Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,647, Benjamin Wildes, Mass.
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Mass.
Wildes, Benjamin
Sarah
W22,647
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6184
Maine
Sarah Wildes
widow of
Benjamin
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
26 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
23rd day of Nov 1853
and sent J. C. Bourne
Kennebunk
Maine
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 44 Vol. 1
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2497-
Maine
Benjamin Wildes
of York in the State of Maine
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Clark of the Regt commanded
by Col. Prime in the Massats
Troops
for 8 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Nov
1832 and sent to B
Palmer Kennebunk, M
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1832 $39.99
Semiannual allowance ending 4 Mar 1833 13.33
=
$53.32
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Eras, D. Bullock Clerk,
Book D
Vol. 4 Page 111
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BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Wilds
of York 
in the State of, Maine
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 70 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period
In 1780|
Duration of Service.
Years Months Days.
8|Rank.
As a
Private|Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Cap Clarks Co
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service Kennebunk Port
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above  mentioned.
E. D. Bullock Examining Clerk
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Sarah Wilde
Widow
of Benjamin Wildes

1838
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State of Maine
York County ss
On this fifteenth day of October
eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before the subscriber Judge of the Probate Court for the County of York, Sarah Wild, a resident of  Kennebunk Port in said County, widow, aged ninety two 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 July 7th 1838, entitled "An act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows"" That
she is the widow of Benjamin Wild otherwise
called Wildes who was a private in the 
Revolutionary war and served as stated in his declaration for a pension under the Act of June 7th 1832 under which he received a pension of twenty six dollars and sixty six cents.

She further declares that she was
married to the said Benjamin Wild in the
month of April seventeen hundred and eighty
seven by her Nathaniel Webster of Beddeford
now deceased.
That her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Wild died on the twenty fifth day of December eighteen hun -
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dred and forty six. 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, at the time above stated.
her Witness
Thomas Wildes 
her mark X Sarah
Wild

Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year above written
the said Sarah being unable in consequence
of bodily infirmity to attend
Court
Before me
W. C. Allen,
Judge as aforesaid
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Extract from the records of the Town of
Biddeford in the County of York and State of
Maine under the head of "Publishments."
March thirty first Seventeen hundred and eighty - seven, were published according to law Benjamin Wilds of Orendell, and Sarah Davis of Biddeford

Jere, Hill Town Clerk"
Attest: Fred D. Edgerly Town Clerk
I Frederic D Edgerly testify that I hold
the office of town Clerk in the town of
Biddeford, in the County of York and State of
Maine, and that the foregoing is a true extract
from the Records of said town, with the
Exception of the date, which is expressed on
the Record in fair legible figures as follows-
March 31. 1787"
I further certify that I have
carefully examined and searched the Records
and that the marriages by Rev Mr Webster
of that year are not recorded-- and that
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the marriage of said Benjamin and
Sarah is not found thereon
Fred D. Edgerly Town Clerk

York SS. October 15 1853

Then personally appeared the
above named Frederick D. Edgerly, who is a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed-
Before me Edwd Bourne Jr
Justice of the Peace
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I Thomas Wild of Kennebunk Port, formerly called Arundel, in the County of York and State of Maine aged sixty two years do on oath testify and declare that I am the son of Benjamin Wild late of said Kennebunk port deceased - I further certify that
my father said Benjamin Wilde died on the
twenty fifth day of December eighteen hundred  nd forty six - said Benjamin Wild was a revolutionary pensioner - I further certify that said Benjamin Wilde, left Sarah Wild as his widow who has never been married since his decease I have always lived with my said Father and mother-- after my fathers death, I asked the gentleman who got for my mother the balance of my fathers pension if she was not entitled to a pension. He said he thought not and hearing shortly afterwards that the widows pensions were stopped, I made no further enquiries about it until I had notice that a woman four miles from me was receiving a pension, and had also notice from E.E. Bourne by my son that she had been entitled to the pension for several years back.
Thomas Wildes
State of Maine - York ss Oct 12 1853. Personally appeared Thomas Wilde who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed-
Before me Edward E Bourne
Justice of the Peace
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I John Stone of Kennebunk Port in the County
of York and State of Maine aged sixty four years do on oath testify and declare that I have been the nearest neighbour of Benjamin Wildes, late of Kennebunk Port aforesaid - said Benjamin Wildes died on Christmas night in eighteen hundred and forty six, leaving Sarah Wilder as his widow who has never been married since his decease- I remember both of them ever since I was a small child.
said Sarah Wilder is now living aged ninety two years.
State of Maine York SS. Oct 19 1853.
John Stone
Personally appeared John Stone who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed-
Before me Edward Bourne Jus. Peace

I Margaret Wildes of Kennebunk Port in the County of York, wife of Thomas Wilder to whom I was married in eighteen hundred and fourteen, on oath testify and declare that from my said marriage, I have lived in the family of Benjamin Wildes late of said Kennebunk
Port deceased. Said Benjamin he received a pension several years before his death. I further testify that he died on the twenty fifth day of December eighteen hundred and forty six, leaving Sarah Wilder as his widow who is now living aged ninety two years, and has
never been married since the death of said Benjamin she also received the balance of pension due at his death.
her
Witness
Susan H. Bourne
Margaret her X mark Wildes
York ss. Oct 12 1853 - Personally
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appeared Margaret Wilds who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by her subscribed
Before me 
Edward E Bourne
Justice of the Peace
State of Maine
York County, SS.
I Joshua Henrich, Register of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of York, do certify that the Hon. Wm C. Allen before written is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. I also certify that Edward E. Bourne and Edward E. Bourne Jr before written are Justices of the Peace within and for said County of York, duly commissioned and qualified, and the signatures on this and the several foregoing pages purporting to theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed
my official seal this twentieth
day of October in the year of
in Lord eighteen hundred & fifty three
Joshua Henrich Regr of the
Court of Probate
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I Thomas Wildes of Kennebunk port in the County of York and State of Maine on oath declare and testify that I am sixty
three years of age and am a son of Benjamin Wildes & Sarah Wildes - that said Benjamin Wildes was for several years before his death a revolutionary pensioner - that he died in Christmas night of the year eighteen hundred & forty six: that I have one sister living who was born in 1787 - that my father at his death left his said wife, Sarah, my mother a widow and she has never been married since his decease, but continues still living as his widow. She received the balance of pension due my father at the time of his death. I asked the gentleman who obtained my father's pension if my mother would not be entitled to the pension as his widow. He said he thought
not-- that she was not married soon enough, but did not enquire when she was married. I soon heard that the widows pensions were stopped - and my mother was in poor health so that she was not expected to live long, and I did not think any thing more about it. I did not think of it afterwards until my son William told me that the Edward E. Bourne, Esq. informed him that my mother was entitled to a pension.-
This was in September last
Thomas Wildes
State of Maine
York County ss. Personally appeared the above named Thomas Wildes
November 4, 1853 a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed-- before me
W. B. Sewall Justice of the peace within & for said County
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I Margaret Wildes of Kennebunk port in the County of York, wife of Thomas Wildes, on oath declare & testify that I was married to said Thomas Wilder in the year eighteen hundred and fourteen, at which time I was twenty
three years of age and my husband twenty four. We have lived ever since our marriage with in the family of Benjamin Wildes, father of my said husband, a revolutionary pensioner; said Benjamin Wildes died in Christmas
night of the year eighteen hundred and forty six; and left Sarah Wildes his widow, who is still living and unmarried in the ninety third year of her age.
Witness
Margaret her X mark Wildes
Margaret

W. B. Sewall
State of Maine
York County ss. November 4th 1853. Personally appeared Margaret Wildes, a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of above deposition by her subscribed
Before me W. B. Sewall, Justice of the peace
within & for said County
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I John Stone of Kennebunk port in the County of York and State of Maine on oath declare and testify that I am sixty four years of age and have been from my childhood the nearest neighbour of Benjamin Wildes late of said
Kennebunk port, a revolutionary pensioner: he died in the night of Christings in the year eighteen hundred and forty six, leaving Sarah Wildes his widow, at his decease, who
has not been married since. I also testify that from my childhood I have been well acquainted with the said Benjamin Wildes and his wife Sarah and always been in the habit of frequently visiting the house up to the present
time.
John Stone
State of Maine
York County ss. November 4, 1853-
Personally appeared
John Stone, a credible witness, and made oath to the truth
of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me W. B. Sewall Justice of the peace
within & for said County
State of Maine
York S.S. I Joshua Henick, Register of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of York, do certify that Wm B. Sewall, before written is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & qualified, & the signatures purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
official seal this seventh day of November in the year
eighteen hundred & fifty three
the Register of the
Mill Court of Probate
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4700
Benja Wildes
No 59
admit
private and
26.66
sent B Palmer
Page 17

Maine District
Special District Court of the U. States
Kennebunk August 7. 1832
On this seventh day of August aforesaid personally appeared in open Court before the District Judge Benjamin Wilds, a resident of Kennebunk port in County of York, and State of Maine, aged 70 years, who 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 Cong passed June 7th 1832 That he served as herein stated.
I enlisted into Capt. Daniel Clarks company of
Wells, and on the first of May 1780 marched to Portland where we were stationed, and served-- I enlisted or rather was drafted, for the term of eight months, and served until Torke trial in December a few days after the expiration of our term of service, when the company was dismissed and we were discharged.
Col. Prime of York, I think commanded the Regt
Nathan Lord was at adjutant, Capt. Braydon and Capt. Goodman commanded companies in the same Regiment I was born in Arundel now Kennebunk port, in the year 1752 and have always resided there. I no drafted into this service, but served voluntarily, was not sixteen
years old, when I passed muster, the year in which the Clark day was in New England, was the year of his service I was then at Portland
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declare, that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Benja Wildes
now to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before
John Ware
U.S. Judge the
District of Nevin
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above names applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
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I John Mussey Clerk of the District Court
of the United States for Maine District do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Wilds for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand
seal of office this seventh day of August 1832
John Mussey Clerk
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I Daniel Hatch of Wells in the county of York and State of Maine aged seventy years a non commissioned officer of Captain Daniel Clarks company stationed at Falmouth in the year 1780 testify and declare--That I am acquainted with Benjamin Wilds of Kennebunkport in the said county of York.
The said Benjamin Wilds was a soldier in Capt. Daniel Clarks company stationed at Falmouth, now Portland in the year 1780. The company was enlisted for eight months commencing about the first of April of the afor aforesaid and were discharged I think on the 7th day of the December following. Said Wilds was soldier in the company the whole time. I have the duty of orderly sargeant most of the time & knew the said Wilds the whole service. he belonged the same company but not of the same (illegible) with me.
David Hatch

State of Maine
York Ss   Remember on August 12th 1832-Then personally appeared David Hatch of Wells and made oath to the truth of the above declaration signed and I hereby certify that the said Hatch is a credible witness. Before me
Barnabas Palmer Justice of the Peace
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(hand written notation on the side)
David Hatch
Deposition for
Benjamin Wilds

He herby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any,)  only on that of the agency in the State of..........
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I,.........................Clerk of the .......................
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of .......................for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ...........day of..............
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Maine District
District Clerk's Office August 14th 1832
I testimony that Barnabas Palmer Esquire who took the within deposition is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified & that his official attestations are entitled to full faith & credit. I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the day & year above written.
John Mussey Clerk U. S. Courts
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I John Mussey Clerk of the District Court of the United States in Maine District do hereby certify that the foregoing connains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Wilds for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal office this seventh day of August 1932
John Mussey Clerk
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Kennebunk Me. Nov. 8 '53

De Sir
In the case of Sarah Wilde applicant for a pension under the act of July 7 '38, I received a notice from the Department that the depositions were in admissible having been taken by myself as magistrate while acting as agent for the applicant. Having been engaged in this business as incidental to my profession ever since I was a student in 1819, and not having heard of such a rule, I did not think that any different course should be taken in this case. (And X'd out)-I am gratified however that such is the rule-and I have no doubt, if for (?) administrations had rigidly enforced it, many frauds would have been prevented.
I have had the depositions taken anew, according to the directions and herewith forward them--
I am aware that if these questions were submitted to me, that I should depend in some considerable degree on the character of the agent. I have nothing to say as to my own character--Perhaps the president, who is familiar with the Maine Reports-Mr Dunmer and Mr. Moody in the hearing Department, may know something of it.
Very respecfully your obt. sevt.
E. E. Bourne
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Kennebunk Me Oct 21 '53
De Sir
I herewith enclose you the application of Sarah Wild for a pension under the act of 7 July 1838.
The case is indeed a singular one; the claimant (pensioner X'd out) having been entitled to a pension for nearly seven years, and having made no application for it--but still it is perfectly honest--The grandson of the applicant was at our office a short time since on other business, and in the course of conversation alluded to his grandmother. I asked him whom he meant by his grandmother. He replied Benjamin Wilde's widow. I told him, that she was not alive. He replied that she was that morning--I had had the impression that she had died about the time of the decease of her husband. I then replied to him that if alive, though I could hardly believe it, she was and always had been entitled to a pension, from her husbands death-and it was strange that she had not applied for it. He replied that it was the first time he ever heard of it thought it might be because he was always as near.  His father with whom the
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(top line blocked-paper folded)
claimant lives, I think I have never been there until since that conversation. She lives off the road half a mile, with only one neighbour, the witness Stone.
   This son on returning notified his father who came at once to make the inquiry in relation to the subject, and be take the proper steps to procure the pension. I asked him when his mother was married and he stated at one in '86 or '87. I then inquired of him why he had not applied for the pension. His reply was that he was told at his fathers death that his mother was not married soon enough, and he never inquired about the matter since. I suppose his informer had reference to the law, requiring the marriage to have taken place before the expiration of his last term of service.  About the entire honesty of the claim, I have not the shadow of a doubt. I do not wish to have any thing to do with a case which in any way is of doubtful character--and should, therefore, have refused to have engaged in thus had I not have thus been fully satisfied.
   In regard to the marriage the evidence is not so full as I expected to find it, but the fault is in the minister.  The same (illegible)  in many cases, by our own records. But the statement of the son that she was
Page 26

married in 86 or 87, before knowing what inquiries were to be made of him, and of the mother that she was married in April '87, and the record of the publishment in March '87 with the concurring testimony of cohabitation previous to '94 I suppose will be sufficient evidence of the fact. The son it will be seen was born in 91 and was married in 1816-so that there can be no doubt of the marriage previous to 96.  The widow knows of no one more alive who was present at the wedding. The minister has been dead many years. All who were then her personal friends are gone--In her early marriage days, she says she had a hard life--that she knows what hard labour is-and she is exceedingly worried, but if she should receive the pension, some one will have to labour harder on account of it. She therefore requested me to say to the one who grants the pension, that if he thinks any poor man will have to work any harder by allowing it to her, she should rather not have it. I endeavoured to assure her mind that she had no account for anxiety in that respect. 
   I suppose that there is additional proof that she is the widow of Wildes,  in the Treasury department, connected with the payment of the balance of pension due at her husband's death.
   The original name in Mass. was Wilde. Until the family came into Maine It was
(missing text)
Page 27

spelt in the same way--It is now spelt differently by different families. Most of them write it Wildes.
Respectfully 
Your obt. sevt.
E E Bourne

Hon. L. P. Waldod
Com of Pensions
Page 28

744
Maine
Sarah Wildes
widow of Benjamin
who was a private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on
(X'd out is 4th day of march, 1818)
25th December 1848
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of Nov
(yr. illegible)
sent to E. E. Bourne
Kennebunk Maine

[Act of March 3, 1848 & is X'd out) 
June 17 1844
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 2, page 11
Page 29

Nov. 11, 1853
Addl. ev. in case
of Sarah Wildes
widow of Benjamin

Nov 13 -8

e. E. Bourne,
Kennebunk, 
Maine

(round postmark stamp)
KENNEBUNK Me
Nov. 9

(sideways)  
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions
Washington

Stamped "FREE"
Page 30

(ck mark)  No 799
Sarah Wildes
widow of Benjamin
Maine
Admitted

17 June 1844
Page 31

(?)  Cole
Postmark: Kennebunk Me Oct 24
Rev Act 1838

(upside down)

Oct 27, 1853
April 7 Sarah Wild, widow
Benjamin
York Co. Maine

(sideways)
Hon. J. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions
Washington
D C
Page 32

(envelope) 
Postmark: Kennebunk Me, Oct 24

FREE
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions
Washington
DC

(notations)
Oct 27 1853
April 7 Sarah
Wild widow
Benjamin
York Co
Maine

E. E. Bourne
Kennebunk
Maine
Page 33

Rev
WIDOW, &c

File No 22647
Sarah Wildes
Widow of
Benjamin Wildes
Pri Rev War

Act  Feb 2d '48
Index:  Vol Me, Page 345

{Arrangement of 1870}
Page 34

No. 15.045
Sarah Wilde
Widow of Benjamin
Me
E. E. Bourne Oct 31/53

 d? 25 Dec 1846

adm 17 June 1844 vs
Rejected
Act July 7 1838
Page 35

Sarah Wildes
Widow of Benjamin
Me
Adm 17 June 1844 (?)
8 mos. pri $26.66/l00
per annum from
25 Dec 1866 when he died

Cert. to
E. E. Bourne Esq
Kennebunk Me
Page 36

Brief in the case of Sarah Wildes widow of Benjamin
County and State of Maine
Act of 7 June 1844 &c

Claim ("original")
Proof exhibited, (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
 Husband was a pensioner at $26.66 per annum, under the act of 1832 (since shown in his papers)
Record of marriage--
Affidavits of Thomas Wildes, John Stone and
Margaret Wildes, certified to be credible for identity.

(If for increase,)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent
E. E. Bourne Esq.
Kennebunk Me.

Thomas Triplett
Examining Clerk
Page 37

Pension Office
Nvo 16 1853
Sir
Benjamin Wildes, Maine Roll, Act June 7 1832 at $26.66 per annum. Please state to what time paid [illegible] and to whom paid.
Very Respectfully
B. Hood
for Com of Pensions
F Burt Esq
Third Auditor
Benjamin Wilde, act of June 1832, $26.66 p.an.
Died 25th Dec 1846. Paid to death
[illegible]
Actg. Auditor