Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24455, Nathan Holden, Mass.
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SERVICE NUMBER
Massachusetts
Holden, Nathan
W. 24455
Abigail

Contents
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[first page]
1335
Massachusetts.
Abigail Holden.
widow of Nathan Holden
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of August 1848 and sent to G. S. Bulfinch
Boston
Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 56 Vol. 2
[second page]
Reported
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In the record of Marriages kept by my predecessor Rev. Josiah Dana & now in my possession is the following viz. "Nathan Holden & Abigail Whiting both of Barre Twenty eighth of November one thousand seven hundred & eighty two."
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows. "Nathan Holden & Abigail Whiting both of Barre 28th of Nov. 1782."
James Thompson
I James Thompson, above named depose & say: that I hold the office of Minister of the Gospel in the Town of Barre, County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts & that the above is a true extract of the records of Rev Mr. Dana as above said, with the exception above
named as certified by me
James Thompson.} Minister of Gospel in Barre
Worcester to Oct. 17th. 1838 Personally appeared the above named James Thompson and made Oath With the above is true, as Certified by him
Before me Lyman Sibley Jus. Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, fs.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, a entity, that Lyman Sibley is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly from missions and qualified and that the signature of his name within written is true and genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereto set my hand and the same of said Court this twenty forth day of October, and thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register.
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State of Massachusetts
Franklin County {ss
On this twentieth day of November A.D. 1838 personally appeared before the Hon. Richard E. Newcomb Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the said County of Franklin. Abigail Holden a resident of New Salem in said County of Franklin aged seventy five years who being 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 7.1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & provisions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Nathan Holden formerly of New Salem formerly New Salem aforesaid who was a private solider in the Army of the Revolution. That from her old age & infirmities she cannot state the particulars of her said husband's services, nor the exact length of his services, neither the particular officers under whom he served. I knew the said Nathan before he went into the Army. We both lived in Barre in the County of Worcester, he was sworn to join the Army as near as I can recollect in June or July in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven. I believe he enlisted for three months & was at Bennington and served in taking care of the wounded in the Bennington battle. I have often heard my husband say so. I have understood and believe that my said husband was a soldier with the army at Rhode Island; that he afsisted in guarding the British prisoners at Rutland in the County of Worcester which were taken at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, I further recall that I have often heard my said husband say [illegible] that he was at West Point at the time of Arnold's surrendering & that he saw Major Andre hung;  at this time he was absent from home nigh on
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 nine months, my brother Amos Whiting, who was born ahead of us many years, was with him at West Point + those often heard him state that he was in the same company with my said husband, and the same mess. My recollection, my age, and infirmity are such as to make impossible for me to state more positively as to his services in the army. I am confident he was [illegible] different terms of duty as a soldier in the Continental line + I believe he did duty as much as eighteen or twenty in all, but I must refer the Department to accompanying affidavits for particulars in [illegible]
She further declares that she was married to the said Nathan Holden on the twenty[illegible] day of November in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two, that her husband the aforesaid Nathan Holden died on this tenth day of September in the year eighteen hundred and eight
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but this marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four to wit as time above stated
That her maiden name was Abigail Whiting
She further declares that she knows of no documentary evidence in relation to the revolutionary services of her said husband. She further suggests to the Department that her said husband maybe found on the Massachusetts roll of soldiers of Washington. 
[signature] Abigail Holden
Subscribed and sworn to on day + year above written
Before Richard E Newcomb
Judge of Probate
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[handwritten]
I Josiah B Holden of New Salem of [illegible] age 20 testify and say that I was well acquainted with Nathan Holden. The late husband of Abigail Holden who is [illegible] to apply for a pension. This said Nathan died at his home in New Salem on the 10th day of September AD 1808 + I was present at his funeral. I also testify that Abigail Holden above named is his widow + has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband aforesaid.
[signature] Josiah B Holden
franklin Nov 20 1832 Subscribed and sworn to this day before me Richard E. Newcomb
Justice of the peace 
I also certify that the above name Josiah B Holden is a credible witness.
R.E. Newcomb Jus, peace
And the said Judge of Probate doth declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter, that the said Nathan Holden named in the foregoing declaration was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and served as therein stated - that the said Abigail Holden the applicant aforesaid was married to the said Nathan as therein declared- and that the said Nathan died on the tenth day of September AD 1808 and that she the said Applicant has ever since remained a widow
And the said Judge further states that by reason of bodily infirmity the said applicant is unable to appear in open court
R.E. Newcomb Judge of Probate
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. 

I Eljiah Alvord Register of Probate for the country of Franklin do hereby certify that Richard E. Newcomb is the Judge of Probate for said county; and that the signatures purporting to be his affixed to the annexed declaration are genuine. And I do further certify that the said Richard E. Newcomb is a Justice of the Peace for said county; and that the signatures purporting to be his attesting the within affidavit are al genuine. 

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Probate Court this twenty sixth day of November AD. 1838. 

Signature of Reg. Prob.

Text written sideways:

3880
Abigail Holden
Wed of Nathan Holden
at  7 July 1838

Marr. 1782
Died 1808
on (?) Rolls Vol 22 & 190  1 7
(?) 6 mo  1780  6.-
1778
Total 17
Mo. 7  Total 24
$26 per annum

(remainder of test unable to decipher)
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In reply to your request of ________, received ______ for a statement of the military history of Nathan Holden a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Military service listed by by following topics:
Dates of Enlistment of Appointment
Length of Service
Rank
Officers under whom Service was Rendered
   Captain   or   Colony
State

July 1777 6 wks. Pri  Capt. Benjamin Nye  Mass. 
July 1777  Capt. Stockwell  Col. Cushing
July 177 Capt Houghton  Went to Rhode Island
               Capt. Cooper    Bradford


Battles engaged in, __________________
Residence of Soldier at enlistment,  Barre, Worcester Co., Mass.

Date of Application for Pension, by widow  Nov. 20, 1838

Residence at Date of Application, New Salem, Franklin Co. Mass. 

Age at date of application,  75 yrs. 

Remarks:  (?) Barre  Nov 28, 1782 Abigail Whiting  he died Sept 10, 1808 New Salem, Mass.  and her claim was allowed. 

Very respectfully, 

6-2856
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Widow, &c. 

File No.,  24,455
Abigail Holden
wed of
Nathan Holden'Priv Rev War

Act  Feb 2nd 1848
Index:  Vol. A,  Page 352


[Arrangement of 1879.]

1912 May 1. History to R. O. Holden. C
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Reported [Handwritten, faint]

Massachusetts  3189
Abigail Holden
widow of Nathan Holden
who was a Private
in the Massachusetts line 
for 7 months  24 days

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
Twenty six Dollars ____Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the fourth day of December 1843 and sent to 
W. Whitaker
Greenfield
Mass
[Act of March 3, 1843.]Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 43
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2819

Massachusetts
Abigail Holden
widow of Nathan Holden, Decd: 
who was a pensioner under the Act
and who dies on the 10th of September, 1808
of Franklin Co. in the State of Mass:  who was a private in the compy (company) commanded by Captain Stockwell of of the Regiment - commanded by Col. Cushing, in the Mass line for 7 months 7 24 Days

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rage of 26 Dollars ___Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificat of Pension issued the 15th day of May 1839 and sent to Elijah Alvord, Greenfield, Mass. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1839   $78.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept  $13.00

{Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by WM Stewart  Clerk 
Book A  Vol. 1  Page 95
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I Samuel Hodgking of Petersham in the county of Worcester, state of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years, upon oath depose and say, that in the year 1780, I was in the Continental service of the U.S. in the Massachusetts line of regular troops, and was stationed at and near "West Point," and there became acquainted with Nathan Holden who after the war resided in New Salem  Franklin country Mass. where I have until within a few years lived, and that I served at this period nine months in Col. Bradford's Reg. & Patterson's Brigade, and in Capt.  Cooper's company, I believe, but the time he served I cannot now distinctly recollect, but according to the best of my recollection, he served the same length of time as myself. 

Samuel  (his X mark) Hodsking

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin County ss. November 23rd 1838  Than Samuel Hodsking, above named, personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit.  I further certify that said Samuel Hodsking has a good character for truth.

[Signature of] William Whitaker, Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that William Whitaker Esq. is  a Justice of the Peace for said county; and that the within signature, purporting to be his, is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court this twenty sixth day of November A.D. 1838

Signature of E. Alvord  Clerk
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Secretary's Office, Boston  August 3 1848

I hereby Certify, That on the seventeenth day of December eighteen hundred and fifty two, Otis Brooks was appointed for the term of seven years of Justice of the Peace for the County of Franklin

in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; 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. 

W.B. Calhoun
Secretary of the Commonwealth
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I, Jason Hawes of Barre in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being 80 years of age, and a Revolutionary Pensioner, likely and say that I well knew Nathan Holden once a resident of said Barry and that in the time of the Revolutionary war I was in a Company with said Holden in the service of Capt. __ Stockwell's Company, and Col. __ Cushions Regiment, we were stationed at Bennington and its vicinity for the term of one and a half month and according to my best knowledge and belief said Holden was in said Company and served that term of time. We marched from said Barre in July the latter part in 1777. I have no dobt (doubt) from the declaration of said Holden, and from other sources that said Holden was out much more during the Revolutionary War but the above is all to which I should dare to testify to on my oath. 

Signature of Jason Hawes

Worcester ss October 25, 1838 Then Personally appeared the above named Jason Hawes and made oath to the truth of the facts above subscribed by him. 

Before me Lyman Sibly Jus. Peace

I certify that the above named Jason Hawes is man of truth and veracity

Signature of Lyman Sibly
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State of Massachusetts, County of Franklin SS.

On this Eleventh day of August A.D. 1843, personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Franklin aforesaid Abigail Holden a resident of New Salem in said county of Franklin aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed the third day of March 1843, granting pensions to the widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War: That she is the widow of Nathan Holden, who was a private in the Massachusetts line of Continental troops, as she believes, - in Capt. Cooper's company, Col. Bradford's Regiment, and Gen. Patterson's Brigade,  and that she received a pension or annuity of twenty six [crossed through] dollars annually, under the act of Congress passed, July 7, 1838.  She further declares that she is still a widow. 

[Signature of] Abigail Holden

Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year first and year first above written.  Before me

Signature of William Whitaker,  Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify, that I am personally acquainted with Abigail Holden, the declarant aforesaid, and that she was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of July 7, 1838.

Signature of William Whitaker, Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Franklin County ss.

I Henry Chapman, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, being a court of record in said county of Franklin, do hereby certify, that William Whitaker Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn & subscribed, is a Justice of the Peace in said county of Franklin, duly commissioned and qualified, and that I believe his name thereunto subscribed, is his true and proper signature.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said supreme judicial Court, at Greenfield, on the Fifteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred & forty three. 

[Signature of H. Chapman  Clerk
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I, Peter Fessenden of Barre in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and being of the age of seventy six years and a Revolutionary Pensioner, Testify and say that I was born where I now live and that Nathan Holden was born and brought up in the immediate neighborhood with myself and that I was in that same Company with him at Rutland as a Guard of the British Prisoners of War in a Company in 1778 Commanded by Capt. Israel Houghton and under Col. Davis I was there on duty thirty days only, Said Holden was there when I went and left him there when I came away but the length of time he served at this time I do not certainly know. I further testify that said Nathan Holden in the year 1780 together with several others in the neighborhood enlisted for eight months into the service and that he according to my best knowledge and belief marched to Claverack and Hudson in the state of New York the officers under whom he served I do not know but five months afterwards I saw said Nathan Holden at West point, the day after General Arnold's rebellion, he the said Holden was then on duty in the Service I was then out on duty three months and returned home before the said Nathan Holden died. I knew said Holden afterwards & knew that he married Abigail Whiting of said Barre, and was
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were acquainted with said Abigail before her marriage and afterwards. and know the said Abigail sustains a reputable character and she still remains the Widow of the said Nathan Holden. 

Signature of Peter Fessenden

Worcester ss  October 23 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Peter Fessenden and made oath to the truth of the Deposition above subscribed by him. 

Before me Lyman Sibley Jus. Peace

I certify that for many years past I have been acquainted with the above named Peter Fessenden & that he is considered a men of truth & verasity.

Signature of Lyman Sybley
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I Gideon Tenney now of Gill in the county of Franklin, aged seventy nine years & a revolutionary war pensioner; do testify & say, that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven I lived at Barre in the County of Worcester [illegible], and was well acquainted with Nathan Holden who then lived at said Barre and that the said Nathan and myself joined the company commanded by Col Benjamin Mays of said Barre, a Company of [illegible] Troops , and in the months of June and July we marched to Bennington and arrived there in August [illegible] just after the Bennington battle  and assisted in bury the dead; that the said Nathan Holden was with me in the revolutionary services from the time with [illegible] and at Bennington and that [illegible] service, six weeks or more, he was, while at Bennington, transfer'd to another Company. I think Captain Stackwells and and marched on I suppose to the westward. In the year seventeen hundred seventy eight, in the summer of said year, I joined Cpl Haughten's company of Peterstown. I was a Sergeant, we went to Rhode Island, the said Holden was there at Rhode Island in said company. We march on together. I was well acquainted with him and know that we did duty there as soldiers as much as three months, or the end of my services, on Rhode Island, said Holden and the company to which we belonged went to the southward, I do not remember if I then knew where he went. The said Holden inlisted in this time of our six months, as I then understood, I inlisted for the same time, at the end of the turn I returned to Barre the said Holden had not then returned. We got home to Barre where a fortnight after which, he then wrote me he had been in the services since we parted at Rhode Island, he brought home his equipments with him
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In the year seventeen hundred & seventy eight
I assisted in guarding the Prisoners of war in Rutland
I know more than said Nathan was on duty there as a guard, I saw him there several times I cannot say [illegible] he remained there.

While I was on Rhode Island guard in charge of a guard called the "[illegible] guard"  duty there as a sergeant.

[Signature] Gideon Tenney

Franklin ss November 29th 1838

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Franklin SS.
I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Coast of Common Pleas for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Richard E. Newcomb is a Justice of the Peace for said county and that the above signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine. 

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court this twenty sixth day of November A.D. 1838
E. Alvord Clark

Mass / Holden, Nathan/ W.24455
           Abigail
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A. Holden
with
aa
3189

Admitted

[Signature of] G.S. Bulfinch
Boston 
Mass
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin County, } ss.

On this thirty first 31st day of July 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, Abigail Holden a resident of New Salem in the county of Franklin aforesaid aged eighty-four years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Nathan Holden who was a resident of New Salem and who was a private in the War of the Revolution and is the identical person who drew a pension of the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of twenty six dollars and [blank] cents per annum. 
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, } Before me,  [signature on side] Abigail Holden
In the presence of [signatures] Abigail P. Holden Otis Brooks
Otis Brooks, Justice of the Peace.
I Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares. 
Otis Brooks, Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
[blank] County, } ss.
I [blank] Clerk of the Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that [blank] is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified ; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and Seal of said Court, this [blank] day of [blank] 18 [blank]
Clerk.
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[stamp in black ink] Pension Office
U.S.
D
Apr
27
1912
Page 26

9 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.
April 25, 1912.

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
Kindly send me an abstract of the record of Nathan Holden of Barre, Mass. as given in the records of the Pension Office, who served in the War of the Revolution.
Please give any facts of record pertaining to the widow or family of Nathan Holden.
The information is desired for preparing an application for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.
Very respectfully yours,
[handwritten]R. O. Holden