mass.
Page 18

Boston, May 8, 1780
This may fully certify that Nathan Leads has performed his duty during the limited term of three years as a
Corporal in Col Crafts Regm of the [illegible] artillery raised by the State of Massachusetts Bay & Now has
obtained from me a full & final Discharge from sd Regmt
Jon'a Warner Capt Art'y
Page 19

Expedition against Col Daniel Shays in 1787
Page 20

Head Quarter Northfield 21 June 1787
Whereas Nathan Leeds Sgt Major John Goff Jun L.M.D. having served out the term of four month the time for which they were engaged they are hereby
Discharged from the service with hereof
Ezra Kallam Col [illegible]
Page 21

Nathan Leeds
Wid. F. 21567
Mass.
Page 22

This may fully certify that Nathan Leeds has full
power to receive all my pay and
Rations clothing and all that is or may be made up to me for my Servis in the train of Artillery
it being for his Inlisting in my Boom
as wittness my hand
Moses How
Boston
Jany 22 1780
-
Page 23

Certify that I judge 
Nathan Leeds in Capt. Richard Comp Col H[illegible] Regt
unable to do [illegible] of a soldier by reason [illegible]
by me James Jerauld Physician
Page 24

Widow, &c.
File No. 21,567
Elizabeth Leeds
Widow of 
Nathan Leeds
Corp Re. War.
Act: July 4th 36
Index: Vol A, Page 430
Page 25

Nathan Leeds
Corpl in 75 Capt Vose Col Greaton
Sergt Maj 76  Co. Lovell
Corpl from 77 to 79 or 80 ^Capt Warner Col Revere's Artillery
by the papers he took Howes place in June '80 and recd discharge as a years man on 8 May '80-
Page 26

Boston, Massachusetts
November 22d 1836
Sir
I transmit herewith the papers and
Documents in support of the claim of Mrs.
Elizabeth Leeds widow of
Nathan Leeds, late of Dorchester Decd: claiming for her a pension
under the 3d Section of the act 7th July 1836.
Should the above claim be considered
admissible. you will please Issue a certificate in satisfaction thereof, and forward
the same directed to me at "this place."
I have to request the attention of the Dept
to the case of Mrs. Sarah Cheever, Widow of Lt Joseph Cheever Decd, whose papers of application were forwarded in my letter of the
6th of August last past, and answered by
yours of August 15th and October 7th; since
which time nothing further has been re'd in
relation to this case
Also in the claim of Mrs. Mary
Phillips, widow of Anderson Phillips
Dec'd, whose papers of application were forward in my letter of August 12th and ^answered October 7th.
Please decide this last came in perticular
, as soon as convenient, as the widow is
very infirm, and is wholly dependent on public
and private charity for her support
Verry Respectfully Sir
I am Your Obedient servant
Reuben Baldwin
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 27

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Land Office Boston 17 April 1837
This certifies, that the name of Nathan Leeds appears on the Army Books of the Massachusetts line of the Army of the Revolutionary War (now deposited in this office) as having enlisted for three years,
and is credited with services as a Corporal from the
8 May 1777 to 31 Decr 1779 as a Corporal in Captain
Warners Company in Col. Reveres Regiment.-
Att Geo. W. Coffin
-
Land Agent of Mass
Page 28

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Found in Room No 108 in looking over a map of old papers.
Page 29

Boston Massachusetts
Sir
As further proof in support of the claim
to a pension by Mrs. Elizabeth Leeds widow
of Mr. Nathan Leeds dec'd, I transmit herewith
an extract from the Army Books on file in
the Land Office of this Commonwealth, as certified to by Mr G. W. Coffin Esq. who has the custody of the same.
In my letter of the 7th Inst
to the Pension Office, was enclosed an Adjutants Warrant appointing St John Stacy to that Office in Col Nath. Wades regiment of Essex Militia, Dated July 1780
This latter case, is
alluded to in your letter of the 13th Inst in
which it is required that the family register
should be sent to this Office, if this claim be
persisted in
In relation to said Register I would observe that there would be some difficulty in transmitting the same by Mail, and
would require a special Messenger for that
purpose, as the entries were made in an
antiquated family Bible of large dimensions
which I presume the family would not willingly part with.
From the import of your letters
the 12th & 13th Inst, I am constrained to believe the cases to which they allude have received but a partial investigation
Very Respectfully Sir I am
Your Obedient Servant
Reuben Baldwin
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 30

Duplicate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Office of
Commissioner of
State And and Pensions
State House
Boston January 29, 1914

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish me with an abstract of the facts
of record in your office relating to the claim for pension of one
Elizabeth Leeds (maiden name Tileston), widow of a Nathan Leeds, of
Dorchester, who served in the War of the Revolution said, pension
claim being allowed about the year 1830, to the said widow?
Family tradition has it that one William Perry, son-in-law of
the said Elizabeth Leeds, interceded in her behalf in the matter of
the claim and that Mrs. Leeds received about five hundred dollars back
pay.
The said Nathan Leeds was my great-great grandfather. I wish
to file a record of his Revolutionary service with the "Daughters of
the American Revolution."
Please furnish dates of births, deaths and marriage of the above
mentioned persons (if your records show them), names of companies and
regiments in which Nathan Leeds served, length of service, rank, in
fact all information of record which you may possess.
If there is any charge for this abstract I will gladly remit.
Thanking you for an early reply, I am
Very truly yours,
(Miss) Josephine P. Fuller
Dept. State Aid & Pensions
State House, Boston
Page 31

Warrant. St Majr
Loveles Regt 76
Nathan Leeds
Wid 7. 2l567
Mass.
Page 32

Providence December 26th 1776.
Col. Solomon Lovell, Commander of a Regiment of Foot, raised
in the
State of Massachusetts Bay, by a late Act of Gen Court, to reinforce the
Continental Army.
-
To Nathan Leeds Greeting
By Nature of the Trust reposed in me by the Gen. Court, I do line of the Trust reposed in me by the Gen. Court, I do ap
Major in my Regiment for the safety of the United States, you are there
the Duty of a Searjeant Major, and obey the Commands of Your Superior Off
and Discipline of War, and you are to be obeyed as such by your Infer
Sufficient Warrant. 

Given under
my hand and seal this 26th day of December A
Solomon
Page 33

A receipt and an order.
Leeds, Nathan, Mass. W. 21,567
sent to War Dept. Jany. 16, 1913.c