Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 32722, Deborah Gannett, Mass.
Page 1

3-1776
SERVICE                                                  NUMBER
Mass.         Gannett, Deborah           S32722.
                           alias
                    Shurtleff, Robert

CONTENTS
Page 2

5457
Massachusetts
Deborah Gannett
of Sharon in the state of, Mass
[who w]as a private in the regiment commanded
[by Colon]el Sheperd of the Massts
[line] for the term of two years

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to c[ommence on] the 14th of September 181[8]

Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of July [1819?]
and sent to J. Davies Esq.
Boston, Massts

Arrears to 4th day of March 1819           45.55
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819      48.                                                                           [=] 93.55

5 mos 17/20 4/21                            45.56
as   Invalid                                        36.44 
Difference                                        9.12

{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818}
                                                            
                                                            48.--
[illegible] 4 September 1819            57.12
cont.


copy made for 
D. Wardell, H. 
Jan. 20, 1837
see letters 21 Jan. 1923
Jan. 1837 to Hon D.
Wardell H. R. 
sum of $466.66 due to be
paid to the heirs under
the Act of July 7, 1838, see 
letter to Secy of the Treasury
& Hon. W. S. Hastings July 23
1838.
Page 3

See report of this woman's service in "Mass. Soldiers
and Sailors in the War of the Revolution " Vol. 14, page
164, under Robert Shirtliff.
See pension claim Ephraim Sampson, Mass W 11053
He was Deborah Gannett's brother and there
is a fine history of the family in that case,
it goes back for three generation's prior to the
Revolution.
Page 4

United States-.
Massachusetts District
Deborah Gannett, of Sharon, in the county of Norfolk, and
District of Massachusetts, a resident and native of the United
States, and applicant for a pension from the United States
under 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, maketh oath, That she
served as a private soldier, under the name of Robert Shurtliff
in the war of the revolution, upwards of two years in manner
following vis - Enlisted in April 1781 in the company commanded
by Captain George Webb in the Massachusetts Regiment
Commanded then by Colonel Shepherd, and afterwards by Colonel Henry
Jackson and served in said corps in Massachusetts, and
New York - until November 1783 - when she was honorably discharged
in writing. which discharge is lost. During the time of her service
she was at the capture of Lord Cornwallis, was wounded
at Tarrytown and now receives a pension from the United 
States, which pension she hereby relinquishes. She is in such
reduced circumstance, as to require the aid of her country
for her support.
[Signed] Deborah Gannett
Massts. Dist. ss:  Septr. 14. 1818
Sworn to before me
[Signed] Jno Davis
Dist. Judge
Mass. Dist.
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK, SS. - CIRCUIT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS,
December Term, 1820.
On this nineteenth day of December 1820,
personally appeared, in open Court, being a Court of Record for said County,
proceeding according to the course of the Common Law, with a jurisdiction un-
limited in point of amount, keeping a Record of its proceedings, and having the
power of fine and imprisonment, Deborah Gannett aged
Sixty one years, resident in Sharon in said County
of Norfolk who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth of her oath
declare that she served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: in Captain
George Webb's Company of Infantry
in fourth Massachusetts Regiment first
Brigade commanded by General John 
Patterson during the War as a private
Soldier and that the number of my
former Certificate was 13434. My
former application was made 14th Sept. 1818.
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
sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with
thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provision 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 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.
[Signed] Deborah Gannett

Sworn to and declared, on the nineteenth day of December
A.D. 1820 before
[Signed]Jarius Ware Judge C.C.C. Pleas
So. Circuit.

I Horatio Townsend Clerk of the Said Court
do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule hereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of 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 twenty dollars.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
Court, on this nineteenth day of December 1820.
[SEAL]
[Signed] Horatio Townsend Clerk.
Page 6

Schedule
of Deborah Gannett
(a woman who served
as a soldier) ["soldier" underlined]
13434
Sept. '19
Con
J. L. E. [J.L. Edwards]
Page 7

Schedule of property belonging to
Deborah Gannett
Wearing Apparel              $20.00
[Signed] Deborah Gannett
Page 8

[stationery]
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
[seal]
OFFICE OF
AUDITOR FOR INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
IN REPLYING QUOTE INITIALS

October 13, 1916.
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Replying to your letter of the 9th instant, you are informed that the records of this office show payment to have been made in the case of Deborah Gannett, Certificate Number
13434, Invalid, War of the Revolution under Act July 7, 1838, Mass. Agency, in amount $466.66, to William Ellis, Attorney for Earl B. Gannett, Mary Gilbert, and Patience Gay heirs.
Respectfully,
J E R Ray
Acting Auditor
Page 9

copy

25th Congress,                  (Rep. No. 159.)                       Ho. of Reps.
 2d Session.

BENJAMIN GANNETT.
(To accompany bill H.R.No. 184.)

December 22, 1837.
Mr. Morgan, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, 
made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which was committed the memorial of Benjamin Gannett, have carefully re-examined
the subject, and have resolved to adopt their report of a former session, viz;
That the petitioner represents that he is the surviving husband of Deborah Gannett, to whom he was lawfully married on the 7th day of April.1784; that she died on the 29th of April
1827. He also states, that in the early part of her life the said Deborah enlisted as a soldier in the army of the Revolution, under the assumed name of Robert Shurtleff, where she
faithfully served her country three years, and was honorably discharged in November, 1783; that, on account of a wound received in the service, she received a pension as an invalid
until the passage of the act of 18th March, 1818; and that she received a full pension under the act until her decease. The petitioner further states that the effects of the wound which she received followed her through life, and probably hastened her death.
Page 10

The petitioner represents himself to be eighty-three years of age, infirm in health, and in indigent circumstance. He states that he has two daughters dependent on charity for support.
The petitioner prays that he may receive the amount of the pension of his wife, from the time of her decease, and that it may be continued to him until his death.
It appears from a letter received from the Commissioner of Pensions, that Deborah Gannett, deceased, was placed on the
Massachusetts roll of invalid pensioners at $48. per annum, which was afterwards increased to $76.80 per annum. This she relinquished in 1818, for the benefit of the act of March 18,
1818. She was placed under that law at the rate of eight dollars per month, from the 14th September, 1818, which she received up
to the 4th March, 1827. It further appears from said letter, that the papers containing evidence upon which the original pension was granted, were burnt in 1814, when the British troops
invaded Washington and destroyed the War Office with its contents.
On the 14th September, 1818, the said Deborah made her declaration, under oath, that she served as a private soldier, under the name of "Robert Shurtleff," in the war of the Revolution, upwards of two years, in manner following;  Enlisted in April, 1781, in a company commanded by Captain George Webb, in the Massachusetts regiment commanded by Colonel Shepherd, 
and afterwards by Colonel Henry Jackson; that she served in Massachusetts and New York until November, 1783, when she was
Page 11

honorably discharged in writing; which discharge she has lost. She was at the capture of Cornwallis, was wounded at Tarrytown, and, up to the date of her declaration, she received a pension therefor.
   P. Parson testifies, under oath, that she lived in the family of Benjamin Gannett more than forty-six years after he married Deborah Sampson; that she well knew that Deborah was unable to perform any labor a great part of the time, in consequence of a wound she received while in the American army,
from a musket ball lodged in her body, which was never extracted. She also states that she saw Benjamin Gannett married to Deborah Sampson at his father's house in Sharon. 
    Benjamin Rhoad and Jeremiah Gould, the selectmen of the town of Sharon, in the State of Massachusetts, certify that they are acquainted with Benjamin Gannett, now living in said Sharon; that he is a man of upwards of eighty years of age; that he is destitute of property; that he has been an industrious man; that he was the husband of the late Deborah Gannett deceased, who for a time received a pension from the United States for her military services during the revolutionary war.
    William Ellis, formerly a Senator in Congress, in a letter to the Hon. William Jackson, now a Representative in Congress, states that said Gannett has been a very upright, hard-laboring man, has brought up a large family, and is a poor man. He further states that he has long since been credibly informed that said Gannett had been subject to heavy expenses for medical
Page 12

aid for his wife, the said Deborah, for twenty tears [s/b years] or more, and before she received a pension under the act of 1818, on account of wounds she received in the United States service. There are other certificates among the papers in this case, showing the physician's bill alone, for attendance on the said Deborah, to be more than six hundred dollars.
The committee is aware that there is no act of Congress which provides for any case like the present. The said Gannett was married after the termination of the war of the Revolution. and therefore does not come within the spirit of the third section of the act of 4th July, 1836, granting pensions to widows in certain cases; and were there nothing peculiar in this application which distinguishes it from all other applications for pensions, the committee would at once reject the claim. But they believe they are warranted in saying that the whole history of the American Revolution records no case like this, and "furnishes no other similar example of female heroism, fidelity, and courage." The petitioner does not allege that he served in the war of the Revolution, and it does not appear by any evidence in the case that such was the fact. It is not, however, to be presumed that a female who took up arms in defence [defense] of her country, who served as a common soldier for nearly three years, and fought and bled for human liberty, would, immediately after the termination of the war, connect herself for life with a tory or a traitor. He, indeed, was honored much by being the husband of
Page 13

such a wife; and as he has proved himself worthy of her, as he has sustained her through a long life of sickness and suffering and as that sickness and suffering were occasioned by the wounds she received and the hardships she endured in the defence [defense] of the country, and as there cannot be a paralel [parallel] case in all time to come, the committee do not hesitate to grant relief.
They report a bill granting to the petitioner a pension of $80. per year from the 4th day of March, 1831, for and during his natural life.
Page 14

Rev. and 1812
Wars    Section
S. 32722
MCS/HMM

August 23, 1929.

Mrs. Thomas P. Beal
2 National Bank
Boston
Massachusetts.

Dear Madam:
I advise you from the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau
it appears that Deborah Gannett enlisted in April 1781, under the name
of Robert Shurtleff, as a private in Captain George Webb's Company,
Colonels Shepard and Henry Jackson's fourth Massachusetts Regiment. She
was wounded at Tarrytown, by a musket ball in the body. She was at the
capture of Cornwallis and was honorably discharged in November 1783.
She was allowed pension at the rate of $48 per annum from January
1, 1803, which was increased to $76.80 per annum from April 24, 1816,
and to $96.00 per annum from September 14, 1818.
The date and place of her birth are not on record.
She married at Sharon, Massachusetts, April 7, 1784, Benjamin
Gannett. In 1820 she was sixty-one years old and a resident of Sharon,
Norfolk County, Massachusetts. She died April 29, 1827, place not stated.
He died in January 1837.
On July 7, 1838 Congress passed a special act granting pension,
on account of her services, to her heirs, Earl B. Gannett, Mary Gilbert
and Patience Gay.


Crosswise:
See a report attached, from Auditor's
Office, Treas. Dept.
Page 15

Deborah Gannett was the daughter of Jonathan Sampson, born
April 3, 1729 at Plympton, Massachusetts and his wife Deborah, the
daughter of Elisha Bradford of Kingston, Massachusetts. They were
married October 27, 1751.
She was the granddaughter of Jonathan Sampson, who died at
Plympton, Massachusetts, February 3, 1758, aged sixty-seven years
and eleven months.
She was the great granddaughter of Isaac Sampson, one of the
first settlers of Plympton, Massachusetts.

Very truly yours,

EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 16

[first column]

1928 Sept. 6. Hist. to Mrs. H. C.
Valentine. A.D.Y.
1928 Oct. 1 Hist. to Nason
H. Arnold. A. D. Y.
1929 Aug. 23, hist. to Mrs.
Thos. P. Beal M. C. S.

[second column]
32722
Revy INVALID.

File No. 32,722
Deborah Gannett
Pri. Rev War
Act: 18 March 18" [1818]
Index:- Vol. 2 Page 150
[Arrangement of 1870.]
See pension claim of
her brother's widow
Ephraim Sampson, Mass.
fine family data. W11083

[third column]
March.15/82 Letter to B.A. Leonard
Southbridge Mass. with date of death of Benj. Gannett. White.

Feby 7. 1896.
Mil. history to Wm. H. Sampson 119 Broadway

Oct 7 97 History to Miss Hettie R. Littlefield Brockton Mass

Oct. 7 1916 Data for Abram Myers & photostat
copy of declaration furnished Oct. 10 -1916-

1916 Oct. 9. Aud. for Int. Dept. for names of the heirs. 

1917 Apr. 12. 2 photostat copies of decla. mailed to Miss Grace S. Pierce aw

1917 Nov. 13. Hist. to Miss Sarah West

1925 Apr 28. Hist to E. F. Atwood, Sisseton, S.Dak. (see his letter
re Molly Pitcher) aw

1928 Apr. 4. - Photos to Rodney Dutcher See corres. in cl. of
Thos. Cunningham W.4166. MMHF
Page 17

A woman who served
as a Solider J.L.E.
[SEAL]

[illegible - chlass?],    W13,434
Deborah Gannett
file Sept '19
Lt. to Aud Peter Force
18 Sept. 1858

Ad. 18 m. 1818
Page 18

Hon. W. S. Hastings
July 23, 1838
[initials- GC?]

Record 17 page 137
Page 19

War Dept
Pension Office,
July 23 1838

Sir:
On examining the Act 7th inst.
for the relief of the heirs of
Deborah Gannett, dec'd,  I discover that
the Secretary of the Treasury is expressly
directed to pay the amount allowed by
that act, and I have therefore referred
from letter of the 17th inst. in relation
to the case, to that Dept.


Hon. W. S. Hastings
Mendon,
Mass.
Page 20

Decatur, Ohio
Nov. 8, 1917
Rev Sec

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly
give me the names and 
records of the women who
received pensions for
military services during
the revolutionary war
(Miss) Sarah West
Decatur, Ohio
Star Route
Page 21

Rev. War Section.

November 13, 1917.

Miss Sarah West,
Star Route,
Decatur, Ohio.

Madam:
In response to your letter dated the eighth instant,
you are advised that the papers in the claim of Deborah (Sampson)
Gannett Survivor's File No. 32,722 Rev. War, show that
she enlisted in April under the name of "Robert Shurtleff", as a Private
in Captain George Webb's company, in the Fourth Massachusetts
regiment commanded by Colonels Shepard and Henry Jackson;
she was wounded at Tarrytown, was at the capture of Cornwallis,
and served until November, 1783, when she was honorably dis-
charged. There are further particulars relative to her services
or the circumstance under which she was wounded.
She was allowed pension for said wound, of $48. per annum from January 1, 1803, and $76. per annum from April 24, 1816 but relinquished this disability-pension for a service-pension of $96. per annum under the Act of March 18, 1818.
The papers upon which the disability pension was allowed were destroyed in the burning of the War Office in 1814.
In 1820, she stated that she was sixty-one years of age and a resident of Sharon, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.The date and place of her birth are not shown.
She married April 7, 1784, Benjamin Gannett, and she died April 29, 1827.  In 1838, Congress passed a special act, granting pension from March 4, 1831 until the decease of Benjamin Gannett in January, 1837, for the benefit of their heirs, whose names are not stated.
Two daughters were referred to, but their names are not stated.

Deborah Sampson was the daughter of Jonathan Sampson born at Plymouth, Mass. April 3, 1729 and his wife Deborah Bradford daughter of Elisha Bradford of Kingston, Mass., who were married October 27, 1751.
grand daughter of
Jonathan Sampson who died at Plymouth Feb 3, 1758 as 67 yrs. 11mos.
great grand daughter of
Isaac Sampson one of the first setters of Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The above is the only woman pensioned under the general
Page 22

pension laws, on account of her own military services in the
War of the Revolution, for whom there are any papers on file
in the Bureau.
Papers relative to annuities granted by Special Resolution
of Congress for service in that War, do not constitute
a part of the records of this Bureau.

Very respectfully,
[faded signature G. W. Saltzgaber]
Commissioner.
Page 23

See receipt & cores. in cl. of Thos. Cunningham W.4166
[written sideways in left margin]
SUMBMIT IN DUPLICATE                   1-681                 PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition N.  22132
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
CHIEF,  Division of Publications,                         March 24, 1928
Room G 137,
Please furnish work specified below. 
(ALL COPY FOR SUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TPE
EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photo static copies of 3 pages from REv. War
pension claim of Deborah Gannett, S. 32722
No. of copies 1 of each    Shall form be kept standing?   ....   ....  days
For further information see M. M.H. Finch    Room No. 5033  Phone NO. 541
Approved
A. R. Wilkinson                         Margaret M. H. Finch
                                                       Chief of Branch
[black oval date stamp]
FIVISINO OF PUBLICATION
RECEIVED
MAR 24 1928
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR.

NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written
below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph                 single or double space?           Facsimile signature?   
Mimeograph             one side or both sides?             Facsimile signature?
Folding                        once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling                      Once?  Twice?      Side?          End?
Electric typewriter        Fill in addresses?               Dated?
Addressograph from lists
Envelope, size                        Cards, size
Proof list                                   Pay rolls
Labels (submit sample)     Corrections
Fill in letters                            Tabulation sheets
Photostat   x   Size actual   Official use?     Repay ?  yes            $.45
Blue Print         Size                Official use?       Repay?
Remarks
(OVER)
Page 24

NOTE:  Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal
reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches of chief clerks of
bureaus.

Date

INDICATE BY AN   X   IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.

              Make new addressograph plate
              Change present addressograph plate                             On list
              Destroy present addressograph plate
as follows:
Now reads    1
                          2
                          3
                          4
                          5

Should read  1
                          2
                          3
                          4
                          5

FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION

ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made                  192  .
Operator
MULTIGRAPH
Operator            Date         Type set by                 Date
Remarks:

MIMEOGRAPH
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Page 25

113 West Curtin St. Bellefonte, Penna.
Nov.4. 1927

Pension Department
Washington DC-

Will you please send copy of Deborah
Sampson Gannetts war record &
pension who served in the 4th Mass Regt
in Rev. War  -  A record states she
served under name of Robt. Shurtleff
also her relative Maj. Isaac Baldwin
& son Isaac    Both buried on
Battlefield near Chemung N.Y.
I suppose tho they were of 
Milford Conn & one record said Maj.
Isaac died there in 1811
Isaac Jr. b. 1730 died 1791
These are for D.A.R. applications
Page 26

Genl John Sedgwick
b. Cornwell Conn 1742 - d 1820- served as Capt in Canada.
Any information will be thankfully received.  I did try the DAR
at Washington but it was not as satisfactory as I wish for all
of them are ancestors of my daughter in law who asked me to write for her benefit.
Thanking you in advance for any trouble I am Very Truly Yours
Mrs. F. C. Valentine
Formerly Historian of Chapter & Acting Registrar
Page 27

The Second National Bank of Boston
BOSTON  - MASSACHUSETTS
THOMAS P. BEAL
PRESIDENT

[Receipt mark] Office Of The Commissioner, AUG 28 1929, Bureau of Pensions

August 26, 1929.

Mr. Earl D. Church, Commissioner,
Bureau of Pensions,
U.S. Department of the Interior,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I received your letter of August 23 addressed
to my wife and appreciate greatly the information which
you have obtained for her from your records regarding
Deborah Gannett.
As this individuals was one of my ancestors
in whose records we were greatly interested, your in-
formation is not only interesting but most helpful in
completing the records which Mrs. Beal is making.

Very truly yours,
[Signed] Thomas P. Beal
TPB:RLG
Page 28

EMERGENCY NEWSPAPER WORK                        FEATURE ARTICLES
COPY DESK  FEATURES                                                PHOTOGRAPHS
EDITORIALS                                                                     PHONE HOLDEN 284
NASON H. ARNOLD
LOCK BOX 75
HOLDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
September 26, 1928.
Pension Office, 
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
On August 6 an item was published as having emenated from your
office concerning one, Deborah Gannett of Massachusetts, who
served in the Revolutionary war under the name of Robert Shurtleff
in a regiment commended by Col. Henry Jackson.
The only reference I have run across in a search for further
information is to the effect that she returned to Stoughton, Mass.
Do your records give any clue to her home town or to anyone of
heirs who might know where she lived after the war?
Very truly yours,
N.H. Arnold

[black circular date stamp]
PENSION 
O
SEP 
U.  27  S.
1928
OFFICE
Page 29

Pension Department                                    Mrs Thomas P. Beal
Washington, D. C.                                           2 National Bank
                                                                                Boston, Mass.

Dear Sirs,

In going over some family records I have found a most interesting
story of a woman named Deborah Sampson who enlisted as a soldier during the Revolutionary War under the name of Robert Shurtliffe. It is my desire to confirm the records that I have. I am enclosing the copies of the resolves of the War Department of that
time in reference to her pension and also that of the General Court of Massachusetts. She started her service under Captain Webb's
company of Light Infantry in Col. Shepard's regiment and Gen. Patterson's brigade, at West Point. from there was transferred to Col.
Jackson's regiement [regiment] of Light Infantry.  She was in a great many battles
around the James River and finally severely wounded in a battle against the Tories on the Hudson River. At one time she had been aid-
de -camp to General Patterson. she received her honorable discharge from General Knox, in 1783 October 23. I will appreciate so much if it will be possible for you to give me any information on the above subject, and I hope that I am causing you no undue trouble.

Very truly yours,
May Morgan Beal
August 19, 1929 -
[black circular date stamp]
PENSION
AUG
U.  21  S.
1929
OFFICE>
Page 30

Copy of the Pension order for Deborah Sampson Gannett, who enlisted under the name of Robert Shurtliffe, in Captain Webb's company, in the 4 Mass. Regiment.
War Department, March ,11, 1805.
Sir,
You are hereby apprised that Deborah Sampson Gannett, who served as a soldier in the Army of the United States, during the late
Revolutionary War, and who was seriously wounded therein, has this day been place on the Pension list of the United States, at the
rate of four dollars a month, to commence on the first day of January 1803. You will be pleased to enter her name on your books
and pay her or her legally authorised [authorized] attorney, on application,
accordingly.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
H. Dearborn
Benjamin Austin Jr. Esq.

Boston

Copy of the resolve of the General Court of Mass. Jan.20, 1792.
"On the petition of Deborah Sampson, enlisted under the name of Robert Shurtliffe, in Captain Webb's company in the 4 Mass. Regiment,
on May, 21, 1781, and did actually perform the duty of a soldier in the late army of the U.S. to the 23 day of October, 1783, for which
she has received compensation; And whereas it further appears that the said Deborah exhibited an extrordinary [extraordinary] instance of female heroism, and by discharging the duties of a faithful and gallant soldier, and at the same time preserved the virtue and chastity of her sex, unsuspected and unblemished, and was discharged from the service with a fair and honorable character; *
Therefore, Resolved, that the Treasurer of this Commonwealth be, and herby is directed to issue his note to the said Deborah for the sum of 34 pounds, bearing the interest from October, 23, 1783."

Upon the death of Deborah Sampson Gannett,  a petition of Mr. Gannett's for the continuation of her pension for him during his life, was
presented to Congress through John Quincy Adams, who was then the Mass. representative to that body. A special Act was passed to meet the peculiarity of the case, and Mr. Gannett was granted the pension and was therefore placed on the same footing as the widows of Revolutionary soldiers.
{Black circular date stamp]
PENSION
AUG
U.  21  S.
1929
OFFICE.
Page 31

Hon. D. Wardwell, 
H. R.
Jan/21, 1837
J. C.

Record /36 page  478
Page 32

War Dept.
Comm. Office,
Jan/21, 1837.
Sir,
An authenticated copy of the papers
of Deborah Gannett was made and transmitted to you yesterday, instead of sending
you the originals, as requested in your note
of the 19th inst. a compliance with which
could not have been made in conformity
with the rules of this office, and which I
but assured you have no disposition to have
suspended, unless in a case of most urgent
necessity.
I have, 

Hon D. Wardwell
H.R.
Page 33

House of Reps
Jany 23d 1837
Sir
Yours of Jany 21st is and -
Several days since I requested you
to send me the papers on which Deborah
Gannett recd [received] a pension - you
sent me a copy - This was satisfactory
I then wrote you to inform me
the amount of the pension she rec'd [received]
under what Law & to what time
she rec'd it - also when she recd [received] her invalid pension & how much - For
answer you may you have not
one a copy of her papers instead of
sending me the original. this in effect
is not answering my last letter. will
you please answer it.
Respectfully yours
 D. Wardwell
J. L. Edward Esq.
Page 34

Norfolk SS at Sharon November 1 1819
Personally appeared before me the Subscribing one 
of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County
of Norfolk, William Savage Esq., Joseph Billings & Increase
Heavins, Selectmen of the Town of Sharon and made oath
that in there oppinion the circumstance of the family
of the within  named  is not sufficiant to give them a comfortable support
and that they are entitled the portions allowed by 
the  act of Congress ratified at 1818

Nathanl Gould


A
Page 35

Nathaniel Gould Esq. of Sharon is appointed to take the oaths of the Selectmen or assessors
of Sharon as the [strikethrough duplicate the] circumstances of Mrs. Deborah Gannett and 
of her ability or that of her
husband Benjamin Gannett
to provide a comfortable
support without aid also to
take the evidence of the physician it 
requested
Jno. Davis
Dist. Judge C C
Massts. Dist.
Boston  Sept . 14. 1810
Page 36

Dear sir
Wil lyou send me
the pension papers of Deborah
Gannett of Mass Nov - Dec
I. Wardwell
J. L. Edward

H of R
Jany 19 1837
Page 37

To what time was Deborah Gannett
Act 1818, Massachusetts, last paid?
J. L. Edward
Jan. 23. 1837

pd to the 4 March 1827
JH
Page 38

Hon. D. Wardwell
23 June 1837
G. C.


Recover 36 Page 473
Page 39

War Dept
Pension Office
Jan. 23.1837
Sir,
In answer to your letter of Saturday I have to inform you that Deborah Gannett dec'd [strikethrough "of Massachusetts"] was placed on the Massachusetts roll of Invalid Pensions ^at $48 per annum which was^ [lined out "under the Act"] ^afterwards increased to $76.80 per annum; which she relinquished in1818 for the benefits of^ the act of March 18.1818 on account of service, and was paid ^under that law^ at the rate of Eight Dollars per month from the 14th September 1818. when she made her declaration up to the 4th March 1827, [text crossed out "the day on which she died"] amounting in the whole to $1634 60/100
The papers containing evidence upon which the original pension was granted were burnt in 1814, when the British Troops invaded Washington and destroyed the War Office, with its contents. ["I have the honor" -crossed out] ["I can therefore [illegible]" - crossed out] I am therefore not able to furnish any further information respecting the Invalid Pension. I presume that she is dead, although we have no official information to that effect.
Thos L. Lorer [signed]
Hon. D. Wardwell [signed]
House of Rep
Page 40

House of Rep.
Jany 21 1837
Sir

Will you inform me
when Deborah Gannett of
Mass. was put upon the pension
roll - How much she recd [received] -
also whether she rec'd an invalid
pension for wounds in the revolution
also as to what time she
rec'd a pension and under what act.
Respectfully yours
D. Wardwell [signed]

J. L. Edwards
Page 41

MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT, SS.
Boston 16 March A.D. 1819
IT appearing to my satisfaction, that Deborah Gannett
subscribed to the annexed declaration, sworn to me, did serve in the revolutionary
war against the common enemy, as stated in said declaration, I now transmit the 
testimony in the case, with the proceedings had thereon, to the Secretary of the department
of war, pursuant to the directions of the act entitled "An Act to provide for certain per-
sons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary
war;" the testimony and proceedings in the premises being the declaration aforesaid,
with the accompanying document marked A
together with this certificate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
seal of the District Court of the United States for this District
to be hereunto affixed.
Jno. Davis
Judge of the District Court U.S.
Massachusetts District.

MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT, SS.
16 March 1819.
I AM satisfied that the above named, Deborah Gannett by reason
of his reduced circumstance in life, is in need of assistance from his Country for support.
Jno. Davis  District Judge U.S.
                          Massachusetts Dist.
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
Page 42

Col. Peter Force,
Sept. 18
Page 43

Pension Office
September 18, 1838

Dear Sir,
In reply to your verbal inquiry of
this morning I have to state that it appears
from the Archives of this Office that, on the 11th
of March 1805, the name of Deborah Gannett
of Sharon, Mass., a revolutionary soldier was inscribed
on the Invalid Rolls for that State, at the rate of
$48. per annum, to commence on the 1st day of
January 1803; which allowance was increased, in
the year 1816, to $76.80 per annum. That in the year
1819 , she relinquished this Invalid pension, and was
placed on the rolls under the Act of 18th March
1818, at $96 per annum, at which rate she continued
to draw up to the 4th of March 1827. When she 
died I know not, but it is possible the Third
Auditor of the Treasury may be able to inform you.
As the papers on which her invalid pension
was originally allowed were burnt in the year 1814,
Page 44

when the British Troops invaded the City of Washington and destroyed the War office with its contents.
I am unable to ascertain the particular nature of the disability she suffered whilst in the service, further than that she appears to have been severely wounded.
In her declaration of 14 September 1808, she
stated that she enlisted as a private soldier, under the name of Robert Shurtliff, in the month of April 1781, in a company commanded by Captain George
Webb in the Massachusetts Regiment commanded then by Col. Shepherd, and afterwards by Colonel Henry Jackson, and served that that corps, in Massachusetts and New York, until November 1783, when 
she was honorably discharged - That during the period of her service she was at the capture of Lord Cornwallis, and was wounded at Tarrytown.
On the 7th of July 1838, Congress passed 
a Special Act (See Statutes at Large, vol. 6, p.
735,) directing the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to her heirs the sum of $466.66, being at the
Page 45

rate of $80. per annum from the 4th March
1831, to some day in January 1837, when her
husband, Benjamin Gannett, appears to have died.
As the last semi-annual payment  made
to Deborah Gannett was to the 4th of March
1827, I presume her death occurred in that year; 
but the fact is not shown by any record I have
been able to find in this office.
I am, Sir, with great respect,
Your obedient Servant,

Commissioner

Col. Peter Force,
Present.


Commr.
Page 46

[stationery]
DANIEL A. HEALD, President,
JOHN H. WASHBURN }
ELDRIDGE G. SNOW    } Vice Presidents
WILLIAM L. BIGELOW, }
THOMAS B. GREEN      } Secretaries
HENRY J. FERRIS          }
AREUNAH M. BURTIS  } Ass't Secretaries

CASH CAPTIAL, $3,000,000.
Home Insurance Company,
NO. 119 BROADWAY.
New York, 7 Jany, 1896

The Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Old War Division.

ment to show the service of Deborah Sampson who enlisted
at Bellingham for the town of Uxbridge, Mass., April 1781 under
the assumed name of Robert Shurtlieffe in Capt. Webb's
Company of Light Infantry, Col. Shepard's 4th Mass. Regiment,
Genl Patterson's Brigade. March 11th 1865, a pension was granted
to Deborah , and subsequently a special act of Congress was passed placing her surviving husband, Benjamin
Gannett, of Sharon, upon the same footing as the widows
of Revolutionary soldiers, thus continuing her pension to
him during his lifetime. I think that Genl. Stryker would be pleased 
to see this record also. Both Amos and
Deborah can be included in one document.
Wm. H. S. [signed]
Page 47

Where is other part
of this letter of
Jan. 7, 1896?
MHF
Page 48

Boston, March 20, 1819.
Sir.
The inclosed [enclosed] [illegible] is of peculiar
description. It is the application of
a female soldier, Deborah Gannett
for the benefit of the act of March
18th 1818 . The declaration was
made in September last but has
been delayed for evidence respecting her circumstances. there is no
accompanying brief of her services.  This was not supposed to be necessary, as she was already on the Pension List, under a preceding Act.
I am sir,
Very respectfully
Your obed t Servt [your obedient servant]
Hon. J. C. Calhoun [signed]                           
Secretary of War.                                 
 Jno. Davis [signed]
  D.  Judge J of P
Page 49

An ACT for the relief of the heirs of Deborah 
Gannett, a soldier of the Revolution, deceased.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and
he is hereby, directed to pay, out of any money in
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the
heirs of Deborah Gannett, a revolutionary solider,
and late the wife of Benjamin Gannett, of Sharon,
in the State of  Massachusetts, now deceased, the
sum of four hundred and sixty-six dollars and
sixty-six cents, being an equivalent for a full pension
of eighty dollars per annum, from the fourth
day of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-one, to
the decease of Benjamin Gannett in January,
eighteen hundred and thirty-seven, as granted in
certain cases in the widows of revolutionary soldiers
by the act passed the fourth day of July, 1836,
entitled "An act granting half pay to widows or
orphans where their husbands or fathers have died 
of wounds received in the military service of the 
United States in certain cases, and for other purposes."
Approved, July 7th, 1838.

A true copy  compared with the
Roll in this Office.
Dept. of State,
July 21st, 1838.

A.Nail
Chief Clerk
Page 50

Rev War
RWS
[black faded rectangular date stamp]
... INTERIOR DIV
OCT 10 1916
DATE RECEIVED

3-397.
(Old No. 3-399.)

Rev. War Section
S. File No. 32,722.                                I. S. C., Ex'r.
Deborah Gannett             Department of the Interior,
Robert alias Shurtleff,    BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Revolutionary War           Washington, D. C.,  Oct. 9th, 1916.

SIR:
     For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to
furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of Deborah Gannett
who served under the name of "Robert Shurtleff" was
pensioned under the Act of Mch. 18, 1818 @ '96. by certificate
No. 13,434 issued July 31, 1819 at the Massachusetts Agency,
She died Apl. 29, 1827. Her husband Benjamin
Gannett applied for pension on account of her service,
but he died in Jany, 1837, and Congress passed a bill July
7, 1838, for $466.66 (as granted to certain widows under the
Act of July 4, 1836) for the benefit of the heirs.
Can you furnish the names of the heirs?

Very Respectfully,
GM Saltzgaber [signature]
Commissioner.

THE AUDITOR FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT,
      Treasury Department.
     o-2
Page 51

Rev. war Sec   cw
Received of Mr.
Abram Myers.
1104 East Capitol St
Washington DC
15 cents for copy
of paper in case 
of Deborah Gannett
Rev. War Sur File
No. 32722
RWBlan
Oct 7, 1916
[black oval date stamp]
Finance Division
OCT 7 1916
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[black oval date stamp]
CHIEF'S DESK
[illegible] & Supplies
OCT 07 1916
Division
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 52

BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Oct 7, 1916.
Chief of Rev. War Section
Sir:
I have this day received from
Abram Myers
Cash $.15/100
requesting copy
as per slip herewith.
Very respectfully, 
Com or W. N. Campbell
Chief of Division.
Page 53

This abstract was made for Mr. Abram Myers, Civil War D..
by J. S. C.

The papers on file in this Bureau show that Deborah (Sampson)
Gannett, S. File No. 32732 Rev. War, enlisted in April, 1781,
under the name of "Robert Shurtleff," as a Private in Captain
George Webb's company, in the Fourth Massachusetts regiment
commanded by Colonels Shepard and Henry Jackson; she was 
wounded at Tarrytown, was at the capture of Cornwallis, and
served until November, 1783, when she was honorably discharged.
There are no further particulars relative to her services or
wound. She was allowed pension for said wound, of $48. per 
annum from January 1, 1803, and $76.80 per annum from April 24,
1816, but relinquished this disability-pension for a service-
pension of $96. per annum under the Act of March 18, 1818.
The papers on which the disability pension was allowed
were destroyed in the burning of the War Office in 1814.
In 1820, she stated that she was sixty-one years of age 
and a resident of Sharon, Norfolk County, Mass. The date
and place of her birth are not shown.
She married April 7, 1784, Benjamin Gannett, and she died
April 29, 1827. In 1838, Congress passed a special act granting
pension from March 4, 1831 until the decease of Benjamin Gannett
in January, 1837,for the benefit of their heirs.
Two daughters were referred to, names not stated.
Deborah Sampson was the daughter of
Jonathan Sampson born at Plympton, Mass. April 3, 1729, married
October 27, 1751, Deborah Bradford daughter of Elisha Bradford of Kingston, Mass.
grand daughter of
Jonathan Sampson who died at Plympton Feb. 3, 1758 ae [age] 67 yrs. 11mos.
great grand daughter of
Isaac Sampson one of the first settlers of Plympton, Mass.
Taken from claim of Ephraim Sampson W. 11053.
Page 54

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
S. 32722.
                                A.W.
April 28, 1925.

Mr. E. F. Atwood
City Justice,
Sisseton, S. Dak.
Sir:
I have advise you, that from the records, it 
appears that Deborah Gannett enlisted in April 1781, 
under the name of Robert Shurtleff, as a private in 
Captain George Webb's Company, Colonels Shepard and 
Henry Jackson's Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. She 
was wounded at Tarrytown, by a musket ball in the body. 
She was at the capture of Cornwallis, and she 
was honorably discharged in November 1783.
She was allowed pension at the rate of $48.00 per
annum from January 1, 1803, it was increased to $76.80 per 
annum from April 24, 1816, and to $96.00 per annum Sep-
tember 14, 1818.
The date and place of her birth are not on record.
She married at Sharon, Massachusetts, April 7, 1784,
Benjamin Gannett.   In 1820 she was sixty-one years old and
a resident of Sharon, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. 
She died April 29, 1827, place not stated. He died in 
January 1837.
Page 55

On July 7, 1838, Congress passed a special act, 
granting pension on account of her services to her 
heirs, Earl B. Gannett, Mary Gilbert, and Patience Fay.
Deborah Gannett was the daughter of Jonathan Sampson,
born April 3, 1729 at Plympton, Massachusetts and his wife
Deborah, the daughter of Elisha Bradford of Kingston, Massa-
chusetts.  They were married October 27, 1751.
She was the grand-daughter of Jonathan Sampson, who died
at Plympton, Massachusetts, February 3, 1758, aged sixty-
seven years and eleven months.
She was the great grand-daughter of Isaac Sampson, one
of the first settlers Plympton, Massachusetts.
Respectfully,

WILDER S. METCALF,
Commissioner.
Page 56

Mr. Abram Myers -
1104 East Capitol St.
Washington, D.C.
Uncertified copy Declaration
Deborah Gannett 15 cents
S.32,722 Rev. War.
[black oval date stamp]
Finance Division
OCT 7 1916
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 57

Date Oct. 10, 1916.
Name Deborah Gannett   No. S. file 32,722
                                                              Rev. War.
Photographic copies wanted of 1
pieces, consisting of 1 page.
Remarks  uncertified.

Exr I. S. Chamberlin  Actg. Chief Rev. War Sec.
APPROVED:
Chief, Law Division.
Serial NO.
Page 58

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
S. 32722.
                                A.D.Y.
October 1, 1928.

Nason H. Arnold,
Lock Box 75,
Holden, Massachusetts.

Sir:

I advise you, that from the Rev. War records of this Bureau, it appears that
Deborah Gannett enlisted in April 1781, under the name of 
Robert Shurtleff, as a private in Captain George Webb's
Company, Colonels Shepard and Henry Jackson's Fourth Massa-
chusetts Regiment. She was wounded at Tarrytown, by a mus-
ket ball in the body. She was at the capture of Cornwallis,
and she was honorably discharged in November 1783.
She was allowed pension at the rate of $48.00 per
annum from January 1, 1803, it was increased to $76.80 per 
annum from April 24, 1816, and to $96.00 per annum Sep-
tember 14, 1818.
The date and place of her birth are not on record.
She married at Sharon, Massachusetts, April 7, 1784,
Benjamin Gannett.   In 1820 she was sixty-one years old and
a resident of Sharon, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. She
died April 29, 1827, place not stated. He died in January
1837.
Page 59

     On July 7, 1838, Congress passed a special act, granting pension on account of her services to her heirs, Earl B. Gannett, Mary Gilbert, and Patience Fay.
   Deborah Gannett was the daughter of Jonathan Sampson, born April 3, 1729 at Plympton, Massachusetts and his wife Deborah, the daughter of Elisha Bradford of Kingston, Massachusetts.  They were married October 27, 1751. 
   She was the granddaughter of Jonathan Sampson, who died at Plympton, Massachusetts, February 3, 1758, aged sixty-seven years and eleven months. 
   She was the great granddaughter of Isaac Sampson, one of the first settlers Plympton, Massachusetts.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 60

September 6, 1928.

Mrs. H. C. Valentine,
113 West Curtis Street,
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

Madam:

I advise you, that from the records, it appears that Deborah Gannett enlisted in April 1781, under the name of Robert Shurtleff, as a private in Captain George Webb's Company, Colonels Shepard and Henry Jackson's Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. She was wounded at Tarrytown, by a musket ball in the body. She was at the capture of Cornwallis, and she was honorably discharged in November 1783.
She was allowed pension at the rate of $48.00 per annum from January 1, 1803, it was increased to $76.80 per annum from April 24, 1816, and to $96.00 per annum September 14, 1818.
The date and place of her birth are not on record.
She married at Sharon, Massachusetts, April 7, 1784, Benjamin Gannett. In 1820 she was sixty-one years old and a resident of Sharon, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. She died April 29, 1827, place not stated. He died in January 1837.
Page 61

On July 7, 1838, Congress passed a special act, granting
pension on account of her services to her heirs, Earl B.
Gannett, Mary Gilbert, and Patience Fay.
Deborah Gannett was the daughter of Jonathan Sampson,
born April 3, 1729 at Plympton, Massachusetts and his wife
Deborah, the daughter of Elisha Bradford of Kingston, Massachusetts.  They were married October 27, 1751.
She was the granddaughter of Jonathan Sampson, who died
at Plympton, Massachusetts, February 3, 1758, aged sixty-
seven years and eleven months.
She was the great granddaughter of Isaac Sampson, one
of the first settlers Plympton, Massachusetts.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 62

Miss Grace S. Pierce
The Columbia Apt
Wash. D.C.

wants 2 copies of 1 page
of Deborah Gannett, Mass Troops
S.32722. Rev. War -
Apr 11, 1917

Copies mailed to above Apr 12, 1917

[black oval date stamp]
Finance Division
APR 11 1917
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 63

BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
APR 11 1917
Chief of Rev. War Section
Sir:
I have this day received from
Miss Grace S. Pierce
Cash $30/100
requesting copies
as per letter herewith.
Deborah Gannett Rev. S32722
Copies mailed to above Apr 12, 1917

Very respectfully,
W. N. Campbell
JCC
Chief of Division.
[next column]
Law cw

Received of Miss
Grace S. Pierce,
The Columbia Apt.,
Washington, D.C.
30 cents for
copies in case
of Deborah Gannett
Mass Troops Rev War
S32722
RWB
Law
April 11, 1917
[black oval date stamp]
Finance Division
APR 11 1917
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[black oval date stamp]
CHIEF'S DESK
Mail & Supplies
APR 11 1917
Division
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 64

The Revolutionary War pension claim S. File No. 32, 722, shows
that Deborah Gannett enlisted in April 1781, under the name of
Robert Shurtleff, served as a private in Captain George Webb's com-
pany, Colonels Shepard and Henry Jackson's 4th Massachusetts regi-
ment, was wounded at Tarrytown, was at the capture of Cornwallis
and was honorably discharged in November 1783.
She was sixty-one years of age in 1820, and at that time re-
sided in Sharon, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, and stated that
her property consisted of twenty dollars worth of wearing apparel.
She was allowed pension for her wound (the nature of which
is not stated) from January 1, 1803, and relinquished that pen-
sion when placed upon the pension roll under the Act of March 18,
1818, for her service as noted above.
A special Act of Congress approved July 7, 1838, allowed her
heirs $466.66 being an equivalent for a full pension of #80 per
annum, from March 4, 1831, to the decease of her husband Benjamin
Gannett in January 1837; as granted in certain cases to the widows
of Revolutionary War soldiers under the Act of July 4, 1836.
For Special Act, see "Statutes at Large" Volume 6, page 735.

[handwritten] A copy of the Statement which
was furnished the Chief of the
Law Div. Nov. 26. 1913.