Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,012, Jason Dunster, Mass.
Page 1

Service - Mass.
Dunster, Jason
               Polly
               Mary
Number
W.16.012.
B.LWt. 3640-160-55
Page 2

[Two side. Left side:]
1172
New Hampshire Concord
Polly Dunster
widow of Jason Dunster
Who served in the Revolutionary
Massachusetts
As a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars __Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848
Certificate of Pension issued
4th day of August 1841
And sent to Willis Johnson
Mason New Hampshire
Recorded on Roll of Pensions under act February 3, 1848, 
Page 69 Volume 1

[Right side:]
Samuel Dunster September 14, [18]58
Honorable [illegible] September 14, [18]58
Reported
Page 3

[Two sides. Left side.]

27.843. Act March 3, [18]53
Received March 30, 1853
Polly Dunster, widow of
Jason Dunster, private
Captain Pettingal
Colonel Baily
Massachusetts
Enlisted about May 1780
2nd Captain Hastings
Colonels Jackson and Heull
Enlisted April 1781
Discharged 31st December 1783
Revolutionary War
Received pension $80
Captain Hastings Massachusetts
Continental Line
Admitted 160 00 cents, August 10th [18]53
Boynton
3640 issued August 11 [18]55
James Spaulding
New Ipswich
New Hampshire

[Right side:]
New Hampshire
February [18]48
No 1172
Volume D.151.
Page 4

27.843 
Communicate with James Spaulding New Ipswich New Hampshire
Page 5

State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough

On this 23rd day of March AD One Thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Polly Dunster aged 86 years, a resident of Mason in the County and State of New Hampshire aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Jason Dunster deceased who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Pettigal in the Regiment of Massachusetts men commanded by Colonel Baily for six months, also for three years commencing in April 1781, in Company Commanded by Captain Hastings and others in Regiment commanded by Colonel Jackson and Colonel Hull in the War of the Revolution.

That her said husband enlisted at Concord in the State of Massachusetts on or about May 1780 for the term of six months also about April 1781 for three years and was honorably discharged on the 31st day of December AD  1783 which discharge has heretofore been filed in the War department and she cannot now obtain 

She further states that she was married to the said Jason Dunster in Mason on the
Page 6

18th day of  April AD 1793 by the Rev. Ebenezer Hill thenreand for fifty years after the settled Minister of said (Mason?) and that her name before her said marriage was Polly (Mary) Merriam -- that her said husband died atMason on the twenty first day of March AD 1828 and that she knows of no other public or private record of her marriage or the death of her husband than that contained in her great family Bible.

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3d 1855

Polly Dunster

We Simon Cragin and Benonile Kimball residents of Mason in the State of New Hampshire upon our oaths declare that foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Polly Dunster in our presence and we further State that we have been for more than 45 years acquainted with the claimant Polly (Mary) Dunster and her late husband Jason Dunster and that they lived together as man and wife and raised a large family of children with one of whom the widow still resides, within a few rods of us - we also know that the said Jason Dunster died at or about the time
Page 7

as set forth in the foregoing declaration and that we attended his funeral. 
That we find in the family bible of the claimant under the head of "Marriages" Jason Dunster and Polly (Marry) Merriam April 18th 1793

And under the head of deaths, "Jason Dunster March 21st 1828" and that the widow draws a pension of 80 dollars per annum for the military services of her Husband (Jason Dunster) in the revolutionary war his certificate being dated August 4th 1848 and we know the applicant to be the identical person she represents herself to be
Simon Cragin
Benonile Kimball

This foregoing declaration and affidavit was sworn and subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in the claim.
James Spaulding Justice Peace

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County Ss.
I, Perley Dodge Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State above mentioned and do hereby certify that James Spaulding whose genuine signature appears above is and was at the time of signing the
Page 8

New Hampshire
February [18]48
No 1172
Volume D.151.

same a Justice of the peace in and for said
County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified that his commission
is dated on the first day of
July A.D. 1853, and
will expire in five years from that date, that
all his official acts as such are entitled to
full faith and credit and that the aforesaid Court of Common Pleas is a
Court of Record,
Given under my hand and
Seal of Office at Amherst
this 28th day of March
AD 1855
Perley Dodge Clerk
Polly Dunster
Declaration
Young
per James Spaulding
New Ipswich
New Hampshire
Page 9

State of Newhampshire
Mason September
5th 1838
Extract from the records of the town of
Mason in the County of Hillsborough in said State
April the eighteenth one thousand seven hundred
and ninety three Jason Dunster Junior
married to Polly Merriam both of Mason
by the Rev E Hill
I certify that the above is a
true copy of the record on the book of record of the
Town of Mason in the County of Hillsborugh
in the State aforesaid with the exception of the date
which is expressed on the records in fair legible figures
as follows
April 18th 1793
Willis Johnson
Clerk of the Town
Mason
I, Willis Johnson above named depose and say that
hold the office of Town Clerk of the town County
from the cords of said town of Mason with the
exception as certified by me
Clerk of the
Willis Johnson Town Mason
Hillsborough,
September 1, 1833 then the above named Willis Johnson
Made oath 
that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true
be the
John Stevens Justice of the Peace
Hillsborough County ⎬ I hereby certify that Willer Johnson the
above named deponent is entitled to fuller for truth and veracity
John Stevens Justice of the Peace
Page 10

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of
Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of
New Hampshire, do hereby certify that John Stevens
within named is a Justice of the Peace for said County
of Hillsborough as within mentioned, and that the
within signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
affixed the seal of said Court and
subscribed my name at Amherst
in said County, this fourteenth day
of September Anno Domini 1838-
A. Wallace Clerk
Marriage
Page 11

13 
Jason Dunster original papers Numbers 5386  sent 
not entitled
to J K Smith, Decr 2 1819 
not entitled 
Rejected 
Jason Dunton 
Bailys Regiment 79 [illegible]
Page 12

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
HILLSBOROUGH, SS.
At a Court of Common Pleas for the first district, holden at
Amherst
in said county of Hillsborough, on the first Tuesday day of
July, 1820,
being a
court of record; having power of fine and imprisonment, and unlimited Jurisdiction in point
of amount,
PRESENT
The Honorable JOSHUA DARLING,
The Honorable JEDIDIAH K. SMITH,
Justices.
Personally appeared in open court Jason Dunster aged 
fifty eight years, resident in Mason in said county, who being first
duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as
follows, to wit:-- In the regiment commanded by Captain Bailey
the company commanded by Captain Pattingill in the
Massachusetts line on the continental establishment. In the
regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson in the company
commanded by Captain John Hastings in the Massachusetts line
On the continental establishment, then in the Regiment
commanded by Colonel Brooks in the company commanded by
Captain Lincoln and then in the fourth regiment of the Massachusetts line both on the continental establishment, and
discharged at a place called Peekskill Hutts in the
State of New York on the thirty first day of December AD 1783
the date of my original declaration was on the fifteenth
day of April Anno Domini, 1818 I have received a pension certificate
on the back thereof.
And 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 the act of Congress entitled ""an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land
or 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 following schedule,
by me subscribed,
Real Estate as follows, Viz: [namely]
80 acres of land with buildings thereon two thirds of
which is valued at——-750,00
one sixth part of a Saw Mill and grist mill, out of repair—-250.00
41 acres of Land valued at -- --- 328.00
Personal estate
2 cows at——30,00
1 pair of three years old steers-- 45,00
1 pair of yearling ditto [steers]—12.00
1 Calf———-2.50
1 [illegible]——6.00
1 three years old Colt very lame - 10.00
7 Sheep——8.75
Pew in Mason Meeting house 18.00
Page 13

1 [illegible] shed standing by said meeting house - 15.00
Farming Utensils——-12.00
1 Case of drawers ——-3.00
1 pine chest——.50
1 Clock and Case ——20.00
4 Tables——4.00
14 Chairs ——-4.00
Crockery and Glass Ware —20.00
Pewter and tin ware—-1.50
Handirons cranes, and shovels and tongs --- 3.75
Hollow ware—-1.00
1 Brass Kettle—-4.00
1 [iilegible] and bridle——3.00Judah and Bridle --
5 old cider casks——2.00
1535.50
The amount of two notes of Hand—-105.52
I am owing to [illegible] Persons various
sums the whole amount of which is $1413.82
My occupation is that of a Farmer but am unable to perform hard labour by reason of a disability by numbness
in my legs, which is seen to follow after hard work-
My family, residing with me, consists of a wife named Mary aged fifty two years in good health and well to labor for one of her age,
one son named Samuel aged sixteen years in
good health but disabled in a great measure for labour
having had the cords of one foot cut off and wanting one
finger he is a husbandsman by occupation, one grandson named Henry Dunster, aged two years not in very good
health dependent on me for support, one servant maid named
Mary Ann Hart a imbecile from birth being deformed on
one side which makes her almost useless for the house work
which is all she can do to profit. she is aged fourteen years and 
is dependent on me for support
Jason Dunster
Sworn to and declared in open court, on the
5th day of July Anno Domini, 1820.
M Eastman Clerk

I, MOSES EASTMAN, Clerk of the above named Court, do hereby certify, that the
foregoing declaration and oath and the 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 foregoing schedule, is $ 1641.02 and that said applicant is indebted as above in the sum of $1413, 82
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this
fifth day of July, 1820.
M. Eastman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Smith for the County of Hillsborough
Page 14

V 1766
Polly Dunster
Widow of Jason
New Hampshire
Act 7, June [18]28
Married 1793
died 1828
Allow 2 years $80 per Annum Massachusetts Continental line
Captain Haslorp Colonel
Jackson

Honorable C.G. Atherton
House of Representatives
February 15. 1838
 [inverted:]
Widow Dunster [illegible] [illegible] to pension.
Page 15

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County ss. On this tenth day of
September in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and thirty eight at Mason in said County personally appeared before me
Luke Woodberry Judge of the Court of Probate
of Wills etc within and for the County of
Hillsborough aforesaid Polly Dunster a
resident of said Mason aged sixty nine years
who being first duly sworn according to law
doth, on her oath, make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision
made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838
entitled an act granting half pay and pensions
to certain widows"" That she is the widow
of Jason Dunster late of Mason aforesaid
deceased, who was a private soldier in the
army of the Revolution that according to
Her best knowledge and belief he enlisted into
the service in the spring of seventeen hundred
and eighty for three years and served and
his time of enlistment, that he served in
Captain Hastings company and Colonel
Jacksons Regiment. that he applied for a
pension under the act of March 18, 1818 and
did not succeed in obtaining his pension
On account of his property that she expects
he furnished the evidence of his service at
that time and that it is now in the War
Department at Washington - that she has
(over)
Page 16

a copy of his discharge purporting to be
taken by J. K. Smith Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas within and for the County of
Hillsborough at the time he made his application, which will be forwarded with the
papers accompanying this declaration that
she has no other documentary evidence in her
possession to prove his service and does not
recollect any further particulars in relation
to his sevice that is thought material
she further declares that she was married to
the said Jason Dunster, then called Jason
Dunster Jr. at said Mason on the eighteenth
day of April in the year seventeen hundred
and ninety three; that her maiden name
was Merriam; that her husband the aforesaid
Jason Dunster died at said Mason in the
twenty first day of March in the year eighteen
hundred and twenty eight; that she was not
married to him prior to his having the service
but the marriage took place previous to the
first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety 
four viz [namely] at the time above stated
that she has remained a widow ever since
the decease of her husband aforesaid.
Polly Dunster
alteration from Seventeen
to eighteen and the word Mary
to Polly on first page made before
signing. Attest Luke Woodbury
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and
year before written before me
Like Woodbury,
Judge as aforesaid
Page 17

I do hereby certify that the aforesaid
Polly Dunster is to the best of my knowledge
a credible witness; and that the cause of taking
and executing the aforesaid declaration
at the present time and place, out of Court
is that the said Polly Dunster, the declarant,
is in my belief, from bodily infirmities
unable to attend court, without serious
inconvenince and exposure of her health.
Luke Woodbury Judge
as aforesaid
I, Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court
of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in
the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify
that Luke Woodbury is Judge of the Probate of
Wills in and for said County of Hillsborough
as above and before mentioned, and that the
foregoing signatures, purporting to be his are
Genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the seal of said County and
subscribed my name at Amherst
in said County this fourteenth
day of September Anno Domini 1838
A. Wallace Clerk
Page 18

Revolution and 1812 Wars Section. April 1, 1924. Charles K. Dunster, Elizabethtown, New York
Sir: I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.10078, it appears that Jason Dunster, Junior, enlisted at Concord, Massachusetts, in May 1780 and served 6 months as a private in Captain Pettengill's Company , Colonel Bailey's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted in April 1781 and served nearly 2 years as a private in Captain John Hastings' Company, Colonel Henry Jackson's Massachusetts Regiment, transferred to Captain Lincoln's Company, Colonel Brooks' Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged from the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment December 31, 1783. He married at Mason, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire , April 18, 1793, Polly (Mary) Meriam or Merriam. He died at said Mason March 21, 1828, aged about 66 years. The widow, Polly, was allowed pension on her application executed September 10, 1838, while a resident of said Mason, aged 69 years.
Page 19

In 1820 reference was made to a son, Samuel, aged 16 years, and a grandson, Henry Dunster, aged 2 years. There was a large family of children but no other names stated. Respectfully, Commissioner.
Page 20

Revolution 
WIDOW, etc. 
File Number 16012 
Polly Dunster Widow of Jason Dunster 
Private Revolutionary War - 
Act Feb 1848
Index: Volume A Page 200 (Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 21

April 9 1902 
Miss Ella F. Cooper 
Kewanee  Illinois 
1924, April 1- History to Charles. H. Dunster U.M
Page 22

BY THE HONOURABLE
MAJOR GENERAL KNOX,
Commanding the AMERICAN FORCES On Hudson's River.
Jason Dunster Soldier in the Fourth Massachusetts
Regiment,
being inlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from
the service of the United States.
Given in the State of New-York,
the thirty first Day of December
1783,
H. Knox [illegible]
By the General's Command,
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
Theodore K.  Bondy Adjutant [illegible]
Page 23

2640
Revolutionary War
Page 24

N. Hampshire 
See letter to J. R. Smith of Amherst New Hampshire July 20. 1820 
Rejected
Page 25

[stamp] Amherst New Hampshire March 28
27.843- 
Free
Business of the Department
FREE

Honorable L.P. Waldo 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 26

[Duplicate of image 25]

[stamp] Amherst New Hampshire March 28 27.843-  Free Business of the Department FREE  Honorable L.P. Waldo  Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Page 27

1840
Concord New Hampshire
Polly Dunster
Widow of Jason Dunster deceased
and who died on the 21st March 1828
of Hillsboro in the State of New Hampshire
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Hastings of the Regiment commanded
by Colonel Jackson in the Massachusetts
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord New Hampshire 
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 15th
day of February
1839 and sent to  C.G. Atherton House of Representatives
Arrears to the 4th of September 1838 $200.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March [18]39, 40 00
$240.00
Act July 7,
D.D. Addison, Clerk
Book A Volume 1st Page 38
Page 28

Number D7843
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Mach 30th 18[illegible]
Polly Dunster widow
of Jason Dunster Private
Captain Pettingal
Colonel Bailey
Revolutionary War
Warrant Number 3640-160-55
James Spaulding
New Ipswich
New Hampshire
Page 29

Copy of Discharge
Dunster, Jason
(Massachusetts) W-16012
Page 30

Dunster, Jason (Massachusetts) W-16012
Page 31

By the Honorable Major General Knox
Commanding the American forces on Hudson's River
Jason Dunster Soldier in the fourth Massachusetts
Regiment, being inlisted for three years, is hereby
honourably discharged from the service of the
United States. Given in the State of New York
the thirty first day of December 1783 Knox Major General
By the General’s Command
Registered in the Books of the
Regiment  Thomas Condy Adjutant PT [?pro tempore]
a true copy taken December 14 1810
J.J. Smith ⎬ Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
Page 32

1435
New Hampshire, Concord
Polly Dunster
widow of Jason Dunster
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the rolls at the rate of
80 Dollars__Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
10th day of August 1843
and sent to Thomas M. Edwards
Keene, New Hampshire
[Act of March 3, 1843.
Recorded in Book A
Volume 1
Page 15.

Reported
Page 33

Private 2nd February [18]48 Massachusetts
Boynton
Page 34

Lancaster 9th December 1818 
This may certify that Jason Dunster served in my Company in the revolutionary Army, nearly two years in Colonel Henry Jacksons Regiment and upon one of the reductions of the Regiment he was transfered to the 7th Regiment (Colonel Brooks) and served till the peace, the last of his Service was in the 4th Regiment of Massachusetts and to my knowledge was a faith ul Soldier- John Hastings
Page 35

Amos Blood
Deposition
Page 36

I, Amos Blood of Mason in the County of Hillsborough and
State of New Hampshire aged Eighty one years testify and say
that Jason Dunster late of Mason aforesaid was a private
Soldier in the Company
of Captain Hastings in the Regiment
commanded by Colonel Henry
Jackson of the Massachusetts line
when I joined said Company which I think was in June
seventeen hundred and
Eighty I found the said Jason Dunster
in said Company he having joined early in the spring.we both
enlisted for three years and served our time out. I was intimately
acquainted with said Dunster in the Army and since he lived in 
Mason I have known that he was considered one of the best soldier
in the Company. I also understood that he had been in the
previous to my acquaintance with him and have no doubt of the report though do not know in what company and Regiment he
served previous to his joining the army as above stated.
Amos Blood X his mark
Witness
Aaron Felt

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough Ss August 28 1838 then
the above named Amos Blood made solemn Oath that the above
affidavit by him subscribed was true before me
John Stevens Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County ⎬ I hereby Certify that Amos Blood the above
named deponent is entitled to full credit for truth and veracity
notwithstanding his advanced age
John Stevens Justice of the Peace
Page 37

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court
of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in
the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that
John Stevens within named is a Justice of the
Peace for said County of Hillsborough as within
mentioned, and that the within signatures
purporting to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
affixed the seal of said Court and
subscribed my name at Amherst
in said County this fourteenth day
of September Anno Domini 1838
A. Wallace Clerk
Page 38

State of New
Hampshire
Office of Secretary of State.
I, Josiah Stevens Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby
certify that Nathan Shattuck is an acting Justice of the Peace
in and for the County of Hillsborough
duly Commissioned and
qualified; that his Commission was dated on the
13th day of June
1840 and will expire on the
13th day of June 1845 and that his signature to the annexed instrument
is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said State this 4th
day of May
1843.
Josiah Stevens
Secretary of State
Page 39

1493
Declaration
of
Polly Dunster [illegible]
$80 per annum
Page 40

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3rd March, 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain
widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE,
Willborough County, Ss.
On this Fifth day of April 1843 personally appeared before
me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Hillborough and State of
New Hampshire, Polly Dunster a resident of Mason
in the County of Hillsborough and State of New-Hampshire, aged Seventy four
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed
on the 3rd of March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the
Revolutionary War. That she is the widow ofJason Dunster
who
was a Private in the Revolution and died on the
twenty first day of March A.D. 1828 at said
Mason, That she was a pensioner under the
act of July 7th 1838 on the New Hampshire list
at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum and
has paid at the Agency in Concord in the
State of New Hampshire- She further declares
that she is still his widow.
Polly Dunster
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written,
Nathaniel Shattuck Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above declarant
is personally known to me
Nathaniel Shattuck Justice of the Peace
Page 41

We Benoni C. Kimball and Mary Kimball
of Mason in the County of Hillsborough and
State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose
and say that we are acquainted with Polly
Dunster. That she is the widow of Jason
Dunster late of Said Mason who died on the
twenty first day of March A.D. 1828.
That he was a pensioner under the act of
July 7th 1838, and that she still survives and
remains his widow.-
Benoni C Kimball
Mary Kimball
State of New Hampshire
Hilsborough County ⎬Ss.
April 5th 1843
Subscribed and sworn to before me
Nathaniel Shattuck Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above deponents
are credible persons
Nathaniel Shattuck Justice of the Peace
Page 42

Honorable Joel M Poinsett
Dear Sir
enclosed are the papers of the Widow Dunster relating 
to a pension I hope they will be considered suffice[nt]
to support her claim should they not or should th[ere]
be any informality please inform me what is wanted
and I will furnish it I have no doubt that all the
evidence of her husbands services his discharge &c are
at Washington you will please send the certificate
of Mr Dunster to me at Marion County of Hillsborough
and State of New Hampshire
March 18, 1838 John Stevens
Page 43

Admitted

Willis Johnson
Mason
NH
Page 44

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

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.}
County of Hillsboro SS.}
ON THIS fifteenth day of July 1848 personally appeared
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Polly
Dunster, resident of Mason in the County of Hillsboro
aged seventy nine years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed
on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary
War: That she is the Widow of Jason Dunster who was a
private in the army of the Revolution and died
on March 21st, 1828 which Polly Dunster under the
act of March 3d 1843 and under the act of the 17th June 1844
was inscribed on the pension list at the rate of eighty dollars
per annum and was a pensioner and received a pension 
of eighty dollars per annum under the above specified acts
Polly Dunster
She further declares that she is still a widow. 
Witness Mary Kimball
Willis Johnson
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written-Before
Willis Johnson Justice of the Peace.

I FURTHER CERTIFY, That the above Declarant is personally known to me
Willis Johnson Justice of the Peace.

State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough COUNTY, SS>
I, Peiley Dodge Clerk of the Court of Common
Please, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Willis Johnson
is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was
dated on the Eighth day of August 1843 and will expire
on the Seventh day of August 1848 and that his signature above written
is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said County, this 22d day of July 1848
Peiley Dodge CLERK
______________________________________________
Sold by John F. Brown, 171, Main-Street, Concord, N.H.
Page 45

NH. Nov 29
discharge
Jason Dunster
A[illegible] proof
Polly Dunster
July [illegible] 1766

Marow Village N.H. Free
Nov 23d

J L Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 46

NH. Nov 29
discharge
Jason Dunster
A[illegible] proof
Polly Dunster
July [illegible] 1766

Marow Village N.H. Free
Nov 23d

J L Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 47

Mason November 15, 1838
Sir enclosed I send
the original discharge of Jason Dunster which I found after
considerable expense and trouble I also send a certificate of
John Hastings the Captain under whom said Dunster served
a part of the time which I found with the discharge I should 
send the affidavit of Capt Hastings but understand that he
is dead I presume you now have all the testimony
you can require on the act contemplates

I am Very Respectfully
Yr Mo Obt. Lieut
John Stevens

J.L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pension
Page 48

Nathaniel Shattuck
Deposition

5386
Dec 2d 1819
Page 49

I Nathaniel Shattuck of Marion in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, testify and say, that I was intimately acquainted with the Hon. Jedidiah Kilburn Smith, late of Amherst in the County and State aforesaid.  Said Amherst was the place of my former Residence, from about the year Eighteen hundred and ten to the year A.D. Eighteen hundred and twenty eight, the year of the decease of the said Smith.  During most of the above period the said Smith and myself were next door neighbors.  In the year Eighteen hundred and eighteen and for several years before and after that year said Smith was one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Hillsborough.  In the capacity of an Attorney of said Court I transacted business before said Smith as Judge, and also as a Justice of the Peace for said County.  I further testify and say, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Jedidiah Kilburn Smith, having had very frequent occasion to see him write during a period of eighteen years; and I also testify and say that I have no doubt that the Paper hereto annexed purporting to be a copy of the original discharge of Jason Dunster, a Soldier from the service of the United States is the genuine hand writing of the said Jedidiah Kilburn Smith and that he almost invariably wrote his signature J.d Kl. Smith.
Nath'l Shattuck

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County Ss September 13, 1838 then the above named Nathaniel Shattuck made oath that the above deposition by him submitted as true before me.
John Stevens Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County Ss. I hereby certify that Nathaniel Shattuck the above named deponant is entitled to full credit for truth and veracity.
John Stevens Justice of the Peace
Page 50

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the Count of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that John Stevens within named is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Hillsborough as within mentioned, and that the within signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony where of I have hereunto
affixed the Seal of said Court and subscribed
my name at Amherst in said County this 
fourteenth day of September Anno Domini 1838
A. Wallace Clerk
Page 51

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough Ss.  Mason 
September 12, 1838

I Ebenezer Hill of lawful age, depose & say that I have with carefulness kept a Record of Deaths &c, in the town of Mason for many years; and upon the authority of that record I testify that Jason Dunster of Mason aforesaid, departed this life on the twenty first day of March, in the year eighteen hundred & twenty eight.    I further depose & say that Polly Dunster, the wife of said Jason Dunster at the time of his death, has remained a widow to the present day.  An further your deponent saith not.
Eben'z Hill, Cler.

Hillsborough Ss.  September 12th, 1838
Then personally appearing the above name Eben'z Hill and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Willis Johnson
Justice of the Peace

Hillsborough Ss.  I certify that Eben Hill the above named deponent is a credible person and is entitled to full credit in belief in the matter deposed.
Willis Johnson Justice of Peace
Page 52

Honorable Joel M Poinsett 
Secretary of War
Washington City 
D.C.

[upside down is written:]


} 1766
S1496-Sept 25, 1838

Pension Office.

N.H.
7 July 1838,
Page 53

& 1766
S1496- Sept 25, 1838

Pension Office. 

N.H. 
7 July 1838.

[upside down is written:]

Honorable Joel M Poinsett, 
Secretary  of War
Washington City 
D.C.
Page 54

16012
Jason Dunster
___________________
July 5, 1820
Mason Mass [Mass is crossed out and NH written] - 58
______________________________
Discharged (?)  Dec 31, 83
Peekskill N.Y.
_____________________________________
(illegible)  Sept 10,  1838
Mason Mass (?)  69
__________________________________
Polly Merrian
Apl  12 (?) 1793  Mason Mass [Mass is crossed 
out and N.H. substituted.
Died March 21, 1828
_______________________________
Capt Puuttingalill
Col Bailey
_________________________
Page 55

3-595
O. W. AND N. DIVISION

Department of the Interior;

Bureau of Pensions.

Searched by ------------------
Claim No. ---------------------
Certificate No. -----------------
Claimant ------------------------
Soldier---------------------------
--------------------------------------
Additional  service--------------------------
Remarks------------------------------------------

Chief of Division.
15444b10m8-1900
Page 56

Elizabethtown N.Y.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir,
According to the records of New England genealogy my Great-Grandfather Jason Dunster was a Rev. soldier.  He enlisted at Cambridge or Concord Mass in April 1780, and reenlisted. 
He received a pension and after his death, his widow Mary (Merriam) Dunston rec'd one.
As a descendant; I desire to obtain information as to his military service.
Will you kindly furnish the same as far as possible?
Very Respectfully
Charles K. Dunster
Page 57

[stamped on heading]  

(illegible) & N. division
MAR 4 1902
Received

Kewanee, Ill.,  Feb.  26, 1902

Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sir:-
I attach herewith blank properly filled out as per your request.   I have tried to get all the details possible.      Will you kindly have the matter looked up at your earliest convenience, and oblige,

Yours truly, 
Ella F. Cooper

[round stamp says:]
PENSION
   MAR
U   1    S
   1902
   OFFICE
Page 58

C.
Old War and Navy Division. 3--523.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. Febry. 19th, 1902
Madam :--
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or the war of 1812 unless he or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land ; and that under the rules such a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes.
The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers.
In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are request to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
Very respectfully,
H. Clay Evans
Commissioner.

Mrs. Ella F. Cooper
#527 S. Tremont St.,
Kewanee, Ill.
Full name of soldier, Jason Dunster
Where did he enter service: Joined his company at White Plains ---
Under what officers did he serve? Capt. John Hastings - Col. Henry Jackson
Place of residence after service, Lexington, Mass. Afterward Mason, N.H.
Approximate date of death, March 21st, 1828
Given name of widow, Mary (Polly in many records)
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? Both received pensions
Additional information, He enlisted April 1780 for six months, mustered in at Concord, Mass., and did duty in Boston until enlistment into three years service. When Mass. regiments were reduced, he was transferred to regiment commanded by Col. Brooks, Capt. Lincoln, and Maj. Wm. Hull. When Lord Cornwallis surrendered in 1781, he was in northern dept. of Army under Gen. heath.
Signature Mrs. Ella F. Cooper
Post-office address, including street}
and number, town, county, and State,}
527 S. Tremont Street,
Kewanee, Illinois.
14554b3m5-1900
Page 59

The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name Dunster, Peter
Grade Private
Line Maryland
Warrant Number 11172
Acreage 100
Issued Sept. 12, 1792
To John Wright, assignee of Sarah Mantle, Adm X.

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.