Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,152., Peter Adams, Mass.
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(3-1776)
Service
Mass.  
Adams, Peter
Peggy or Margaret
Number W.15.512

res. at (unclear) Taunton, Bristol Co. Mass. & res there in 1820 aged about 74 yrs
d. June 25, 1841
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Notification sent Sep 15, 1820 to Jas. Sproat clk of clk of Bristol Co Taunton Mass

Copies of papers sent to Hen W. Baylies H.R. Feb. 28. 1835
See letts Pen Apt sent Godfrey Robinson Au 17 '37
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13,875 R
Massachusetts
Peter Adams
of Taunton in the state of Massachu(setts) who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bradford of the Massachus(etts) line, for the term of nine months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 7 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 of July 18- and sent to Nahum Mitchell N. Bridgewater Massac
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819 - 87.43
Semi-anl. all'ce ending Sep 1819  48.00
10 Mo 24/30 4-/31     $135.43
Revolutionary claim, 
Act 18th March, 1818.
Continued
Page 4

Peter Adams
Taunton
Private
78-9 months
Bradford Masstts.
Served only 6 months, as appears from the Rolls.
Admitted - on roll 9 months as he states
(Above sentence overwrites word, "Rejected")
Having produced Capt. Coopers affidavit of his serving 9 months in Bradford's Regt. before he went into Vore's Regt.  I now return the claimant's documents to the war office.  Cooper is a man of veracity, and lives in the same town with the claimant.
N. Mitchell: Judge (undecipherable word)
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
On this seventh day of April AD. 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Peter Adams of Taunton aged (blank) years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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", viz. That he served in said war as a private soldier nine months in the latter part of the first three years service in Capt Cooper's Company & Col. Bassetts Regiment, the first, in the Massachusetts line - and also the whole of the last three years in Capt. Miller's Company & the same regimt. then commanded by Col. Joseph Vose.
See his said Declaration of his service/ enclosed
And I the said Judge do certify that the said Peter Adams needs the assistance of his country for support -
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#Bradford was chief Colonel - Basset was Lieut Colonel -

And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Peter Adams did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Nahum Mitchell
(Raised seal with M in the middle and indecipherable words around it)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
SS. 1818
I hereby certify, That (blank) is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth - that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record - that the signature to the above certificate is the true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court.
(blank) Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of (blank)
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Peter Adams -
No. 13,875
July 1819
Contd - 15 Sep 1820

G
Cen
Sep '19
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Schedule.
Property of Peter Adams of Taunton Bristol Cty. .Taunton July, 17th. 1820.
1 pair Dogs----------------------------0,,25.
1pr. Shovel & Tongs-------------------0,,50.
1 Refuse (?) 25 tb Pot -----------------0,,50
1 Lg. Skillett ---------------------------0,,12
1/2 Sett Cups & Saucers --------------0,,17.
1 Mocktin tea pot ---------------------1,,10
1/2 doz earthen plates ----------------0, 34
1 large bowl ---------------------------0,,12
1 wash do. (=ditto)---------------------0,,34
3 Tea Spoons ---------------------------0,,6
4 chairs ---------------------------------0,,75
2 chests ---------------------------------0,,50
1 maple Table ---------------------------0,,34
                                                            $4,, 99.
I, Peter Adams, am about seventy four years of age, a common labourer, not able to perform any kind of labour, being entirely blind.  My wife, Peggy Adams, is sixty eight years of age, able to about  half a day's work in a day, and half support herself part of the time.  No other in my family
Just. Asa Danforth.                                            his
                                                              Peter    X     Adams
                                                                         mark
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Schedule.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS. Circuit Court of Common Pleas
On this seventeenth day of July 1820, personally appeared, in open court, being a court of record for the said county, Peter Adams, aged seventy four years or about that age, resident in Taunton in said county, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:
I served in Col. Gamaliel Bradford's Regiment, in Capt. James Cooper's Company, and in the Massachusetts line.  My original Declaration before Hon. Judge N. Mitchell was on the seventh day of April, eighteen hundred and eighteen, and the number of my pension Certificate is 13,875.
Property valued at $5..00
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, by gift, sale, or in any manner, 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 me subscribed.
Atts. James Sproat                          his
                                            Peter    X   Adams
                                                    mark
Sworn to, and declared, on the seventeenth day of July A.D. 1820 before James Sproat Clerk of the Courts Bristol Cty.

I, James Sproat, clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol 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 schedule is five dollars and 0 cents.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this twenty eighth day of July 1820.  
Jas. Sproat  Clerk of the Court for the County of Bristol.
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1'     Agent notified
1883 Augt N D Adams - history
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3682
Massachusetts
Peggy Adams
widow of Peter Adams, who a Pensioner under the act of March 1818 who died on the 25th. June 1841 of Taunton in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Mass - of the regt. commanded by Col. Bradford in the Mass. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars - (cents crossed out) per annum commence on the 25. June 1861 (date is written over crossed out date of 4th day of March, 1831).
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th. day of March 1842 and sent to A. Bassett Esq Taunton Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1842     95.54
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar. '43   60.00
 $135.54

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3.

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book C. Vol 1. Page 48
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol S1.
On this fourth day of January Eighteen hundred and forty two, personally appeared before Oliver Prescott Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County Margaret Adams otherwise called Peggy Adams, a resident of Taunton in said County, aged Eighty nine years on the fifth day of February last past, who being 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 4. 1836 and the act explanatory of said act, passed March 3. 1837.  That she was married to Peter Adams of Taunton aforesaid, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and served two years and more therein as she verily believes, and as stated in the annexed certificate of John P. Bigelow Esq Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - She verily believes that he served as a soldier until the third day of November 1783 - She further states, as she well reflects that the said Peter Adams, left his home in Taunton for the Army on the day that Josiah Robinson Esqr. died, who resided but a short distance from her, and that on enquiring, she is satisfied that the said Josiah Robinson died on the 14th day of May 1781. And that he returned some time in December 1783 - She further says that the
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said Peter Adams was a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of March 18. 1818.
She further declares that she was married to the said Peter Adams on or about the twenty first day of August 1780 by Robert Luscomb Esq of Taunton aforesaid, who died many years ago.  That she is not now aware of any record of her marriage, unless it can be found among the papers left by said Luscomb, with some of his children, who reside in the westerly part of this commonwealth -
She further says that her husband the said Peter Adams died on the twenty fifth day of June Eighteen hundred and forty one - And that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed -
Witness Godfrey Robinson

                             her
Margaret or Peggy  X  Adams
                             mark

subscribed sworn to, on the day and year first above written -
Before me   Oliver Prescott / Judge of Probate for said county of Bristol -
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I Edmond Anthony of Taunton in the county of Bristol. do hereby depose and say, that I now hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Taunton, and have held that office for a number of years past, that in September 1838 my office was destroyed by fire and all the Town records of Marriages prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty one was also destroyed by fire and also all the records of publishments of the intention of marriages before the year 1810. was also burnt
Edmund Anthony, Town Clerk of Taunton

Bristol ss. Nov. 2d. 1841. Then personally appeared Edmond Anthony clerk of the Town of Taunton, and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him signed 
Before me Godfrey Robinson Justice Peace
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I Rachael Talbot of Taunton in the county of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 66 years do testify and say that my mother viz. Margaret Harding. (who was more commonly called Peggy by our neighbours) was married to Peter Adams, the August after I was five years old,(as my mother always told me,) I can well remember of their moving into a house belonging to Mr. Nathaniel Andrews, and their first commenced house keeping together my father viz Peter Adams, soon after commenced Building a Log House on a peice of land (which he then owned) near Mr Andrews'es house, and we moved into it the next Spring.  And according to the best of my recollections, the same Spring that we moved into the Loghouse, my father viz Peter Adams, enlisted and went into the American Army, (as they said) he was from home a long time afterwards.  I well recollect that on one winter evening, while my mother and my self were at home, my father viz Peter Adams knocked at our door and mother asked, who was there, he answered a friend, friend to whome, said my mother, he replied a friend to General Washington, and as I was going to the door, I heared him set down his musket on the door Step, I then said to my mother - father is come, and so it proved to be, he had on white pantaloons a Blue coat faced with reade he had also a musket and a pack with him.  He never went from home after this (except for a few days at a time) untill his death which took place at Taunton aforesaid on the 25th day of June 1841.  my mother viz Margaret, who is also called (Peggey) is now in full life and has not been married since the death of her husband
Rachael Talbot

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol county ss
December 2d. 1841. Then the above named Rachael Talbot a credible witness personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by her signed
Before me Godfrey Robinson Justice of the Peace
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I Betsey Raymond of Taunton in the county of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 79 years  do testify and say that I well remember of Peter Adams and his wife Margaret (who was more commonly called Peggey) and two children being all colloured people) liveing a short time in my fathers, old house (as it was called)  I should thinck this was sometime during the Revolutionary War.  Peter Adams aforesaid soon after mooved from my fathers viz Nathaniel Andrewses house, into a small house which he had built on land which he owned near my father's dwelling house where he and his wife lived at the time of his death.  Soon after his mooveing into his house, he was from home for nearly three years and was said to be in the american Army.  and my husband viz Benjamin Raymond was a drummer in the army of the Revolution at the same place where Peter Adams was stationed. and when he had a furlow home he brought letters from Peter Adams to his wife and when he returned to the army he carried letters from his wife Margarett to him the said Peter Adams aforesaid, Peter Adams died sometime last June I thinck and his widow viz Margaret (who is most commonly called Peggey) is now in full life and is a near neighbour to me and has not married since the death of her husband viz Peter Adams
Attest Godfrey Robinson

         her
Betsey  X  Raymond
        mark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss. December 2d 1841. This Betsey Raymond above named who is a credible disinterested witness personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by her subscribed
Before me Godfrey Robinson Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol County ss. I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in afor said county do hereby certify that Godfrey Robinson is a Justice of the Peace in afor said County, and that the signatures to the forgoing certificates, purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said court this Fifth day of January Eighteen hundred & forty two -
A Bassett
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, October 24th 1841.
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 a declaration of Peter Adams of Taunton, signed and Sworn to April 28, 1825, states that he enlisted in May 1781 for three years; that he served in Capt. Jeremiah Millers Company. Coll. Joseph Vose Regt. until the end of the war, being "2 Years and about 7 months." - A declaration of Benjamin Raymond of Taunton, signed and Sworn to May 21. 1835, states that he was acquainted with the said Peter Adams, who "was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and in the last 3 yrs Service," and that he served in the Same brigade with him; - It appears  also from copy of a receipt signed by by Eben.r Crocker, attested by James Williams, Superintendent for Bristol County, that Crocker received the said Williams who had enlisted for 3 Years, to be conducted to Springfield: - Copies of a declaration of David Adams, sworn to April 7 1818, deposited in the Pension Office, and certified, states that he served 9 months in the latter part of the 1st 3 years service: - And of a certificate signed by Captain James Cooper, that the said Adams performed the last service in his company, in Coll Bradford's Regt. are on file, from which evidence it appears that Adams obtained a bounty of $50 from the State: A further examination of the Rolls of Capt. Millers Company, Coll. Vose's Regt. shows that Peter Adams was in that Company in the months of June to November 1781 inclusive: and January & February 1782 the last two being the only rolls of Capt. Millers Company in 1782 in this department
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County SS.   I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Bristol do hereby certify that Oliver Prescott of New Bedford in said County, is the Judge of said Court, and that the signature to the foregoing certificate purporting to be his, is genuine-
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this fifth day of March Eighteen hundred Forty two -
A Bassett
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(Seal) - Greenfield REB 25
Paid 25

A Bassett Esqr-
Taunton Bristol Co
(Ms)?
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I John Luscombe of Hawley in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty nine years do testify and say that I am the son of the late Robert Luscombe of Taunton in the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, deceased, that said Robert Luscombe died at said Taunton about forty years ago - That he was a Justice of the Peace for thirty years or more before his decease - That I have the records kept by my said father while he officiated as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol - And I find the following recorded in my said father's hand writing - viz. "August twenty first one thousand seven hundred and eighty. Peter Adams and Peggy Harden, Negroes both of Taunton were married by me - Robert Luscombe Esqr."
I further testify and say that the above is a true copy of the record in my possession, with the exception the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows - "August ye 21st: 1780"
I further testify and say that I removed from Taunton about thirty nine years ago - That while I lived there the wife of Peter Adam often worked for my father - I was well acquainted with her and she was always or generally called "Peggy"
John Luscombe
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(Seal in corner in Latin, with scales, obscures some of the text)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(obscured)nklin ss
I, Henry Chapman, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for County of Franklin, do certify, that John Tobey Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand=writing of the said John Tobey and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this Twenty fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two.
H Chapman    Clerk
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(indecipherable pencil notes) 1883?

Rev Widow, &c.
File No. 15512
Peggy Adams
Widow of Peter Adams
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index: - Vol. A, Page 3
[Arrangement of 1870]

Gen. notes taken re D. Adams on
Page 24

Peggy Adams
Wid of Peter
Mass.
Act July 4 1836
Married 1780
died 25 June 1841
Allow $80 per ann
from 25 June 1841

A Bassett Esq
Taunton
Mass.
Page 25

Peter Adams Mass Act March 18 1818.
When paid last? d. 1841
Henry H Sylugh (?)
March 4

pd to 4th March 1841
JH
M Haug (?)
Page 26

(Page is blank)
Page 27

I Peter Adams of Taunton in the County of (Plymouth crossed out) Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a citizen of the United States depose set forth and declare that I was a private soldier in the war of the revolution in the land service on the continental establishment  for nine months and more, and from my reduced circumstances need the assistance of my country for support and am therefore desirous of obtaining a pension from the United States agreeably to an act of Congress of the 18 of March last - that I entered the service among those who were called the (first, last crossed out) three years men, both the first and last three years.  During the first three years I enlisted into James Cooper's company and Col. Bassetts regiment, being the first Massachusetts Regiment, afterwards commanded by Col. Joseph Vose. and joined the three year men and served with them nine months being the latter part of the first three years service.  I then about 1781 enlisted into Capt Miller's Company and Col. Vose Regiment for three years being the last three years service and served out my term and had an honorable discharge under the hands of Genl. H. Knox but have been so unfortunate as to lose it.  I now relinquish all claim to every pension heretofore granted me (if any) by any law of Congress. - Peter Adams
Sworn to April 7. 1818

Basset was Lieut. Colonel - Bradford was Col. of the Regimt.
Page 28

Taunton
Peter Adams d 25 Jun 1841
Peggy Adams m 1780
On roll Vol 34 p 421
(indecipherable) 1781
On roll Cap Cooper for Bradford Mus 1778
of Raynham P(indecipherable) Co
Vol 28 p 157
Page 29

(Seal) Taunton Mar 7 Mass.

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC.
Page 30

Taunton March 5. 1842

Sir,
Accompanying this is the application of Peggy Adams widow of Peter Adams decd. for a Pension under the Act of Congress of 1836 - Any communication which you may be pleased to make relative thereto may be made to me -
Very Respectfully 
Your servant
A Bassett
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I James Cooper of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Captain, Commanding a Company in the Army of the United States, in the Revolutionary War (so calld) in the Regiment Commanded by Coll. Gamaliel Bradford, and in General Patterson's Brigade - do Testify and say - that Peter Adams of said Taunton Inlisted as a soulder in my Company June seventeenth Seventeen hundred & Seventy Eight, for nine months - and that he faithfully served in that Capasiaty the full time for which he Inlisted, as appears from my muster Roll, and from my best Recolection -
James Cooper
Dated at sd. Taunton June 17th 1819


Bristol ss Taunton June 19th 1819 Personally appeared the above named deponent, before me the Subscriber, one of the Justices of the peace within & for said County, and being by me (crossed out word) duty (crossed out words) Cautioned, made Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed -
Jona- Ingell  Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss
I James Sproat Clerk of the County of Bristol aforesaid. do hereby Certify that Jonathan Ingell Esqr. before whom the affidvit of James Cooper within named appears to have taken & made, is a Justice of the peace duly quallified for that purpose and that his name subscribed thereto is his own proper Signature - I further Certify that I am personally acquainted with Capt. James Cooper the Deponent - and know him to be a man of truth and Veracity -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said County at Taunton in said County this Eighteenth of June AD 1819 -
Jas. Sproat Cler. of the County 
Bristol Co -