Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15185, for David Perkins, Massachusetts
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Service - Mass
Perkins, David  Number W.15185
Nabby
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Massachusetts - 3,536
Nabby Perkins
widow of David Perkins,
who was a pensioner under the Act of  [blank]
and who died on the 27 July 1827 of Essex in the State of [can't read, but probably Massachusetts abbreviated]
who was a Sargt. in the Company commanded by Captain Dodge of the Regt. commanded by Gervish [sp?] Mass in the [can't read] line for 7 mos 13 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 37 Dollars 16 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of July '39, and [can't read] and Benj. Merrill, Salem, Mass.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar - $111.48
Semi-annual allowance ending 18.58
                                            $130.06
{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by R [can't read] Clerk,
Book A   Vol. 1  Page 124
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7th of July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" State of Massachusetts County of Essex  ss.
On this twenty seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirtyeight Personally appeared before me Nabby Perkins a resident of the Town of Topsfield in said County of Essex aged seventy-eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of David Perkins late a resident of said Topsfield deceased who, according to her best knowledge and belief was a Sergeant and served in the Army of the United States in the War of the Revolution in the whole seven months and upwards, to wit, three months and upwards in the Company commanded by Captain John Dodge in the regiment commanded by Col. Jacob Gervish [sp?] in the year 1778 at Winter Hill. Also that in the year 1780 he served as she fully believes four months in the Company commanded by Captain Benjamin Gould in the Regiment commanded by Col. Nathaniel Wade stationed at West Point, for full particulars of which service she respectfully asks leave to refer to such rolls and documents as are believed to be on file in the War Department in Washington and to such as she shall be enabled to annex to this
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declaration she also declares that the old Warrant hereto annexed was in his possession at the time of his death which happened 27th o f July 1827.
The said Nabby Perkins doth further on her said oath declare that she was lawfully married to the said David Perkins at the house of her Father Lot [sp?] Conant in Beverly in said County of Essex on the twelth day of January seventeen hundred and eighty-four by the Rev. Mr. Swain of Wenham. That her said Husband the said David Perkins died at Topsfield on the aforesaid twenty seventh day of July in the year eighteen hundred and twenty seven, that since the death of her said husband she has never intermarried but is still remaining the widow of said David Perkins. 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, seventeen hundred and ninety four, vis: at the time above stated.
Nabby Perkins
Sworn to and subscribed on the aforesaid 27th day of October eighteen hundred and thirty eight before [can't read signature] Judge of Probate
I also certify that the above named applicant was unable in open court by reason of debility and the infirmity of age being [can't read the rest]
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I Elijah Perkins of Topsfield County of Essex State of Massachusetts now twenty three years of age on oath testify and say that I was personally acquainted with David Perkins late of said Topsfield deceased who was a Sergeant in the Army of United States in the War of the Revolution, that we were both born and brought up in the same neighborhood and lived in the same Topsfield and I further testify that in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four in the first part of said year I understood and fully and sincerely believe that the said David Perkins and Nabby Conant of Beverly, who is now the Nabby Perkins applying for a pension were joined in Marriage. That about that time they both commenced keeping house and lived together as husband and wife till the time of his death which took place about seven years ago and were always recognized as husband and wife, that they had a family of children and uniformly sustained respectable characters, that the said David Perkins was a respectable citizen, a firm supporter of the laws of the land and of good order in Society and I never heard their marriage questioned or doubted by any person and I
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testify that the David Perkins and the the David Perkins just named in the intentions of marriage published in said Beverly and in said Topsfield are both one and refer to the same person that at the time the intentions were published the said David Perkins was usually called David Perkins Jr. in his native town on account of his Father David Perkins who was then alive and a resident of said Topsfield.
Topsfield March 26, 1839
Elijah Perkins
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss.
Sworn and subscribed before me and I further certify that the said Elijah Perkins is a credible witness in the premises.
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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State of Massachusetts
County of Essex, Town of Beverly,
Town Clerks Office October 9th A.D. 1838.
I John J Baker a subscriber do hereby certify that it appears from the Record of Marriages and Publishments in the town of Beverly that there contained the following entry of intentions of marriage Viz -
The intentions of marriage between Mr. David Perkins of Topsfield and Miss Nabby Conant of Beverly entered November first, published the second, Seventeen hundred eighty three - I also certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows
Viz - "entered November 1st published 2nd 1783 - And I further certify that in consequence of the imperfection of the Records of Marriages about that time no record of the marriage of said David Perkins and Nabby Conant can there be found. I John I Baker above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County and State aforesaid and that the above extract from the records of publishments of said Town of Beverly is a true copy from said Records with the exception above named as certified by me.
John I Baker, Town Clerk of Beverly,
aforesaid.
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss. October 9th 1838
Sworn and subscribed before me
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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Town Clerks Office Topsfield, Essex County, State of Massachusetts, March 8, 1839 -
Extract from the records of the Town of Topsfield aforesaid -
"The intention of marriage between Mr. David Perkins Junr of Topsfield, and Miss Nabby Conant of Beverly was published in Topsfield on the second day of November seventeen hundred eighty three"
I certify that the foregoing is a true extract from the records of said Town of Topsfield with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in faint legible words and figures as follows -
"2nd day of November 1783"
Jacob B. Towne, Town Clerk of said Topsfield -
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss. March 13th 1839
Sworn and subscribed before me 
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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Mass
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15185
Nabby Perkins
Widow of
David Perkins
Sergtn Rev. War
Act: July 7th 1838
Index: - Vol. M, Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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[illegible] 14. 1897 - History
Hon. Andrew Davidson
Albany, New York
(ser Inv. 33.109)
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I John T. Dodge of Wenham County of Essex State of Massachusetts now seventy four years of age on oath do testify and say that in the month of September in the year seventeen hundred and eighty six I was married to Elizabeth Dodge of said 
Wenham by the Rev Joseph Swain then pastor of the Congregation church in said Wenham.
Wenham Feb 14 1839 John T Dodge
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss February 14th 1839
Sworn and subscribed before me and I further certify that the said John T. Dodge is a credible witness in the premises
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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I Elijah Cummings of Topsfield, County of Essex State of Massachusetts a revolutionary soldier now seventy seven years of age on oath do testify and say that I was well acquainted with David Perkins late of said Topsfield deceased that we were brought up and lived in the same Topsfield that I was personally acquainted with him from my youth to the time of his death which took place about eleven years ago and I further Certify that in the month of June seventeen hundred and eighty we both entered the Army of the United States in the War of the Revolution that we both enlisted in the Company Commanded by Captain Benjamin Gould and in the said month of June we both marched to West Point and there joined the regiment Commanded by Col. Nathaniel  Wade and remained at West Point till sometime in the month of October in the same year and were both honorably discharged and I testify that the said David Perkins served as Sergeant (first Sergeant I think) in said Company during the Campaign.
I the said Elijah Cummings do further on said oath testify that in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four in
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the early part of the year I understood and sincerely and fully believe that the said David Perkins was married to Nabby Conant of Beverly daughter of Lot Conant late of said Beverly deceased that at that time they both commenced keeping house and lived together as husband and wife till the time of his death and were always recognized as husband & wife that they had seven children and uniformly sustained respectable characters that the said David Perkins was well known as a firm supporter of the laws of the land and of good order in society that he was a citizen of the first respectability that I never heard their marriage doubted or questioned by any Person
Topsfield January 14th 1839
Elijah Cummings
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss. January 14th 1839
Sworn and subscribed before me and I further certify that the said Elijah Cummings is a credible witness in the premises
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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I Benjamin Gould of Newburyport County of Essex State of Massachusetts a Revolutionary Officer now eighty seven years of age on oath do testify and say that I was well acquainted with David Perkins late of Topsfield deceased and I further testify that in the month of June seventeen hundred and eighty the said David Perkins enlisted into the Company Commanded by me that in the same month we marched to West Point and there joined the regiment commanded by Col Nathaniel Wade and remained at West Point in the service of the United States according to the best of my recollections and belief four months and I further testify that the said David Perkins served as Sergeant in my company during said term and was honorably discharged
Benjamin Gould
Newburyport Dec. 3 1838
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss December 3 1838
Sworn and subscribed before me and I further certify that the said Benjamin Gould is a credible witness in the premises
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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I Samuel Hood of Topsfield County of Essex State of Massachusetts now seventy seven years of age on oath do testify and say that I was acquainted with David Perkins late of said Topsfield deceased that we were both brought up and lived in the same Topsfield that I was personally acquainted with him from my youth to the time of his death which happened or took place about eleven years ago and I further testify that on the first day of April in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight we both entered the Army of the United States in the War of the revolution and served three full months in the Company Commanded by Captain John Dodge in the regiment commanded by Col. Jacob Gervish stationed at Winter Hill that the said David Perkins served as first Sergeant in said Company
I the said Samuel Hood do further on said oath testify that after the close of the revolutionary War in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four in the early part of said year I understood and fully and sincerely believe that said David Perkins was married to Nabby Conant of Beverly that
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[This page appears to be a faint duplicate of the previous page. Did they have carbon paper in 1839?]
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that at that time they both commenced keeping house and lived together as husband and wife and were always recognized as such that they had several children that they both uniformly sustained good characters that the said David Perkins was a respectable citizen and well known as a firm supporter of the laws of the land and of good order in society that I never heard their marriage doubted or questioned by any person
Topsfield March 13th 1839
Saml Hood
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss. March 13th 1839
Sworn and subscribed before me and I further certify that the said Samuel Hood is a credible witness in the premises
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, ss.
I, JOHN PRINCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Essex, do certify, that Hon. D. A. White is Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County. That B. C. Perkins Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, and that their signatures hereon are genuine.
WITNESS MY HAND, and the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas,
March 27, A.D. 1839
John Prince Clerk
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I John Perkins of Wenham County of Essex State of Massachusetts now eighty five years of age on oath do testify and say that I was born and brought up in said Wenham and I further testify and say that in the month of October in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy (five/nine?) I was married to Ann (Whitmash/Hicknash?) by the Rev Joseph Swain then pastor of the Congregational Church in said Wenham
Wenham Feb 14th 1839
[signed] John Perkins

State of Massachusetts}
Essex County                    } SS  Feb 14th 1839
Sworn and subscribed before me and I further certify that the said John Perkins is a credible witness in the premises
[signed] B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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I Moses Foster of Wenham County of Essex Sate of Massachusetts on oath testify and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of said Wenham and have the custody of the records of marriages and I further testify that the records of marriages on the Town books during the ministry of Mr Rev Joseph Swain appear to be ina very imperfect state that not any records of the marriages solomnised by the said Rev Joseph Swain from the year 1776 to the year 1789 have ever come into my possession 
Wenham Feb. 14 1839
Moses Foster - T. Clerk of Wenham
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss February 14th 1839.
Sworn and subscribed before me
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
"custody" and "possession" were first written over erasures.
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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Mr William Hubbard and John G Hood both of Topsfield County of Essex state of Massachusetts on oath do testify and say that we were well acquainted with David Perkins late of said Topsfield deceased who was a Sergeant in the Army of the United States in the War of the Revolution and we do know that the said David Perkins died at Topsfield on the twenty seventh day of July eighteen hundred and twenty seven
we further testify and say that we are acquainted with Nabby Perkins who is now making application for a pension and we do know that she is the widow of the said David Perkins that since his death she has never been married but is now unmarried and the widow of the said David Perkins and lives in said Topsfield.
Topsfield March 13th 1839
[signed] William Hubbard
[signed] John G. Hood
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss. March 13th 1839
Sworn and subscribed before me and I further certify that the said William Hubbard and John G. Hood are credible witnesses in the premises.
B.C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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5065
Nabby Perkins -
widow of David 
Mass -
Act 7 July '38
m 83 d 27
vol. 18.147-160- Sergt. 3mo13-
Certified Capt Gould 4
7.13 [looks like Captain Gould certified David Perkins' service of 7 months and 13 days]
[illegible]
7 mo. 13. days Sergt.
$37.46
no deduction
Benj Merrill
Salem Mass -
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I David Mansfield of Wenham County of Essex State of Massachusetts on oath testify and say that I am now pastor of the Congregational Church in said Wenham and have the custody of Church records of Marriages and other church records by which it appears that the Rev. Joseph Swain was ordained as pastor of said Church on the twenty fourth day of October A.D. 1750 that he remained pastor of said Church till the time of his decease which took place on the twenty ninth day of June A.D. 1792 and further testify that during the ministry of the said Joseph Swain the Records of Marriages appear very imperfect, that not any records of the marriages Solemnised by the said Joseph Swain after the fourteenth day of January A D 1762 have ever come to my hand
Wenham 26th March 1839
[signed] D. Mansfield Pastor of the Cong. Chch Wenham
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss March 26th 1839
Sworn and subscribed before me
B. C. Perkins Justice of the Peace
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David Perkins
Mass
W. 15185
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Sargent Perkins's
Warrant 1778
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Massachusetts
State Essex ss.
To
David Perkins
Greetings
I do by these presents reposing special Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage & good Conduct Constitute & appoint you [illegible] David Perkins first Sargent in Capt. John Dodges Company, in a Regmt of Guards, Under my Command, in [?] Service of [?] United States, of North America. You are carefully and dilligently to discharge [?] duty of a Sargent, and to observe & follow, such Orders & Instructions, as you shall receive, from time, to time, from me or the Commanding Officer of your regiment, for your time being, according to the Military Rules & Discipline, Pursuant to the trust reposed in you, for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my Hand & Seal this 13th June Anno Dom. 1778.
[signed] Jacob Gerrish Col
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Salem, 27 March 1839
James L. Edwards Esqr,
Sir,
I send the application of Mrs Nabby Perkins, widow of David Perkins decd. for a Pension.
Please to reply to
[illegible]
Benj. Merrill