Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24125, Thomas Emerson, Continental Mass.
Page 1

Service
Continental Mass.
Emerson, Thomas
Ruth
Number
W. 24125
Page 2

10.527
Massachusetts
Thomas Emerson
of Lynn in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Private in the company commander
by Captain__ of the Regiment commanded
by Colonel Bridges on the Massachusetts line
for 2 and Militia
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 80 Dollars __Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of April
1833 and Sent to Benjamin Merrill Salem. Massachusetts.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $160.
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 September 1833 "
$40 - $200
Recorded by J.H. McBlair
Clerk,
Book E, Volume 2nd, Page 21.
76
Essex
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[Blank page]
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Thomas Emerson
No. 1703

Please address reply to
Benjamin Merrill
Salem
Massachusetts
Page 5

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

State of Massachusetts: County of Essex, as,
On this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, now sitting, Thomas Emerson, a resident of Lynnfield, in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 74 years, who is 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 herein stated:
that he enlisted as a private in April 1775 and served in Captain John Batchelder's Company in Colonel Bridge's Regiment eight months at Cambridge till end of the year.  That is June 1776 he again enlisted as private in Captain Jos. [Joseph] Bancroft's Company in a Regiment of which Lieutenant Colonel Brown was an officer.  He forgets the names of the colonel.  He marched from Reading, Massachusetts to Charlestown in New Hampshire thence to Skenesborough and Ticonderoga and there joined the Regiment and served 5 months. I was a prisoner in Mill Prison 15 months.
He never had written discharge or certificate of birth - he was born at Reading in 1757 lived there till 1826 and since at Lynnfield.  His birth is on the town records of Reading.
He is known to Daniel Needham Esquire and to Bowman Siles Esquire in his vicinity.
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[Note; The upper portion of this image appears to be a mirror image, suggesting that it was written on the other side of the paper, and "bled" partly through.]
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. 
Thomas Emerson
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid D.A. White, Judge of Probate
Page 7

And the Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, the  abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in - and the said - who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at - and is a credible person and that their statement is entitles to credit.
Dr. D A White
Judge of Probate


I, Nathaniel Lord Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Emerson for a pension, and Benjamin Merrill, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and his signature on the mentioned affidavit is genuine.
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1832
Nathaniel Lord
I further certify that said Thaddeus Spaulding is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified to administer oaths and his signature on the awarded affidavit is genuine as I fully believe. 
Signed and sealed January 25, 1833
Nathaniel Lord
Page 8

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress of the 7th, July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, county of Suffolk}SS.
On this seventeenth day of September in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eighty, personally appeared before the Artemas Ward, Chief Justice of the court of common pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Ruth Emerson, a resident of Lynnfield, in the county of Essex, and commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy seven 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 7, 1838, entitled, "An act of granting half pay and pensions to certain widows": that she is the widow of Thomas Emerson,
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let of said Lynnfield, deceased, who, according to her best knowledge and belief, was a private soldier in the Massachusetts line of the continent. Establishment in the war of the Revolutions that at the time he entered the service aforesaid he was a resident of Reading, in the county of Middlesex, and commonwealth aforesaid, and in that part of said Reading now incorporated and known as the town of South Reading, that he was a volunteer in said service; that he was in the "Concord Fight", so called, in April, 1775, and afterwards, in the same year 1775 he enlisted for eight months; that he was stationed at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and afterwards served on another enlistment for five or six months; that he was in the army at Ticonderoga; that some time during said war, he was taken a prisoner of war and remained such for fifteen months, and was then regularly exchanged; that she has forgotten the precise dates of his several enlistments, the company, of companies, and regiment of regiments in which he served, except that at Ticonderoga he was in a company commanded
Page 10

commanded by Captain James Bancroft; that she has forgotten the names of the other officers under whom he served; that he was a pensioner at the rate of eighty dollars per year for several of the last years of his life; that she has not now any documentary evidence in support of her claim. She further declares, thgat she was married to the said Thomas Emerson, by Reverand Caleb Prentice, on the twenty first day of November, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty tow; that her husband, the aforesaid Thomas Emerson died on the seventeenth day of February, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: [namely] at the time above stated.
Ruth Emerson
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk  ss. On the 17th day of September A.D. 1838 , the within named Ruth Emerson mad oath to the truth of the within declaration by her subscribed in my presence

Artemas Ward Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk Ss.     I, Charles A. Parker, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, the same being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the Honorable 
Artemas Ward is the Chief Justice of said Court duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature above written is his true and proper Signature

Witness my hand and the seal of Said 
Court at Boston this seventeenth day of September A.D. 1838
Charles A. Parker Cleark
Page 12

1855
Ruth Emerson
Massachusetts
Widow of Thomas
Act 7 July 1838
Married 1782
died 17 February  1837

Allowed $ 80 per annum
from February 17 1837



Aaron Lummis
Lynn Massachusetts
Page 13

 Daniel Pratt Jr Clerk of the Town of Reading in the County of Middlesex and the state of Massachusetts being duly chosen and sworn hereby certify that I have the custody of the Records of said Town and the following is a transcript of said records in relation to the marriage of Thomas Emerson Jr and Ruth Bancroft by Revd Caleb Prentis
" Seventeen hundred eighty two November twenty first Thomas Emerson Junior. and Ruth Bancroft were married by Caleb Prentis Clerk"
The above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows "1782 November. 21.

I Daniel Pratt Jr above named deposed and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, Town and state aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me

Daniel Pratt Jr Clerk of the 
Town of Reading 
aforesaid

Middlesex ss.  August 16 AD 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Daniel Pratt Junior. and subscribed and made oath to the above Affidavit before me
John Weston   Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Middlesex Ss  I Elais Phinney Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Middlesex do certify that John Weston Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within the forsaid County and that his name subscribed to the within certificate is his genuine signature

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court the 31 August 1838
E. Phinney
Page 14

Thomas Emerson
Forwarded by
Benjamin Merrick
Salem Mass
No 1703
Private 2 years

11 12 & 16 interrogatories not complied with
November 28 1832

$80
Page 15

Brief in the case of Thomas Emerson
of Lynnfield in the state of Massachusetts
(Act 7 June 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  [no answer written]
3. How old is he? Seventy four years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
__________________________
[Table of four columns]
Period |  Duration of Service |  Rank | Names of General and Field 
                                                                    Officers under whom he served. 
               Years, Months, Days.  As a    Gen. 
In 1775 |   =          8               =  |  Private | Colonel Bridges
    1776|     =          5-             =  |        "     | Lieutenant Colonel  Brown
              |        --        3.            = |         "            [no name listed] 
The last term of fifteen months
he was a prisoner in Mill
Prison- 
5. In what battles was he engaged   [no answer written]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Reading - 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, 
by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Living Witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no evidence
given of his having been a prisoner and witness not stated as credible.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned. 
D. D. Addison
Examining Clerk
Page 16

[top left corner, written by hand "am"]

This bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.

Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B.
[arrow pointing to this line] [underlined "W. 24125"],
I. 22632.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,

O. W. & N. DIV. [Old War and Navy Division]
REVOLUTIONARY
October 2nd, 1899.
Sir: -
In response to your recent communication you are advised that [underlined]Thomas Emerson" made an application for pension on August 14, 1832, at which time he was 74 years of age and residing at Lynnfield, Mass., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Massachusetts troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and served under Captain Batchelder and Colonel Bridges. His widow, Ruth, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.

Timothy Bancroft made an application for pension on June 4th, 1833, at which time he was 73 years of age and residing at Nelson, New Hampshire, and his pension was allowed for seven months' actual service as a private in the Massachusetts troops, Revolutionary war.  He enlisted at Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, and served under Captain Bradley and Colonel McIntosh.
Very Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mr. P. A. Hansom,
Wakefield, Mass.
Page 17

J 12869?
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Thomas Emerson
Pension Office
[Stamp] OLD WAR and NAVY FILES
JULY 18 1899
U.S.P.B. [U.S. Pension Bureau]

Pension Office
War Dept, Washington, D.C.
Please give the record of
Timothy Bancroft and
Thomas Emerson

Revolutionary soldiers, Massachusetts, and probably from Middlesex County.
Please address,
Yours Respectfully,
F. A. Ransom
Wakefield, Massachusetts.
[Stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE July 15, 1899
Page 19

[Two columns. Left column:]
[written by hand "Rev"]
WIDOW,  Etc.

[decorative line]

File Number [written by hand "24125 Ruth Emerson Widow of Thomas Emerson Private Revolutionary War"]

[decorative line]

Act [written by hand "February 2nd 1848"]

Index: Volume [written by hand "A"], Page [written by hand "217"]

(Arrangement of 1870.)
[Right column:]
Oct 2 99 [1899]
F A Ransom
Wakefield Massachusetts
Page 20

[Two columns]
[Left column:]
Arrears reported
22d April 1844

[Right column:]
3459
Massachusetts

Ruth Emerson
widow of Thomas Emerson
who was a private
in the Massachusetts Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars__Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
8th day of December 1843
and sent to
James Gregory
Marblehead, Massachusetts

by Act of March 3, 1843

Recorded in Book A
Volume 1
Page 41
Page 21

[Two columns]
[Left side:]
[written by hand "Rep 22 April. 44[1844]
[Right side:]
3135
Arrears
Massachusetts"]
[double line across the page, separating the top from the rest.]

[written by hand "Ruth Emerson"]
widow of [written by hand "Thomas Emerson"] who was a pensioner under the Act of [written by hand "1832"] and who died on the [written by hand "18 February 1837"] of [written by hand "Suffolk County] in the State of [written by hand "Massachusetts"] who was a "[written by hand private"] in  the "Company-"] commanded by Captain ---- of the [written by hand "regiment"] commanded by [written by hand "Colonel Bridges"] in the [written by hand "Massachusettsl"] line for [written by hand "2 years"]

[double line across the page, separating the next info.]

Inscribed on the Roll of [written by hand "Massachusetts"] at the rate of [written by hand "80"] Dollars__Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. [written by hand "to 17 February 1837 day of his death"]

[double line across the page, separating the next info.]

Certificate of Pension issued the [written by hand "22"] day of [written by hand] "April "44" [1844] and [written by hand "sent to Honorable W Parmenter House of Representatives."]

[double line across the page]

Total amount, [double lines] $ ---- [double lines]

[Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by [written by hand] "F L Swann" Clerk, Book [written by hand "A"Volume [written by hand] "1" Page [written by hand] "85"
Page 22

[Two column}
[Left column:]

[written by hand & crossed out "Issued a new certificate on the 30th March 1839 in lieu of the one issued on the 20th of the Month. March"]
Rep

New Certificate issued 1st. April 1839 and sent to Aaron Lummus Esquire Lynn Massachusetts.}

in lieu of one dated 20.' March 1839 cancelled -"]

letter to James. Gregory May 10th. 1843
do.[ditto] to Same September 5. 1843"

[written by hand] "Massachusetts 2135"
[double line across page]

[written by hand] "Ruth Emerson, ---"widow of "Thomas Emerson, deceased who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832, and who died on the 17 February 1837-of Suffolk County in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the company commanded by Captain __  of the [written by hand] regiment commanded by Colonel Bridges in the "Massachusetts" line for 2 years.

[double line across page]

Inscribed on the Roll of "Massachusetts at the rate of “80 Dollars  __ "Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 17 February 1837.

[double lines across the page]

Certificate of Pension issued the "20th"] day of March 1839-"] and"sent Aaron Lummus, Lynn, Mass."

[double lines across page]
Arrears to the 4th of "Mar 1839 $163.33"
Semi-annual allowance ending [written by hand "4 Sep '39 40.00 "$203.33

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by D McCurdy" 
Clerk
Book "A" Volume “1", Page 85.
Page 23

Thomas Emerson Massachusetts Act June 7 1832. $80
When paid I  H H L

Died 17th February 1837 paid to that period

O H
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Honorable J. L. Edwards
Page 25

Lynn. March 26, 1839.

Sir- Widow Ruth Emerson, the person intended in this Certificate is of [underlined "Essex County, Massachusetts" as will be seen by reference to her Declaration, and therefore the probably could not receive her Pension by virtue of this Certificate. Said Declaration was finally executed in Suffolk County; but her residence is and has been in [underlined] "Essex County.

Yours respectfully A Lummus."
Page 26

Thomas Emerson
No 7703

January 26. 1833

All the 29 questions and alterations have been complied with.

Benjamin Merrill
Salem
Massachusetts
Page 27

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Emerson 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?

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?"Yes"

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"
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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? [written by hand "No"]

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [written by hand "No"]

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?

XIV. [cross symbol] If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certificate that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? [written by hand "Yes"] 
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? [written by hand "Yes"]

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 services? [written by hand "Yes"]

[written by hand "#"] XVI. [double cross symbol] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [written by hand "No"]

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not answered? [written by hand "Yes"]

[a line across the center of the page]

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 Peach, &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."

[written by hand "#See next page"]
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 [italicized "about three or four months"] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

[cross symbol] QUERE XIV. [italicized "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 tow 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 may certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signatures of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

[double cross symbol] QUERE XVI. [italicized "Mode of authenticating papers."]

[written by hand "#" squiggly line-bracket]
[underlined "In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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."]

[text from another page bled through this page, it is backwards and too light to read. It is 4 lines of text hand written vertically down the center of the page.]

[written by hand "Must state the period for which he engaged to Serve under his 2d enlistment"]
Page 30

[this seems to be the back of a document, everything is written/printed in reverse.]

TNEMTRAPED RAW

[the rest of the text is very light, and written backwards - making it hard to read.]

[written by hand "2135"]
Page 31

WAR DEPARTMENT

Five years Pension.

[over the top of the letter is a giant diagonal line over the top of it.]

I certify that in conforming with the act of July 7, 1833, [written by hand "Ruth Emerson of Suffolk Co. Mass.-"] widow of [written by hand "Thomas Emerson, decd. Private"] who was a [written by hand "pension under the act 7 June '32"] and died on the [written by hand "17th"] day of [written by hand "Feby 1837-"] is entitled to receive a pension, at the rate of [written by hand "Eighty" dollars [crossed out and ____ cents"] per annum, commencing on the [written by  hand "Seventeenth"] day of [written by hand "Feby 1837"]; and in case of the death of the death or marriage of said widow before the 4th of March, 1841, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.

[in an open area of the document, you can just make out a faint outline of a seal]

Given at the War Office of the United States, this [written by hand "twentieth"] day of [written by hand "March"] one thousand eight hundred and [written by hand :thirtynine"]

[signed by hand "J. R. Poinsett"]
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned. }

[signed by hand "J L Edwards" double lines are over the "J L"]
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 32

Marblehead, May 1st 1843.

Honored Sir:

I have the Honor to forward herewith two Declarations of Mrs. Ruth Emerson of Lynnfield, in the County of Essex, -one claiming arrears of Pension from the 4th of March, 1836, to Feby.17th, 1837; the date of her late husbands death, - 2nd the other claiming the benefit of the Act of March 3d 1843.

I have the Honor to be, very respectfully, 
Your Honord humble servt.

[signed "James Gregory"]
[decorative swirl underneath the name]

James L. Edwards Esq
Comms of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Page 33

Marblehead, January 12th, 1844.

Honord Sir:

On the 12th, rect. I duly received a Pension Certificate for Mrs. Ruth Emerson, of Lynfield, in this County, and widow of Thomas Emerson, issued - under the law of March 3d 1843; but not that for the arrears due under the law of July 7th 1838, [underlined each word "for what time her late husband died after the 4th of March, 1836,"] viz: till February 17th, 1837.

The necessary Declaration for this arrears was forwarded to the Pension Office, May 1st 1849, in the same package with that for the new law. Both were sent back on the 10th of the same month for authentication. They even accordingly duly certificated and again forwarded [underlined "together"] in the [underlined "same package"] on the 20th of June, as Your Honor will perceive by a letter of the undersigned [underlined "of the same date"] which accompanied the on, - in which [underlined "both are"] named.

I have therefore very respectfully to solicit of Your Honor in behalf of Mrs. Emerson, that her said Declaration and
Page 34

claim for arrears, as aforesaid may be looked into at the earliest convenience of the Department and the writen informed of the result, - as it appears evident there has been an accidental omission of it.

I am, with very great respect,
Your Honors' humble servt.

[signed by hand "James Gregory"]

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Page 35

[written by hand "Thos Emerson"]

[the rest of the words are written backwards and vertically. like they had bled through, and this is the back of a document. The text is too faint to read.]
Page 36

I, Ebenezer Parker, of South Reading in Massachusetts aged 77 years on oath say that I know that Thomas Emerson, now of Lynnfield, Served the first 8 months of the War from April 1775 to Jany 1776 in Capt John Batchelder's Company in Col Ebene Bridge's Regiment in the Masstts line at Cambridge.

I was there in the same Company.
I further testify that I know he Served five months more from June 1776 in Capt Bancroft's Company in Lt Col. Brown's Regiment.

We marched to Skenesborough from Massachuset. He and I have always been neighbors & acquaintance.

At first we enlisted for 8 months & left perhaps about middle of Decr. 1775.

[signed by hand "Ebene Parker"]

State of Massachusetts Essex County Ss:
Augt. 4, 1832. Then the above named Ebenezer Parker a credible an disinterested witness subscribed & mad oath to the above before

[signed by hand "Benj Merrill Jusi : Peace"]
Page 37

I, Reverend Reuben Emerson, Clergyman resident in South Reading, a town adjacent to Lynnfield in which there is no settled ordained Clergyman, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Emerson, who has applied for a Pension; the said Emerson lately resided in my Parish; I believe him to be 74 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he now resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and I concur in that opinion 

[signed by hand "Reuben Emerson"]

Middlesex Ss: Jan 14, 1833
Subscribed [underlined "and sworn"] to before me 
[signed by hand "Thaddeus Spalding - Just. Peace"]

I certify that the Rev Reuben Emerson who has signed the above Certificate is a Clergyman residing in South Reading in said County of Middlesex; he is a credible person and his statement is worthy of credit.

[signed by hand "D A White Judge of Probate"]
Page 38

[the top of this image is the reverse side of another document - the text is backwards and very faint to read.]

I Thomas Emerson aforenamed do further swear that in June 1776 I enlisted for the term of five months, and served out the whole term as aforementioned.

[signed by hand "Thomas Emerson"]

Essex/s:
Jany 15, 1833 subscribed and sworn to before

[signed by hand "Benj Merrill Just. Peace"]
Page 39

The undersigned, inhabitants of the town of South Reading, in the County of Middlesex, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath, testify and say, that we know, and are well acquainted with Mrs. Ruth Emerson, of Lynnfield, in the County of Essex, and Commonwealth aforesaid - [crossed out "that they"] know that she is the widow of Thomas Emerson, late of said Lynnfield, Deceased [that said Thomas died in February, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven- that he was always reported and believed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War,- and that since the death of the said Thomas, the said Ruth hath remained and is now his widow.

[signed "Caleb Foster
Wm Deadman
Micah Williams"]

 Middlesex August 30th A. D. 1838. Then personally appeared the said Caleb Foster, Wm. Deadman & Micah Williams -- and subscribed and made oath to the above Affidavit, before me; and I certify that they are disinterested and credible witnesses.

N. B. the words "reported and believed' were interlined in the above Affidavit, before the same was signed.

[signed "Lilley Eaton [squiggly line going vertically down from under the name. squiggly line going vertical after the name] [underlined "Justice of the Peace."]
Page 40

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex Co. I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the County of Middlesex do certify that Lilly Eaton Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace within & fore said County of Middl[rest cut off.] and that his name Subscribed to the within Certificate is his genuine signature.-

In testimony whereof I have hereun[the rest is cut off] Set my hand & affixed the s[the rest is cut off] of said Court - the 31 day of August 1[the rest cut off]

[signed "E. Phinney Cl"]
Page 41

Ruth Emerson

Arrears from 4 March 1836 to 17 Feb. 1837
[a small line on the page]

[crossed out "James Gregory Marblehead Mass"]

Hon. W. Parmenter H. Rep
Page 42

State of Massachusetts County of Essex} S.S.

On this twentieth day of April- A D, 1843, personally appeared before me, James Gregory, Notary Public & Justice of the Peace for said County, Ruth Emerson, a resident of Lynnfield in the said County of Essex aged nearly eighty=two years, who, living duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the 4th of March, 1836, to the 17th day of February, 1837. From which period she has been already paid under the act of the 7th of July, 1838. And the declarant further alleges that she is still the widow of Thomas Emerson, who was a private during the Revolutionary War; that her pension was allowed at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum and was paid to her at the Agency in Boston in the State of Massachusetts, and further she saith not.

[signed "Ruth Emerson"]

Witness-
Benjamin Cox

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written, before me,- And I certify that said Declarant  is personally made known to me. 

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand and affixed my Notarial Seal.

[signed "James Gregory, Notary Public &][double underlined "J. of the Peace."]

Authentication next page.
Page 43

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

[short line across the page]

Secretary's Office [written by hand "Boston June 15. 1843."]

I hereby Certify, That [written by hand "at the date of the annexed attestation James Gregory was a Notary Public and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex,"]

[decorative squiggly line]

in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to [written by hand "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.

[signed "Jno A. Bolles"] Secretary of the Commonwealth.

[a very faint outline of a ink stamp can be seen, but nothing can be read and no details can be made out.]
Page 44

864

Ruth Emerson
Mass
Act 3. March '43-

$80 per ann

James Gregory
Marblehead
Mass
Page 45

State of Massachusetts, County of Essex} ss. Lynnfield

On the twentieth day of April A. D. 1843, personally appeared before me, James Gregory Notary Public and Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Essex, Ruth Emmerson. a resident of said Lynnfield, aged nearly eighty=two years, who, being found duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the Third day of March, 1843. granting pensions to widows of persons who served During the Revolutionary War. 

That she is the widow of Thomas Emerson, who was a Private in the Massachusetts State Troops & Militia of the Army of the Revolution: that her said husband [underlined "was Pensioned under the law of June 7th, 1832 to the amount of eighty dollars per annum,"] and she begs to refer to the Declaration and evidence of his said Revolutionary services.

She further Declares that after the Death of her said husband, she herself was pensioned [underlined "to the said amount of eighty dollars per annum,"] under the law of July 7th, 1838, [underlined "and that she is still a widow."] 

[signed "Ruth Emerson"]

Witness
Benjamin Cox

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year first above written before me - and I certify that said declarant is personally made known to me.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal.

[signed "James Gregory, Notary Public &] [double underlined "J. of the Peace."]

Authentication next page.
Page 46

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

[short line across the page]

Secretary's Office [written by hand "Boston June 15. 1843."]

I hereby Certify, That [written by hand "at the date of the annexed attestation James Gregory was a Notary Public and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex,"]

[decorative squiggly line]

in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to [written by hand "his"] acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

[a very faint outline of a ink stamp can be seen, very faint writing can be seen around the edge, only can see "chusetterses" of all the words that are faintly present. &  hard to make out what is inside the center of the stamp.]

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

[signed "Jno A. Bolles"] Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 47

Ruth Emerson

A A 3459

Admitted

G. S. Bulfinch ["finch" is underlined}
Boston
Mass
Page 48

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
[squiggly line to separate info]

Secretary's Office [written by hand "Boston July 31t 1848"]

I hereby Certify, That [written by hand "at the date of the annexed attestation Lilley Eaton was a Justice of the Peace In the County of Middlesex.

[decorative swirly line or flourished "W"]

in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to [written by hand "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.

[signature "W B Calhoun"] 
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 49

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February,1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, [written by hand "Middlesex" crossed out "Essex"] County, } ss.

On this [written by hand "Seventeenth"] day of [written by hand "July"] 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, [written by hand "Ruth Emerson"] a resident of [written by hand "Lynnfield"] in the county of [written by hand "Essex"] aged [written by hand "eighty seven"] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of [written by hand "Thomas Emerson"] who was a resident of [written by hand "Reading, when he enlisted in the Army"] and who was a [written by hand "private"] in the [written by hand "War of the Revolution, on the Continental Establishment"] and is the identical person who drew a pension under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of [written by hand "eighty"] dollars and     cents per annum.

She further declares that she is still a widow.

[signature "Ruth Emerson"]

[a rectangular stamp inside the stamp is 4 circles inside black boxes (top and bottom) by 3 circles inside of back boxes (left and right sides. Inside that "L. S."]

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, } Before me,

In presence of 
[written by hand "Benjamin Cox"] [written by hand & underlined "Lilley Eaton"] 

[signature "Lilley Eaton"] Justice of the Peace.

I Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow an a pensioner, as she declares.

[signature "Lilley Eaton"] Justice of the Peace.

[written by hand vertically on the left side of the page, "N. B. The word "Essex" [underlined "was"] erased and the word Middlesex entering before signing - Li Eaton"]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,  County} ss.

I,    Clerk of the Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that    is a Justice of the Peace, in the for said County, duly [there is another blank paper covering up part of the text here] fied; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.

and the Seal of said Court, this    18

Clerk.
Page 50

Marblehead Sept, 27th, 1843.

Honored Sir :

I duly received your form of the 5th, inst. accompanying the return of papers of Mrs. Sarah Hill, Rebecca Widger, Salley Kitfiche, Mary Allen & Ruth Emerson in all law of March 3d 1843, requiring that the Justice should "certify that the Declarants are personally known to him" B. C.

Although I very much regret the return of their papers (all herewith again forwarded to your Honor's office)- for such a cause, yet I must confess that I am at fault in the promises. The fact that the Magistrate should so certify has altogether escaped my attention until your form led me to recur to the written [underlined "directions"] of the Department. It may be but just, however, to observe, that the required words are not to be found on the printed [underlined "form"] - that further of it provided for the Certificate of the Magistrate - although the directions require that it should be so certified - and thus it was that by too close an adherence to the printed [underline "form"] and too little attention to the printed [underlined "directions"], that I omitted the insertion of the words now required for the certificate of the Justice.

But my regret at the blunder I have made is much increased form the fact, that on the 28th of July I forwarded [underlined "five"] claims in one package, and on the 29th- [underlined "twelve"] more - also in one package - all claiming

(t
Page 51

the benefit of said law of March 3d 1843, and all of them certified without the addition of the word original in your Honor's said form to be added to them herewith enclosed. With the exception of [underlined "one"], the whole of these seventeen claimants are the widows of my deceased fellow townsmen, and abt, [underlined "except four,"] reside in Middlesex and are my intimate friends and [underlined "neighbors, and I do hereby certify that the whole seventeen are personally well known to me."]

I have therefore very respectfully to hope and trust that with this certificate, their claim's may be suffered to pass the ordeal of the Department - of otherwise an objectionable and thus avoid the disastrous delay (one of them has died since she signed her Declaration)- which most otherwise attend the return of their declarations.

But if, unfortunately, this four can not be granted, (and I do not wish to ask for it if the same is not granted to others under like circumstances,) I Cry in behalf of the widows that the whole of said seventeen Declarations may be returned & to the writen at the earliest day that will suit [underlined "the"] convenience of the Department, in order that the delay which might ensue if not returned before being taken up in the order of rotation may be avoided.

In regard to the remarks continued in the concluding part of your Honor's form, (forwarded - though not so stated - to be intended as a reply to my letter of the 20th of June last,) I Cry have most respectfully to observe, that the [underlined "undersigned"]

(h
Page 52

exercise of the
hopes to be the very last to complain of the
"caution" therein mentioned toward any papers that
may officially emanate from him; and he also hopes
to be the last to ask for the relatation of any
Regulation of your Honors Office, either in
regard to authentications or any thing else merely
for the accommodation of himself as an agent
If he has been understood otherwise he submits that
he has been misapprehended. On the contrary he
well knows that, while it is his bounden duty on
the one hand to use all honorable means to execute
the trust which any just claimant may commit
to his charge with the least possible expense to the
claimant, and with the most scrupulous fidelity and integrity,
so on the other hand he is also bound to pay the utmost
deference to the Rules, Regulations decisions of this Honorable 
Department, and study to avoid every thing that may tend
to thwart or embarrass it in the administration of its
most arduous and multifarious duties
That such have been the sentiments of the undersigned
in regard to the matter of authentications, he believes
he has but to refer to his letter of May 21 1840,
which is the identical letter named and refered to
in that of 20th of June last, to which your Honor's
remarks appear to be intended as a reply. which
will be found to contain the following remarks:
"I beg to be understood as not asking for a
" relaxation of the Rules of the Department in
"my case in particular all I ask is that as liberal
" a course might be adopted toward myself as is
"freely extended to person or any other magistrate.
"If I cannot be this dealt with I beg to be so
Page 53

"informed and in future I will in all cases govern
"myself accordingly, however onerous the expense might
"be in so doing.
I remain, with very great respect,
your Honors humble servant.
James Gregory

James L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.