Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2,773, John Edmunds, Continental Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Edmunds, John 
or Edmonds
Experience

NUMBER
W. 2,773
B.L.Wt. 10220-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

19.930
Massachusetts
John Edmonds 2d.
of Worcester Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Daniels of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Stevens in the New York line, for the term of nine months from 1778 to 1779

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 27th day of March, 1828

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th of May 1828 and sent to Hon. John Davis, H.R. 

Arrears to 4th of September 1828 $42.35
Semi-anl. all'ce ending
$42.35

[Revolutionary Claim, 
Acts March 18, 1818 
and May 1, 1820.]

Respecting com: of pen: See letter to Hon. J. Davis 20 March 1829, do. to Hon. J. Davis, 25 May 1830. do. to Hon. T. Morris, Senate, Feb. 22, 1838.
Page 3

940
Massachusetts
Experience Edmunds
widow of John Edmunds
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private, Mass. Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the [4th day of March 1848 - crossed out]  29th day of March 1851

Certificate of Pension issued the 
 8th day of May and sent to Geo. M. Prentiss
Worcester Mass. 

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under July 29, 1848, Page 39 Vol. 

Reg 3m 55-58524
Page 4

58.524.
Act March 3/55
Apl 10/55
Experience
Experience Edmunds widow of
John Edmunds, Private,
Revolutionary War
Capt. Mass. Contl. line
Col.
Mass. Mil
Ent day of
Dis day of 
War Revolution
Now a Pensioner of U. States
July 48 - Nov 9 '48
AD: 160 acres, Nov 16, 1855.
Boynton
RWN
S. M. Knight, agt.
Present
Civ: S.M. Knight, Sept 25/55
Vol. E. 31
Page 5

I Joseph Vinton of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age do testify and say That John Edmons of said Dudley and myself enlisted into the continental army in the war of the Revolution in the spring of the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy eight for the term of nine months we joined the army at Pittskill [Fishkill]* in the State of New York and served in Capt. Daniels or Donniels company of artillery in the Regiment commanded by Col. Stevens Gen Knox Briggade said Edmons continued with me untill some time in the fall of the same year when at the White Plains I was taken sick and sent to the Hospital & left him in the army further the deponent saith not
Joseph Vinton
Worcester Ss. September 1st 1820. Then Joseph Vinton personally appeared before me. 

* [this could be Peekskill; but all other documents of his state Fishkill]
Page 6

the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Worcester and made solemn oath to the truth of this deposition by him signed
Before me
Aaron Tufts Jus

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
WORCESTER, ss.
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for said County of Worcester, certify, that Aaron Tufts, Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavits have been made, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified for the purpose, acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, and that his name subscribed thereto is his own proper signature.

IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County seal, this seventh day of September, A.D. 1820
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk

Application of John Edmunds
Page 7

I Elisha Corbin of Woodstock in the County 
of Windham and State of Connecticut of lawful age testify and say That John Edmons of Dudley in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, enlisted into the Continental army in the Massachusetts line in the war of the Revolution in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred & seventy eight for the term of nine months at which time & for the same term I enlisted We joined the army at Fishkill in the State of New York in the month of May of the same year we served in the company of artillery commanded by Capt Daniels. Stevens Regiment & Knox Briggade [sic] Edmons continued with me in the service untill the fall of the year when he was taken sick & went to the hospital further the deponent saith not
Elisha Corbin

Worcester Ss. September 7th 1820 Hon Elisha Corbin
Page 8

the signer of this Deposition personally appeared
before me the subscriber one of the Justice
of the Peace for the County of Worcester and
made solemn oath to the truth of this same
Before me Aaron Tufts Jus. Peace
Page 9

Schedule of the Estate of John Edmunds of Dudley in the County of
Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicant for a Pension under
the Act of Congress of May 1, 1820.
The home lot 26 acres at $23 per acre -- $598.00
The Wood lot and Bush pasture 12 acres @ $8.00 -- 96.00
One pair oxen small -- 50.00
one old cow -- 12.00
one old cart -- 8.00
one old sled -- 1.50
one old plough -- 3.00
one old Loom -- 1.75
two old Tables -- 1.25
seven old chairs -- 3.25
Cold Cyder Barrels at 2/9[?] -- 2.75
---
$777.50

I also certify that I owe debts to the amount of six hundred
and fifty three dollars; that I have a wife aged fifty eight years
living with me, and four children whose ages are as follows - Polly
aged 26^ Harriet 17 Ezber 16 & Emery 14 neither of whom are able to contribute
to my support; that I am a farmer; that I am much troubled
with the Rheumatism so that I am able to do but little work.
John Edmunds
Page 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this seventh day of September, 1820, personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, John Edmunds, aged sixty two years, resident in Dudley in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the pension made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the first of May 1820. I enlisted into the Continental Army in the spring of the year 1778 for the term of nine months and joined the army at Fishkill, and served in the company commanded by Capt. Daniels or Donnels, in the Regt. commanded by Col. Stevens in Gen. Knox's Brigade. Some time in the fall of the same year I was taken sick, while at White Plains, and carried to Fishkill Hospital, remained there about 2 months, when I was marched under Continental Officers to Frederrickborough, thence to Danbury, Con. where I continued till the expiration of the term for which I enlisted: I was then discharged. I also served 2 months at Roxbury in the year 1775 - served 6 weeks at Rhode Island in 1776: three months at the same place in 1777. I also enlisted for a tour to the northward, at the capture of Burgoyne and served in the army at that time. I have no other evidence now in my power of said service, except what is contained in the affidavit annexed. I first applied for a pension in Sept. 1818, but have not yet obtained one. And in pursuance of the act of the first of May, 1820.*

...Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. 
John Edmunds
Sworn to and declared, on the seventh day of Sept. 1820 before the said Court. 
Attest, 
Abijah Bigelow Clerk
Page 11

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, SS.

ON this seventh day of September 1820,
personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being
a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the 
laws of said Commonwealth, John Edmunds aged sixty two years, resident in Dudley in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March, 1818 and the first of May, 1820, he enlisted into the Continental Army in the Spring of the year 1778 for the term 
of nine months, and joined the army at Fish Kill, and served in the company commanded by Capt Daniels or Donnels, in the Regt commanded by Col. Stevens in Genl Knox's Brigade. Some time in the fall of the same year I was taken sick; while at White Plains and carried to Fishkill Hospital, remained there about 2 months, when I was marched under a Continental officer to Friderickborough, then to Danbury, Conn  where I continued till the expiration of the term for which I enlisted; I was then discharged. I also served 2 months at Roxbury in the year 1775-served 6 weeks at Rhode Island in 1776, three months at the
same place in 1777. I also enlisted for a tour to the northward, at the captain of Burgoyne-
 I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th
day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, 
disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it,
as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act 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..
John Edmunds

Sworn to and declared, on the seventh day of Sept 1820
before the said Court.
Attest, Abijah Bigelow
Page 12

17.491

John Edmunds

Dudley
Schudel [schedule?] 7th Sept. 1820
Abijah Bigelow, R
Worcester, Mass

[?] Act 1820
Col. Stevens Regt. Knox's brigade
Capt. Daniels or Donnels
Compy Arty
Spring 78 for 9 months, [illegible]
Att expr of time
testimony of service not sufficient
Page 13

Declaration
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester, SS
On this thirtieth day of August in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen hereunto appeared before me subscriber a Commissioner subscriber authorized by Hon. Thomas Winnicutt[?], Judge of the Court of Probate within and
for the said County of Worcester. Experience Edmunds resident of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid aged Eighty-six years who being duly sworn according to law doth in her oath make the following Declaration in court the claim
the benefit of pension made by the Act of Congress passed the 29th day of July A.D. 1848.
That she is the widow of John Edmunds, late
 of said Dudley deceased, who was a private in
Captain Daniel company and Colonel Stevens
Regiment in the army of the Revolution and 
who received a pension from the United States at the Rate of Eight Dollars per month and [illegible]
as set forth in the Declaration upon which he
received such Pension and to which with the
accompanying paper reference is here that
the Pension Certificate which she said husband
had at his death bears date the 20th
day of May, one thousand sixty
Page 14

hundred and twenty [  ] and is marked as according in "[  R. C. /    By"]  and his name is called in said certificate John Edmonds  2nds.
She further discusses that she was married to her husband John Edmonds on the first days of September in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-three: that her husband  the aforesaid John Edmunds died  on the 29th day of March A.D. 1851. that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January eighteen hundred, viz, at the time above stated. She further declares than she's now a widow and that she has never before made as application for a Pension.Witness  J. C. Edmunds  Experience her + mark  Edmunds 
Sworn to [  ]  on the day and year [  ] afore written  [  ] Geo. M.  Prentiss Justice  of Peace [  ] Commissioner.
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester SS.
On this thirtieth day of August A.D. 1881
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in
and for the County of Worcester aforesaid personally appeared Moses Barnes of Dudley in said County aged fifty-three years a respectable and discriminate person and whose statements are entitled to credit who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with John Edmunds late of said Dudley deceasedthe Revolutionary Pensioner named in the aforesaid and foregoing Declaration of Experience Edmunds, his widow for more than thirty years before his death states he is and has been for more than thirty years was well acquainted with Experience Edmunds aforesaid and that he knows her to be the widow of said John Edmunds as stated by her in her said Declaration.
Moses Barnes

Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above written.
Before me 
Geo M. Prentiss
Jus. of Peace
Page 16

58.524
Experience Edmunds
Act. 3. Mar. 1855.

S. M. Knight.
Present.
Page 17

State of Massachusetts } ss.
County of Worcester

On this Third day of April 1855, before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared one Experience Edmunds aged 96 years, a resident of Dudley, County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts who made oath in due form of law, that she is the identical Experience Edmunds, to whom, under the provisions of the Act of 29th of July 1848 a pension of forty six dollars per annum has been allowed for the services of her late husband John Edmunds a Private of the Revolutionary War and late of Worcester County, State of Massachusetts . She further state that her Pension Certificate, under the aforesaid Act of 29th of July 1848 numbered ...., bears date the Eighth Day of May 1852, and is made payable at the Boston, Mass. agency. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act of 3rd March 1855, never having received or known herself entitled, or made application, under any previous act of Congress. In evidence of her marriage and proof of service of said husband, she respectfully refers to the proofs heretofore adduced, now on file in the Pension Office, and upon which her annuity as aforesaid was granted.
That, since being placed on the list of Revolutionary Pensioners, she has not intermarried, but continues the widow of the said John Edmunds. She appoints as her attorney for the within specified purpose, and with power of substitution, S.M. KNIGHT, of Washington City, D.C. 

her
Experience Edmunds  X
mark

Attest: 
Jacob Barker
Ralph Knight

SWORN TO,SUBSCRIBED AND ACKNOWLEDGED before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I know the aforesaid (1) Experience Edmunds to be the identical person she alleges herself to be-a pensioner of the United States, and at the date of the execution of this declaration a widow; and that I am not interested in her claim as Agent, Attorney, or otherwise.
Moses Barnes  J. Peace

[For Notes, see Opposite page]
Page 18

State of _Massachusetts_}
County of _Worcester_} SS.
On this _third_ day of _April_ 1851,
before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the county and State aforesaid, personally appeared ^13^ _Jacob Baker_ and ^13^ _Ralph Dwight_residents of  ^14^ _Dudley_ County of _Worcester_, in the
State of _Massachusetts_ known to me as credible persons, who made oath, in due form of law, that _Experience Edmunds_ who in their presence has sworn and subscribed to the foregoing declaration, is, to their personal knowledge, the identical person to whom, under the provisions of the Act of ^3^ _27th July 1848_a pension of ^4^ _Sixty Six_ dollars per annum has been granted for the services of her late husband ^5^ _John Edmunds_ deceased, a ^6^ _Private_ of the Revolutionary
war.
That since being placed on the role of Pensioners, she, the said ^1^ _Experience Edmunds_ has not intermarried, but remains, and now is, a widow:  That they have known her for _fifteen_ years, and derive their knowledge of the facts herein named from the following circumstances, to wit: ^15^ _that they have been near neighbours  the last fifteen years [illegible] and they believe her to be the widow of the above named John Edmunds_

They further state that they are disinterested witnesses.
^16^ Jacob Baker]
_Ralph Dwight]_

Sworn to, and subscribed before me, the day and year above written.
^12^ _Moses Barnes_ J.P.

State of _Massachusetts,_}
County of _Worcester._} SS.
I hereby Certify, That _Moses Barnes,_ Esq., before whom the foregoing Declaration, Power of Attorney, and Affidavits were made and acknowledged, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing authorized Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, and that his signature
thereto is genuine.  I further certify, that in the within application I am not interested as Agent, Attorney, or otherwise.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of _the Supreme Judicial_ Court, for the County aforesaid, this
_fourth_ day of _April_ 1855.
_Wm.S. Smith. Assistant_ Clerk of _said Supreme Judicial Court_

NOTES
1. Insert the widow's full name.  2. Give the Post Office address.
3. Insert the title of the Act under which her Revolutionary Pension was granted.  4. State the amount in dollars and cents.
5. Insert the full name of her late husband.  6. State what rank he held.
7. Give the name of the County in which he lived at the time of death.  8. Insert the registry number of her Pension Certificate.
9. Give its date.  10. State where made payable.  11. Widow's signature in full.  12.  Magistrate's signature.
13. Insert the witnesses' full names.  14. Give their Post Office address.
15. Here give a statement of the facts and circumstances from which the foregoing testimony is adduced, or from which the witnesses knowledge
is derived.
16. Witnesses' signature.
Page 19

No. 1030
Experience Edmunds
wid of John 
Mass
Act 29 July 1848
& Joint Resolution 1 July '48

G M Prentiss
Worcester
Mass
Page 20

September first Seventeen hundred Eighty three 
then John Edmunds Junr and Experience Pratt both of Dudley were married by me
Edward Davis Junr
Justice of the Peace

The above is a true copy of Records of Marriage in the town of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows "September 1st 1783"
Attest Augustus T. Allen Clerk

I Augustus T. Allen, above named, subscriber hold the office of Town Clerk in the County town and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extraction from the Record of said Town, with the exception above named as certified by me.
Augustus T. Allen
Register of all marriages
County of Worcester)
August 30, 1851 subscribed and sworn 
before me
Geo M. Prentiss Jus. Peace
Page 21

I, Asahel Elliot of Hampton in the County of Windham State of Connecticut of lawful age do testify & say that in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & Eighteen some time in the month of November, John Edmunds
of Dudley in the county of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts was owing me the sum of forty four dollars & fifty cents which he has since paid.
The said sum of Forty four dollars & fifty cents was money which the said John Edmunds was owing to me for the right & inheritance which my wife [find?] in the estate upon which the said John Edmunds now lives
Further the deponent saith not 
Asahel Elliot

Worcester SS March A.D. 1824
These the above named Asahel Elliot personally appeared and after being carefully examined & cautioned to testify the whole truth & nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by
him subscribed
Before me
Geo. A Tufts Justice Peace

This may certify that Asahel Elliot above named is a credible witness
Geo A Tufts Justice Peace
Page 22

I, Abraham Haven of Dudley in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify & say that John Edmunds of said Dudley in the month of April in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred
& nineteen was serving me the sum of forty dollars all which has since been paid excepting the sum of nineteen dollars. The said sum of forty dollars was due to me from the said John Edmunds for a cow & money lent at divers times. Further the deponent said not
Abram Haven


Worcester SS March 22d 1824

There personally appeared the above named Abram Haven and after being carefully examined & cautioned to testify the whole truth & nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me Geo A Tufts Justice Peace
This may certify that the above named
Abraham Haven is a credible Witness
Geo. A Tufts Justice Peace
Page 23

I Amos Goodale of Thompson in the County
of Windham and the State of Connecticut of lawfull age does testify and say That in the month of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & nineteen John Edmons of 
Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts became indebted to me for property sold him to the amount of thirty dollars which he paid with
the interest on the same about two years after
Amos Goodale

Worcester Ss. March 20th 1824 Then the
above named Amos Goodale personally
appeared and after being carefully examined
and cautioned to testify the whole truth
and nothing but the truth made solemn
oath to the truth and foregoing deposition
by him signed-
Before me Aaron Tufts Jus. Peace
This certifys that the said Aaron Goodale
is a credible witness A. Tufts Jus. Peace
Page 24

I Jesse Ormsby of Thompson in the County
of Windham and State of Connecticut
of lawfull age do testify and say That in the
year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and nineteen John Edmuns of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts became indebted to me to the amount of seventy dollars for which I held his note in interest which was paid in the fall of the year Eighteen hundred and twenty two by
Obidiah & Zephiniah Edmuns 
Further the deponent saith not. 
Jesse Ormsby

Worcester Ss March 20th 1824 Then the
above named John Ormsby personally
appeared and after being carefully examined
and continued to testify the whole truth and nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed
Before me Aaron Tufts Jus Peace
 For said Jesse Ormsby is a credible witness
A Tufts Just Peace
Page 25

I Obidiah Edmunds of Dudley in the County
of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age do testify and say that in the year A.D. 1822 in company with Zepheniah Edmunds we purchased of John Edmunds of said Dudley the small farm in which he has lived for many years containing about seventy six acres also a wood lot of twelve acres laying in Woodstock in the State of Connecticut for which we gave
him six hundred and twenty four dollars
and paid him as follows (in) at the time we made the purchase said John was indebted to us about two hundred & seventy dollars for which debt was for cash lent him at several times in the years 1820-21 & 22 we also paid for said John the following debts which he
was owing to William & Harvy Lampson
twenty six dollars & 25/100 To Mary Richards
administrator & extrix [executrix] on the estate of Peter Richards late of Dudley deceased one hundred and twenty dollars. To Joel Barns forty two dollars For Asahel Elliott of Pomfret state of Connecticut thirty dollars Nathan Paine of said Pomfret twenty four dollars To Amos Goodale of Thompson about thirty dollars To Gordon Edmunds of Newport State New York thirty five dollars we have obligated ourselves to pay Nathan Paine a further sum of thirty five
dollars which is due on a mortgage & said
Page 26

said Paine has on said Wood lot - To Abriham
Haven of Dudley obligated ourselves to pay him nineteen dollars more - To Polly Edmunds of Dudley we have obligated ourselves to pay about fifty dollars-
further the deponent saith not
Obediah Edmunds

Worcester Ss March 30th 1824 Then the above
named Obediah Edmunds personally appeared
and after being carefully examined and 
cautioned to testify the whole truth and nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed
Before me
Aaron Tufts Jus. Peace

The said Obediah Edmuns
is a credible witness A. Tufts Jus. Peace
Page 27

I Zephinah Edmunds of Dudley in the County
of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull (sic) age do testify and say that in the year AD 1822 in company with Obediah Edmunds we purchased of John Edmunds of said Dudley the farm on which he has lived for many years containing about twenty six acres for which we gave him six hundred and twenty four dollars also a wood lot of twelve acres in Woodstock in State of Connecticut and paid him as follows paid at the time we purchased the land said John was owing us debt of two hundred and seventy dollars which was give Cash but at divers times during the three previous years we also paid for said John the following debt which he was 
owing to William & Harvy Hampton twenty
six dollars & 26/100 - To Mary Rickards administrator of the estate of Peter Rirckards late of Dudley deceased one hundred and twenty dollars- To Joel Barns forty two dollars- To Jesse Ormsby Esq. of Thompson State of Connecticut about eighty dollars which was for a pair of Oxen- To Asahel Elliott thirty dollars & Nathan Paine twenty four dollars. To Elden Grove twelve dollars The said oxen were purchased of said John & gave him fifty four dollars- We have also paid a debt of said John to Amos Goodale of about thirty dollars. These
Page 28

now due on a Mortgage which said John
gave Nathan Paine which we agreed to pay
& amounting to about thirty five dollars
said John was indebted to Gordon Edmons to
whom we paid thirty five dollars we have obligated ourselves to pay a debt to
Polly Edmunds which said John was owing 
her of fifty dollars
Further the deponent saith not
Zephaniah Edmunds

Worcester Ss. March 30 1824 Then the above
named Zephaniah Edmunds personally
appeared and after being carefully examined
and cautioned to testify the whole truth and
nothing but the truth made solemn oath to
the truth of the foregoing deposition by him 
signed Before me
Aaron Tufts Just. Peace
The aforesaid deponent is a credible witness
A. Tufts Jus Peace
Page 29

I Joel Barnes of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawfull age do testify and say That in the fall of the year one thousand eight hundred and nineteen John Edmuns of Dudley in said County was owing me forty two or three dollars since which he as paid me about tweny four dollars the balance of the debt and  interest remains unpaid
Further the Deponent saith not.
Joel Barnes

Worcester Ss March 20th 1824 Then the
above named Joel Barns personally appeared
and after being carefully examined and
cautioned to testify the whole truth and
nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed
Before me
Aaron Tufts Jus. Peace

The said Joel Barnes a credible witness
A. Tufts Jus Peace
Page 30

I Mary Rickards of Dudley in the County of
Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age do testify and say that John Edmuns of said Dudley had been indebted to my late husband Peter Rickards late of Dudley deceased, eversince the year Eighteen hundred & ten to the amount of three hundred dollars that in the month of March AD 1822 said Edmuns & Rickard made a settlement and there was due to said Rickard three hundred and eight dollars of which said Edmons paid  one hundred & eighty eight dollars and left a balance due of One hundred and twenty which was paid to me on the tenth of this month I do not know all the property in 
which the debt was contracted but a part of it was for a pair of Oxen & a horse & I believe a Cane. Further the deponent saith not
Mary Rickard

Worcester Ss. March 20th 1824 Then the above
named Mary Rickards personally appeared
and after being carefully examined and
cautioned to testify the whole truth and nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of above depositions by her signed
The said Mary Rickards is a credible witness

Aaron Tufts Jus Peace
Page 31

I Jacob Edwards of Southbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that John Edmons of Dudley in said County in the year eighteen hundred and seventeen was owing me a debt of one hundred and forty dollars which had there in debt several years that December 5 A.D. 1817 said Edmons paid about ninety dollars of the said debt the balance of about fifty dollars was paid sometime in the year A.D. 1819 further the deponent saith not.
Jacob Edwards

Recorded at Dudley March 22nd 1824 This the above named Jacob Edwards personally appeared and after being carefully examined and cautioned to testify to the whole truth and nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the truth of the above disposition by him signed.
Before me Aaron Tufts Jus. o. Peace.

This may certify that Jacob Edwards is a credible witness.
A. Tufts Jus. of Peace
Page 32

John Edmonds
Evidence in support of his 
claim for a Pension.
Page 33

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester Ss. I Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the Judicial Courts, within and for said county of Worcester to certify that Aaron Tufts and George A. Tufts, Esquires are justices of the peace within and for the county of  Worcester, and that the certificate of the said Aaron Tufts the depositions of Amos Goodell Jesse Armsby Obadiah Edmonds Zephaniah Edmonds Joel Barnes Mary Richard and Jacob Edmonds are in the proper hand writing of the said Aaron Tufts and that the certificate of the said George A. Tufts as the depositions of Asahel Elliot and Abraham Haven are in the proper hand writing of the said George A. Tufts, and that full faith and credit are to be given to their acts as such justices of the peace.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and office the seal of the court of Sessions for said county of Worcester.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.
Page 34

I John Eddy of Dudley in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify that I am acquainted with John Edmonds of Dudley and know that he is in destitute and needy circumstances - that he and his wife are and have been for several years past very infirm and unable to do but little towards providing the necessaries of life, and their support and maintenance has been mostly from their sons gratuities.  I have lived as a neighbor to said John Edmunds for more than twenty years and am full in the opinion that said John Edmonds was never a man of much estate excessive of what he was owing.  I am well acquainted with Obediah and Zephaniah Edmunds.  I know that they have, each of them, a family and that they are men of small circumstance, and beholden  of no other property in my opinion than the fruits of their own labour-
John Eddy
Worcester SS. March 22d 1828
Then personally appeared the above named John Eddy who subscribed the above deposition and name and solemn oath to the truth of the matter therein contained.
Before me George A Tufts   Jus. of the Peace
Page 35

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That John Edmonds of Dudley in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts be known in consideration of one hundred and twenty four dollars paid by Obediah Edmonds and Zephaniah Edmonds both of Dudley in the said county and state.
The receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said Obediah and Zephaniah Edmons a piece of land lying in Woodstock in the county of Brooklyn and state of Connecticut containing twenty acres and is bordered as follows viz. beginning with the southeast corner at black oak tree thence north thirty one rods bordering on Samuel Thompson [?] westerly eighty six rods on land of Amasa Pownells then Southerly thirty rods by land of Lyons thence easterly eighty six rods by land of Briggs & Burns to the borders just mentioned-
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the afore-granted premises to the said Obediah & Zephaniah their heirs and assigns, to them & their use and behoof forever. And I do covenant with the said Obediah & Zephaniah their heirs and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the afore-granted premises; that they are free of all incumbrances; That I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Obediah & Zephaniah and that I will warrant and defend the same premises to the said Obediah & Zephaniah  their heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I the said John Edmunds have hereunto set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two.
John Edmunds (L.S.)

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us Mary E Barker
Aaron Tufts

Worcester ss. June 19th 1822. Then the above-named John Edmunds acknowledged the above Instrument to be his free Act and Deed-before me, 
Aaron Tufts   Just. of Peace
Page 36

I Aaron Tufts, of Dudley in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age do testify and say that the herein is a true copy of a deed made by John Edmuns of this town which was executed before me and acknowledged before me by said Edmuns at the time it  purports and have been- I further testify that I have been acquainted with John Edmuns for a long time and know that he is destitute and in needy circumstances-that he and his wife are and have been for many years infirm and unable to labour and that I believe they have been supported mostly by their sons gratuitously. That their sons are men in low circumstances  requiring all the proceeds of their labour to render their own family comfortable- I am well acquainted with Col. John Eddy who has given his depositions as to their circumstances and property of said Edmuns and sons and that said John Eddy is highly respectable and that in true reliance ought to be placed in his testimony
Aaron Tufts

Worcester SS. March 25 1828
Then personally appeared the above named Aaron Tufts who subscribed the above deposition and made solemn oath that the same contained the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth- before me 
 Geo A. Tufts   Jus. of the Peace
Page 37

I Obediah Edmunds of Dudley in the County of
Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age do testify and declare that I am the son of John Edmunds of said Dudley who has made application to the War Department to be placed on the Pension list for his revolutionary services, that my said father is poor and wholly unable to support
himself - that I and my brother, Zephaniah have maintained him and his wife solely at our own expense for several years past without pay or recompense but cannot without injustice to our own families continue to do so. I do also testify and declare that the notes which are hereunto inserted given by the said John Edmunds, & marked A, B, C, D, E, F were
paid to the creditors therein named, by me out of my own funds, and that I have never directly
or indirectly received any other consideration
therefore, thence, what I have received by way of the Deed of his the said John Edmund's home estate I also testify and say that the mortgage deed hereunto witnessed has been discharged by me & my brother Zephaniah, for and in behalf of my father out of our own funds and estate, and the note accompanying the same paid by us - and the satisfaction we
received favor from the said John therefor was by his deed  aforesaid, I further testify and Say that I have not directly or indirectly any property of the said John and know not that he has any property which is held by any one in trust for him
And further the deponent saith not.
Obediah Edmunds

Worcester SS. March 22nd 1828
Then personally appeared the above named Obediah Edmunds who subscribed the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the matters therein contained
Before me, Geo A Tufts  Justice of the Peace

[*Peter Rickards  - this signature is from another document overlapped by the present ]
Page 38

Know all men by these Presents That I John
Edmons of Dudley in the County of Worcester
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Yeoman
in consideration of Two hundred forty four dollars lawfull money paid to me by Peter Rickards of Thompson in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut Yeoman the receipt whereof I do hereby
acknowledge do hereby give grant bargain sell and convey unto the said Peter Rickards his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece of land with all the buildings on the same situated in Dudley aforesaid and is bounded as follows beginning at the South West corner by land of John Eddy and James Wolcot from
thence Easterly bordering on said Wolcot to a white oak tree from thence Northerly bordering on said Wolcot to land of said John Eddy from thence westerly bordering on said  Eddy about forty rods thence Southerly bordering said Eddy to a Town Road thence crossing said road & Northerly as said Road runs to said Eddy's Cooper shop thence Southerly to the first mentioned bounds the last line borders on said Eddy containing about thirty three acres be the same more or less To have and to hold the said granted and bargained premises with the privileges and
appurtenances thereof to the said Peter Rickards his Heirs and assigns to his and their use and behoof forever. And I the said John Edmons for my self my heirs executors, and administrators, do covenant with the said Peter Rickards his Heirs and assigns that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises that they are free of all incumbrances that I have a good right to sell and convey the same to the said
Peter Rickards
Page 39

Peter Richards to hold as aforesaid and that I will warrant and defend the same to the said Peter Rickards his Heirs and assigns forever against the lawfull (sic) claims and demands of all persons Provided nevertheless that if I the said John Edmons my Heirs, Executors or administrators shall will and truly pay to the said Peter Rickards his Heirs Executors administrators or assigns the full and just sum of Two hundred forty four dollars on or before the first day of February next with lawful Interest for the same untill (sic) paid then
this Deed as also a certain note bearing even date with these presents given by me to the said Peter Rickards conditioned to pay the same sum and Interest at the time aforesaid shall be void otherwise shall remain in full force and virtue-
In witness whereof I the said John Edmons and
Experience wife of said John have in token of her relinquishing her right of dower in the premises have hereunto set our hands and Seals this Sixteenth day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ten
Signed Sealed and delivered 
John Edmunds
in presence of
Sally Tufts
Aaron Tufts
Worcester Ss. Dudley January 16th 1810 John
Edmons the signer of this Instrument
acknowledged the same to be in free act and
Deed
Before me
Aaron Tufts   Just. Peace
Page 40

Mortgage Deed
John Edmonds
to
Peter Rickards
Recd March 7. 1810
64 paid

Dudley January 16th. 1810
I for value received promise to pay Peter
Rickards on order Two hundred forty four
dollars on the first day of February next
with Interest
John Edmunds
---
244-
Attest
Sally Tufts
Aaron Tufts
Page 41

April the 13 1813
Then he received Sixty six dollars
December the 1 1813
Then Received Fifty Dollars

John Edmons
[illegible]
Page 42

Mortgage Deed
John Edmons
to Peter Rickards
Recd. March 7, 1810
64 paid

Worcester Ss March 7, 1810 Recd. & Recorded in the Registry of Deeds Book 175 Page 322
per Danl Clap Reg
Page 43

Dudley November the 18 1819
I for value recd I promise to pay Amos Goodale or order the sum of thirty Dollars a year from the Date with Interest as witness my hand

Zephaniah Edmunds
31.57
19 89
12 87
(A)
Page 44


Dudley January 11th 1820
I,  for Value Received promise to pay
Ichabod Corbin or order Seven
Dollars in one year  from the date with Interest

Interest 77 Cents

(B)
Page 45


Thompson, June the 17. 1818
for value rec'd I promise to pay
Peter Rickard order Seven Dollars
and Twenty one cents on demand
With interest

(D)
Page 46

Dudley  24th March 1821
I for value received promise
to pay Ichabod Corbin on order
Eight Dollars and eighty six cents on demand
with Interest
Interest 33 Cents
(C)
Page 47

$5,00 Dudley, April 24th, 1820
for value received I promise to
Pay Lewis Ammidon on order the
sum of five Dollars on demand with
Interest

   (E)
Page 48

Dudley May the 15, 1818
For value Received I promise
to pay Peter Rickard or [Banen?]
Sixty one Dollars and Eighty
five cents on demand with interest
Obadiah Edmunds
(F )
Page 49


Dudley, Sept 12 1826
Mr John Edmund to Z. Edmunds &c

cloth at four dollars per yd.         9.00
To one pair of cart wheels          18.00
?? figure with to cash
For 8th to cash ??? to William       1.00

(Most of document is extremely faded and handwriting very illegible. Only a word here and there are readable. Unable to join enough legible words to determine coherence.)
Page 50

Thompson Sept 27th 1819
For Value received I promise to pay
Jesse Ormsby on order Seventy dollars
in one year with Interest.-
$70.00
(D)
Page 51

Dudley April 17 1819
I for Value Rec'd I Promis [sic] to pay
Mary Edmunds order the sum of 
fifty one Dollars on demand with
Intrest [sic] as witness my hand

Obadiah Edmunds, (B.1


[*Geo. A. Tufts.  Justice of      (This signature is  located on overlapped page of document.]
Page 52

$21,81
Dudley March 28 1822
For value Recd I promise to pay
Joel Barnes or order twenty one Dollars
& Eighty one Cents on demand with Interest
 A  



[*Geo. A. Tufts Justice of the Peace  This signature is from an overlapped document]
Page 53


Dudley Feb the 19. 1822
For value received I promise to pay John Eddy or order two dollars and eighty seven cents & interest
John Edmunds [crossed out]
(c )

[*Geo. A Tufts Justice of the  This signature is from an overlapped document]
Page 54

I Zephaniah Edmunds of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am the son of John Edmunds of Dudley aforesaid who now made application to the War Department to  be placed on the Pension list.- That my father is poor and infirm and wholly unable to support himself - that I and my brother Obediah have at our own expense maintained him for several years past but cannot continue so to do. I also say that the notes given by John Edmund my father hereunto annexed and marked A. B. C. D. have been paid to the creditors therein named by me from my own funds as also the claim marked E.  I have also at sundry times from my own hands exclusively furnished and provided my father with the goods & moneys &c. in annexed account mentioned as therein set forth. I further testify and say that I have not in my possession directly or indirectly any property of the said John and do not know that anyone holds any in trust for him and further the deponent saith not
Zephaniah Edmunds

Worcester SS. March 12 1828
Then personally appeared Zephaniah Edmunds 
who subscribed the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the written word & [things?] therein mentioned before me
Geo. A. Tufts, Justice of the Peace
Page 55

Pomfret Dec 9 1826
Record of Mr Zephaniah Edmunds of Southbridge. The sum of forty six dollars and fourteen Cents on account of and in lieu of a claim in my hand to collect in favor of the estate of Nathan Paine decd late of Pomfret from
which claim was secured by a mortgaged deed by John Edmunds to Sd [said] Paine & James Gerard and also I have read all past & open account of a Petition being before the C Court for the County [Ce..?] for the same claim
John Holbrook Atty for Creditors & [?]

(E)
Page 56

John Edmonds
Dudley
Hon, John Davis,  H. R.
dep 20 May 1828
Page 57

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of Worcester hereby certify that George A. Tufts Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Worcester, duly qualified to act in said office, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts as such Justice of the Peace, and that his certificates affixed to the depositions of John Eddy, Aaron Tufts,  Obadiah Edmunds and Zephaniah Edmunds are in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this twenty seventh day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Abijah Bigelow  Clerk
Page 58


I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
John Eddy, Aaron Tufts and Obediah Edmunds and Zephaniah Edmunds all of Dudley in the County of Worcester who subscribed the above depositions, and believe them to be men of truth and veracity and they are so reputed in the community at large.
Dudley March 27th 1828
Geo A Tufts
Page 59

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, September 24th 1851
I, hereby Certify, That at the date of the
annexed attestations Thomas Kinnicutt
was Judge and Charles G. Prentiss Register
of Probate, and George M. Prentiss was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester, in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and
credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Amasa Walker
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 60

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, SS.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the
Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence
has been exhibited to said Court, that John Edmunds of Dudley was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Eight dollars per month; was a resident of the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and died in Dudley in
said County in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one on the 29th day of March; that he left a widow, whose name is Experience Edmunds.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Worcester, this eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty -one
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register.
Page 61

[Most of this image is illegible. There are not enough consecutive legible words to make transcription.]
Page 62

[Most of the image is illegible without enough consecutive words for transcription. Enhancement is needed.]
Page 63

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WORCESTER COUNTY, SS.
I, CHARLES W. HARTSHORN, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Moses Barnes is, and was on the twentieth day of January A.D. 1852 a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his
signature to the deposition of John Eddy
hereunto annexed is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said County, this twenty first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two

Charles W. Hartshorn, Clerk
Page 64

Partial Transcription Below - WIP

Line 1 - I, John Eddy, of Dudley in the county of
Line 2 - Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts,  aged thirty (two)
Line 3 - years do depose and say, that I was well acquainted with
Line 4 - John Edmund, (late) of  *** Dudley *** *** a *** ***
Line 5 - Pension of the *** (late) *** day *** *** ***
Line 6 - in this *** of the years 1851. from my *** ***
Line 7 - *** the *** of his death, that I have *** *** ***
Line 8 - *** with Experience Edmond *** wife *** John
Line 9 - Edmond. *** *** *** of *** *** *** to ***
Line 10 - *** ***, and that *** *** *** *** *** ***
Line 11 - and who from my own *** and has (engage) (*fratation)
Line 12 - is now a *** *** *** *** age, *** *** ***
Line 13 - only (info) which *** *** John Edmund *** ***.
Line 14 - *** *** *** that *** send Experience
Line 15 - Edmund *** *** *** of *** ***, all of
Line 16 - (when) (I) *** *** *** with *** *** *** (of)
Line 17 - (whom) *** *** *** John Edmund *** ***
Line 18 -(A***ing) *** he *** 68 years of age *** *** ***
Line 19 - my (*an) *** *** and *** (**tat**) when ***
Line 20 - the *** *** Experience Edmund *** *** *** ***
Line 21 - *** *** is the *** (person) the *** *** (it)
Line 22 - John Edmund (in) (**83), *** *** (age) (when) *** of ***
Line 23 - John of Dudley, *** *** *** *** *** ***
Line 24 - *** *** *** *** *** [numbers?] *** *** *** ***
Line 25 - *** *** *** *** (the) (only) *** *** *** *** of John
Line 26 - Edmund **** in said *** (Dudley), *** ***
Line 27 - and Experience Edmund *** *** *** ***

~

~Legend~
*** = unidentified word
WIP = Work in Progress
Line(x) = line of text from very top
(**{letters}**) = partial words with identified letters
({word}) = best guess
Page 65


~

of and from my recollection
and further this deponent saith not,
John Eddy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester, ss.
On this twentyeth day of January A.D. 1852. herein the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Worcester personally appeared John Eddy Esquire, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, I certify that this statement is entitled to entire credit. 
Moses Barnes, Justice of the Peace

~
Page 66

Brief in the case of Experience Edmunds, wid of John
County and State of Mass.
act 29 July 48
& Joint Resolution of 1 July 48.
=====================
-Claim, (original," or -"for increase."-)

-Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Husband was a pensioner under act of
18 March 1818, & died 29 March '51
Record evidence of marriage.

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

Name and residence of Agent
G. M. Prentiss
Worcester, Mass:

Kirby
Examining Clerk.
Page 67

Experience Edmunds
widow of John
Massachusetts
Act 29 July '[18]48 and Joint Resolution
of 1 July '[18]48-
$90 per annum from the
29th March 1851, when her 
husband died.

George M. Prentiss
Worcester, Massachusetts
Page 68

Worcester Mass. Jan'y 21, 1852
Sir
I send the deposition of Col. John Eddy as evidence in the matter of the application 
of Experience Edmunds for a pension, which application was forwarded to me time ago by Geo. M. Prentiss.
Please send the certificate, when granted to me on to said Geo. M. Prentiss who writes for me, but is me in absent.
Yours respectfully,
Chas. G. Prentiss.

James E. Heath, Esq.
Page 69

July 19th 1822
John Edmunds
Abijah Bigelow
Worcester Mass.
Rec. 26 July 1822
NOT ENTITLED
Worth $7.77 see
Letter August 8th 1822
Papers within

Hon. John C. Calhoun
Sec'y of War
Washington
Page 70

Worcester July 19th 1822
Hon John C. Calhoun,
Secy at War,
Sir
I send, as appears by the declaration, the
third application of John Edmunds, for a pension. If he served his country with the same patience and perseverance he manifests to obtain a pension, I should think he will
deserve it.
I am, Sir,  with much respect,
Your Obt. Servant
Abijah Bigelow
Page 71

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston
November 5th 1855.
Hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the
name of John Edmunds is borne on roll of 
8 mos. men in Capt Nathaniel Healey's Comp Col. Ebenezer Learned Regt from April 19, 1775 return dated Oct. 6. 1775. name also borne on Comp. roll dated Nov. 2. 1775 as J Edmunds from Dudley.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Nathaniel Healey's Comp. Col. Jonathan Holman's Regt. service at Providence from Jany 11, 1777, 45 days, as private.
Also enlisted for nine mos in 1778, age 29, height 5.10: Complex dark.  a Capt. Healey's Comp, Col Holman's Regt. from Dudley.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
 Christ'r Scott
 Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 72

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office. Boston
............................18
Sir
Be pleased to file a declaration in this office agreeably to the accompanying regulations and search will be made for the Revolutionary
service of ..............................................................
and the result forwarded to your address. 
Particular attention is called to the second regulation.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Page 73

The following Regulations to be observed in the examination of the Revolutionary Rolls in this office have been rendered necessary under the rules which are established in the Pension Department at Washington, viz:-
1. Every application requiring search or certificate must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant,or by some person duly authorized by the claimant: and the signature to the application must be attested by some magistrate.
2. In all cases where the application is made by any person other than the claimant, a power of attorney. attested by a magistrate authorizing such person to act in the claimants behalf, must accompany the application.
3. The application must set forth as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence and service of the soldier, and the names of the officers under whom he served; and no search will be made until after the filing
of such written application.
---
"Regulations to be observed in the examination of the Massachusetts Revolution Papers in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
"The application must be made to the Secretary in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant, by a written power of attorney, attested by a magistrate. The signature of the claimant must in all cases be attested in like manner
"The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence of the soldier, &c., at the time of the service, and the names of the various officers under whom he served, as well as the nature of such service.
"The certificate of the Secretary must show that the search was made after the filing of such application by himself, or by one of his clerks alone, and must be accompanied by the original application of the claimant or of
his attorney, and by a detailed statement, under the signature of the Secretary and the seal of the State of the circumstances which satisfied that officer of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual
who rendered the service
J.L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

The following is an extract from a letter received by the Secretary from J.E. Heath, Esq. the Commissioner of Pensions, dated March 19, 1852:
" I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d inst., accompanied by a copy of the Regulations now in force in your office in the examination of your Revolutionary Rolls; and, in reply to your questions have to state that, in my opinion, the said Regulations could not be relaxed in any particular without
serious injury to the Government and the rights of individuals justly entitled to the benefits of the Revolutionary Pension Laws. Indeed, even with those guards around your rolls, I am satisfied they are frequently used by
unscrupulous individuals to sustain applications not embraced by the laws, and as a means of obtaining exorbitant fees.
Page 74

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES
made by the Widow [illegible] [illegible]
of the party who rendered the service
County of Worcester
Town of Dudley
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls
in his office of the service of John Edmunds
in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Dudley
In the county of Worcester and state of Massachusetts
He enlisted from the Town of Dudley in the county of worcester in the company commanded by  Captain [illegible] Regiment [illegible] and he served as follows, viz: --[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] enlistment [illegible]in [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
[the following nine lines are completely illegible.]
Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, etc., of the claimant of the capacity in which he served, and all
other particulars known.
Page 75

illegible top nine lines of script]
I am now 76 years old and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully the above stated
Witness my hand this [illegible] day of A.D. 18 [illegible]
[illegible] Justice of the peace.
Page 76


Revy,  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2773
Experience  Edmunds
Widow
John Edmunds
Pri. Rev. War
---
Act: July 4, 1848
Index:--Vol... A... Page... 209
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 77

Washington
Nov. 12th 1835.
Hon J. Minot}
Comr of Pensions}
 Sir
Agreeably to the requirements
of your letter of the 25th Sept. I have the honor to enclose herewith record evidence of the Revolutionary services of John Edmunds;
and desire respectfully that the application of his widow, Experience Edmunds, for bounty
land under the late Act, may be reconsidered.
Very respectfully
Your obt. sev't.
S.M. Knight
Page 78

10220
Rev Army
Page 79

No. 58524
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855
Received Apr 10th, 1855
John Edmunds Private
Massachusetts Line-
War Revolution

S.M. Knight
Present
Page 80

Addl evi[dence] in case of Experience Edmunds
wid. of John
Chs G. Prentiss
Worcester Mass.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
James E. Heath Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Department of the Interior
Washington D.C.
Page 81

N0. 7,030
Experience Edmunds
widow of John
Mass
Act 29 July 1848
To G.M. Prentiss. Dec'r 26 - 1851
Page 82

John Edmunds 2d  Mass. Acts 18 March 1818
and 1 May, 1820 -  $8 per month-
To what time paid?
F.F.C. Riplett

Pension Office}
December 26, 1857} Paid 4- to March 1851.
BLM
Page 83

Mr Randall
Page 84

Hon J. Minot
Comm'r of Pensions.
Present.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Additional Evidence
No. 58,524.
Act 1855.
K
Boynton
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
58524
Experience Edmunds
wid
John
Mass Page 48-940
Page 85

58.524
Experience Edmunds
wid
John
Mass Page 48-940

Hon J. Minot
Commr of Pensions
Present
Additional Evidence
No. 58524
Act 1855
Boynton
Page 86

I John Edmunds resident of Dudley, County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify that through adverse misfortune my circumstances are reduced as to oblige me to make this call on my country for that assistance which her legislators have been pleased in their clemency to bestow upon those who have merited it by acting in defence of their Country.
As for myself I am old, infirm and unable to labour. The little property mentioned in my first schedule has been principally expended in consequence of sickness in my family as follows. In the year 1821 some time in the month of June my youngest son was seized with a severe pneumonia which confined him to his bed about four months, his sickness was very distressing and expensive being attended by two Physicians a considerable part of the time, My wife has been afflicted  a number of years with a tumor and ulcer which has been very painful and attended with much expence
having had the advice of a number of Physicians, therefore, on account of Doctor's Bills, attendance of and necessaries for the sick. I have been impoverished and am become poor and stand in need of support from my country
John Edmunds
Dated at Dudley June fifth AD 1823

We the subscribers do certify that the above written statement is correct so far as comes within our knowledge
John Eddy
Peter Rickard
Jabez Day
Amasa [illegible]
Morris Larned
William Winsor
John Brown
The above is a true Copy of Record, Recorded in the Registry of Deeds Book 232 Page 636
Attest H R Hall,  Register
---
Page 87

Know all men by these presents that I John Edmons of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Yeoman in consideration of four hundred sixty eight dollars paid paid by Obidiah Edmons and Zephaniah Edmons both of Dudley in said County yeoman the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge do hereby give grant sell and convey unto the said Obidiah and Zepheniah a certain piece of land lying and being in Dudley for said with the buildings on the same containing twenty six acres be the same more or less and is bounded as follows (viz) begining at the south east corner of the same at a white oak tree by land of Almy & Brown thence northerly one hundred and two rods bordering on Almy & Brown thence westerly twenty six rods on land of John Eddy thence southerly twenty eight rods to a town road, the northwest about fifteen rods to said Eddy's Cooper shop thence southerly on said Eddy eighty seven rods to woodland of Almy & Brown thence easterly seventy rods to the first mentioned bounds to have and to hold the afore-granted premises to the said Obediah & Zepheniah their heirs and assigns to them and their use and behoof forever and I do covenant with the said Obediah and Zepheniah heirs and assigns that I am lawfully
seized in fee of the aforegranted premises that are free of all encumbrances that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Obediah & Zepheniah and that I will warrant and defend the same premises to the said Obediah & Zepheniah their heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. In witness whereof I the said John Edmonds have hereunto set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of  in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty
two---
John Edmonds [seal]
signed sealed and delivered ⎬ Worcester Ss.  June 19th 1823 then the above named John Edmons acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed before me Aaron Tufts, Just of Peace
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us 
Mary E. Barker 
Aaron Tufts
Above named John Edmons acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed before me Aaron Tufts Jus. of Peace
Recd April 8th 1823 Entd & Examd By Art's Ward, Register.
The above is a true Copy of Record, Recorded in the Registry of Deeds Book 232 Page 636
Attest Arts. Ward    Register
Page 88

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester, Ss. Abijah Bigelow clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for the County of Worcester herby certify that Artemis Ward Esquire is the Register of Deeds for the said County of Worcester duly chosen and qualified to act in said office and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all copies of deeds by him certified as written and that his signature to the certificate within is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I herein set my name and affix the Seal of the Court of Sessions for said County this twenty-fifth day of July A.D.1823.
Abijah Bigelow  Cle'k

Edmund to Edmund et al
Copy
(June 30th)
Page 89

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester, Ss. Abijah Bigelow clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for the County of Worcester herby certify that Artemis Ward Esquire is the Register of Deeds for the said County of Worcester duly chosen and qualified to act in said office and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all copies of deeds by him certified as written and that his signature to the certificate within is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I herein set my name and affix the Seal of the Court of Sessions for said County this twenty-fifth day of July A.D.1823.
Abijah Bigelow  Cle'k

Edmund to Edmund et al
Copy
(June 30th)
Page 90

[The upper half of this document signed by John Edmunds, is very faded. The list of numbers on the right is from another document located just below the present document.] 

Dudley June 4th 1823
This certifies that the subscriber has attended as a family Physician in Mr John Edmunds family for two or three years past in which time
2 people in his family has experienced considerable illness the son above mentioned & especially his wife which was afflicted with a tumor, ulcer &  an uncommon-sickness for six or seven years & had the advise of a number of physicians & surgeons-
Sam'l P Knight  Physician
Page 91


A list of house furniture belonging to John Edmunds, of Dudley.--viz.-

1 Cupboard,..........$0.67.
2 pine tables............1.50
1 old desk.................1.50
7 old chairs. . . . . .3.00
Various articles of iron ware (all unsound) but bason. [sic]...............1.75.
1 Shovel and pair of tongs, -...............1.25
2 Flat irons.................0.75.
1 pair of broken andirons...........0.33
1 milk pail and water pail,..........0.75.
5 Small glass bottles.............0.55.
7 Earthen plates,.................0.25
2 Earthen pots,....................0.15.
variety of tinware...............0.50
3 cups and 3 Saucers........0.12,
1 old block tin tea pot,...... 0.17
1 quart pitcher.......................0.17.
2 Old Chests...........................0.50
1 linen wheel...........................0.75.
2 Wash Tubs..........................0.25

Dudley June 13. 1823-..........$14.91
John Eddy
Peter Rickard,
Appraisers
Page 92

Schedule of John Edmunds property as exhibited in his application for a pension September 1820 to wit: -
His home lot. 26 acres at $23 per acre  598
His wood lot and bush pasture; 12 acres at $8-
96.
Sold to Zephaniah Edmunds and Obadiah Edmunds, See deed hereto annexed and certificate at foot of this statement.
One pair of Oxen small.  50.--
I sold to Messrs Elliott and Paine in the year 1821, in part payment for what I was owing them -One old cow.  $12
I sold to Joel Barnes in 1821 in part paym't of what I owe him.
One old cart       8.-

I sold to Zephaniah Edmunds in 1821 toward what I own him
One old sled......1.50
worn out and destroyed
One old Plow........3--
worn out and destroyed
One old loom.......1.75
Now on hand and of no value.
Two old tables.......1.25.
Now on hand.
7 Old chairs.......325
Now on hand & much worn
6 old cider barrels, at 2/9...........2.75.
worn out and become of no value -
$777.50
-----------
The above is all the property exhibited in my first schedule, and has been disposed of as above accounted for. My family consists
of a wife and two children. My wife's name is Experience aged 56 years, infirm and not able to labour very much for support. My son Esbon aged 18 years, and Emery, aged 16 both
out of health, and all dependent, in a great degree on me for support. my occupation has been that of a farmer, but by reason of old age and infirmity of body, I am unable to labour to any considerable degree.-- The Wood lot, and
Bush pasture above referred to of 12 acres lies in the State of Connecticut, and of course the deed is not recorded in Massachusetts,
but is on record in Connecticut. I conveyed said lot in payment to what I owed the Grantees and Executed the deed thereof in June 1822.- I conveyed the home lot above referred to in payment of what I then owed the Grantees and for debts which they engaged to pay, and have paid for me: The whole consideration money was not sufficient by considerable, to discharge in full, what I was then owing, but the proceeds were applied, as far as they would go, to pay the following persons among others, to whom
Page 93

Whom I was then indebted, to wit - to Jesse Amesbury, about $90. Harvey Lamson $30. Joel Barnes $40. Abraham Haven $30. Polly Edmunds $50: -Peter Richards $100- John Tucker $50
Samuel P. Knight $40. and Amos Goodall $50.-
John Edmunds.-
Page 94

Declaration,
In order to be restored to the Pension List, under the Act of the 1st March 1823.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester, ss.
On this the seventeenth day of June 1823, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record for the County of Worcester, John Edmunds, resident of Dudley in said county, aged sixty four years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress, of the 18th March, 1818, and the 1st May, 1820, that he, the said John Edmunds enlisted for the term of nine months in the month of April or May in the year 1778 in the state of Massachusetts, in the company commanded by Captain Daniels or Donnels, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Stevens in the line of the state of Massachusetts, on the Continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the in the said corps until the end of said nine months in the latter part of January, 1779. 
When he was discharged from said service, in Danbury in the state of Connecticut; that his name has been placed on the Pension List, and dropt therefrom on account of his property. Other towns of service he rendered as set forth in his former application, but not specified therein as reference to papers in first application with will discover particulars.
And, in pursuance of the Act of the 1st May, 1820, I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property or any part thereof, with the intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th 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 herto annexed, and by me subscribed. That, since the exhibition of my first Schedule, the following changes have been made in my property: (See scheduled annexed.)
Sworn to, and declared, on the seventeenth day of June A.D. 1823, before Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Worcester. Mister Abijah Bigelow Clerk.
I, Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the aforesaid, do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of said Court, that the said John Edmunds did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding Declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the Continental establishment. I also certify, that the foregoing oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Records of said Court; that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is fourteen dollars and ninety one cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this seventeenth day of June 1823.
Abijah Bigelow. Clerk.
Page 95

Schedule 17th June 1823
John Edmunds.
Page 96

A list of house furniture owned by John Edmunds of Dudley, Viz.
1 old desk 1.75- 2 fine tables 1.75= cupboard ,75...... $ 4,,25
6 old chairs 2.25= various articles of iron ware / all around /2.00 .... 4.25
1 milk pail and one water pail...... 0,58
4 small glass bottles, 40= 8 earthan (sic) plates, 32...... 0,,72.
1 earthan pitcher and other articles of earthan ware.... 0.50
1 old black tin teapot, 33= tin ware, 30...... 0.63
$10,,93

Peter Rickard
Jabez Day.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. Dudley June 19.th 1822. Then personally appeared Peter Rickards and Jabez Day both freeholder and credible witnesses and made solemn oath that the foregoing inventory was made by them, the articles or items of which were shown them by John Edmunds of said Dudley, and that they have appraised the same at their true value in cash according to their best judgement amounting to ten dollars and ninety three cents in whole.
Aaron Tufts, Jus. Peace.
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the schedule annexed to the application of John Edmunds and of the certificate of the oath administered to the appraisers by the Hon. Aaron Tufts Esq. and that the said Tufts is a Justice of the Peace in an for said county of Worcester duly qualified to act as such and that his signature to said certificate is in his own proper hand writing.
Abijah Bigelow. Clerk
Page 97

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, SS.
On this twentieth day of June 1822, personally appear in open court, before the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, John Edmunds .... aged sixty four years, resident in Dudley .... in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in Revolutionary war as follows: make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818. and 1st of May 1820 viz. I Enlisted into the Continental Army in the Spring of the year 1778. For the term of nine moths, joined the joined the Army at Fishkill, and served in the Company commanded by Col. Stevens, in Gen. Knox's Brigade sometime in the fall of the same year I was taken sick while at the white plains, carried to Fishkill hospital, remained there about two months when I was marched under a Continental Officer to Fredericksborough, then to Danbury, Connecticut, where continued till the expiration of the term for which I enlisted. I was then discharged. I also served two months at Roxbury in the year 1773. Served Six weeks at Rhode Island in 1776. Three months at the same place in 1777. I also enlisted for a tour to the northward at the capture of Burgoine [Burgoyne], and served in the Army at that time. I have no other evidence now in my house to exhibit of said services, but what is contained in my certificates, annexed to my former application, sworn in Court on the on the 7th of Sept 1820. I first applied for a pension in September 1818. And again in September 1820. but have not as yet received any - for the evidence of my services I refer to the certificates now in the Office of the War Department annexed to my application made on September 7th 1820. and sworn to before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, at Worcester, Massts [Massachusetts] on that day- the value of 777..50. As appraised by Jabez Day and Peter Rickard whose certificate sworn to is  annexed to said application. Since that time, by reason of sickness in my family and other expenses I have been obliged to expend a great portion of said estate, leaving only $10,,93. as appears by the affidavit of said Rickard and Day hereunto annexed, sworn to, and in due form My family consists of a wife and two children, out of 14 now living with me they are all in a great degree dependent on  me for support. My wife's name is Experience aged 56 years, my son aged 18 years and Emery aged 16 years. who has been sick for about a year past. My  occupation has been that of a farmer, but by reason of old age and infirmity of body, I am unable to labor to any considerable degree. And at the time of my former application I was owing debts to the amount of $633 which being deducted from what my property then was left me but the small balance of $124,,30 and which has been since reduced to said sum of ten dollars and ninety three cents.
Page 98

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.

On this twentieth day of June 1822, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, John Edmunds... aged sixty four, years, resident in Dudley... 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: [follows - crossed out] make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and 1st of May 1820. viz. I enlisted into the Continental Army in the Spring of the year 1778, for the term of nine months, joined the Army at Fishkill and served in the Company commanded by Capt. Daniels or Donnels in the Regiment commanded by Col. Stevens, in Gen'l Knox's Brigade some time in the fall of the same year I was taken sick while at the White Plains carried to Fishkill Hospital, remained there about two months when I +
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 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.
John Edmunds.
Sworn to and declared, on the twentieth day of June AD. 1822
before the said Court.
Attest, Abijah Bigelow,