Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15535, John Amsden, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Mass. Amsden, John W.15535
Lovisa
CONTENTS
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[left side]6489
Massachusetts
John Amsden
of Southborough in the state of Massachusetts who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sheppard of the Massachusetts line, for the term of three years WAV
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 7 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of Jany 1819 and sent to John Davis Esq Boston, Massachusetts
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1818. 4 one 28/30 $9.46
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819. 48.
$57.66
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818}
Continued
[right side]Notification sent to Abijah Bigelow Esq Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester
Worcester, Mass
19 Sep 1820
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No 234
John Amsden
Mass Roll 80
Service admd
Correct
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United States Masstts District
John Amsden of Southborough Masstts. a resident citizen of the United States maketh oath that he served in the war of the Revolution on the Continental establishment as a private soldier for the term of three years in Captn Geo Webb's Company, Colol Sheppard's Regiment, Genl Patterson's brigade; that on the fourth day of January AD 1784 he received an honourable discharge, which he has to produce; that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his Country for support
John Amsden
Massachusetts District Ss.
Boston 7 April 1818
Sworn to before me
M Davis
Dist Judge
Mass Dist
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John Amsden
6489
Jany 1819
Certd 19 Sep 1820
Con
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Schedule of the Estate of John Amsden, of Southborough in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of May 1.1820.
[left column] Real Estate consisting of about 3 acres with the buildings thereon..$150.
Personal Estate.
1 Cow 25.
2 pigs 2.50
1 Brass kettle 3.
1 Iron pot 1
1 dish kettle .50
2 tables 2
6 chairs 2.
[right column]fire shovel and tongs .75
3 Tubs 1.00
2 pails 0.50
2 platters ".75
12 plates .40
6 knives & forks .50
1 Iron Spade, Hoe & axe 1.75
3 Barrels 1.
1 Scythe & Snathe 1.25
$193.90
My family consists of a wife and three children, my wife is 58 years old is very infirm, having one broken leg; my son John is 32 wholly unable to take care of himself by reason of sickness, and has been so from his youth: Willard is 15, weakly and unable to do anything of consequence; my daughter Patty is 13-- is subject to sick head-ache most of the time, and unable to do anything but very light work: my occupation has been that of a common labourer. I am now so infirm from age and ill health, as to be unable to do any thing of consequence toward maintaining myself and family
John Amsden
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this tenth day of July 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 Amsden aged fifty eight years, resident in Southborough 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: In the year 1779 I enlisted in Capt. Webb's company and Col. Shepard's Regt. and was under the command of three other Captains in the same company, who were successively commissioned to that office; in which company I continued to serve till peace was declared and was in service more than 3 years, when I was honourably discharged in capacity of Sargeant, which discharge has been forwarded to Washington with my former application for a pension, which was made April 7th 1818, and my pension certificate is numbered 6489: 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 Amsden
Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July, 1820 before the said Court.
Attest, Abijah Bigelow Cler
I ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is one hundred ninety three dollars and ninety cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this tenth day of July 1820.
Abijah Bigelow {Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.
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[left side] 2510
Massachusetts
Lovisa Amsden 
widow of John Amsden decd
who died on the 4th May 1827
of Worcester Co. in the State of MS.
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Mass of the Regt. commanded
by Col Sheppard in the MS. 
line for 3 years
Inscribed on the Roll of MS. at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Feby 1839 and sent to Hon. L. Lincoln House of Reps.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838-$600.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 39, 40.00
$64-.0.00
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2d Page 44
[right side] Set to E. Clark Sept 5 1844
do. to P.Agt. Sept.16.1844
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Lovisa Amsden
4256
Wid of John
Mass
Married 1782
Died 1827
Act July 4 1836
Allow $80 per ann
from March 4 1831
Hon. L. Lincoln
HR
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, January 31st 1839
I hereby Certify, that at the dates of their several attestations, Ira Barton was Judge of Probate and Willard Newton was a Justice of the Peace both for the County of Worcester, and Dalton Goulding was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, in said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester, ss.
On this seventeenth day of September eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate of the County of Worcester Lovisa Amsden a resident of Southborough in the County of Worcester  and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4.1836: That she is the widow of John Amsden who was a Sargeant in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment in the War of the Revolution who enlisted for three years and who was honorably discharged by the Honorable Henry Knox Major Gen.; and who was a pensioner under the act of Congress of March 18.1818 and for the proof of said services reference to be had to the papers that her husband filed and the rolls in the War Department.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Amsden on the twenty second day of August in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two by Jonothan Ward Esq of Southborough; that her husband, the aforesaid John Amsden died on the fourth day of May eighteen hundred and twenty seven; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, and will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Lovisa [her X mark] Amsden
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me
Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester
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I Lucretia Woods of Sherburne in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts widow being eighty five years of age and being duly sworn according to law, do testify and depose that John Amsden late of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid but now deceased was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of Congress of March 18.1818, that he the said John Amsden was married at Southborough aforesaid to Lovisa Bellows one of my sisters at the house of Jonothan Ward Esquire, by the said Jonothan Ward Esquire (now deceased) sometime in the month of August 1782 and I was present at said marriage--one other fact I recollect in connection with said marriage was that the said John Amsden was then out in the Revolutionary service and that he wrote a letter home to my sister Lovisa that he should be at Southborough at such a time and that he wished to have the marriage on such a day.
Sherburne July 31.1838 Lucretia [her X mark] Woods
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex, Ss. July 31.1838-Then personally came Lucretia Woods and made oath that the affidavit above by her subscribed was true.
Before me Dalton Goulding Justice of the Peace
Middlesex ss. Sherburne July 31.1838 I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the said Lucretia Woods & that she is entitled to full credit.
Dalton Goulding Justice of Peace
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I Swain Parker, town Clerk of the town of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify that the following is a true copy of records in said Southborough of the births of the children of John Amsden and Lovisa his wife
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a son named Jonathan Amsden on May 20th day 1783
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a son named William Amsden on July the 7th day 1785
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a son named John Amsden on March 10th day 1788
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a son named Jedidiah Amsden on October 3d day 1790
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a daughter named Lovisa Amsden on September 16th day 1794
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a daughter named Polly Amsden on September 30th day 1796
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a son named Silas Amsden on April 20th day 1798
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a son named Willard Amsden on September 10th day 1803
Born to John Amsden & Lovisa his wife a daughter named Patty Amsden on May 12th day 1805
Swain Parker }Town Clerk of the town of Southborough
I Swain Parker above named depose and say; that I hold the office of town Clerk in the town, County and Commonwealth aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Southborough
Swain Parker }Town Clerk of the town of Southborough
Worcester ss. Southborough September 11th 1838
Sworn before me Willard Newton Justice of Peace
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I Swain Parker town Clerk of the Town of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify that the following is a true copy of records in said Southborough John Amsden departed this life on May the fourth day one thousand eight hundred & twenty seven with the exception of the date which is expressed on the records in fair legible figures as follows John Amsden departed this life on May the 4th day A.D. 1827.
Swain Parker }Town Clerk of the Town of Southborough
I Swain Parker above named depose and say; that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town County and Commonwealth aforesaid and that the above is a true abstract from the records of said Southborough with the exception above named as certified by me.
Swain Parker }Town Clerk of the Town of Southborough
Southborough September 17.1838
Sworn before Willard Newton Justice of the Peace
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Swain Parker of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being fifty seven years of age and being duly sworn according to law do depose and say that I am well acquainted with Lovisa Amsden of said Southborough widow of John Amsden who was a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of Congress of March 18.1818 and that I know her to be the widow of the said John Amsden and she now remains the widow of the said John Amsden, and they always lived together as man and wife
Swain Parker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester, ss. Southborough September 17 1838 Then came Swain Parker above named and made oath that the affidavit above by him subscribed was true
Before me Willard Newton Justice of the Peace
Worcester, ss. Southborough September 17.1838
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Swain Parker above named and that he is a man of truth.
Willard Newton Justice of Peace
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Dexter Ball of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being sixty four years of age and being duly sworn according to law do depose and say that I am a son of Jonas Ball Esq who was the executor the Will of Jonothan Ward Esq. of said Southborough who died some forty or fifty years ago. I was the executor on said Jonas Ball [illegible] Will died about thirty years ago-that I have made gent search amongst all the papers in my possession and I cannot find any traces of  y marriages of the said Jonothan Ward Esq in my possession
Dexter Ball
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester, ss. Southborough September 17.1838
Then came Dexter Ball and made oath the affidavit above by him subscribed was true
Before me Willard Newton Justice of the Peace
Worcester, ss. Southborough September 17.1838
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with said Dexter Ball and he is a man of truth.
Willard Newton Justice of the Peace
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Swain Parker of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby certify that I have made a diligent search for record of the marriage of John Amsden and Lovisa Amsden the widow of said John Amsden the office of the town Clerk of said Southborough I cannot find any record of said marriage in office
Swain Parker }Town Clerk of said town of Southborough
Swain Parker above named depose and say: i hold the office of Town Clerk in the town county and Commonwealth aforesaid and the above is true as certified by me
Swain Parker Town Clerk of Southborough
Southborough September 17.1838
Sworn to before me Willard Newton Justice of Peace
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10.561
Lovisa Amsden
Mass.
act 7 July 38
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[seal partially covering the words]Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston February 15 1844
I hereby Certify, That at the dates of the annexed attestations Ira M. Barton was Judge of the Court of Probate & Sullivan Fay was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester and Elijah Clark was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; 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.
John G. Palfrey, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester Ss.
On this thirteenth day of February eighteen hundred and forty four Personally appeared before the Hon. Ira M. Barton, Judge of Probate in and for the County of Worcester and state aforesaid, Lovisa Amsden a resident of Southborough in said County of Worcester, eighty one years of age, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July seventh AD 1838. entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. That She is the Widow of John Amsden of Southborough who rendered service in the Revolutionary War and according to the best of her recollections and the best evidence within her knowledge he rendered one or more tours of service in the Militia of three of four months each, and in the year 1780, or the first of 1781, he enlisted into the Continental Army for three years, and rendered service as a Sargeant in Capt. Elnathan Haskells company untill he was discharged in 1784, and that he was enscribed on the Revolutionary Pension Roll of the United States at the rate of eight dollars per month under the Act of Congress AD 1818.
She further Declares that she was married to the said John Amsden in the summer of seventeen hundred and eighty four that the ceremony was performed by Jonothan Ward Esq. a Justice of the Peace in Southborough aforesaid that her husband the aforesaid John Amsden died in said town of Southborough on the fourth day of May eighteen hundred and twenty seven, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the 
over
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Marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four "viz" at the time above stated, and that she still remains his widow,
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year first above written, then word "January" being erased, and the word " February" interlined
Lovisa [her X mark] Amsden
Before me 
Ira M. Barton Judge of said Court of Probate
And I further certify that I found said applicant at the Alms House in Southborough in said County, and so infirm, from age, and a complaint of the lungs, that She could in no time attend Court to make this declaration.
Ira M. Barton J. Prob.
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Extracts from the records of the Town of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"1. Born to John Amsden and Lovisa his wife a son named Wm Amsden on January 7th-----1785
2 Born to John Amsden and Lovisa his wife a son named John Amsden on March10th 1788
3 Born to John Amsden and Lovisa his wife a Daughter named Lovisa Amsden on Sept 16th 1792
4 Born to John Amsden and Lovisa his wife a son named Jedediah Amsden on Octo 3d 1790
5 Born to John Amsden and Lovisa his wide a Daughter named Polly Amsden on Sept 30 1796
6 Born to John Amsden and Lovisa his wife a son named Silas Amsden on April 20th 1797
7 Born to John Amsden and Lovisa his wife a son named Willard Amsden on Sept 10 1803
8 Born to John Amsden and Lovisa his wife a Daughter named Patty Amsden on May 12th 1805
A True Copy Attest Joel Burnett {Town Clerk,
I Joel Burnett above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Southboro, County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts-have been duly elected and qualified according to Law- and that the above is a True Extract from the original records of said Town of Southboro-and that there is no record in my office of the marriage or intention of marriage of John Amsden and Lovisa his wife from which the above extract is made. 
Joel Burnett Town Clerk of Southboro
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester S.S. December 12 1843
Sworn to by the above named Joel Burnett
Before me Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace
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I Joseph Amsden of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say, That my brother John Amsden was in the service in the Revolution, I recollect of his returning home from the service which was after the close of the war. Within a year after his return from the service he was married to Lovisa Bellows of Southborough. And they continued to live together as husband and wife in said Southborough until his death, which took place about fifteen years since. My said brother was, as I always understood, a Serjeant in the service of the Revolution, and was a Pensioner at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum at his decease. Lovisa Amsden, widow of said John Amsden is still living in said Southborough, and remains his widow. I do further testify and say that I am in the sixty ninth year of my age.
Joseph Amsden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester Ss, Southborough December 20 1843
Then personally appeared before me the above named Joseph Amsden and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. And I certify that said deponent is well known to me, and I have no doubt of the truth of the declarations made by him.
Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace
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I Willard Newton of Marlborough in the County of Middlesex and commonwealth of Massachusetts, and late of Southborough in the County of Worcester & state aforesaid Seventy years of age. On oath do testify and say that John Amsden a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United State at the time of his death resided in the immediate neighbourhood with me for near twenty five years, and that he has been dead for near fifteen years. That he left Lovisa Amsden a widow and that she is now living at the Alms House in Southborough. I was Overseer of the poor in the town when Mrs Amsden went to that house for support and I have always considered her a person worthy of full confidence. I well recollect that the said John Amsden, formerly stated that he was in the service several times and its my impression he stated that he was in the last three years service.
Willard Newton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex Ss Marlborough Dec.5th AD1843.
Then personally appeared Willard Newton Esq. and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true and I certify that he is a person worthy of full confidence.
Before Me Elijah Clark Justice of the Peace
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Lovisa Amsden
Page 26

I Joel Burnett of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being legally chosen Town Clerk of Southborough and qualified according to law, depose and say, That I have in my care and keeping the Town records of the Town of Southborough, and that on October 10 1844 in searching for some Town orders which had been filed and laid away in a chest, I found a book containing a record of the entries of Banns of Marriages-the first record in that book commences March 21 1779 and the last in August 29 1789. The entries of Marriages contained in the above mentioned book were made and their record attested by Joshua Smith, Urial Montague, and Benjamin Smith, who signed these records as Town Clerks of the Town of Southborough.
The following is an extract from the above named book.
"Rufus Hemingway & Martha Collins, John Amsden Jr. and Lovicia Bellows, all of Southborough-Entered their Bands of Marriage July 18 1784
A true copy attest Joel Burnett Town Clerk of Southborough
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County}ss October 1844
Then came Joel Burnett, Town Clerk and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed.
Before me
Sullivan Fay Jus. of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston November 9th 1844
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Sullivan Fay was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his 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.
John G. Palfrey;
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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Dear Sir,
Your communication of date Sept.5 int. respecting the claims of Mrs Lovisa Amsden which I forwarded to you, has been duly received, and the impression of her having received a pension is astonishing news to me.
Near the first of April 1843, I was in the town of Shrewsbury and left with Mrs Lydia Bellows her Pension certificate for arrears of Pension under the Act of 1838,. And she desired me to call at the Southborough Alms House and see her brothers widow, stateing that she was supported by the town. that her Brother John Amsden was a Pensioner of the United State at the time of his decease, and that Mrs Amsden had no one to aid her to a pension which she believed she ought to receive. In the month of November or first of December, I made a call at the Alms House see Mrs Amsden & herd her statements respecting her husbands service in the Revolution. She informed me that Larkin Newton late decd. made some examination some years since to aid her, but could not find a record of her Marriage therefore she could not obtain. I took her statements relative to her marriage and the number & births of her children and made application to the Town Clerk and found there was no record of her marriage, but that there was a record of the birth of her children. I obtained a certificate & other evidence and prepared her Declaration which was kept untill Judge Barton could attend Court at the Alms House which was held on the thirteenth of February last, when she made her Declaration and as soon as the papers were properly authenticated were forwarded to you. She nor no other person ever intimated to me that she had before made a Declaration. The Judge did not mention it,
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I have to state that as I found her statements respecting her marriage to John Amsden to be soon after he came home from the service, she could only be entitled to a pension under the law of 1838. the date of her first child in 1785 made it clear, and now if her former Declaration was prepared for claim under the act of 1836, the statements of the date of her marriage must I think have been falsified by the person who prepared it, and its my opinion from the common expression I have herd in Southborough that if there was a Town Clerk certificate made showing the birth of a son in May 1783, it must have been a forged certificate as well as the other papers & powers of Attorney to receive the Pension which I think must appear clearly so, when you examine the evidence herewith. Mrs. Amsden states to me positively that she had eight children only and that the first a son named William and he was born the next year after her marriage. I am therefore of the opinion that the papers forwarded to establish the claims under the act of 1836, were nearly every paper forged, and that Mrs Amsden had no claims to a Pension under the act of 1836, but that her claims under the act of 1838 are just and true claims to which she is entitled, and that whatever was done under the pretense for Mrs Amsden under the act of 1836, has nothing to do with the papers and claims of hers which I have forwarded under the act of 1838, with honesty of intention to do justice & honour to the claims and the Pension Department,
Verry Respt Your
Obt Serv
Elijah Clark
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
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Lovisa Amsden
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[seal] Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, July 22 1851
I hereby Certify, That at the dates of the annexed attestations Solomon Este and Sullivan Fay were Justices 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.
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No 13
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss.
On this 16th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifty one personally appeared before me the subscribant a Justice of the Peace in and for said County John Amsden a resident of Southborough in the County aforesaid aged 63 years who makes the following statement in order to receive the arrears of Pension that was due his mother Lovisa Amsden at the time of her death.
And this declarant states that he is the only surviving child of John and Lovisa Amsden both deceased. He states that his father John Amsden was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of 1818 at the rate of $96 per annum and that he died on the 4 May 1827. he further states that his said Mother, Lovisa Amsden, made application for a pension, as your declarant has reason to believe under some of the existing pension laws, and that she employed an agent by the name of Newton, now deceased, who it is alleged, procured said pension and continued to draw the same until 1844 unbeknown to the said Lovisa Amsden
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and to your declarant, and appropriated the whole of said Pension to himself.
Your declarant states that his mother the said Lovisa Amsden was nearly blind during the latter years of her life that she placed implicit confidence in her agent to whom she confided her whole business, that she was called upon year after year to sign her name to certain papers that were presented to her on the pretense as her agent informed her that it was necessary so to do in order to establish her claim to a pension, he stating that the Commissioner had not allowed said pension. He refers to the proof now in the declarations of his said father and mother in the pension office in support of this his claim and prays to be allowed the arrears of Pension due his mother Lovisa Amsden from the time her pension was suspended to the time of her death.
John Amsden
Witness
Z.K. Harmon
Signed and sworn before me on the day and year first above written.
Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace
Page 35

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Probate Office
Worcester County ss}
Be it known, That on this seventeenth day of July A.D. 1851, it has been satisfactorily proved before me Judge of Probate for said County, That Lovisa Amsden, widow of John Amsden was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, that she died at Southboro, Mass. on the Seventh day of April A.D. 1846 and that she remained a widow from the death of her husband, and that John Amsden is the only surviving child of said Lovisa Amsden deceased.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused the seal official of said Court to be affixed the day and year first above written.
Thos Kinnicutt
Judge of Probate
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, Ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester, do certify, that Thomas Kinnicutt is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature to the Certificate on the first page of this sheet is genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this seventeenth day of July, one thousand, eight hundred and fifty one.
Chas G. Prentiss, Register
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I Sullivan Fay of Southborough, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on Oath testify and say that for many years I was Town Clerk and Selectman for the Town of Southborough. I have read the declaration of John Amsden, of even date with this, for the arrear of Pension due his mother Lovisa Amsden, and can certify that the facts stated in said declaration are true. I was well acquainted with said Lovisa Amsden in her life time-she was assisted by the Town during the latter part of her life, was very aged, being eighty three years of age at the time of her decease, on the seventh day of April 1846, as shown by the Town records now before me- was a person of truth and good character, was incapable of meditating fraud, and was without doubt defrauded by her agent. The papers in her case were brought to me, some years since, from the Pension Office in Boston to examine, and so declared at that time knowing the hand writing of her agent and the Justice of the Peace as well- and that Mr Stone the then Pension Clerk, subsequently told me at the Office in Boston, that Mr Newton, her agent had drawn several hundred dollars on forged papers.
I further certify that the aforesaid Lovisa Amsden remained a widow from the death of her husband
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John Amsden and that the aforesaid John Amsden is the only surviving child of John and Lovisa Amsden, and is now living in this Town.
Sullivan Fay
Worcester ss July 16th A.D. 1851. Then personally appeared the above named Sullivan Fay, who is known to me to be a man of truth and veracity, and made oath that the statements contained in the foregoing affidavit by him signed are true.
Before me Solomon Este Justice of the Peace}
Page 39

I Swain Parker of Southboro in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath testify and say, that I have been Selectman and Overseer of Poor of said town of Southboro for more than ten years and was Town Clerk about nine years. I was well acquainted with John & Lovisa Amsden of this town, who were Revolutionary Pensioners during their life time said Lovisa employed one Larkin Newton to obtain her pension, who obtained it for a number of years as I have since learned and appropriated it to his own use. said Newton died about the time his fraud was discovered said Lovisa Amsden was supported by the town a number of years before her death she was an honest simple-hearted old lady was a woman of upright life and sustained a character for truth and veracity was very feeble and infirm the latter years of her life & was incapable of meditating fraud placing implicit confidence in her agent doing as directed by him & was defrauded of her pension.
Swain Parker
Worcester ss: July 16th A.D. 1851. Then per-
Page 40

sonally appeared the above named Swain Parker known to me to be a man of truth & veracity and made oath that the statements in the foregoing affidavit by him signed are true.
Before me Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace
Page 41

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15535
Lovisa Amsden
widow of
John Amsden
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index:--Vol. A, Page 12
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 42

[left side] 10,561
Mass
act 7th July 1838
[right side] set G.C. Ames Feb 3/52.
Page 43

lark Act 8.44
Hon. W Farmer a 18 Dec 
Let to E. Clark Sept 27.45
See two letters marked 1 & 2 in C.W.14647 of Samuel Dunton with reference to this cl.
They may have some data for this cl.
MMH
Dec.14.1922
Page 44

Recd Washington Decr 28th 1833 from the papers of John Amsden (on file in the Pension Office) his discharge, given the fourth day of January 1784 Signed by Henry Knox B Genl. 
John Davis
Page 45

MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT, SS.
Boston June 10 A.D. 1818
IT appearing to my satisfaction, that John Anderson subscriber to the annexed declaration, sworn to before 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 persons 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.
Jn Davis }Judge of the District Court U.S.
Massachusetts District.
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MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT, SS.
Boston 18 January 1819.
I AM satisfied that the above named, John Amsden by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, is in need of assistance from his Country for support.
Jn Davis {District Judge U.S.
Massachusetts District
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
Page 47

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, September 13 1851
I Hereby Certify That at the date of the annexed attestation Sullivan Fay was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester, in said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his 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 48

Know all men by these presents that I, John Amsden of Southboro in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts the only surviving child of Lovisa Amsden late of said Southboro deceased do hereby constitute and appoint Freeman Bradford of Portland State of Maine, & George C. Ames of Washington City D.C. my true and lawful Attorneys, for me in my name and for my use, to present my claim for an increase and arrears of pension due me under the Acts of Congress passed on and since the 7th of July 1838, and for the purposes aforesaid my said Attorneys or either of them are authorized and required by me to obtain whatever proof may be necessary relative thereto, and they or either of them are authorized to examine any papers relative to said claim now in the Pension Office or any other department at Washington and generally to do and perform any other act or thing in the same manner that I might do were I personally present.
Hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever my Attorneys or either of them may lawfully do in the premises.
In witness whereof I
Page 49

have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of September A.D. 1851.
John Amsden
[seal]
Witness
H Maria Fay
Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Worcester County ss: September 5 A.D. 1851. Then personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths take acknowledgements of deeds Powers of Attorney and other instruments, the above named John Amsden and acknowledged the above Power of Attorney by him subscribed to be his free act and deed.
Before me,
Sullivan Fay, Justice of the Peace
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[seal] Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Dec 16 1843
I 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 Amsden is borne upon the rolls of Capt Elnathan Haskell from March 3. to Dec 17.1781 after which time there are no rolls in this office
The name of John Amsden is borne upon a Copy of a discharge in the Land Office in this state as follows viz 
"By the Honorable Major General Knox. Commanding Officer of the American Forces on Hudson River, Sergeant John Amsden in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment, being enlisted for three years is hereby honorably discharged from the service of the United States
Given in the State of New York on this fourth day of July 1784
over
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Signed H Knox, Maj Genl
By the General Command
McDoughty
A.D. protem,
Registered in the Book of the Regiment
A true copy of the original
G.W.Coffin
Land Agent
The name of John Amsden is not borne upon the roll of Capt [illegible] for 1779
And I further Certify, That, before search was made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno A Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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I, Lovisa Amsden of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that my husband John Amsden rendered service in the war of the Revolution, and according to the best of my recollection he was at the capture of Burgoyn in Capt Winches company, and that he was in the last three years service in Capt G  Molvens company as a corpral or Sergent engaged from the town of Southborough and I request an examination of the documents in the case and supperintendance of the Secretary of this state for the proof of my said husbands service. He was previous to his death, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States.
Lovisa [her X mark]
Witness by me
Elijah Bemis Jr
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Framingham Dec 1st 1843
I hereby certify that I was present at the Alms House in Southborough this day about 12 oclock at noon & that I witnessed the signing of Lovisa Amsden by her making her mark, and that she acknowledged the above affidavit by her subscribed to be true.
Elijah Clark Just. Peace
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[seal] Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston September 16th 1844
I hereby Certify, that at the dates of the annexed attestation Sullivan Fay was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his 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.
John G. Palfrey
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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I Lovisa Amsden of Southborough in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify and say That my husband John Amsden rendered service in the Revolutionary war was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his decease, That Larkin Newton of this Town at my request made some efforts to obtain a pension for me and that he always told me he could not obtain the pension for me, and that I have never received a pension from the United States, or gave any orders, or signed any powers of Attorney for said Larkin  or any other person.
Lovisa [her X mark] Amsden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County }ss Sept 13 1844
Then came Lovisa Amsden, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed, by making her mark, and I further certify that said Lovisa is of sound mind and a person of truth.
Before me
Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace.
Page 55

I Joel Burnett of Southboro in County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of Southboro being duly elected to that office and qualified according to Law, have in my care and keeping the Records of said Town.
On reexamining the records of the births of the children of John Amsden and Lovisa his wife I find the births of eight children; The 1st William Amsden born January 7th 1785 the last 8th Patty Amsden born May 12th 1805
I further depose and say that I find no other record of the births of children of John Amsden and Lovisa his wife. I also state that the record commences with William Amsden as the first born and ends with Patty Amsden as the eighth, the names of the children being numerically placed on the record. I also state that Swain Parker was Town Clerk of Southboro from 1833 up to March 1841.
I also state that the Overseers of the Poor of Southboro for the year 1837 were Willard Newton, Manasseh Fay, and Larkin Newton.
For the year 1838 they were Swain Parker, Larkin Newton, and Peter Fay.
For the year 1839 they were Swain Parker, Larking Newton, and Peter Fary.
For the year 1840 they were Larkin Newton, Peter Fay and Manasseh Fay.
over
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The foregoing are extracts and correct statements from the records of the Town of Southboro.
Attest Joel Burnett Town Clerk of Southboro
September 13 1844
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester Ss.
On this thirteenth day of September eighteen hundred and forty four personally came before me Joel Burnett above named and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true
Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace
Page 57

I Swain Parker of Southborough, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say, that I am sixty three years of age, and that I have held the office of Town Clerk for the Town of Southborough for a number of years  and that I was one of the overseers of the Poor of said Town from March 1833 to March 1840, with the exception of a year, from March 1837 to March 1838. In February 1834 Lovisa Amsden, the widow of John Amsden, was admitted to the poor-house as a pauper, and has so continued from that time to the present. I further say that I had some knowledge of Larkin Newton of this Town attempting to obtain a pension for said Lovisa, and I always understood and it is my full impression, that the said Larkin and the said Lovisa have stated to me that the pension for said Lovisa could not be obtained by reason of a deficiency of the record of her marriage and I have no knowledge and do verily believe that said Lovisa has never received a pension from the United States. I have a recollection that while I was Town Clerk said Larkin and myself examined the record for the purpose of finding the record of marriage of the said Lovisa, and as there was no record to be found of said marriage, it is my impression that I made a certificate of the births of the children of said John Amsden and
Page 58

Lovisa is wife, and if so, I have no doubt and it is my full belief that I made the certificate commencing with the first son named William born January 7 1785, as appears upon the Town records which I have examined this day
Southborough September 13 1844 Swain Parker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County} ss Sept. 13 1844
Then came Swain Parker who is known to me to be a credible witness, and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace
Page 59

I Willard Newton of Marborough, in the County of Middlesex, late of Southborough in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do testify and say, That I was one of the overseers of the poor in the Town of Southborough for a number of years, that I was well acquainted with John Amsden of said Southborough and Lovisa his wife, and that I was an overseer of the poor at the time said Lovisa entered the poor house of said Town of Southborough, and that a few years after that time an effort was made to obtain a pension for said Lovisa, which I always understood failed for two reasons. The first was, that the said John and Lovisa was not married untill after the said John left the service of the Revolution, and the second was, that no record was to be found of their marriage and these two reasons were given by Larkin Newton who had made search for evidence to establish a claim to a pension for and in behalf of said Lovisa. I have no recollection of acting officially in the obtaining of evidence for and in behalf of said Lovisa, and was never knowing to her receiving any money from the United States, and I have never known of her signing any powers of attorney and that the oldest child of said John and Lovisa was named William, and that said John and Lovisa resided in my neighborhood by which reason I was well acquainted with the whole family, and I further
Page 60

declare that I am now seventy three years of age, and further I say not.
Willard Newton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County}ss. Sept 14 1844
Then personally appeared the above named Willard Newton and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true and I further certify that said Willard is well known to me as a person of truth.
Before me Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace
Page 61

Elijah Clarke Esquire
Brighton Mass.
Page 62

Worcester Nov.4.1844.
To Elijah Clark Esquire
Dear Sir,
Before reference to my Ledger, I find that I charged Larkin Newton for taking the declaration of Lovisa Amsden, on the 17th Sept. 1838, though I have wholly forgotten the fact, when I took her declaration for years, last winter, under the act of 1838. I am unable to state, either from recollection, or by the aid of my books, whether the declaration which I took in Sept. '38 was under the act of July '36 or July 38. I think the body of the declaration will be found to be in the handwriting of Larkin Newton and not my own, as I find I did not charge him for drawing but taking the declon. My official attestation of the declon, I have no doubt is genuine; I then wrote my name "Ira Barton", and not "Ira M. Barton," as at present whether Newton made any alterations in the declaration after it was witness, it is impossible for me to say. The
Page 63

probability, however, is, that he originally mistated in the action, the time of the applicants marriage, and to sustain the declon, in that particular, produces a forged copy of the record of the birth of her children, knowing that her marriage must have been before the completion of her husband's service. I, of course, could not detect a fraud of that sort, and it is easy to conceive how a man of Newton's skill, could impose upon an ignorant old lady, in that way.
Larkin Newton died about four years ago, and his estate was rendered insolvent, though I believe it paid his debt, in full, and left a small surplus of about fifty dollars. If, therefore, he obtained from the Government, not only a pension certificate by forgery, but by like means obtained a sum of money, as you suggest, both the Government and the pensioner are without remedy for the aggravated fraud which was practiced on both.  I suppose the applicant was fairly entitled to a pension under the act of 1838, and I hope the Government will be disposed to do justice to her, notwithstanding she may have been made
Page 64

as I verily believe she was, the unwitting instrument of fraud, in the hands of a bad man, who has since gone to his final account.
Yours truly & respectfully
Ira M. Barton
Page 65

Brighton August.12th.1845.
Dear Sir,
I have to address you again on the unfortunate case of Mrs Lovisa Amsden, widow of John Amsden a deceased Pensioner of the United States under the act of 1818. As it has been found that her name was placed on the Pension Roll of this state, at the rate of $80. dollars per annum by the means of a forged certificate purporting to be from the town Clerk of Southborough and as it appears the amount was paid up to Mar 4.1840 by forged powers of attorney which amounted to near $720 dollars which amount you decide she is responsible for by reason of her being lead to make a declaration under the act of 1836. And Sir as she was and now is entitled under the act of 1838, and the subsequent acts which claims I forewarded unaware of any thing previously done will you now allow her pension under the act of 1838 and the subsequent acts for the services of her husband as a Sergeant, in the continental army, by deducting what has been paid.
Verry Respt your
Obt St &c
Elijah Clark
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pension
Washington, City.D.C.
Page 66

Elijah Clarks case
Lovisa Amsden
Wm Parmenter
Page 67

Brighton November 12th 1844.
Dear Sir,
I herewith enclose to you documents in reference to the forged case of Larkin Newton on Mrs Lovisa Amsden of Southborough. which case I mentioned to you some time since. The Town Clerks certificate haveing been obtained is enclosed & shows more clearly the correctness of the time of her marriage as she declared in her declaration which I provided Hon Ira M Bartons letter explains his view as far as he can recollect.
If Newton could forge so as to obtain a pension certificate & obtain the money by the same means, I think he mite have forged a declaration under the act of 1836, when a true one was made under the act of 1838, in September 1838. It will be noticed that Mrs Amsden claims by the declaration & documents which I forewarded, a pension under the Law of Congress, passed July 1838, for her husband's service in the last three years as a Sergeant.
Verry Respt your
Obt Serv
Elijah Clark
Hon. William Parmenter
M.C.
At East Cambridge
Mass.
Page 68

Washington Sept 8, 1857
James E Heach Esq
Sir
Enclosed you will please find Application from the children of Lovisa Amsden widow of John Amsden for arrears of pension alleged to be due her at her death
It appears from the statement herewith presented, that John Amsden was a pensioner under the act of 18 March 1818 and died in 1827. that Mrs Amsden was afterwards placed upon the pension Roll but she never received any portion of the stipend granted to her: that the semi annual payments were drawn by her agent under false pretenses no part of which was paid to her, until 1844. that she died in 1846. The children ask that the matter may be looked into, and if there be found any thing now due, that the same may be paid to them
With Much Respect
Your Obt Servt
Geo C. Ames
Page 69

Sept 16 1844
Refs
Lovisa Amsden
Page 70

Brighton Sept.12th 1844.
Dear Sir
Your communication of date Sept. 5 not respecting the claims of Lovisa Amsden was received last evening, it is surprising to me, to hear that she has once before made a Declaration and is now receiving a Pension under the act of 1836. She nor no one of her friend have never intimated anything of the kind. I shall visit Southborough on tomorrow and in a few days shall answer you on the case.
Verry Respt your 
Obt St
Elijah Clark
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Page 71

Brighton February 16th 1844
Dear Sir,
I enclose to you herewith the  the claims of Mrs Lovisa Amsden the widow of John Amsden of Southborough for a Pension under the act of 1838.
Verry Respt your
Obt St
Elijah Clark
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, City D.C.