Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 61230-160-55, Joshua Fall, Mass.

Page 1

(S-1776)
SERVICE                                                        
Mass                

Fall, Joshua               
Betsey

NUMBER
B.L. Wt. 61230-16--55

CONTENTS

Page 2

232.988.
[Illegible]

Jany, 28. 18[illegible]

Betsey Fall, widow
of Joshua Fall, dec

Pri -

Bettsey Fall wife of Joshua, Pri
Capt. Samuel Gran
Col. Stone

[vertical] 61.230 [illegible]
[vertical] April 27th [illegible]

Revolutionary War.

[Illegible]
[Illegible]
[Illegible]

[Vertical] Mr. 
Mark Hatch
Charleston 
Maine

Page 3

Set. M. Hatch, Sept: 26/56
" Same Nov 19/56
" Same Jany 6/57
" " Feb. 4/57

 [Signed] E[illegible] P

[Vertical] Letter to Hon [two illegible initials] D. Fuller, May 10. 1857 - W. A. [one illegible initial]

Vol F: page 10

Page 4

Set. M. Hatch, Sept: 26/56
" Same Nov 19/56
" Same Jany 6/57
" " Feb. 4/57

 [Signed] E[illegible] P

[Vertical] Letter to Hon [two illegible initials] D. Fuller, May 10. 1857 - W. A. [one illegible initial]

Vol F: page 10

Page 5

Claim of
Betsey Fall

232.988.

War of
Revolution

Mark Hatch
Charleston
Maine

Page 6

State of Maine
 __ __ __ __
County of Penobscot SS.

On this Eleventh day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and five-[fifty: crossed out]sixth personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Betsey Fall aged Eighty Eight years, a resident of Charleston in the State of Maine, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Joshua Fall deceased, who was a soldier in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Grant in the [handwritten] do not remember Regiment of [blank] commanded by Col Stone in the War with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the eighteenth day of June, 1812, that her husband enlisted at Berwick (ME) at [handwritten] she cannot tell on or about the [handwritten] cannot tell day of [blank] A.D.  She thinks for the term of [crossed out] war and continued in actual service in said war for the term of 123 days as shown by record and was honorably discharged at [handwritten] do not Remember on the [handwritten] do not Remember day of [blank]  on the [handwritten] does not recollect day of [blank] A.D. 1776 or 77

She further states that she was married to the said Joshua Fall in Gardiner on the [handwritten] does not recollect day of [blank] A.D. by one Esquire Jewett a Justice of the Peace and that her name before her marriage was Betsey Higgins and that her said husband died at [handwritten] drowned at Stillwater on the tenth day of December A.D. 1807 and that she is now a widow. 

She further declares that she has [heretofore: crossed out] never made application for Bounty Land under the act approved September 28, 1850, or any other act  She further states that she has no [illegible] of her marriage and cannot tell the Dates for this reason tis not [illegible] She has made Search for it but it is no where to be found [lengthy segment crossed out] and refers to the certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts 

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3, 1855."  never having received or been [illegible] lands under any [illegible] act.  

[Signature] Betsey x her mark Fall

We Johnathon Hereth and Nehemiah Tozier residents of Charleston in the State of Maine, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Betsey Fall in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.  

We also depose that we well knew her and said Joshua Fall during the life time of the latter, and know that they lived together many years in relation of husband and wife, were so universally reputed, and no one ever disputed their marriage to our knowledge.   We have a record of his being drowned at the time we state

We also know from personal recollection and from many facts and circumstances that the said Joshua Fall drowned [died: crossed out] at Stillwater on the tenth day of December A.D. 1807 and the aforesaid Betsy Fall is now a widow. 

[Signature] Jonathan Hereth
[Signature] Nehemiah Tozier

Witness 
[Signature] Chas M Hatch
[Signature] J Page

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written;  and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons;  that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. 

[Signature] Jeremiah Page
Justice of the Peace

STATE OF MAINE, County of PENOBSCOT, SS.
I NATHAN WESTON, Jr., Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County, certify that Jeremiah Page Esquire, is and was, at the date of his certificate hereunto annexed, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, that he is and was then qualified to act as such;  and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT for the State aforesaid, this eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-[five: crossed out]six 

[Signature] Nathan Weston Jr. 
Clerk. 

[Seal: illegible]

Page 7

Case of Application No 232988
State of Maine

Penobscot SS on this 11th day of October 1836 personally Appears Betsey Fall and testifies that she is the widow of Joshua Fall who was a Soldier agreeable to the certificate of the Common Wealth of Massachusetts and that She is the widow of Joshua Fall and that She has not been married since his death that she married him in Gardiner county of Kennebec that She was married by Mr Jewett Esq in 1756 but she has no record of their marriage Search has been made but there is not be found the [illegible] that [illegible] She States her maiden name to be Betsy Higgins and that her said husband dies at a place called Stillwater in the State of Maine on the 10th day of December 1807 She makes the above Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which She is entitled having never Received any for her husband's services She makes this Declaration in addition to the one made to J Page Esquire Correction with the Secretaries Certificate Last Winder in order to prevent further delay

[Signature] Betsey x her mark Fall
Attest J. Page

This is to certify that the undersigned has examined the family Record in the old family Bible and find it to be correct as regards Joshua Fall & Betsy We upon oath Depose and Say this is all the record in the Bible 

Joshua Fall Born April 16th AD 1761
Betsy Fall Born June 15th " 1762
John Fall Born J[illegible] 25th 1790
Lydia Fall Born Oct 15th 1792
Otis Fall Born Nov 22 1796

[Signature] A [illegible initial] Page
[Signature] [Illegible initials] Baggett
[Signature] E Sha[illegible] 
[Signature [Illegible initials] Dority

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of October AD 1836

[Signature] Jeremiah Page 
Justice of the Peace

Page 8

State of Main

Penobscot SS on this 11th day of October 1856 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said county David Orcutt and Betsey Orcutt who are to me well known and who are credible witnesses and who being duly sworn depose and say that they are Each well acquainted with Mrs Betsey Fall the within applicant for Bounty Land that they have known her for 65 or 75 years last past that they were acquainted with Joshua Fall her late husband having known him for 35 years before his death that they the said Joshua Fall and Betsy Fall lived together as husband and wife and that it was never Disputed the fact or question that it was always said they were married by one Esq Jewett that they grew up a Family that we were acquainted two sons & one daughter we believe are all Dead that Joshua Fall Died at Stillwater AD 1807 or 8 not positive which she is still his widow or called so and has been Ever since his death and we believe him to be the Said Joshua Fall to be her husband and further believe him to be a soldier in the war and that is mentioned in the annexed Application and they were present and saw Betsy Fall make her mark on the within  Application we further state they were married in Gardiner Maine 

[Signature] David Orcutt
[Signature] Betesy Orcutt

Witness
[Signature] AD Orcutt [underlined]

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of October AD 1856

[Signature] Jeremiah Page
Justice of the Peace

Page 9

Charleston Me
Jany 23

[vertical] 832.988

[Illegible initial] Minot Esqr.
Commisioner of Pensions 
Washington City 
D.C.

Page 10

Joshua Fall disch
Maine

Revolutionary 

Boynton

[Vertical right] Charleston Me
Dec 9th

Free

[Vertical left] Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 11

Charleston Me
Dec 9th 

Free

Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

[Vertical left] Joshua Fall disch
Maine

Revolutionary 

Boynton

Page 12

Charleston Me
Nov 17

Free

Hon [crossed out] P. Hatch 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Page 13

232988
Betsey Fall
wid
Joshua

H
Boynton

[Vertical right] Charleston Me 
Jan 19 

Free

[Vertical center] George C Whiting
Com of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.

Page 14

Charleston Me
Jan 19 

Free

George C. Whiting
Com of Pensions
Washington 
D. C. 

[Vertical left] 232988
Betsey Fall
wid
Joshua

[Vertical center] H 
Boynton

Page 15

Charleston Me 
Apl 20

Free [underlined] 

Hon. George C. Woodbury
Comr of Pensions 
Washington D.C.

[Vertical left] 282988 
Betsey Fall 
wid
Joshua

[Vertical center] H
Boynton

Page 16

Charleston Me 
Apl 20

Free [underlined] 

Hon. George C. Woodbury
Comr of Pensions 
Washington D.C.

[Vertical left] 282988 
Betsey Fall 
wid
Joshua

[Vertical center] H
Boynton

Page 17

61.230.
160 acres.

Page 18

Joshua Fall die
Me
No 232988
Adl. evidence
Boynton
May 14/56

Page 19

Charleston Me
Oct 17

Free

Hon. [Illegible initial] Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

[Vertical left]Joshua Fall dead
Maine 
Nos in[illegible]
files [illegible]22 

[Vertical center] 
H
[Illegible]

Page 20

Charleston Me
Oct 17

Free

Hon. [Illegible initial] Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

[Vertical left]Joshua Fall dead
Maine 
Nos in[illegible]
files [illegible]22 

[Vertical center] 
H
[Illegible]

Page 21

Mark Hatch
Charleston S.C.
_____
(1840334) [underlined]
184334 Lydia Reed
Refd to [illegible] May 24/56
232988 Betsy Fall
Ref'd to Boynton
May 14/56

Page 22

Information 
Wanted on 
Case 1840334

Charleston 
Nov 16 1836

Hon L. [illegible additional initial and name]

Dear Sir

on case of Lydia Reed No 1840 [crossed out] 4 was sent June 1855 and have not heard a word [illegible] Please inform how it has been misplaced [illegible] Mr Hatch. Also case of Betsy Fall No 232988 Please inform on the above cases as soon as convenient wishing no further delay [illegible] possible

Yours truly 
Mark Hatch

Page 23

Maine [underlined] 

Charleston Jan 16, 1857
Hon George C. Whiting

Dr Sir

yours of the 6th duly Recd and contents noted 

Saying that you had received a paper purporting to be the [illegible] Affidavit of Jonathan Heath and Jeremiah Tozier in case of Betsey Fall wid of Joshua Fall and not Certified by a Justice 

I have seen the Justice and he thinks it not possible that he made such a mistake but must give it up on your statement 

Sir please Return the papers and he will certify to it.  If you require a [illegible] Certificate to his Official acts please note and oblige

Mark Hatch

Page 24

Joshua 
Falls
Case

Page 25

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
_____

Secretary's Office, Boston
November 8th 1855

[Illegible seal]

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 Joshua Fall is borne on [illegible] of Capt. Samuel Grants Comp. Col. Stone's Regt. from Aug 14, 1777, 123 days as private in the northern army. 

Tristrum Fall served as 1st Lieut. in the same company. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written. 

E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth

Page 26

[Illegible stamp left margin]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
______
Secretary's Office, Boston
18

Sir:

Be pleased to file a declaration in this office, agreeably to the accompanying regulations, and search will be made for the revolutionary
service of [blank] and the result forwarded to your address. Particular attention is called to the second regulation.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

Page 27

The following REGULATIONS, to be observed in the examination of the Revolutionary Rolls in this office, have been rendered necessary under the rules which are established in the Pension Department at Washington, viz:--

1. Every application requiring search or certificate must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant; and the signature to the application must be attested by some magistrate.

2. In all cases where the application is made by any person other than the claimant, a power of attorney, attested by a magistrate, authorizing such person to act in the claimant's behalf, must accompany the application.

3. The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence and service of the soldier, and the names of the officers under whom he served: and no search will be made until after the filing
of such written application.

_____

"Regulations to be observed in the examination of the Massachusetts Revolutionary Papers in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

"The application must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant or by some person duly authorized by the claimant, by a written power of attorney, attested by a magistrate. The signature of the claimant must in all cases be attested in like manner.

"The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence of the soldier, &c., at the time of the service, and the names of the various officers under whom he served, as well as the nature of such service.

"The certificate of the Secretary must show that the search was made, after the filing of such application, by himself, or by one of his Clerks, alone, and must be accompanied by the original application of the claimant or of his attorney, and by a detailed statement, under the signature of the Secretary and the Seal of the State, of the circumstances which satisfied that officer of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.

J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions."

_____

"The following is an extract from a letter received by the Secretary from J. E. Heath, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions, dated March 19, 1852: --

"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d inst., accompanied by a copy of the Regulations now in force in your office in the examination of your Revolutionary Rolls; and, in reply to your questions, have to state that, in my opinion, the said Regulations could not be relaxed in any particular without serious injury to the Government and the rights of individuals justly entitled to the benefits of the Revolutionary Pension Laws. Indeed, even with those guards around your rolls, I am satisfied they are frequently used by
unscrupulous individuals to sustain applications not embraced by the laws, and as a means of obtaining exorbitant fees."

Page 28

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES. 

Made by the widow of the party who rendered the service. 

_____

State of Maine 
County of Penobscot
Town of Charleston

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of Joshua Fall in the war of the Revolution. 

He was a native of the Town of Berwick in the County of Yorke and State of Maine

He enlisted from the Town of Berwick in the County of Yorke and State of Maine in the year 1776 or 7 as a Waiter in the Company commanded by Captain [handwritten] not Recollected in Regiment [blank] and he served as follows,* viz : --

I think he went into Service as a Waiter for his Father Tristum Fall how long he served in that capacity I do not Recollect then I think he Enlisted as private for the Remainder of the War but the officers names I do not recollect neither do I know how long he served nor at what place

_____
*Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

Page 29

[Continuation] 

I am now Eighty Eight years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated. 

Witness my hand, this twentieth day of October A. D. 1855

Signed by said Betsy Fall in my presence
Jeremiah Page [underlined] JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

[Signature] Betsy x her mark Fall

Page 30

Additional evidence in case of No 232988

State of Maine

Penobscot SS  on this fourth day of March 1857 personally Appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Penobscot and State aforesaid Jonathan Heath and Jeremiah Tozier who being duly sworn according to Law doth Depose and Say that they are well acquainted with Betsy Fall widow of Joshua Fall (Deceased) who made her mark to an instrument purporting to be from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at same time Applied for Bounty Land before Jeremiah Page Esq She then noted her age to be 88 years we believe that to be very near her age at that time we have known her for a long number of years and know her to be the widow of Joshua Fall or that Joshua Fall lived with her and they lived together as husband and wife and their marriage was never Disputed we further state they raised a family of children while living together we also state it was always reported that he served in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain and never heard it disputed She Betsey Fall states that she could not remember when she was married and that there was no record of it She produced an old Bible with the date of husbands Birth and her Birth also her Children's Birth and stated it was made by one of her sons that is now dead and we further state that we believe that Betsy Falls story is true and correct as any person of her age we do believe that the age of the children to be very near correct from our acquaintance with them we do think there is an Error in the record it make her Born in 1773 and John Fall Born Jan 25 1790 Lydia Fall Born Oct 15 1792 Otis Fall Born Nov 22 1796 we do believe this record nearly correct Except the old Ladys age we do think she is older and it is the opinion of Every person that knows her

over

Page 31

[Continuation] 

we further state that we do believe that Joshua Fall was a soldier in the war refferd too and do believe he was the husband of Betsy Fall the person named in the foregoing instrument

we also state that we came to the Knowledge of the before mentioned facts by being personally acquainted with the family in his lifetime and since his death and that he died at a place called Orono on the Penobscot river a number of years ago we not able to state the time 

we further state that we are Disinterested witnesses and have no interest in the claim

[Crossed out: Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year first written] 

[Signature] Jonathan Heath
[Signature] Nehemiah Tozier

Subscribed and sworn to the day and year first written and I hereby certify that the said Deponents are known to me and and are credible witnesses 

I further state I have no inerest in this claim nor the prosecution of it

Before me Jeremiah Page } Justice of the Peace

Page 32

Hon George C. Woodbury Com of Pensions

Dear Sir

Enclosed is additional evidence of Betsey Fall wid of Joshua. I am very sorry that this testimony has been mislaid and overlooked and I now hope this will be satisfactory and prevent further delay in said case and hope to hear soon the result 

Please inform if this is not sufficient 

Yours Truly
Mark Hatch [underlined] 
Charleston Maine
April 20 1857

To Hon George C. Woodbury 
Washington D. C.

Page 33

(On case No 232988)

Charleston Oct 15 1856
Hon Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

Yours of previous date duly Received and contents noted in relation to application of Betsey Fall wid of Joshua Fall requesting proof of marriage there has been search made for the Records of Marriage and there is none to be found  I have enclosed you a certificate of David Orcutt and Betsey Orcutt who knew them before and after marriage also a coppy of their family Record with the names and date of Birth of their Children and hope this will be satisfactory  I have not put a Clerks Certificate for the Reason you have a [illegible] of his Official acts that is unquestionable but sir if this will not answer please inform me without delay  A case of Lydia Reed widow of William Reed No 1840334 was Read at your office Aug 18, 1855 has not been heard from since  Please inform me of the disposition of said case and confer a Favor on

Yours Truly 
Mark Hatch
Charleston 
Maine

Hon [Illegible initial] Minot
Washington D. C.

Page 34

Case No 232988

To The Hon Commissioner of Pensions  

Dear Sir 

Enclosed is an affidavit of Heath& Tozier in case of Betsey Fall which I hope is satisfactory as to the [illegible] in her age must be Either [illegible] or a mistake for the old Lady is old and [illegible] but the record she produces was made by one of her sons makes her about 85 now but public opinion says she is about 90 according to the best information can be obtained so I hope this will be satisfactory and hope you [illegible] attention this will receive if not [illegible] already

Yours with hope
M. Hatch
Charleston
ME

Page 35

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME  Fall, Joshua
GRADE Private
LINE New Hampshire
WARRANT NUMBER 3103
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Dec. 3, 1794
to - not shown -

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolution of September 16, 1776 and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

Page 36

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME  Fall, Samuel
GRADE  Private
LINE  Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER  4175
ACREAGE  100
ISSUED  Nov. 6, 1795
to James A Neal - 

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on the form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.