Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7,302, John Foster, Continental Mass. R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Continental
Mass.
R. I.
Foster, John
Sally 
NUMBER
W. 8,302
B. L. Wt. 14657-160-55
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Massachusetts Roll.
1,614
John Foster
H Jackson's Regt. 1781- 3 yrs.} Private
Continental Mass R. I. 
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 6 of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of June 1818, and sent to Samuel Dana, Esqr. Groton, Mass.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
4 months 29/30 $39.73
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}
Discontinued
Boxborough,
Middlesex Co.
Notification sent to Abraham Bigelow Esqr
22 September, 1820-
Cambridge, Mass
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649 
Massachusetts
Sally Foster widow of John Foster Mass who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 
00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February 1853 ["4th day of March, 1848" crossed out]
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of June 1853 and sent to E. Clarke Esqr
Brighton Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act ["July 29" crossed out] 3d Feb 32, Page 39 Vol. A
1818
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117.86
Act Mar 3/35
May 5/55
Sally Foster Widow of John Foster Priv
Sally Foster wid John Pri
Capt 
Col
Mass Contl. line.
War of the revolution
US Pensioner
Mass Feb 53 - 649
Ad:160 A;ms Kamu 18/56.
Boynton
Horatio Woodman
Boston Mass
Vol F. 97
Written across page:
14657 iss June 22/56
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John Foster
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Be it remembered, that on this Sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred eighteen before me, Samuel Dana, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Middle Circuit, (comprehending the Counties of Essex and Middlesex, in the Commonwealth aforesaid) John Foster of Barborough in said county of Middlesex and on oath declares that he served in the War of the Revolution, four years and nine months.-
Being in Captain Caggeshall Olneys Company in Col Hitchcocks Regiment in the Rhodeisland [Rhode Island] line, and in the eight months service, at Cambridge in Massachusetts, on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, at Cambridge, he enlisted again into the same Company, upon the Continental establishment for one year.  he proceeded with his Regiment, to New York, was stationed on long island and ["in" crossed out] ^after the battle on that island he entered under orders with the sick, and he joined his Regiment at Harlem heighths [heights], and continued with them, in the States of New York, and Connecticutt [Connecticut] untill, ten days after his time expired, and he was dismissed, the service at Norwalk, in Connecticut.- 
He next was employed by the Town of Littleton, in Massachusetts to go into the Continental Army, nine months.  he joined the army, at West Point was ordered into Capt. Clevelands Company, in Capt Michael Jacksons Regiment, in the Massachusetts line, this company was at this time commanded by Ensign Binjamin, under ^whom he served untill this period expired, and he returned again to Littleton-
In January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one he was hired by the Town of Dudley in Massachusetts, to go into the army for three years.- he was mustered in the Town of Sutton, joined the Army at west point, and was placed in Capt. Wandlys Company, then commanded by Ensign Ward in Capt. Henry Jacksons Regiment, being then the ninth Regiment, in the Massachusetts line, when the Regiments were newly arranged he was ordered into Capt Hollis Company, annexed to the fourth Massachusetts Regiment,which was also commanded by Col Henry Jackson, in this company he continued doing duty untill the twenty eighth day of October, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three when he received an honorable discharge, from Colo. Jackson. this discharge he delivered to one Jabez B Denten, who engaged to return it to him again, but has never done it
He is now seventy five years of age, has a very small property, but the same is not sufficient to support him and as his labor declines
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241
John Foster
1614
June 1818
not admtd
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MIDDLESEX, ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Concord, within and for the County of Middlesex, on the second Monday of June A. D. 1820
Before the Hon. SAMUEL DANA, Esquire, Chief Justice, and
WILLIAM WETMORE, and } Associate Justices
STEPHEN MINOT, Esquires, } of said Court.
In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, John Foster resident in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 1,614 now in his possession, of which the following is a true copy, to wit,
"WAR DEPARTMENT.....["REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM" crossed out]. 
"I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the "United States, of the 18th March, 1818, John "Foster late a Private in the army of the "Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, "Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the sixth day of April one thousaned eight hundred and eighteen
"Given at the War Office of the United States, "this thirtieth day of June- one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War,"
Note:  Initials L. S. 
appears, and exhibits to the Court here a Schedule, subscribed by him, as follows, to wit,
SCHEDULE,
containing his whole estate and income, his nevessary clothing and bedding excepted, to wit,
"Real Estate  $375.00
1 cow  17.00
1 cow  16.00
1 swine  5.00
2 calves  4.00
3 sheep & lambs  6.00
1 old plow  2.00
1 shovel  0.50
1 hoe  0.17
1 axe 1.00
2 old mow fork  0.16
1 chain  0.75
$427.58
Debts due from me  40.00
$387.58
John Foster"
"And the said John Foster being first duly sworn on oath declares that he served in the
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war of the revolution five years 3 mo. in the first 8 mo. service- Then in the years service in the company of Capt Coxshell Olney in Col. Hitchcocks Regiment of the Rhode Island line then 9 mo. in Capt. Cleavands company in Col. Michael Jackson's Regiment of the Massachusetts line, then 3 years in Col Henry Jackson's Regiment of the Massachusetts line in the company of Capt. Hallister, he was in the battles of Lexington and Long Island when Gen Sullivan was captured.  He is now seventy seven years of age, his family consists of his wife Basimath aged fifty nine and himself.  His wife is of a sickly feeble constitution
John Foster
Sworn to & declared before me
Saml Dana Judge &c.
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and at the same time he produces to the Court here the following Oath, taken and subscribed by him, before the Hon. Samuel Dana a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit,
"I, John Foster do solemnly swear, that I was a citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.  So help me God.
John Foster
Middlesex ss. C. C. C. P. June Term, A. D. 1820
Then the abovenamed John Foster took and subscribed the aforewritten Oath before me, Saml Dana, Judge of said Court"
I, ABRAHAM BIGLOW, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath, and Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is three hundred eighty seven dollars & fifty eight cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Cambridge, in said County of Middlesex, on this 20th day of July 1820.
Attr. Abrm Biglow Clk
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex ss
On this twelfth day of April eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before the Hon. Samuel P. P. Fay, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, and State aforesaid, Sally Foster, a resident of Acton in said County of Middlesex, being sixty eight years of age, 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, the Second Section of the Act of February 3d 1853.  also acts of July 1st & 29, 1818, granting Pensions to the widows of Revolutionary officers and soldiers.
That she is the widow of John Foster, late of Boxborough in said County of Middlesex, who was a private in the Continental Service in the War of the Revolution, and that he received a Pension from the United States under the Law of Congress passed in 1818 which amount per annum, was ninety six dollars, and was paid to him at the agency for paying pensions in Boston State of Massachusetts and she refers to the evidence which the said Foster furnished in support of his claims.
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She further declares that she was married to the said John Foster by the Revd. J. R. Cushing Pastor of the first Church and Society in Boxborough on or near the twenty fourth day of February, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty one, that her husband the aforesaid John Foster died at his residence in Boxborough aforesaid on or near the twenty sixth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and thirty four.  the exact date she has lost, and therefore refers to the payment of arrears of Pension after the decease of the said John Foster, the Pensioner.  that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January eighteen hundred and fifty three
"ory" at the time above stated.  She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made a declaration for a pension,
Sally Foster
Subscribed & sworn to by said Sally Foster, on the day & year first above written in open Court. And I certify that I am not in any way interested in the result of said application & am not concerned in the prosecution thereof
S. P. P. Fay Judge of Prob. of said County
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MIDDLESEX, ss.
I Alfred A. Prescott Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, hereby certify, that [several illegible lines crossed out] Samuel P. P. Fay of Cambridge in said County, is Judge of Probate for said County, and that he was duly appointed and qualified to act in that capacity.
[illegible line crossed out]
I also certify, that the signature of said Judge, to the paper hereto annexed, is his true and genuine signature.
I ALSO CERTIFY, [line crossed out], that said appointment remains in full force, in no wise revoked, reversed, or annulled.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twelfth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
A. A.  Prescott Regr.
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1630
State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex
On this Eighteenth day of April, A. D., 1855 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, Sally Foster aged sixty nine years, a resident of Acton in Massachusetts who being duly sworn according to law, declared that she is the widow of John Foster deceased, who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain ______________ in the Massachusetts Troops ["commanded by" crossed out] in the Revolutionary war ["in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States, on the 18th day of June, 1812," crossed out]- that her said husband was drafted at ____________ on or about the _____ day of _________ A. D. 17__ for the term of __________ and continued in actual service in the said war for the term of __________________ and was honorably discharged at ___________________ on or about the ____________ day of A. D. 17__, as will appear by reference to the rolls, that he received no printed or written discharge, and that neither he nor she ever received or applied for, or is entitled to bounty land for any other service, ["except that she received for the same service, under the act of September 1850, a 40 acre warrant, No. _____, which she has sold and cannot return." crossed out]  And that she received a pension for the same service payable at Boston, the certificate for which, is recorded in the Pension office February 3d.  Page 39.  Vol. A
She further states that she was married to the said John Foster in Boxboro on the does not day of remember the exact date 18__, by Mr. Cushing a Clergyman and that her husband died at Boxboro on the [word crossed out] day of January 18__, proof of which will be found on file with her previous application, that she is still a widow,- that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of Congress passed March 3, 1855, and that she prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to Horatio Woodman, Boston, Mass.
Sally Foster
Subscribed and duly sworn to, the day and year first above written.  I certify that she is the identical person above described.  I have no interest in the case.
J. B. Farmer } Justice of the Peace.
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This certifies that the following persons and all the persons whence I have married during the past year, viz attn. Mr. Christopher Page to Miss Eunice Willard, Mr John Foster to Miss Sally Litchfield all of Boxborough- [illegible] March fifteenth, eighteen hundred and ["twenty one" crossed out] thirty one.
James R Cushing} Minister of the place
I certify that the above is a true extract from the record of marriages from the town of Boxborough County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts with the exception of date which expressed in fair legible figures as follows; March 15th A. D. 1831-
Cephus Hartwell Town Clerk
I Cephus Hartwell above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the town of Boxborough, County and State as aforesaid and that the above is true as certified by me-
Cephus Hartwell
Middlesex ss:  Sworn to on this 21st day of March A. D. 1853-
Before me, and I certify that the words "twenty one" were erased before signing.  I also certify that I am in no way interested in the above certificate in the prosecution of a claim for a pention [pension]-
Francis Tuttle} Justice of the Peace
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I Barnard Battles of Boxborough in the County of Middlesex and Comonwealth [Commonwealth] of Massachusetts being sixty two years of age do testify and say that I was personally acquainted with Mr John Foster of said Boxborough that he lived within less than one hundred rods of my dwelling house.  That he was a Revolutionary pensioner and received ninety six dollars per annum.  That I was present at his marriage at which time he was married to Sally Litchfield.  The marriage seremony [ceremony] was performed by Rev. Mr Cushing of Boxborough.  The widow Sally Foster remained in said Boxborough about one year after the deceas [decease] of said John Foster and the last I herd [heard] of her, she was residing in the Town of Acton an adjoining Town.  The said John Foster died in Boxborough in the month of February or March in eighteen hundred & thirty three or four, the exact date I am not able to state
Barnard Battles 
Middlesex ss. March 1853
Then personally appeared the above named Barnard Battles and made that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true  And I certify that he is a credible witness  Also that I have no interest in any way connected with the above
Francis Tuttle }  Justice of the Peace
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FOSTER, JOHN
(CONT.)
W-7302
Page 18

Dudley May 17 1790
Then Rec'd of John Foster an order to draw his back wages which I promis [promise] to deliver the wages or return the order on demand as witness my Hand and Discharge
Jabez Dexter
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Revy 
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7302
Sally Foster Wid. John Foster Pri. Rev. War
Act:  Feby, 3rd/53
Index:—Vol. A, Page 246
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Massachusetts
John Foster $86.45 - Priv.
aged 80 yrs.- a farmer unable to do any labour of consequence.  Wife, 62 yrs. old- of a sickly, weakly constitution-
Served 3 yrs from 1781.-
1st Sched:  dated in June 1820, exhibits Real estate, $375- 2 cows, 2 calves- 1 swine 3 sheep & lambs &c.- whole amt. of sched $427.58- says he owes $40 off, 22d Septr 1820- application for restoration, as per 2d sched. dated 11th Oct. 1823, and which * for the change of property * viz:  Sold his real estate on * Septr. 1823, to John Hunt, of * for $400- & was paid in * way, viz:  said Hunt * pay for applicant, debts to * of $256.30, due to sundry persons named in the Sched:
The balance, ($143.70) was secured to be paid to applicant- out of this sum, however, Hunt became responsible for $28.70- leaving *, in his hands to be accounted for to applicant, $115- This last sched:  exhibits, cash- $115- also 2 cows - $22 - 4 sheep - $6 one pig - $8 - furniture of small amount- whole amt. of * $157.49-
An exemlified [exemplified] copy of deed to Hunt is within-
The affidavit of sd. Hunt is added to the said copy of deed, corroborating the facts as already stated- says the transaction was real & bona fide, & in all respects honest.
Abraham Bigelow, Esqr
Cambridge Mass'ts
Restored April 17, 1826
sent as above
*Areas so marked were torn from original text
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Pri. Act 29" July 48. Mass.
Boynton
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14,657
Rev Army
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John Foster, Private
Transferred to Maine, the 26th February, 1827, from 4th March 1827.
Error see letter 21 March 1827 to Mass/ts & Maine Agents
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex County ss.
On this 11th day of October 1823, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of record, viz. the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth, now holden at Cambridge within and for said County of Middlesex, John Foster resident in Boxborough in said County, aged eighty years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress, of the 18th March, 1818, and the 1st May 1820, that he, the said John Foster, served in the war of the Revolution five years, viz. three months in the first eight months service, then in the years service in the Company of Capt. Cogshell Olney in Col. Hitchcock's Regt. of the Rhode Island line; then nine months in Capt. Cleavland's Company, in Col. ^Michael Jackson's Regt. of the Massts. line; then three years in Col. Henry Jackson's Regt. of the Massts. line, in the Company of Capt. Hillister; that he was in the battles of Lexington and Long Island, when Genl. Sullivan was captured and continued in said Col. Henry Jackson's Regt. until 1783 in October, when he was discharged at West Point in the State of New York.  That his name has been placed on the pension list and dropt [dropped] therefrom on account of his property.
And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act
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act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. 
That since the exhibition of my first schedule, some changes have been made in my property; but the only material one is, that of my real estate, which in my first Schedule was appraised at $375.00 and which I sold to John Hunt of the City of Boston, on the 8th day of September 1823 for the sum of four hundred dollars, which sum the said John Hunt has paid me in manner following viz.  by discharging and obligating himself to pay and discharge my debts to the amount of $256.30 due to sundry persons.  viz. 
To Lyman Bigelow $24.72 
" Timothy Prescott 6.91
"  Doct. P. Goodnow 9.26
"  John Hunt 24.54
"  John Wetherbee 1.50
"  Mead/for sales 4.50
"  Elnathan Jones .20
"  Abrm Conant 1.80
"  Charles Handley 4.90
"  Capt. Keys 3.--
"  Timo Fox 5.50
"  Jerh. Tuttle 2.--
"  John Chaplin 2.21
"  Jacob Priest Jr 1.20
"  Widow Fletcher & others 1.51
"  Betsey Tenney 1.33
"  John Buckley 2.00
"  Martin Wood 2.--
"  John Foster Jr 152.68
"  Benja Draper 2.80
"  Miss Crowch 1.75
And also by paying and securing me for the balance of said sum, amounting to $143.70--
The aforesaid debts were due from me for necessary
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labour, money and goods etc for the support and comfort of myself and wife up to the 5th day of June 1823 as appears by the schedule of the assessors of Boxborough hereto annexed and between the said 5th day of June and the 10th day of September last when the annexed Schedule of my property was taken, I have contracted sundry small debts for necessesaries amounting to $28.70 which are to be paid out of the aforesaid balance of $143.70 which will leave in my hands out of the proceeds of my real estate $115.00 being the same sun put down in the annexed schedule of my property as "money on hand." John Foster
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This is an inventory of the personal estate of John Foster of Boxborough in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, appraised by us in the subscribers assessors of the town of Boxborough and duly appointed to that service by order of the court of common pleas for the said county of Middlesex, viz: 
2 cows $11 each 22.00
4 sheep $1.50 each 6.00
1 pig 8.99
6 chairs at .17 each 1.02
1 table .30
1 chest .50
1 hoe .06
1 shovel .42
o1dung fork and hay fork .25
1 plough 1.00
1 tea set .12
8 plates.25
glassware.12
1 porridge pot .50
1 kettle .12
1 porridge pot .20
knives and forks .06
money on hand 115.
3 cider barrels .25 each.75
2 pewter platters .33
6 pewter spoons .12
6 tea spoons .12
1 bake kettle .25
---
$157.49
John Foster
The above inventory was taken by us the subscribers Sep 10 th in the year of our Lord One ---
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thousand eight hundred and twenty three
Charles Handley
Cephas Hartwell
assessors for Boxborough
To Lyman Bigelow 24.72
Timothy Prescott 6.90
Doct. Peter Goodnow 9.25
John Hunt 24.54
John Wetherbee 1.50
[illegible] Mead 4.50
Elnathan Jones .20
Abraham Conaut 1.80
Charles Handley 4.90
Capt Keyes 3.
Timothy Fox 5.50
Jeremiah Tuttle 2.
John Caffin 2.21
Jacob Priest Jr 1.20
Widow Fletcher and Tilday 1.51
Betsey Fenney 1.33
John Buckley 2.
Martin Wood 2.
John Foster Jr. 152.68
Benjamin a Draper  2.80
Miss Crouch 1.75
----
$256.30

We the subscribers have sufficient evidence that the above schedule of debts due from Joh Foster to the several creditors above named is correct.
Boxborough June 5, 1823
Charles Handley 
Cephas Hartwell
Assessors of Boxborough
and I the aforenamed John Foster, further declare that I am by occupation a husbandman; that I am
Page 29

unable to do any labor of consequence; that I have no family except a wife named Basinath, aged 62 years of a sickly and feeble constitution. John Foster
Sworn to and declared on the 11 Oct 1823 before the Supreme Judicial Court above mentioned.
Attest, Abraham Biglow Clerk
I, Abraham Biglow, Clerk of said Supreme Judicial Court, do certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the said John Foster did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceeding declaration against the common enemy for the term of 9 months under one engagement on the Continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is in the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is $157.49.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this first day of January 1824. 
Abraham Biglow
Page 30

John Foster
M. Jackson Agent
Page 31

To the Honorable John C. Calhoun, Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I, the undersigned Samuel Dana, Chief Justice of the circuit court of common pleas for the Middle Circuit (comprehending the counties of Essex and Middlesex) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts being a court of record duly established by law do hereby certify that on the 6 April 1818 personally appeared John Foster and made and subscribed the declaration which is hereunto annexed and at the same time he exhibited to me a certain paper supporting to be a receipt given to him the said John by one Jabez B. Denten in which he acknowledged  to have received of said John a discharge herein mentioned; from which it appears to me, that the said John Foster did serve in the war of the revolution against the common enemy upwards of 9 months against the common enemy upon continental establishment. 
Wherefore, in pursuance of the directions of an Act of Congress, made and passed the 18 March 1818 entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," I have transmitted the said declaration and the document aforesaid to you the said secretary that such further proceedings may be had in the premises as the said Act may require.
In testimony of all which I have cause dthe seal of said court to be hereunto affixed. 
Given under my hand within the said circuit the 6 Apr 1818. 
Samuel Dana
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 12, 1853
I hereby certify that at the date of the annexed attestation Francis Tuttle and Ebenezer Davis were Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex in the said Commonwealth duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their 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. 
E. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 33

I, Hepsibeth Litchfield, of Littleton in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts 72 years of age do testify and say that I have resided in Littleton the whole of my life that I was personally acquainted with Sally Litchfield who was married to John Foster in Boxboro an adjoining town in said county that they resided in said Boxboro a number of years and after the death of said John Foster, Sally Foster, widow of the said John Foster removed from Boxboro to Acton where she now resides and remains unmarried, the said John Foster was reputed to have been a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the decease of the said John Foster, I attended his funeral. 
Hepsibeth Litchfield
Middlesex, Acton, Mar 21, 1853
Then personally appeared Hepsibeth Litchfield who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed and I certify that I am in no way interested or concerned in the above. I also certify that word "Littleton in" was interlined before signing and making oath.
Before me,
Ebenezer Davis, Justice of the Peace
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I, William Reed, of Littleton in the County Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts 31 years of age do testify and say that when I was 10 or 12 years of age, I resided with John Foster in Boxboro in said county of Middlesex that it was generally known that the said John Foster was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, that I went to Boston with said John Foster when he went to receive his pension then due that the said John Foster died in Boxboro aforesaid and left at his decease Sally Foster his widow who now resides in Acton in said County and remains widow of the aforesaid John Foster. 
William Reed
Middlesex, Acton, March 21, 1833
Then personally appeared William Reed who is known to me as a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed and I certify that I am in no way interested in the above or concerned in the result. 
Before me, Ebenezer Daviis
Justice Peace
Page 35

Brief in the case of Sally Foster
Middlesex County and State of Massachusetts
Act 3 Feb 1853
Claim:
Proof exhibited
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance:
Husband was a pensioner at $96 per annum
Record proof of marriage
Name and residence of Agent
Elijah Clarke, Brighton, Massachusetts
S. Cole, Examining Clerk
Page 36

Nos 943
Sally Foster
widow of John 
Massachusetts
Act 3 Feb 1833
$96 year annum
[illegible] 3 Feb 1833

E. Clarke
Brighton Massachusetts
Page 37

Brighton Massachusetts, Apr 14, 1853
Dear Sir:
I enclose to you herewith the claims of Mrs. Sally Foster of Acton, late widow of John Foster of Boxborough claiming a pension under served section of the Act of February 3, 1843
Very Respectfully your Obedient servant 
Elijah Clark
Hon. S. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, DC
Page 38

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary Office, Boston, May 7, 1853
I hereby certify that at the date of the attestation, hereunto annexed, J. B. Farmer was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex. 
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be give in and out of court. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the commonwealth, the date above written
E. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 39

117.843
Widow of John Foster
Revolutionary War
for a 160 more warrant
Act of March 3, 1855
WARRANT TO BE SENT TO
HORATIO WOODMAN, Boston, Mass:
AS WITHIN REQUESTED:
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State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex
We David M. Handley and Benjamin Reed having duly sworn depose and say that we have often heard John Foster spoken of who was a revolutionary soldier as we verily believe and have often been told.  whose widow now applies for bounty land and that we knew him for more than -- years before his death which occurred at Boxboro as we have been told about 20 years ago,- that we know that he died about that time* because we have heard it so stated by his said widow and that she has lived near to us for about 18 years and we have seen her pension certificate and know that she is the identical person who received said pension that we are residents of Acton in said County and that we have known his said widow from his death to this time and that she has remained unmarried,- that her declaration was signed and acknowledged by her in our presence,- that she is the identical person she represents herself to be and that we are disinterested. The above named Benjamin Reed was well acquainted with the above named John Foster and knows that Sally Foster is his widow. 
David M. Handley
Benj Reed
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me this Eighteenth day of April A. D.  1855
J. B. Farmer} Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of David M. Handley and Benjamin Reed of the said county and state, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; that Sally Foster is the widow, remaining unmarried of the late John Foster who was soldier in the Revolutionary War and that the said John Foster died at Boxboro on or about the -- day of January AD 1834 or 5; 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this Eighteenth day of April 1855 I have no interest in this case ad I further certify that she presented her pension certificate to me for examination, and I verily believe her to be the identical person she represents herself to be 
J. B. Farmer, Justice of the Peace
*"We attended his funeral" or "were in the neighborhood at the time," or some equally good reason.
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John Foster
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War Department
Pension Office, April 17, 1824
Sir:
In conformity with the law of the United States of the 1 Mar 1828 authorizing the Secretary of war to restore the names of certain persons to the list of Pensioners you are hereby notified that your name has been this day restored to the Pension Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, and that agreeably to the provisions of said act, your allowance, as a pensioner, will commence from the 11 Oct 1823, the day on which the evidence was closed upon which you obtained a restoration to the List. First Payment in September next
I am, respectfully
your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards
To Mr. John Foster, United States' Pensioner
Case of A. Biglow Esq 
Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, ss.
The Justices of the ["Circuit" crossed out] Court of Common Pleas for the ^County Middlesex ["Circuit" crossed out]--to the Assessors of the town of Boxborough in said county, or to any or either of them
GREETING.
You are hereby authorized upon the application of John Foster and at his proper cost and charge, to make out a schedule of all the estate, real and personal, of the said Foster and also of his income, if any he have, and evidence of debts due to him, (except his necessary clothing and bedding,) and you will cause the inventory, which you may take, to be subscribed by the said Foster which having done, you will verify the same before some magistrate, duly authorized to administer oaths, and deliver the same to the said Foster with a certificate of the oath aforesaid. 
Dated the ["September" crossed out] 8th day of September A. D. 1823 
By order of the court. 
Abrm Biglow
Middlesex, ss.  September the 10, 1823
Personally appeared Charles Handley and Celphas Hartwell and made oath that in appraising the estate of the above named John Foster contained in the schedule thereof, subscribed by him, they have acted faithfully and impartially, according to their best skill and judgment.
Before me,
Oliver T. Davis, Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss:
I Abraham Biglow Clerk of the Judicial Courts in the County of Middlesex do certify that Oliver T. Davis is a Justice of the peace for the County of Middlesex acting under the authority of this Commonwealth & his name set to the above certificate is his own proper signature.-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this first day of January 1824.-
Abrm. Biglow
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Know all men by these presents that I John Foster of Boxborough in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman in consideration of $400. 00 paid by John Hunt of the City of Boston, County of Suffolk, and Commonwealth aforesaid Labourer, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said John Hunt his heirs and assigns forever, two certain pieces of land lying and being in the northeasterly part of Boxborough aforesaid, one containing about 20 acres be the same more or less with the buildings on the same, bounded as follows viz: beginning at the southwest corner on the road leading from Groton to Concord, thence running easterly on said road to a great rock with stones on it, thence northerly on land of Joseph Blanchard to a heap of stones, thence westerly on land of Soloman Preyer [illegible] to an elm tree, thence westerly on land of Warren Fuller to a heap of stones thence northerly to a brook, thence up said brook to a great rock in the fence thence northerly on land former land Jonathan Wheeler's to a stake and stones thence easterly on land formerly Nathaniel Whitcomb's 'til it comes to Warren Fuller's meadow, thence northerly on said meadow about 25 rods to a stake in the meadow, thence westerly to a stake on the upland, thence still westerly to Augustus Walker's corner, being a stake and stones, thence southerly on said Walker's land to the bound first mentioned; one other piece containing five acres more or less bounded as follows, viz: beginning at a stake and stones on the county road, thence running
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easterly to Isaac Patch, come thence southerly on said Patches house to the corner of the wall, thence westerly to a stake and stones at said Walkers corner, thence northerly on said Walkers land to the house as first mentioned. To have and to hold the fore-granted premises to the said John Hunt his heirs and assigns to his and their use and behalf forever and I do covenant with the said John Hunt and his heirs and assigns that I am lawfully [illegible] in fee of the afore-granted premises; that they are free of all encumbrances; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said John Hunt and that I will warrant and defend the same premises to the said John Hunt, his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. In witness whereof, I the said John Foster with Basmath, his wife, her relinquishing her right of dower and power of [illegible] in the above described premises, have hereunto set our hand and seal, this 8th day of Sep in the year of our Lord 1823. John Foster, seal, seal
signed sealed and delivered in presence of us: John Foster Jr. James Power Middlesex, Sep 8, 1823. Then the above named John Foster acknowledged the above instrument to be his own free act and deed before me Jonathan Manning, Justice of Peace,
Middlesex; Oct 2, 1823
Received and recorded by
William F. Stone, Registrar
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex Cambridge Oct 9, 1823
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a tru copy from the records of my office. Book 250 page 209
William F. Stone Pager of Deeds for said county of Middlesex
I, John Hunt, named in the foregoing deed do depose and say that on the 8 Sep last, I became the purchaser of the premises described in said deed for the consideration of $400 as therein mentioned; that I have paid so sum in manner following, viz; I obligated  to pay and discharge debts due from the P. John Foster to sundry persona amounting to $256.30 which debts are particularly stated in the schedule thereof taken by the assessors of the town of Boxborough on the 5 June last more than half of which amount I have already paid, and stand bound to pay the residue when presented; that the balance of said 
purchase money viz: $143.70 I have in part paid to the said John Foster and have secured him for the residue; that the sale of conveyance of said premises was real and bona fide the transaction in all respect, fair and honest, and the sum paid, a fair consideration for the premises. John Hunt
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Deed of John Foster to John Hunt Copy of Record 33.09 paid
Middlesex; Oct 11, 1823, Personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, John Hunt within named, and made solemn oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed was true. Isaac Fiske
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex: I, Abraham Biglow, Clerk of the judicial court in the county of Middlesex, do certify that William F. Stone is Register of Deeds for the County of Middlesex, and that Isaac Fiske is a Justice of the Peace for said County acting under the authority of said commonwealth and that the name of William F. Stone set to this certificate on the third page of these papers is the said William F Stone's own 
proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this 5th day of January 1824. Abraham Biglow