Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36703, for Nathaniel Nason, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE/ NUMBER
Mass. /Nason, Nathaniel or Nayson/ S. 36703

Lost --> B.L. Wt. 895-200
CONTENTS/ B.L. Wt. 2401-200 -  Issued
Aug. 22, 1846 in behalf of
Asenath Canney, Special
Act of Congress.
Page 2

Dead[?]
5944.
Maine
Nath"l Nason
Captn.
1 Jan'y '77 to 4 Nov 17
Colo Vose     Mass
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence
the 5 of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 of Jan'y 1879
and sent to Benjamin Greene, Esq're
Sth Berwick, Me
[Stricken:  Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1818 5 mos $100
semi-anl all'ce ending 4 March 1819  220]

Arrears to the10th of Aug
1818, the date of this Pens's Death.  3 26/30 + [illegible]/31 months - $83.78

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.

South Berwick
York County
Page 3

---895---

The Devisee of
Nath'l Nason
Lieutenant
Massachusetts line
-
Warrant iss'd April 5th 1820
Hon'ble
J. Holmes
Page 4

Nat'l Nason
Nathaniel Nason
Capt'n ___________________ [illegible]
of
1 Jan'y '77 prom'd. Lt. No 4 Nov '77
Vose's reg't. 
Massachusetts line

5 April 1818

 [illegible]

Rec'd of J.L. Edwards, the
Commission of Nath'l Nason, as Captain & lieut. in the first Mass's
Reg't for the purpose of procuring the Bounty Land due his heirs.
J. [Mahoney?]
Me.
Page 5

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
YORK, ss.}  On this fifth day of April A. D. 1818,
before me the subscriber, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit in said Commonwealth, personally appears Nath'l Nason aged sixty four years resident in South Berwick in said county of York, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration 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:"--that he the said Nathaniel Nason in the month of May A.D. 1775 enlisted as a private soldier in the continental Army under Capt Stewart of the Regiment commanded by Col Phinney of the Massachusetts line, for eight months, that he continued to do his duty in this Company and Regiment until the eight months for which he had first enlisted had expired, that he again einlisted in the same Company for the further term of one year and continued to do his duty as a private in said Company and Regiment until January [illegible number- first?] A.D. 1777 when he was appointed an Ensign in the Company commanded by Capt. Smith in Col Patterson's Regiment Massachusetts Line, which Regiment was afterwards
commanded by Col Joseph Vose in which capacity he continued to do his duty until the 15th day of October 1777 when he was promoted to a Lieutenant and continued to do his duty as such until the 10th day of October 1783 he was ordered to the Rank of Capt by Brent & continued to do his duty as such until January 4, 1784 having continued with the  Army eight years and nine months from the commencement of the Revolutionary war.  During all which time he never left the service for a single day, & in January 1784, he was discharged [illegible] general orders.  And in evidence of the foregoing declaration the said Nason provides the following several Commissions which are hereunto annexed. 
And the said Nason further testifies/and by a certificate signed by the selectmen and overseers of the poor of South Berwick provides  - 
That he is reduced in his circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for support, and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year above said.
/s/ Benj'n Green
I, BENJAMIN GREENE, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, in the Commonwealth aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Nathaniel Nason  did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as he has stated in his declaration aforesaid -- and that he is reduced in his circumstances, and needs the assistance of his country for his support. -- And I do 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 beforementioned act of Congress.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of April Anno Domini, 1818.
/s/ Benj'n  Greene
Page 6

[illegible - R. Quimby? ltrs
March 29
for
Hon. John Holmes
Member of Congress
Washington City
Page 7

South Berwick, Me, March 28, 1820
The Honorable Secretary of the Department of
War, of this United States, will deliver to this
Honorable John Holmes Member of Congress
from Maine, the Lands warrant due me
as devisee under the Will of the late Capt
Nathaniel Nason, for his services in the
Revolutionary Army- Respectfully yours
Ruth Quimby
her
X
mark

Witness Wm. Burleigh
Page 8

Chas. W. Woodman
Pens ....[inverted writing - see next file]
19 Aug 1846
Recd Augt 19th 1846
Page 9

[continued from prior file?]

19 Aug. 1846 

Pension Office
Page 10

For Bounty Land Office
New Hampshire
County of Strafford
Dover Aug. 15. 1846
Hon Wm L Marey Sec. War
Dear Sir
Heretofore Land warrant
No 895 was granted to Ruth Quinby now Ruth
Ransons. The warrant was lost - no patent
has issued. She conveyed all her interest
in the land to her daughter Asenath Canney
now of Barrington in this County, formerly of this place. For 9 years Miss Canney
has been
making effects to obtain this land, being
very poor and
to perceive
destitute. I am happy to perceive
by a report of the Acts passed
at the last session is one in
her favour agreeably to the
petition forwarded by me as
her atty. Will you have the
goodness to recur to said act and send
to my care for her the Patent for said
land. There has been
some correspondence
in the year 1838 between your department
and myself upon this subject.  
Since the
dissolution of the Copartnership between
myself & Hon John Hale, the business
has managed solely
by myself
Page 11

Such a series of accidents has attended
this business from the commencement having not only lost
the warrant, but a Petition & set of
papers & evidence to substantiate the
Petition which I sent to my friend
Hon Franklin Pierce, that I have
to request the Patent for the 200 acres
to be carefully directed and sent by mail.
It however occurs to me that you
may first send the warrant and
require her to select which State she
will have the land
patent located in. If so I have to request the same care in directing and transmitting
the warrant
I have the honor to be
with great respect
Yo bd svt
Chs. W. Woodman
Page 12

County of Strafford N.H.
Dover Aug. 25 1846
J.L. Edwards Esq
Bounty Land Office
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22d [illegible] inclosing
land warrant No 2401 for 200 acres of 
land in favour of Asenath Canney
and I am obliged to you for the
information
relative thereto contained
in your letter
I have the honour to
Respy Yo Ob Svt
Chs. W. Woodman
Page 13

Probate certificate of Nath' Nayson's heir.
Page 14

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
York ss. By the Court of Probate for said County
It is hereby certified that Hope Nayson of
South Berwick in said county, joiner, is a
son and heir at law of Nathaniel Nayson,
late of said South Berwick, gentleman, deceased,
who died in the month of July, 1818.
In testimony whereof, the seal and
signatures of the said Court of Probate
are hereunto affixed, the fifth day of
February, A.D. 1819.
Daniel Sewall, Reg
Jonas Clark, Judge.
Page 15

Burleigh
Nathaniel Nayson's
Will
-
Copy
'90
Page 16

In the name of God Amen. I Nathaniel Nayson of South Berwick in the County of York & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being weak in body, but of sound & perfect mind & memory,
blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make & publish this
my last will & testament, in manner & form following, that is to say:
First. I give & bequeath unto Ruth Quimby, singlewoman, the use &
improvement of all my estate, both real & personal not otherwise
disposed of after my just debts & funeral charges are paid,
until the twenty first day of April eighteen hundred & twenty
one, under the direction & superintendance of my Executors,
her leaving the property in as good repair as when she received
it & her providing a home & living for & during said term
for my natural son Edgar M. Nason, born of the body of Betsey Chadwick. I also give & bequeath unto
said Ruth Quimby, one card table in the Kitchen Chamber
& one looking glace in my setting room, & my military bounty land, due me from the United States for services in the
Revolutionary war, to her, her heirs & assigns forever.
I give & bequeath unto my natural daughter Aseneth Nason, born of the body of Ruth Quimby one feather bed to
be delivered to her said Mother in trust, for my said daughter.
I give & bequeath unto my natural son Edgar M. Nason
born of the body of Betsey Chadwick, all my estate both real & personal not otherwise disposed of to him the said Edgar M
Nason, his heirs & assigns forever; but should my said son
Edgar M. Nason die before he arrives to the age of twenty one, (or after he arrives to the age of twenty one, without disposing
of the property or without any legal heirs, or without
making a will) I give & bequeath what I here give my said
natural son after his the said Edgar's decease, to my well
beloved nephew Nathaniel Nason son of my late brother John
Nason, to him his heirs & assigns forever.
I give & bequeath unto my natural daughter Clarissa H. Nason, born of the body of Betsey Chadwick, one feather
bed, one satin cloak, one muff & Tippet & one small table belonging to her late Mother.
Page 17

I give & bequeath unto my natural son Arlberry M. Nason
born of the body of Betsey Chadwick one dollar in full
for his share of my estate, with what I have already.
I give & bequeath unto my daughter Sabina Grant, one large
Mahogany stand & one feather bed.
I give & bequeath unto Lucas Q. C. Nason & Hope Nason one
dollar each, with what I have already done for them in
full, for their share of my estate.
I give & bequeath unto my beloved friend Hiram Norton
one large looking glass in the Kitchen Chamber, with female
figure on it, & one brass five set complete with bellows &
brush &c.
I hereby constitute & appoint Robinson Palmer & Jonathan Colcord my Executors of this my last will & testament
hereby revoking all wills by me made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
& seal the thirteenth day of July, A.D. eighteen hundred & eighteen.
Nathaniel Rayson, (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published & declared by the above
named Nathaniel Nayson to be his last will & testament
in the presence of us, who at his request & in his presence have hereunto subscribed our names, as witnesses
to the same.
Robinson Palmer, John Shorey, John T. Sparling John S. Warren
Recorded agreeably to the original Att. Daniel Sewall, Regr
A copy of Record. Att Daniel Sewall, Regt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, York ss.
To the Honble Jonas Clark Esquire, Judge of the Probate
of wills &c. within & for said County
Humbly shew, The subscribers, that whereas in & by the last
will & testament of Nathaniel Nayson late of South Berwick
in said county of York deceased, they were appointed the
Executors of said will; now they do by these presents in
signify to your Honor their refusal of the trust of the trust of Exec. of the last will & Testament of Nathaniel Nayson & pray your honor do accept of
the trust of of the trust aforesaid, the said will of Nathaniel Nayson having been
Page 18

been this day filed in the Probate office.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
YORK, SS. BY THE COURT OF PROBATE FOR THE COUNTY OF YORK.
To all unto whom these presents shall come, GREETING.
WHEREAS
the foregoing instrument, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of
Nathaniel Nayson late of South Berwick in the county
aforesaid, gentleman deceased, being presented for probate;
Robinson Palmer & John F. Sparling
subscribing witnesses thereto,
personally appear and make solemn oath that they saw the said
Nathaniel Nayson the testator sign, and heard him declare
the said instrument to be his last will and testament; that he was then
of a sound mind and memory, according to their best judgment; and
that they subscribed their names as witnesses to the said instrument,
in presence of the said testator, together with John Shorey &
John S. Warren the other subscribing witnesses.
And the heirs at law having signified their consent in writing
And No objection being made against the said instrument: -- This Court does
now approve and allow of the same as the last Will and Testament of the
said Nathaniel Nason deceased. [crossed out] And [blank] execut
therein named, hereby ordered
and directed to make known
appointment, by posting up notifications
thereof in some public places in the town where the said deceased last
dwelt, and in the two next adjoining towns. 
And well and faithfully to execute the said will and testament, and to administer the estate of the said deceased according thereunto. And also to render a plain and true account of
said administration, upon oath, when lawfully thereunto required. [end cross out]
In testimony whereof, the signature and seal of the said Court of
Probate are hereunto affixed. Dated at Wells the Seventeenth day of August in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Daniel Sewall, Reg.
Jonas Clark Judge
Recorded agreeably to the original
Daniel Sewall, Reg
1 copy of Record Att Daniel Sewall, Reg
Page 19

been this day filed in the Probate office.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands
this tenth day of August, A.D. 1818.
Robinson Palmer
Jonathan Colcord
Recorded agreeably to the original. Att Daniel Sewall, Reg
A copy of Record. Att Daniel Sewall, Reg
Page 20

October 22, 1934.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ady
Nathaniel Nason
S. 36703
Mrs. Lyle B. Whitney
32 Blackinton Street
North Adams, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Nathaniel
Nason, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers
on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.36703,
based upon his military service in that war.
Nathaniel Nason, the name is also shown as Nayson,
enlisted, place not stated, in May 1775, and served eight
months as private in Captain Stuart's Company, Colonel
Phinney's Massachusetts Regiment. He then reenlisted in
Captain Phinney's Massachusetts Company, served as private
until January 1, 1777, when he was commissioned ensign in
Captain Smith's Company, Colonel Patterson's and Joseph Vose's First Massachusetts Regiment; on October 18, 1777 he
was commissioned Lieutenant; on October 10, 1783 he was
commissioned captain by Brevet, in the United States Army,
and continued as such until January 1784.
Pension was allowed on his application executed
April 5, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-four years
and a resident of South Berwick, York County, Massachusetts
(Maine).
He died in July 1818 in South Berwick, Massachusetts.
In 1818 the names of the following children of the
soldier Nathaniel Nason, were given: Edgar M. Nason, Clarissa H. Nason, Arlberry M. Nason, Asaneth Nason and Sabina Grant.
Soldier's son, Hope Nayson, was a resident of South Berwick, Massachusetts, in 1819.
In 1818 one Luccas Q. C. Nason was referred to, no relationship to the family stated.
Page 21


In 1818 soldier's nephew, Nathaniel Nason, was
living; he was the son of soldier's late brother John Nason.

In 1846 Asaneth Canney, formerly Asaneth Nayson,
was living in Barrington, Strafford County, New Hampshire. She formerly lived in Dover, Strafford County, New Hampshire.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
sol. name not on AB
Page 22

[illegible]
Page 23

5
esq
Page 24

Ruth Quimby
[illegible] of
Lieut Nathl
Nason Massa. line
[illegible] No 895
Page 25

The Sec. of War
decided in fav. of the
Devisee Viz
Ruth Quimby
the question is
whether the Devisee
or the Heir at Law
shall have the
Land
Wm Holmes is
for one of the Parting. I do not
recollect the other applic[illegible]
Page 26

36703
Revy INVALID.
File No. 36,703
Nathaniel Nason
Capt Rev War
Act: 18th March 18
Index: -- Vol. 2 Page 294
[Arrangement of 1870.]
July 11 - 1903 - His. to
Willaby Nason Rasonville
July 18-1903
To above [illegbile]
Soldier pens'd at $8.00 
from Apl. 5, 1818 on date of
Sept. 5, 1903
to above nothing relating
Soldier Marriage
1934 Oct. 22. Hist. to Mrs. Lyle
B. Whitney [illegible]
=
Page 27

Nathaniel Nason
No
No. 2401
On the 5th April 1820, Warrant
No 895 for 200. acres issued to the
Devisee of Nath. Nason. Lieut
Mass line, which warrant being
lost a New Want has issued
W.2401. in conformity with a
special act of Congress, a certified copy of 
which is enclosed herein
sent warrant to
Chas. W. Woodman
Dover
N. Hampshire
Page 28

Department of State
Washington August 21st 1846
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Your letter of the 20th inst, asking
for certified copies of act passed at the last
session of Congress for the relief of Asenath
Canney" and for the relief of Ann Hackett,
is received. A certified copy of the "act for
the relief of Asenath Canney is herewith
enclosed. The Department has received no
such act passed at the last Session of Congress
as "An act for the relief of Ann Hackett.
I am sir very Respectfully
Your Obt Serv
N. P. Tritt
Page 29

Hale & Woodman
July 21st 1838
895
Rev
July 19th 1838
Page 30

This document too faded to recover text.
Page 31

Dover N. H.
May 4th 1835.
Miss Hale Woodman
Requests to be informed
if a Bounty Land Patent in form [?]
of Nathaniel Nayson, has ever
been sent to him if not, whether
the documentary evidence on file
to establish his claim to a pension
does not also establish a claim
for Bounty Land.
N Nason 
Gir[illegible] Mass [illegible] 
R
895-200 

Referred to Mr. Keller
                   L Office 
RW    
Resptf'y up to Wm. Gordon Esq 
By Law Office
12 May th  1838
NC McCay 12 ____ 1838
9 May '38.
Page 32

Sir
Nathaniel Nayson of Berwick in the state of Maine (formerly Mass.) a Lieutenant in the army of the U. States in the Revolution died at Berwick in the year 1818 having been put on the pension list under the act of congress of 1818 and his (illegible) drew the pension due at his death. By his will he divided "his Military Bounty Land due him from the United States for services" to Ruth Quinby & her heirs-now Ruth Ransom wife of Richard Ransom of Dover. She Ruth Ransom has employed us to obtain this land for her. Will you have the goodness to refer to the pension list of that year and
Page 33

and inform us whether his land was ever granted, and Patent sent to him (No patent has ever been found in his papers).
If it was not, whether the documentary evidence on file to establish his claim for a pension does not also establish a claim for Bounty land and oblige.
With high respect
Your obt. sevts.
Hale & Woodman

James Whitcomb Esq
Commissioner
Bounty Land Office

(J. L. Edwards Esq, Comr. Pensions--crossed out)
Page 34

Dover N. H.
May 4th 1838

Mesrs. Hale & Woodman

Requests to be informed if a Bounty Land Patent (illegible) of Nathaniel Nayson has ever been sent to him if not whether the documentary evidence on file to establish his claim to a pension does not also establish a claim for Bounty Land

N. Hayson lived Mass since 1818-200
Referred to Mr. Keller
(illegible)
Resptfy to Wm. Gordon Esq.
by Law office 
12 May 1838
N. M.Cary 12th-1838
9 May '38
Page 35

[Veterans Administration Logo]  [Letterhead:]VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON  October 3, 1934.

[Following is x'd out:}  XXXXXXXXXXX
iN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/ady 

Mrs. Lyle B. Whitney
32 Blackinton Street
North Adams, Massachusetts      
[DATE STAMP: Received 3:30 Oct 12, 1934 Mail subdiv. Vets. Admin '12 
Reader 10]

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to
Nathaniel Nason, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

As a means of identifying the particular record
in which you are interested, should it be on file,
as much as possible of the following data are essential:
approximate dates of birth and death, (places of residence
at enlistment) and after service) and given name of
widow. [hand-writtten parens added to typed text.]

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
[handwritten notes added:] Nathaniel Nason born 1754 died 7/27/1818
(wife) Sabina Nason
sidence probably So. Berwick, Maine.
Page 36

OW&N
Ect


Nasonville R I. July 6, 1903
Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir, I wish to know If.  Thomas Nason and Nathaniel
Nason of Walpole Mass. appear on the records
of your office as Pensioners, & if so I desire what
history you have of them, they were Revolutionary War
soldiers & perhaps Colonial service also, they are
on record in Walpole mass as revolutionary soldiers with
the following Entries of service
Thomas Nason, one month at Guild Furnace 1777
   "     "                 at Warwick R I 10 days        1776

Nathaniel Nason 3 months in 1775 Boston
     "             "     one     "      "   1777 Rhode Island,

I sent money in 1900 for copies of my Grandfather Willoughby
Nason revolutionary soldier Pension & service record, & it came back both times with
the Information that it was not necessary to send money with
Inquiries, I will remit any charges there may be now,
Please reply as soon as practicable & much oblige me
Respectfully yours
Willaby Nason
Page 37

[stamp:}  O.W. & N DIVISION
JUL 31 1903
RECEIVED.]  

[handwritten notation:]  This is the only Nathaniel Nason in  the
records. 


Nasonville R I. July 29, 1903
Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
I wish to know if in the record of
the application for Pension of Nathaniel Nason of South
Berwick Maine, Filed in your Office April 5, 1818
shows who he married and the date of Marriage.
the reason for asking this Question is that the record
of his application gives his age at that time as 64
years,
If this Nathaniel is the one I suppose
it to be there must be an error in his giving his age, as
he was born in Walpole Mass Aug 6, 1740, and married
Abigail Hartshorn of Walpole April 26, 1764, and
consequently would be 77 years old at date of application
as there are many descendants of Richard Nason an earler settler and supposed to be another line from my ancestors
in Maine, it is possible that the Nathaniel Nason
I am tracing is not my Great Uncle the discrepancy
in the age given when he applied for a pension causes me 
to be particular and find out for certain whether
he is my Great Uncle.  I had 3 great uncles revolutionary soldiers
from Walpole Mass.  Thomas, Nathaniel & Willaby Nason &
have their records complete Except Nathaniel,
very Respectfully
Willaby Nason
Page 38


Nasonville R.I. Sept. 1, 1903
Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir, 
I wrote about the first of August (Presumably in the vacation) It may
gone astray however, & I write again, to know If in the application April 5, 1818 of Nathaniel Nason a revolutionary soldier from Walpole Mass. then a resident of South Berwick Maine, contained anything in relation to his marriage & what 
if anything
This Information is wanted to determine whether he is the Nathaniel I am seeking 
as a discrepancy in his age in the application 64 years. whereas the age of the one I am seeking would be 78 years, as he was born in Walpole Mass Aug. 6, 1740 and married Abigail Hartshorn in said Walpole April 26. 1764.  hence, the Inquiry. and 
 the fact that were many Nasons in Maine made me fear it was not my great uncle,  Nathaniel Nason
Very Respectfully
Willaby Nason
Page 39

IN PURSUANCE-
Of an ACT of
CON GRESS
of the Thirtieth Day of SEPTEMBER,
A.D. 1783,
Nathaniel Nason Esquire
is to Rank as Captain by Brevet, 
in the ARMY of the UNITED STATES 
of AMERICA.

[SEAL] 
A. Lincoln 

GIVEN under my Hand,
at Princeton the Tenth
Day of October 1783
.
Elias Bondinot [illegible]
Page 40

THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To Nathaniel Nason Gentleman-Greeting,
Reposing official trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be a Lieutenant in the first Massachusetts Regiment in the army of the United states, to take rank as such from the sixteenth day of October 1777. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders, as Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall received from this or future Congress of the United States or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a further Congress, the Commitee of congress before mentioned or a Committee of the States.
Witness His Excellency Thomas Miflin Esq. President of the Congress of the United States of America at Annapolis the twenty eighth day of November A. D. 1783 and in the Eighth Year of our Independence.
Thomas Mifflin (Signature)

Entered in the War Office
Attest Jas. (illegible) Secy.
Page 41

IN CONGRESS
The Delegates of the United States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Islaand, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent and Suffex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia TO
Nathaniel Nason Gentleman

We, reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO by the Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Ensign in the Regiment of Foot Whereof Joseph Vose Esq. is Colonel in the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of an Ensign by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as an Ensign, And you are to observe ad follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or a Committee of Congress, for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United States, or any other you superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust  reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoed by this or a future Congress. Dated at Boston the First Day of January Anno dommini 1777 By Order of the Congress
John Hancock, President (signature)
Attest Chas. Thomson  Ja 7
(?). File 36703
Page 42

[Headier for the Senate -A Bill] crossed out

An act [hand written]
For the relief of Asenath Canney.
1  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
2  of the United States of America in congress assembled, That
3  the Secretary of War cause to be issued to Asenath Canney
4  formerly Asenath Nayson, a warrant for two hundred acres of
5  land, in the place of land warrant number eight hundred and
6  ninety-five, heretofore issued in the name of Ruth Quinby, the
7  devisee of Nathaniel Nayson, late of South Berwick, in the
8  county of York, and State of Maine, deceased, who was a lieu-
9  tenant in the Massachusetts continental line; which warrant
10  so heretofore issued is now lost and the right to which land 
11  was heretofore given by Ruth Ranson to said Asenath.

approved June 19th 1846

Department of State
August 20, 1846
I certify that the above is a true copy of "An act for the relief of Asenath Canney" compared with the original roll on file in this Department.
Nathan Tritt Chief Clerk