Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22399, for John Thrasher, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
Service Mass.
Thrasher, John
Bethana
or
Bethany
NUMBER W. 22399.
Page 2

5654
Massachusetts
John Thrasher
of Bristol in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain --- of the Reg commanded
by Col Walker in the Mass
line for 14 Mos 12 Days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 47 Dollars 98 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Feby 1833 and sent to Hon  L Hodge H of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $71.97
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 $23.99
$95.96
 Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 2 Page 86
Page 3

Massachusetts 678
Bethana Thrasher
widow of John Fisher dec'd
Mass
who dies on the 2d December 1833 of Bristol Co in the State Mass
who was a Corporal in the Company commanded
by Captain ----
of the Regt commanded by Col Ward in the Mass
line for 14 months & 12 days
Inscribed in the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 552 Dollars 83 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Amt pd to 2 Decr 1833 at $47.98 to be deducted

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of March 1837 and sent A. Bassett Taunton Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $316.98
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1837 26.41
$343.39

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4 1836,
Section the 3d
Recorded by DD Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol 1 Page 70
Page 4

3995
John Thrasher
of Bristol Co
Mass
14th
Jany 2d 32
14 month 12 days
Corporal
Adm?
$47.98 Page 196.

A Basdett
Taunton
Bristol Co
Mass
Page 5

Brief in the case of John Thrasher
of Bristol Co in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 79 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[Table
Period. | Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and field Officers under whom he served
In 1775 May | 8 months | Corporal | Capt King Col Walker
1775 May | 2 months |Corporal | Capt Hale
1777 Winter | 3 months | Corporal | Capt Dean
1778 | 42 Days | Corporal | Capt Crocker

5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Taunton
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence,
by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses &
Traditionary Evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
I H Blair Examining Clerk
Page 6

John Thrasher 3995
Page 7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
BRISTOL, SS.
AT a COURT OF PROBATE holden at Taunton
in and for said County on the twenty ninth day of ____ one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two before the Honorable HODIJAH
BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared John Thrasher ^by [illegible]
a resident of Taunton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy nine years
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress.
passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated, to wit under Capt John King  of Raynham, but whose company & regimental officers I have forgotten, again under Capt Noah Hall
whose officers of the Company and regiment he cannot remember, again under Capt Ebenezer, Lts Hack & Maletiah Eddy, in the regiment under Col Doggett,  the [illegible] Col. forgotten, Major Same;
again under Capt Josiah Crocker, whose officers of the company or regiment he cannot
recollect and the particulars of his services he will state in reply to the fifth enjoined
interrogatory
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts
in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty three.
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I know of no record of my birth
3 Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where
do you now live?
Always in Taunton aforesaid
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute
, for whom? The first three times I enlisted, the last time I was drafted, always
in the State Troops or Militia:
Page 8

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental
and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. Under Capt. King I marched from Taunton in what year or month I cannot recollect, but it was shortly after
the news of the Battle of Lexington. we marched to Dorchester near Boston and there
joined the army blockading Boston and served there eight months, at the time of the
battle of Bunker Hill the British fired their great guns at us; I recollect Gen Putnam
there, but I cannot remember other regiments or officers; Under Capt Hall I marched
from Panton to Winter Hill in Cambridge and served two months, but the month or
year I cannot recollect; but after being some time there we marched to Dorchester, where I
with others was employed in getting the sand to fill the casks prepared to roll down
the Hill on the British if they attacked us; I saw Gen Washington & Gen. Putnam there
I was there when the British evacuated Boston, and was of the third guard that entered
the Town after they had left; Under Capt Dean I served three winter months, but
in what year and what months exactly I cannot tell, we marched from Taunton to
the neighbourhood of Howland's Ferry in Tiverton in the state of Rhode Island, and were there
keeping guard against any landing of the enemy from the Island; under Capt Crocker
I was in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island. We marched from Taunton to said
Howlands Ferry and there crossed to the Island when I was drafted to go in the boats
to supply the army with provisions from the main; during the retreat of the army after
the battle, in which I was not engaged being in the boat Service, I was stationed on the
shore to supply the soldiers with water as they came over & landed on the main, the
next day I rejoined my company, and we marched up to Slades Fery in the Town of
Swansey in this State, crossed the Ferry & marched to Warren in Rhode Island State
thence to Providence, thence to the neighbourhood of Greenwich in the same state &
there guarded the Coasts as before until our term of service was out, being six weeks
for which we were drafted; this was in the latter part of summer & beginning of fall
in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight; for my [illegible] third above mentioned services I refer to
the annexed affidavits, for the second to last I know no one living who was with me & must rely on my own statement
Page 9

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom
was it given, and what has become of it if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was
it signed, and what has become of it? I was a soldier, and a corporal in every company in
which I served; I never had a written discharge

7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your
character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
I refer to the Reverend Benjamin C. Grafton, and to
And the said John Thrasher doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. 
John Thrasher
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
We Benjamin C. Grafton a clergyman residing in Taunton and Irving Lincoln residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Thrasher who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe hi to be about seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Benjamin C. Grafton
Irving Lincoln

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies Judge of Probate
Page 10

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as
he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Benjamin C. Grafton who has signed the
preceding certificate is a Clergyman
resident in the Town of Taunton
in said County of Bristol and that Irving Lincoln who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
BRISTOL, SS.
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
John Thrasher
of Taunton
in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Bassett
Page 11

893. 3. Sec.
Bethana Thrasher
Bristol Co.
Mass.
died Dec 2d 1833.
Allow 14 mos 12 days
Corpl $47.98 per ann
[illegible] Dec 2d 1833
Mass
46.67
1.33
48.00

12 mos  44.
2 mos 7.33
12 days 1.50
$52.83
A. Bassett, Esq
Page 12

Commonwealth of Massachusetts-
Bristol County ss
On this Eighth day of December in the
year 1836, before John M. Williams of Taunton
in said County, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Commonwealth aforesaid, Bethana Thrasher a resident of Taunton in the County aforesaid, aged Eighty Eight 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 4, 1836: That
she is the widow of John Thrasher late of said
Taunton, deceased, who was a soldier in the army
in the war of the Revolution: That he resided
in Taunton aforesaid when called into service; but whether he was draughted, volunteered
or served as a substitute, she cannot state with
certainty. She further says that the said John
Thrasher was a pensioner of the United States
under the act of Congress, passed June 7th
1832, and the refers to his declaration
and the evidence thereto annexed for
his rank and the services performed
by him in the Revolutionary War-
Page 13

She further declares that she was
married to the said John Thrasher on the ___day of ____ in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy
one- that her husband the aforesaid
John Thrasher died at said Taunton
on the second day of December 1833; and
that she has remained a widow ever since
that period, as will more fully appear
by reference to the proof hereto annexed-
Bethany Thrasher her mark
Witness A Bassett
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and
year first above written
Before
John M. Williams
Judge of the Court
of Common Pleas for
said Commonwealth
I John M. Williams, a Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas, being a court of
Record, in and for the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that
Bethana Thrasher, applicant for
a pension as above mentioned, cannot, from
bodily infirmity, attend the court-
John M Williams, Jus. C.C. Pleas
Page 14

I Johnathan Ingell of Taunton in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty two years, do testify and say that I know John Thrasher late of said Taunton, deceased as early as seventeen hundred & seventy. I further testify and say that I was present at the marriage of the said John thrasher and Bethany Stephens-said Thrasher lived at my fathers at the time of his marriage. there wer married by Benjamin Williams Esqr of said Taunton prior to the year seventeen hundred & seventy five.
Jona. Ingell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS Dec 6, 1836 Jonathan Ingell Esq. a credible witness made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed Before me
A. Bassett Just. Peace
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS I James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that John M. Williams of Taunton in said County is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth aforesaid, and that the signatures to two certificates on the second page of these documents, purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this (tenth-crossed out) seventeenth day of December 1836.
J. L. Sproat clerk
Page 16

"1771 May 19th Then John Thrasher and Bethany Stephens both of Taunton entered their intention of marriage"
"Attest James Williams Jr. Town Clerk"

The above is a true copy from the Records of the town of Taunton in the County of Bristol
Attest Edmund Anthony Clerk of said Town of Taunton

"The Register of the children of John Thrasher of Taunton by- - - - -
Elkanah Thrasher son of John Thrasher was born in Taunton September the 28- - - -1772
Zelotas thrasher son of John Thrasher was born in Taunton April the 20 - - - -1775
Polly Thrasher Daughter of John Thrasher was born in Taunton April 17th - - - -1777
John Thrasher son of John Thrasher was born in Taunton Sept. 16 - - - - -1779
William Thrasher son of John thrasher was born in Taunton March 28th - - - -1782
Noah Thrasher son of John Thrasher was born in Taunton January 4 - - - -1784
Alfred Thrasher son of John Thrasher was born in Taunton December 15 - -1786
Sophrona Thrasher daughter of John Thrasher was born in Taunton March 14, - - -1795
I Edmund Anthony of Taunton
Page 17

in the County of Bristol do testify that I am the Clerk of said town of Taunton at this time and that the foregoing is a true copy from the record book of said town of Taunton and appears to have been entered many years ago. I further certify that I have made diligent search in the record books of said Town of Taunton to find the marriage or the record thereof of John Thrasher and Bethana Stephens and have not been able to find such.
Edmund Anthony

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS. Dec. 8, 1836 Edmund Anthony, a credible witness and by me known to be the Clerk of said town of Taunton made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificates by him signed.
Before me. A. Bassett Just. of the Peace
Page 18

I Edward Wilcox of Taunton in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 41 - years, do testify and say, that I married the daughter of John Thrasher late of said Taunton, deceased-That the said John Thrasher died on the second day of December 1833 leaving a widow viz. Bethana Thrasher, who is still living; and that the said Bethana Thrasher has remained a widow ever since the decease of her late husband the said John Thrasher.
Edward Wilcox

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol Jr. Dec. 5th 1836 Edward Willcox a credible witness, made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed--
Before me A. Bassett Just. of the Peace
Page 19

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County do hereby certify that Anselm Bassett is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County and that the signatures to the forgoing certificated purporting to be his are his genuine signatures. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this tenth day of December 1836.
A. Bassett
Page 20

September 25, 1933

John Thrasher
W. 22399
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Virginia D. McKenzie
706 West 21st Street
Austin, Texas

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary Ward record of John Thrasher.
The data contained herein wer obtained fron the papers on file in pension claim, W. 22399, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Thrasher.
He was born February 15, 1753, in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts,
While residing in said Taunton, Massachusetts, he enlisted in May, 1775 and served eight months as a corporal in Captain John King's company, Colonel Walker's Massachusetts regiment, and was engaged in the blockade of Boston. He enlisted, date not stated, and served two months as corporal in Captain Noah Hall's Massachusetts company. He enlisted in the winter of 1776-1777 and served three months as corporal in Captain Ebenezer Dean's company, Colonel John Daggett's Massachusetts regiment. He elisted in the summer of 1778,  served six weeks as corporal in Captain Joseah Crocker's Massachusetts company as was in General Sullivan's expedtion to Rhode Island.
He wa allowed pension on his application executed August 29, 1832, while a resident of Taunton, Massachusetts.
The soldier died Decembeer 2, 1833, at Taunton, Massachusetts.
John Thrasher married Bethana or Bethany Stephens; they were both of Taunton, Massachusetts and their marrriage intention was published May 19, 1771.
Soldier's widow, Bethana or Bethany thrasher was allowed pension on her application executed December 8, 1836, at which
Page 21

time she was aged eight-eight years and a resident of Taunton, Massachusetts.
The following children of John Thrasher and his wife, Bethana or Bethany, were referred to in the claim; they were all born in Taunton, Massachusetts.
Elkana     Thrasher,  born September 18, 1772
Zelotas    Thrasher,  born  April  20, 1775
Polly       Thrasher,  born April  17, 1777
John      Thrasher, born September 16, 1779
William     Thrasher  born  March  28, 1782
Noah       Thrasher  born  January  4, 1784
Alfred      Thrasher  born December 15,  1786
Sophrona  Thrasher  born  March 14, 1795
One of the soldiers daughters (her hame not designated) married Edward Wilcox, who was a resident of Taunton, Massachusetts in 1836.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 22

Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 22,399
Bethana Thrasher
Widow of John Thrasher
Corp. Rev. War

Act July 4th '36
Index: Vol. M. Page 273

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 23

Feb. 28 '96
Histy. to Mr. W. Wetherell
Bu. Pensions

1925 Oct. 16 Hist. to Mrs. (illegible) M. Wetherell M. Dty.
'1933 Sept. 25 Hist. to Mrs. Virginia D. McKenzie
Page 24

To what time was Jn. Thrasher of Bristol Co. Mass. paid under act 1832?
HHL

Died 2d  Decr.. 1833
 paid to that period J.H.
Page 25

I, John Presbrey of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy two years, do testify and say that I have long been acquainted with my neighbor John Thrasher & I remember him a Corporal in the Company in which I served under Capt. Ebenezer Dean in the regiment commanded by Col. John Daggett in the winter of seventeen hundred and seventy six and seventeen hundred and seventy seven, when we were stationed & kept guard to prevent the enemy on Rhode Island from landing on the main in Tiverton in the State of R. Island and furthermore I testify that on making search amounty the family papers of said Capt. Dean who has been dead many years, I found an old mutilated book which appears to be a sort of record of the company at that time fits doings, and that therein on its first page I find the name of said Thrasher in a list of those who are stated to have returned cartridges, (sentence here crossed out) but do not find his name among those who are stated to have received them. On another page I find this entry "Corpl. John Thrasher has a permit January 16, 1777."
said book is now in my possession and he's before me
John Presbrey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS. August 27, 1832 John Presbrey made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed
Before me A. Bassett Just. of the Peace
Bristol SS. Jany 18, 1833 Hohn Presbrey who subscribed the above affidavit is a disinterested & credible witness.
A. Bassett Just. of the Peace
Page 26

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS. I Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that A Basssett whose signatures affixed to the within certificates is a Justice of the Peace and duly qualified to administer oaths. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of the said court this fifteenth day of January eighteen hundred and thirty three
Anselm Bassett
Page 27

I Seth Dean of Raynham in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five years do testify and say that I became acquainted with John Thrasher of Taunton in said County during the revolutionary war and have been acquainted with him ever since; we served together in the army blockading Boston in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five in the same company,we enlisted in the beginning of May that year under Capt. John King, Lt. Noah Hall, Ensign Abraham Hathaway in Col. Walker's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops, we marched from Taunton to Roxbury and served there ^& at Dorchester in the army besieging Boston eight months. Said Thrasher served the whole of said Term as a private soldier.
Seth Dean

Bristol SS. August 28th 1832. Then the above named Seth Dean personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed.
Beforre me  Godfrey Robinson
Justice Peace

Bristol SS. January 16th 1933. This may certify that I am acquainted with the above named Seth Dean and according to my best knowledge he is a credible disinterested witness and entitled to belief.
Godfrey Robinson Justice Peace
Page 28

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS. I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that Godfrey Robinson in a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol and duly qualified to administer oaths & that the signatures to the within certificates purporting to be his are his genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of January Eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Anselm Bassett
Page 29

3995
John Thrasher
Page 30

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Thrasher of Bristol Co., Mass, which require further proof of 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
Page 31

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?   Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? -----
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. (t) If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she or they are persons of credibility. No
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  No
XV.  Does is appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service.   Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes

ESPLANATORY NOTES
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For....year .....months and ....days  I served as a ......, For .....months and .....days, I served as a .....: and for such service I claim a pension"
Page 32

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 the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
(t)QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in the affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. the magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who 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.


14. amended
Page 33

43197-S
O. W. & N. Div.
Memoranda

Please supply as much as possible of the date called for below.

Full name of soldier:
John Thrasher
Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible)
Taunton, Bristol Co., Mass.
Place of residence after service:
(Town, county and State, if possible)
same
Date of death (as near as possible)
Dec. --1833
Christian name of widow:
Cathania
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He was a pensioner
Remarks:
and probably his widow
Your name and address:
W. P. Westinel
Bd. pf Review
Page 34

Stamped

Old War & Navy
Jan. 31 
Files
Page 35

7 Paveput Place
Taunton, Mass.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C. 

(round stamp-U. S. Pension Office Sep 2 1925)

Dear Sir:
Will you please send me the date of the death and place of residence of John Thrasher and his wife Bethany Stephens Thrasher? They both drew pensions for Revolutionary War service in Taunton Mass. He was Coporal in Capt. Blake's Co. for service in N. Y. 1776 & with Capt. Dean at Tiverton R. I.
Also, I would like any records
Page 36

which you might have of John Mason & his wife Bethia (Bryant) of Taunton or Berkley Mass.
Any information you can give me on these two ancesters will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Lewis . Witherell
per A. S. H.

Aug. 31, 1925
Page 37

University Baptist Church
Walter H. McKenzie, Pastor
Austin, Texas
706 West 21 St.
Austin, Texas
Sept. 15, 1933

Director of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:

I am trying to get all the information I can in
regard to one John Thrasher who fought in the Revolutionary War.
The War Department gives the following information in regard to him. He was a Corporal in Captain Ebenezer Dean's
Company, Carpenter's Company, Massachusetts Militia. The
roll on which his name is borne is neither signed nor dated,
and gives no information as to period of service.
Please see if you can find any further war record of his.
This John Thrasher is an ancester of mine, and I have been invited to join the Daughters of the American Revolution, and
wish to get all the information possible of his service in the Revolutionary War.
Thank you for your help and kindness in regard to this matter.
Yours Truly,
Mrs. Virginia D. McKenzie
Mrs. Virginia D. McKenzie
Page 38

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
October 16, 1925.
Mrs. Lewis M. Witherell
7, Prospect Place,
Taunton, Massachusetts
Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, W-22399, it appears
that John Thrasher was born February 15, 1753 at Taunton,
Bristol County, Massachusetts.
While residing there he enlisted in May, 1775 and
served eight months as a Corporal in Captain John King's
Company, Colonel Walker's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in 1776 and served as a Corporal two
months in Captain Noah Hall's Massachusetts Company.
He enlisted in the winter of 1776 and 1777 and
served three months as a Corporal in Captain Ebenezer
Dean's Company, Colonel John Daggett's Massachusetts
Regiment.
He enlisted in the summer of 1778 and served six
weeks as a corporal in Captain Josiah Crocker's Massa-
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chusetts Company and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
August 29, 1832 while residing at Taunton, Massachusetts.
He died there December 2, 1833.
He married at said Taunton, Bethana or Bethany Stephens (marriage intention was published May 19, 1771).
She was allowed pension on her application executed December 8, 1836 while residing at Taunton, Massachusetts, aged eighty-eight years.
They had the following children all born in Taunton, Massachusetts:
Elkanah..... September 28, 1772.
Zelotus..... April 20, 1775.
Polly........ April 17, 1777,
John......... September 16, 1779.
William.....March, 28, 1782.
Noah......... January 4, 1784.
Alfred....... December 15, 1786.
Sophrona..... March 14, 1795.
One daughter, name not stated, married Edward Wilcox,
who resided in Taunton, Massachusetts in 1836.