Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15611, Jonathan Burr, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service          Number
Mass.             W.15611

Burr, Jonathan
        Sarah

Contents
Page 2

2627
Massachusetts
Jonathan Burr
Boston in the State of Mass
who was a Pri & Segt in the Company commanded by Captain ...................................
of the Regt commanded by Col Bailey in the Mass line for 15 mo Private
                        9   " Sergeant
------------------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 95 Dollars -00 -Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
--------------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of Decr 1832 and sent to G.S. Bulfinch Boston Mass
--------------------------------------------
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '33
$142.50
    47.50
$190.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book D  Vol. 2  Page 95

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Let. to Hon Jno. Reed, Sept 27, 1837
 "      "     "   B. Burnell Aug 13. '42
 "      "     "   same person 17 Jany 1843
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5424
Massachusetts
-
Sarah Burr
widow of Jonathan Burr
who was a Pri & Sgt
in the Mass Line
Mass
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
95 Dollars  00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
30 day of Apl 1844
and sent to
Hon Jos Grinnell
H. of Reps.
[Act of March 3, 1843

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1  Page 60

rep 30 April 1844
Page 4


FAMILY RECORD 
MARRIAGES.
Sarah Cooke, daughter
of Rev. Saml Cooke, West
Cambridge, was married to
Jonathan Burr. Jr July
1787. Died March 9
1788.
--------------------------
Sarah Smith, daughter of
Dr Thos Smith Jr. was
born Aug. 31. 1765. Married
to Jonathan Burr Jr
Nov. 2. 1788.
----------------------
Caroline W. Smith was born
Jan 9 1785. came to live with
Jos. Burr, latter end of
Nov. or beginning of Decr 1790
Deborah Hathaway born
Nov. 15, 1798, came to live
with Jos Burr, in July or August, 
1803. Married to
Walter Baker, Esq. March
1825, died at London
Decr 13. 1838, aged 40.
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MARRIAGES.
Sarah Smith, daughter
of Dr Thomas Smith Jr
was born August 31. 1765
was married to Jonathan
Burr Jr. Nov. 2. 1788.
Page 5

J. C. B. H. Fessenden of Sandwich in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts, being duly sworn depose and say that I saw the leaf above attached cut out from a bible, known to me to have been the family bible of the late Jonathan Burr deceased; and that the Entries of births and marriages upon said leaf and in the hand writing the said Jonathan Burr
C B.H. Fessenden

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable Ss. -  Sandwich June 5th 1843
Personally appeared the above named Charles
B. H. Fessenden and made oath to the truth
of the above affidavit by him subscribed in my presence and I also certify that said Fessenden is a credible person
Nymphus Marston, Judge of Probate 
for said ┃
County
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable County Ss

I, Timothy Reed Register of the Court of
Probate in and for said County of Barnstable hereby certify that Hon Nymphus Marston is the Judge of said Court and that the within signature purporting to have been made by him is his genuine Signature-
In witness whereof I have 
hereto set my hand and 
affixed the seal of said Court 
this twenty first day of February 
A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty four

Timothy Reed Reg'r Prob
Page 7

Jonathon Burr
Boston
Massachusetts
No. 1481
15 mo Private
 9   "    Sergeant
24   "

Sgt 9 Mos
Private 15
2 Years
adm
$95.
G. S. Bulfinch
Boston
Mass
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Burr
of Boston in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Seventy five
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.        Duration Service     Rank   Field Off
In 1775      1 Mos 3 days             Pri  Col Baily
   "              4 Mos 28 days             "   Col Baily
   76            4 Mos 0 days              "    Col Baily
 77/78         5 Mos 0 days             "    Col Wards
 78 & 79      9 Mos 0 days         Sgt    Col Wards
                                                             & others
            2 YEARS IN ALL

5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bridgewater
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary & Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
D. D. Addison
Examining Clerk
Page 9

Jonathan Burr
No. 1481
Page 10



Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Suffolk Ss.
On this Eleventh day of August, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Municipal Court of the City of Boston now sitting at
Boston within and for the County of Suffolk
aforesaid
Jonathan Burr aged seventy five years by profession a clergyman who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say, that in his nineteenth year, and on the
first of July 1775, he entered as a private soldier in Capt. Dan'l Lothrop's Company, in Col John Bailey's regiment in the public service
and served one month and three days that he then immediately voluntarily enlisted as a private soldier in Capt Lothrop's company, Col Bailey's regiment Massachusetts line, then stationed at Roxbury near Boston, and served till Decr 31st of the same year in what was called the eight months service. He was then 
discharged, and immediately enlisted in what was called the year's service in Capt. Crocker's company, Col Bailey's regiment, as a musician, but soon after by his own request took his place in the ranks, as a private soldier, and
served several weeks after the main body of the army had marched for New York, he thinks, till about the 1st of May, being detached with a small party to guard the prisoners, who occasionally fell into our hands after the British 
fleet had sailed from the lower harbour. His father then procured for him a furlough or discharge, he is not certain which, and he remained with him assisting him on his farm except when he was called away on alarms from about the 1st of May till about the first of August 1776. About the last of July or 1st of August 1776, he enlisted as a private
soldier in Captain Burr's company Col Ward's regiment Massachusetts Line and immediately marched from New York through Providence, New London &c, and served till Dec. 31 of the same year, when he was discharged. His time
of service in New York & vicinity was about five months. Two or three months of this time, he served with Capt. Burr with 20 or 30 men on board a small armed vessel in Newark Bay, stationed there to prevent communication between the tories and the British troops on Staten Island
During the whole time between April 19, 1775 & July 1779, when he was not in the continental army, he was frequently called out on alarms to march to several places on the same
Page 11

from 2 or 3 to ten or twelve weeks at a time, particularly in Genl Sullivans expedition against the British troops on R Island, in the summer of 1778, in Capt. Packard's company Col Carpenters regiment, Gen Glover's brigade, and was in the battle fought at that time. This was his longest time of militia service, but whether it was two or five month, he does not recollect. He served however during that whole campaign.
In some of these militia campaigns he served as a non commissioned officer, in one or more as Sergeant of the company and in one as
Sergeant Major of the Regiment.
from the above declaration it appears, that he served at Roxbury and vicinity about 10 months, and at Newark and vicinity about
five months making in all about 15 months service in the Massachusetts line of Continental troops.
How long he served in all, during the Revolutionary war, he cannot positively say, as he kept no journal, but he well recollects that for several years after he had wholly relinquished a militia life, and entered on a different course, when he was asked the
question, as he often was, how long did you serve in the Revolutionary War, his usual reply was about two years, including continental
service, militia campaigns, alarms, &c. He would however after lapse of between 50 and 60 years be afraid to swear positively
that he served full two years in the war between April 1775 and July 1779, but he would be still more afaid to swear positively ┃
that he did not serve more than two years. His impression and belief is, that he was engaged in his various campaigns marches and alarms for more than two years.
He ask and hopes to be allowed for his services a sergeants pension, having served part of the time in that rank.
A small part of his service is proved from the documents that remain in the office of the Secretary of State of Mass'tts as appears by his certificate. A certificate written and signed by Capt Adams Bailey, who has been dead several years, is also produced in further proof of his services afterwards
In respect to the full time of the declarants service, he adds that he thinks that between 1775 and 1779 more than half his time or considerably more than two years were spent in military services of different kinds.
Page 12


He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity whatever, except the present, and declares that his name is not on
the pension roll, of the agency of any State.
Jonathan Burr
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, in open Court, before me
Peter O. Thacher, Judge

We William Jenks DD Pastor of the Church in Green Street in Boston a Clergyman residing in the town of Boston, and Charles Bulfinch
of said Boston in the County of Suffolk Esquire
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reverend Jonathan Burr who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Wm. Jenks,
Charles Bulfinch
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, in open Court, before me
Thomas O. Thacher, Judge

And the said Court thereupon proceeded to propound the following interrogatories, which he answered under oath, as follows:
1. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer,
In the town of Bridgewater, Plymouth County,
in the year of our Lord 1757
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Answer, Yes; In my bible now in my possession at home.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now
live?
When called into service I lived in Bridgwater, since the Revolutionary war, I have lived in Sandwich Barnstable County, principally, I now live in Boston.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer, I 
was a volunteer in every instance of continental or State service.
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments
, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer,
I think I recollect Col Learned, Col Shepperd Col. Warner, were colonels of different regiments at the time I was in the service
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for
veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Answer
Hon'ble John Q Adams, Hon'ble John Davis Dist. Judge U.S. for Mass Dist. Judge Cranch, Dist. Crt.,  Charles Bulfinch Esq, formerly
chairman of Selectmen in Boston & Lately Architect of Capitol U.C.
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7. Did you ever receive a discharge from service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?-
Answer.   I do not recollect whether I did or did not receive discharges at the close of my different periods of service, but if I did they have been lost or destroyed time out of mind.
Johnathan Burr
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court before me
Peter O Thacher Judge &c

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court
further certifies that it appears to them, that the Dr William Jenks, who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the City of Boston, and Charles Bulfinch Esquire, who has also signed the same Certificate, is also residents in Boston aforesaid; that both are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court
of the City of Boston-

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk Ss.
I Thomas W Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, a Court of Records legally established in this Commonwealth;
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Johnathan Burr
for a pension, also that the Honorable Peter O. Thacher is sole Judge of said Court & his name affixed to these papers are his genuine signatures. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at said Boston
this eleventh day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk
Page 14

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain wide
ows," and the act of Congress of the 3rd of March 1813, entitled "An act granting pension to certain widows of Revolutionary Soldiers."
State of Massachusetts ⎬
Barnstable Ss.}

On this 8th day of June AD 1843, personally appeared before Nymphas Marston Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of
Barnstable, Sarah Burr a resident of Sandwich
in said County aged Seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, does upon her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed the 7th July 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" and
the act of Congress passed March 3 1843 entitled "An act granting a pension to certain Widows of revolutionary soldiers;" That she is the Widow of the Reverend Jonathan Burr late of said Sandwich who was a private soldier or musician in the War of the Revolution; that she cannot now state
Page 15


the particulars of his service, neither as to time,
place or officers - but that he was a pensioner
of the United States on account of Revolutionary services under the act of
7th June 1832. and drew a pension, the annual amount of which was ninety five Dollars; And she further declares that she was married to the said Jonathan Burr on the second day of November 1788, /say Seventeen hundred and eighty eight- That her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Burr died on the second day of August, Eighteen hundred and forty two,
that she was not married to him prior to his
leaving service; but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, Seventeen hundred and ninety four, to wit, at the time herein above specified- that she further declares that she has not been married since the death of her said husband, and that she
is now a widow.
Sarah Burr

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable Ss.
On this fifth day of June A.D. Eighteen hundred
and forty three I certify that before me
Nymphas Marston Judge of the Court of
Probate in & for said County, personally
Page 16


appeared Sarah Burr named in the foregoing
Declaration and made oath to the truth of
the same and subscribed the same in my
presence - I further certify that said Sarah
Burr is & has long him personally known
to me, and that she was the consort of Rev. Johnathan Burr deceased on account of those services in the revolution she makes said application for a pension. And I further certify that she is so infirm in body that is unreasonable to require her personal attendance in Court & I have therefore taken her aforesaid declaration at her residence-
Judge of
Nymphas Marston  Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable Ss.
I Timothy Reed Register of the Court of
Probate in and for said County hereby
certify that the Hon Nymphas Marston
is the Judge of said Court and was so
on the fifth day of June last and that the above signature purporting to have been made by him as his genuine signature-
---
In witness whereof I have hereto
Set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court this twenty
first day of February AD Eighteen
hundred & forty four
Timothy Reed   Reg'r Prob-
Page 17

Rev. and 1812
War Section.
March 6, 1926.

Mrs. Eli H. Fordham
Southampton
Long Island, N. Y.
Madam:

I have to advise you from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 15611, it appears that Jonathan Burr (son of Jonathan Burr, who was born April 16, 1731; and his wife Martha Cudworth, who was born September 15, 1736. He died January 24, 1797 and she died December 13, 1791) was born January
20, 1757 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, and while residing there, served in the Massachusetts Troops, as follows-

From July 1, 1775 to December 31, 1775 in Captain Daniel Lothrop's Company, Colonel John Bailey's Regiment; and from then to May 1, 1776 in Captain Elijah Crooker's Company in same regiment.
From August 1776, five months in Captain Burr's Company, Colonel Ward's Regiment.
In the summer of 1778 in Captain Packard's
Company,
Page 18

Colonel Carpenter's Regiment, was in General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island, and in battle of Rhode Island, length of service not stated.
He also served on several alarms and in militia
duty, from April 19, 1775 to July 1779, all service amounting to about two years, some of said service as sergeant and sergeant-major.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed August 11, 1833, while a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, at which time he said he was a clergyman. He died August 2, 1842 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
     Soldier married in July 1787, Sarah, daughter of Reverend Samuel Cooke, she died March 9, 1788. He married November 2, 1788, Sarah, daughter of Dr. Thomas Smith Jr. She was allowed pension on her application
executed June 5, 1843, while a resident of Sandwich, Massachusetts. She was born August 31, 1765.
    There are no data on file relative to children.
    The above noted Jonathan Burr is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 19

Rev WIDOW, &c.
---
File No. 156411
Sarah Burr
Widow of
Jonathan Burr
Sergt Mass. Line
Act: Mar 3 1843
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 103
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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1926 Mch 6 -Hist. Mrs. Eli H. Fordham  aws
1929 July 8      "       "    George C. Talbot  aws
1929 July 15    "       "  Henry F Rosemont    aws
Page 20

V
Sarah Burr
Mass

Set to Hon. J. Grinnell  Dec 29, '43
"      Same   10, Feb, 1844

Act 7 July 1838
Page 21

5171
Apl 29 '44
Mass
Mar 3rd, 1843
Sarah Burr
$95 per an.
Hon. J.Grinnell
H.R.
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Jos. Grinnell
J.L.Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington City
Page 22

8304
Massachusetts
---
Sarah Burr
widow of Jonathan Burr
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 2d August 1842
of Boston in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Pri/Sgt in the Compy
commanded by Captain ........................ of the
Reg commanded by Col Bailey in the Mass line for 15 mo Pri & 9 mo Sgt.
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Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 95 Dollars...... Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Apl 1844 and sent to Hon Joseph Grinnell, HoReps

Total Amount,
$475.00

(Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by F.L. Swann  Clerk,

Book D  Vol. 1 Page 53.
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rept 13 Apl 44-
Page 23


U. S. Hospital May 15th 1818.-
Sir,
The bearer Jonathan Burr served in Col. John
Bailey Reg't in the year 1775 after the 1st of Aug'st in said year, in Capt Daniel Lothrops Company as a private soldier, and a portion of the year 1776 in Capt Elijah Crooker Comp'y in said Reg't in which Company I was a Lieut.
Adams Bailey  Late a Capt in said Reg't --
Page 24

Hon'ble Lewis Cass
Secretary  of War
Page 25


Boston 11th August 1832
Hon'ble Lewis Cass
Sir,
Enclosed is the declaration of the Revd Jonathan Burr for a pension, with
accompanying documents. The few muster rolls & documents of the revolutionary war, that remain in the Office of the Secy of State of Mass, which are represented to be extremely imperfect, furnish evidence of only a small part of his service. Capt Bailey's certificate covers a longer period. In regard to his militia service he says they were so frequent & of such a short time, that with the exception of his longest service under Genl Sullivan he cannot recollect the names of his officers & other particulars. It would seem impossible for any one to do so, after so great a lapse of time
       Mr Burr is a most respectable and strictly conscientious man, and his own declaration as to the length of his services, and all other matters therein is entitled to entire belief, in my opinion. My services in this case are entirely gratuitous, and given to him from feelings of respect and regard, & free from any personal interest in his success. The language of his declaration is almost entirely his own
as written down by me.
It is respectfully hoped, that his case may receive the most liberal consideration.
With much respect
Your obdt set
G S Bulfinch, Counselor at Law
No. 5 Court St.
Page 26

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d of March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7th 1838.

State of Massachusetts. Ss.
On this twenty second day of April in the year one thousand Eight Hundred and forty four personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Barnstable in said State, Sarah Burr a resident of Sandwich in said County of Barnstable,
aged Seventy Eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Jonathan Burr, who was a Sergeant in the militia and who received an annual pension of ninety five Dollars under the act of 7th June AD 1832; and that she has received a pension certificate under the act of 7th July 1838 for ninety five Dollars per annum for five years. And she further declared that she has not been married since the death of her husband and that she is still his widow.
  Sarah Burr
Barnstable ss. On this twenty second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty four, before the Subscriber
Page 27

C. B. H. Fessenden Esqr a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Barnstable, personally appeared the above and within named, Sarah Burr well known to me to be the person she represents herself to be, and to whom a certificate of pension has been issued under the act of July 7th 1838, and made oath to the truth of the within declaration, and
subscribed the same
C.B.H. Fessenden
Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable Ss.
I Timothy Reid Clerk of the County in and for the said County of Barnstable hereby certify that Charles B. H. Fessenden Esquire of Sandwich in said County is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as on the twenty
second instant and that the above signature purporting to have him made by him is his genuine signature-
In witness whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed the
Seal of the Court of Common
Pleas this twenty third day of
April in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred
and forty four
Timothy Reed Clerk
Page 28

10701
Sarah Burr application for Pension

Please make retrn to
Timothy Reed at
Barnstable Mass.ts
Page 29

Abigail Bodfish of Sandwich in the County
of Bamstable and State of Massachusetts
widow, being duly sworn, depose and say, that she was born in said Sandwich in the year 1764; that she well knew the Rev'd Jonathan Burt late of Sandwich, and Sarah Burr his widow- that she distinctly recollects that several years before her own marriage; which took place in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety four, she was told
by Sarah Smith, now Sarah Burr, that she must come to her wedding, but that she should make no special invitations- that afterwards, finding that some particular invitations were given, this Deponent was very angry and 
would not attend the wedding- but that it was
always understood that they, Jonathan Burr and Sarah Smith now Sarah Burr, were married, and they cohabited and lived together as man and wife, and were called and considered as such, until the decease of the said Jonathan. And this deponent further States, that she was married by the said Jonathan Burr, and that his said wife was not invited to the wedding because she did not in-
Page 30


-vite this deponent to her own; and this circumstance makes her remember particularly, the fact, that the marriage of the said Jonathan Burr and Sarah Burr took place,
or was understood and reputed to have taken place as stated before. And this deponent 
further states, that the said Jonathan Burr
was at the time of his said marriage the
settled neighbor of said Sandwich, and this Deponent attended his church; and that the
marriage of the said Jonathan and Sarah took place in the house where this deponent now resides. And further this deponent saith not.
  Abigail Bodfish

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable Ss.  Sandwich June 10. 1843, Personally appeared the above named Abigail Bodfish, known to me to be a credible person, and made Solemn oath that the foregoing declaration by her subscribed is true.
Before me,
C. B. H. Fessenden
Justice of the Peace.
Page 31

I, David C. Freeman of Sandwich, in the County
of Bamstable & State of of Massachusetts, being duly Sworn, to certify and depose, that I am the Clerk of said Town of Sandwich, and have the custody of the records: That at the request of the friends of Sarah Burr, Widow of Jonathan Burr late of said Sandwich, I have examined said records for the purpose of finding the record of the marriage of said Jonathan and Sarah; and after a diligent search have not found any record thereof, and am satisfied from my said Examination, that no such record exists.
David C Freeman

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable Ss.  Sandwich June 10. 1843 Personally appeared the above named David C. Freeman and made solemn oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me C. B. H. Fessenden
Justice of the Peace.
Page 32

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable Ss
I Timothy Reed Clerk of the Courts and for said County of Barnstable hereby certify that Charles B. H. Fessenden Esq is a Justice of the Peace in for said County duly commissioned and qualified and was so the tenth day of June last past and that the signature on the opposite side of this paper purporting to have been made by him as his genuine signature.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common
Pleas this twenty first day of February A.D.  eighteen hundred and forty four.
Timothy Reed  Clerk of Court
Page 33

o

Timothy Tobey of Sandwich, County of  
Barnstable and State of Massachusetts, being duly sworn, deposed and says, that he was born in the year Seventeen hundred and Sixty five - that he was born in Sandwich and
always has lived in said Sandwich that he knew
late Jonathan Burr visited at his house very afternoon and sat up with the corpse of his first wife, who died about one year before the said Jonathan Burr married Sarah Smith who now remains his widow that the said Jonathan Burr was reputed to have been married to the said Sarah Smith about the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight in that this deponent distinctly remembers this fact because there was a great deal of talk about the marriage, and many of the said Jonathan Burr churches were opposed to the match in that this deponent often visited said Jonathan Burrs house, after the said marriage and the said Jonathan and Sarah lived together as man and wife from said year, seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight, until the decease of the said
Jonathan about one year since. and further this Deponent says not.
Timothy Tobey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable Ss. Sandwich July 13. 1843. Personally appeared the above named Timothy Tobey, known to me to be a credible person, and made solemn oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true. Before me C.B.H. Fessenden
Jus. Pac.
Page 34

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable Ss
I Timothy Reed Clerk of the Courts in & for said County of Barnstable hereby certify that Charles B. K. Fessenden is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned and qualified and was so on the thirteenth day
of July last past and that the signature on the opposite side of this paper purporting to have been made by him is his genuine signature-

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this twenty first day of February in the
year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty four.

Timothy Reed  Clerk
Page 35


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable Ss
Timothy Reed Clerk of the Courts in and
for said County of Barnstable hereby
certify that Charles B. K. Fessenden Esquire
is a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County duly commissioned and qualified
and was so on the tenth day of June last
and that the signature on the preceding page
purporting to have been made by him
is his genuine signature-
Signature-
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Pleas this twenty first day of February A.D.
Eighteen hundred and forty four.
I am
Timothy Reed Clerk
Page 36

Payments to be made
at Boston Mass
by the Pres of U.S. Br Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of Mass




Recorded by D. D. Addison
Clerk, in Book D  Vol.  2
page 95
Page 37

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832: Jonathan Burr of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private and Sergeant in the army of the Revolution is entitled to receive.-- Ninety Five dollars and.....cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th
of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States,
this Third day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty Two.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and
Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
Page 38

House of Representatives
Washington Jany 16 1833
Sir,
I enclose a communication in relation to the pension of Jonathan Burr deceased. Will
you have the goodness to supply the evidence necessary in this case so far as may be in your power & oblige
Your ObsSvt
Parker Burnell
Mass

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner &c
Washington D.C.
Page 39

Jonathan Burr
Boston
1481

G.S. Bulfinch
Boston
Mass
Page 40

BRIEF objection to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
....Jonathan Burr.....which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  YES
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  YES
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  YES
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which 
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  YES
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  YES
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  YES
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  YES
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  YES
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?   YES
Page 41

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? He has Documentary proof
XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
---
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  -----
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  -------
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
Y Y
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For......year..................months and ........ days, I served as a -. For - months
and days, I served as a....................; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 42

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 43

House of Representatives
Washington Augt 10 '42
Sir:
I transmit with this communication a letter   desiring you to apply for a pension for the widow of Rev Jonathan Burr. Will you be kind enough to say whether she
is entitled to a pension & oblige
Your ObtSt
Parker Purnell Mass

J.L.Edwards Esqr
Commissioner
Washington
D C
Page 44

Apl 12, '44
Mass.
Private

Hon. Jos. Grinnell
HoR
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
J.L.Edwards, Esq.     Free Jos. Grinnell
Com'r of the Pension
Washington City
Page 45


Washington City
April 11th 1844
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge, the receipt
of yours of yesterday, informing me that the application of Mrs Sarah Burr, for a Pension, was received and registered, This lady is now over 90 years old, and has been for 12 mos
past expecting to obtain a pension, but her case has been delayed, by the neglect of some one, to forward her application,
I feel compelled to ask you to have her case examined and reported on as soon as possible-
With great respect
Jos. Grinnell

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Com'r of Pensions
Page 46


Washington Dec 30 1843
Sir
I have letters requesting me to call the attention of the department of Pensions to the cases of Sarah White widow of Mich White of Randolph Mass
Sarah S Burr widow of Jonathan Burr of Massachusetts-
Respectfully YourObtSrvt
Wm. Parmenter

James L. Edward Esq
Com'r of Pensions
Page 47

Aug 11, '43
Sarah Burr
See 1692
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Sandwich Aug. 9
Hon. James L. Edwards       FREE
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Awd'd on margin of let
Aug. 15, 1843.
Page 48

Sandwich August 8, 1843
Dear Sir.
The papers in the case of Sarah Burr, widow of the late Jonathan Burr, Pensioner who applies for the benefit of the Laws of 1842, we forwarded to you, some time since,
from the Probate Office of this County. Will
you have the kindred, in proper time to advise
me of their arrival, and the results of the
application?
Very Respectfully
C.F.B. Fessenden
Atty for Sarah Burr.

Hon. James L. Edwards
Comm'r
(
Very
respectfully
Catter
Suden
Lee
Page 49

Sandwich Aug. 14. 1843
Jas L. Edwards Esq
Com'r of Pensions
Dear Sir,
Enclosed please find the certificate issued to the late Johnathan Burr, and which I have
just found. I suppose, I am doing right, in forwarding it to your office.
Very respectfully
.
C.B.N. Fessenden
Page 50

J.L.Edwards Esq
Com'r of Pensions
Washington City -
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Jan 10 
Burrs

Hon Jos. Grinnell
H of R.
Page 51

Washington City
Jany 10th 1844
J. L. Edwards Esq, Com'r of Pensions
Sir
I have just recd the enclosed from C.B. Fessenden of Sandwich relative to Mr T. Burr's application for a Pension, it appears that he does not understand in what particulars it is
defective, will you have the goodness to inform me as clearly as you can by letter or if you can do it more easily in person I will call at the office-
With great respect -
Jos. Grinnell
J. Grand
Page 52


Washington City
Feby 6. 1844
Sir,
The enclosed letter with the circular containing on its margin your acknowledgement of the receipt of the papers in the case of Mrs Burn of Sandwich. I have just received, from C. B. H. Fessenden Esqr and send them to you to show that her claim has been presented in the usual form - her husband having recd a pension during his life, and the testimony of Mr.
Adams as to the marriage prior to 1794 being satisfactory it would appear that her case is a clear one-
With great respect -
Jos. Grinnell

I have recd and forwarded the certificate of Pension for Sarah Sherman
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Com of Pensions

Sarah Burrs
to H of R
Page 53


Washington City
April 27th 1844
Sir
I enclose herein she application of Sarah Burr for one years pension under the Act of 1843, which then examine and if correct transmit to me the certificate-
With great respect
Your obt Servant
Jos. Grinnell

J.L.Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Page 54

9862
Sarah Burr
Mass
7 July 1838
Adm
15 mos Pri
9  Sergt
$95
Hon. Joseph Grinnell
H Rep
Page 55

This may certify that I was personally acquainted with the Revd Jonathan Burr formerly of Sandwich in the State of Massachusetts also with his widow Sarah Burr before and after their marriage which took place in the year Seventeen hundred eighty eight or Seventeen hundred & and eighty nine -
Washington City Decr 29. 1843
J.Q. Adams

Hon Joseph Grinnell
House of Rep
Page 56

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Secretary's Office, Aug 191832
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
Jonathan Burr of Bridgewater, is borne on a
Roll of "the company under the command of
Captain Daniel Lothrop in Colonel John
Bailey's Regiment"- in the public service -
and is therein stated to have served for the
period of one month and three days commencing July 1, 1775.
Edward D Bangs,   Secretary
Page 57

HENRY P. ROSEMONT
432 Surf St.,  Chicago,
Mar. 26, 1929.
The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me such information as your bureau possesses on Jonathan Burr of Bridgewater and Sandwich, Mass., a fifer in the Revolutionary army and perhaps afterward a
"line" enlisted soldier? He received a pension for his service. Any data you can give me as to his military record and his family will be greatly
appreciated, I am
Most respectfully,
Henry P. Rosemont.
Page 58

Beatrice Nebr
March 6, 1929
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Sirs:
Will you kindly favor me with historical data concerning Jonathan Burr, who served as corporal in Capt. Martin Kirtland's Co. 1777. What were his children's names? Thanking you. Am enclosing stamped self addressed envelope for reply.
Yours truly
Mrs George C. Talbot
(Ethyl Burr )
Page 59

Southampton, L.I.
Jan. 26, '26
The Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C
Gentlemen,-
Will you kindly send me detailed records of all
the Jonathan Burrs of Conn. and Mass, who
served during the Revolectionary War?
I am looking for the record of my ancestor
of that name who moved from Ellington, Conn. to
Page 60

Ludlow Mass. in 1771. His wife was Priscilla
Freeman
I have written for Town and State records, and as a last resort, appeal to the records of the pension
bureau.
Very sincerely yours,
(Mrs. Eli H.) Ida P. Fordham
Page 61

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel
claim
July 15, 1929

Henry F. Rosemont
432 Surf Street
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.15611, it appears that Jonathan Burr (son of Jonathan Burr, who was born April 16, 1731; and his wife, Martha Cudworth, who was born September 15, 1736. He died January 24, 1797, and she died December 12, 1791)
was born January 20, 1757, in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, and while residing there, served in the Massachusetts Troops, as follows:
From July 1, 1775 to December 31, 1775 in Captain Daniel Lothrop's Company, Colonel John Bailey's Regiment; and from then to May 1, 1776 in Captain Elijah Crooker's Company in same regiment.
From August, 1776, five months in Captain Burr's Company, Colonel Ward's Regiment.
In the summer of 1778, in Captain Packard's Company, Colonel Carpenter's Regiment, was in General Sullivan's
Page 62

Expedition to Rhode Island, and in the battle of Rhode Island, length of service not stated.
He also served on several alarms and in militia
duty, from April 19, 1775 to July, 1779, all service amounting to about two years, some of said service as sergeant and sergeant-major.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 11, 1832, while a resident of Boston, Massachusetts at which time he said he was a clergyman. He died August 2, 1842, at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
Soldier married in July, 1787, Sarah, daughter of Reverend Samuel Cooke, she died March 9, 1788. He married November 2, 1788, Sarah, daughter of Dr. Thomas Smith, Junior. She was allowed pension on her application executed
June 5, 1843, while a resident of Sandwich, Massachusetts. She was born August 31, 1765.
There are no data relative to children.
The above noted Jonathan Burr is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 63


July 8, 1929.

Mrs. George C. Talbot,
Beatrice, 322 South 9",
Nebraska.

Madam;
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 15611, it appears that Jonathan Burr (son of Jonathan Burr, who was born April 16, 1731; and his wife
Martha Cudworth, who was born September 15, 1736. He died January 24, 1797 and she died December 12, 1791 ) was born January 20, 1757 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, and while residing there, served in the Massachusetts Troops, as follows:
From July 1, 1775 to December 31, 1775 in Captain Daniel Lothrop's Company, Colonel John Bailey's Regiment; and from then to May 1, 1776 in Captain Elijah Crooker's Company
in same regiment.
From August 1776, five months in Captain Burr's Company, Colonel Ward's Regiment.
In the summer of 1778 in Captain Packard's Company, Colonel Carpenter's Regiment, was in General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island, and in battle of Rhode Island, length
Page 64

of service not stated.
He also served on several alarms and in militia
duty, from April 19, 1775 to July 1779, all service amounting to about two years, some of said service as sergeant and sergeant-major.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 11, 1832, while a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, at which time he said he was a clergyman. He died August
2, 1842 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
Soldier married in July 1787, Sarah, daughter of Reverend Samuel Cooke, she died March 9, 1788. He married November 2, 1788, Sarah, daughter of Dr. Thomas Smith, Junior. She was allowed pension on her application executed
June 5, 1843, while a resident of Sandwich, Massachusetts. She was born August 31, 1765.
There are no data on file relative to children.
The above noted Jonathan Burr is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
EARL D. CHURCH,
Commissioner.