Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14236, Thompson Bacon, Mass.

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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Massachusetts

Bacon, Thompson
Martha

NUMBER
W. 14236

CONTENTS

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8064
Massachusetts
Thompson Bacon of Bedford in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain - of the Regiment commanded by Colonel [illegible] in the Massachusetts line for [illegible] 20 Day.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 25 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, to commence o the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13thday of March 1833, and sent Samuel Dara of [illegible] present.
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible] 1833. $51.10
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 1833. $12.77.
= $63.87.

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. F. [illegible] Blair, Clerk, 
Book  [illegible] Roll 2nd, Page 4.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex
ss.
On this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate now sitting at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid, Thompson Bacon of Bedford aged 72 years 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.
1. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say in the month of March A.D. 1778 he enlisted in the company for three months [illegible] to Boston and of Captain [illegible] farmer of Billerica; He was stationed after the evacuation of Boston by the British in March in Boston, his occupation was to guard stores, patrol the streets [illegible] said service commenced in March and ended in June following when he completed his term of three months and was dismissed.
2. In the month of August A.D. 1778 he engaged to go to Rhode Island for six weeks, and enlisted in the company of Captain Joseph Bradley Varnum of Dracut which was attached to Colonel Cyprian Hawes Regiment; he marched to [illegible] there stationed and did duty; he was in the Battle and in the retreat from Rhode Island under General Sullivan and with regret saw the sails of the French fleet spread and the [illegible] of the Harbor and the American forces compelled to retreat over Howlands ferry on the night of the 28 of August A.D. 1778  and at the expiration of 14 weeks from the time his company arrived at Rhode Island he was dismissed.
3rd. In A.D. 1779 one Jonathan Wilson was a private soldier in a company commanded by Captain Zaccheus Wright of Westward in a regiment commanded to Colonel Brooks and said Wilson being desirous to leave the service [illegible] and the said Bacon as his substitute and he was accordingly received into said  Wright's company on the first day of August A.D. 1779 and continued to do duty therein while he served as a substitute for said Wilson three months and was dismissed.
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 for any State, Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thompson Bacon
S.P. P. Fay
[illegible]

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And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above names applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to the, that the Reverend Samuel Stearns who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Cleergyman resident in the Town of Bedford in said Count and that Samuel [illegible] is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
S. P. P. Pay [illegible]

I Isaac Fiske [illegible] Clerk of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Thompson Bacon for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventieth day of August in the y ear of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
Isaac Fiske
And further certify that Reuben Bacon is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex and that his signature to the [illegible] on the deposition of John Webber appears to be his proper signature.
Isaac Fiske Clerk of Probate

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Declaration of Thompson Bacon
19456

Please to send my [illegible] to Samuel Dara Esquire, Groton, Massachusetts

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832 On the application of Thompson Bacon, Esquire claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year, were you born?
Answer, In Bedford, Massachusetts, March 5th, 1760.
2. Have you any record of your age, and were it it?
Answer, I have no record, but my name is recorded on the town book of Bedford.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer, In Bedford, where I always have and now do live.
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, except my town to Rhode Island when I was a substitute for Jonathan Wilson of Bedford.
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 saw General Sullivan at Rhode Island.
6. Do you even receive any written discharge from service? 
Answer, I never received any such discharge.
7. 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 Solider of the Revolution:
Reverend Samuel Stearns. Dr. Aaron Kellnedge. Mr. John Kelbler. Mr. Timothy Page & Mr. Solomon Lane.
Thompson Bacon
Sworn to [illegible]
s. P. P. Pay
J. Prole

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Thompson Bacon
19,456

Private
7 Month 20 day
Adm'd
CB
$25.55.

Samuel Dana Esquire
Groton
Massachusetts

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Brief in the case of Thompson Bacon of Bedford in the State of Massachusetts.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open court.
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Seventy two years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
In March in 1778 
Duration of Service.
3 months
Rank.
As a private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Captain Edward Farmer

Period.
In August 1778
Duration of Service.
1 Month, 12 days.
Rank.
As a private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Colonel Haws & Captain Varnum

Period.
1779
Duration of Service.
3 months, 8 days.
Rank. As a substitute.
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Colonel Brook & Captain Wright

5. In what battles was he engaged? In the Battle at Rhode Island.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Bedford, Massachusetts.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? One living witness & traditionary evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not authenticated according to regulations.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

The certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts show this applicant is found on the rolls of said Commonwealth.

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3396
Martha Bacon
widow of Thompson
Massachusetts
Act 7 July '38
M. 83. d. 33.
Adm'd.

7 mo, 20 days, private
$25.54
No deduction

Honorable W. Parmenter
H.R.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss
On this sixth day of 

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 14, 1838
I hereby certify that at the date of the within attestations, Samuel P. P. Fay was Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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...prior to her  [illegible] leaving the service, [illegible] previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated.
Martha Bacon

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Middlesex, Town of Bedford, ss:
I Thompson Bacon and Martha Hosmer, both of Bedford married October sixteenth, one thousand and seven hundred and eighty three, by the Reverend Joseph Penman.
The above is a true copy from the record of Marriages in the town of Bedford with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures - as follows: (October 16th 1783)
Attest Reuben Bacon} Clark of the Town of Bedford

I Reuben Bacon above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Bedford aforesaid, in the County and State aforesaid, and that they above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Bedford with the exception above named as certified by me.
Reuben Bacon

Middlesex, ss: November 6th, 1838
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Reuben Bacon.
Before me S. P. P. Fay, J. Prob.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss:
On this sixth day of November A. D. eighteen hundred & thirty eight, personally appeared Martha Bacon of Bedford in said County, widow, before the judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Middlesex, and being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed July 7th, 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" & that her age is seventy six years & one month; that she is the widow of Thompson Bacon late of Bedford aforesaid, deceased, who was a soldier in the army of the revolution & recei8ved a pension as such from the United States at the time of his death; that for the particulars of his service she must refer to his own declarations & proofs now on file in the Department of War, made & exhibits previous to his obtaining his pension aforesaid.
And she further hates that she was lawfully married to said Thompson Bacon, at Bedford on the sixteenth day of October A. D. seventeen hundred and eighty three by the Reverend Joseph Penman, the settled minister of Bedford at that time.
That her maiden name was Marth Homer; that her said husband Thompson Bacon died on the fourth day of December A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty three at said Bedford, and she has remained unmarried ever since his said death. That she was not married prior to her said husband's leaving the service, but previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated.
Martha Bacon

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The within declaration was subscribed and sworn to by Martha Bacon, at her own house in Bedford, she being too infirm to attend Court, on the day and year first above written; before me
S. P. P. Fay, Judge of Private
for P. County of Middlesex

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I Reuben Bacon aged forty nine do depose and say, that I am son of Thompson Bacon, late of Bedford in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, Esquire, deceased; that said Thompson Bacon was a pensioner of the United States for his services in the revolutionary war, as a private soldier; that he died on the fourth day of December A D. eighteen hundred and thirty three at said Bedford; and that his wife Martha Bacon, survived him and is now living in said Bedford and that she has remained unmarried ever since the decease of her said husband.
Reuben Bacon

Middlesex ss
October 8th 1838. Personally appeared Reuben Bacon known to me as a respectable and credible citizen of Bedford, and a justice of the peace for said county and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me.
S. P. P. Fay, Justice of the Peace

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Massachusetts 4066
Martha Bacon
widow of Thompson Bacon
who was a Private in the Massachusetts line for 7 months 20 days.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of twenty five Dollars fifty four cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of December 1843 and sent to R. Bacon, Bedford, Massachusetts

(Act of March 3, 1843.)
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1, Page 60

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JVP
O. W. and N. Division.
Department of the Interior,
bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., September 1893.
Sir,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Thompson Bacon, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. 14236

Dates of Enlistment.
February 1778
Length of Service.
3 months
Rank.
Private
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain Edward Farmer, Colonel Jacob Gerrish
State.
Massachusetts 

Dates of Enlistment.
August 1778
Length of Service.
1 1/2 months
Rank.
Private
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain Josephus Bailey, Colonel Cyprian Haws
State.
Massachusetts

Dates of Enlistment.
June 1780
Length of Service.
3 months
Rank.
Private
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Captain Bacchus Wright, Colonel Brooks
State.
Massachusetts

Battles engaged in Inland Rhode Island.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford, Massachusetts.
Date of application for pension, August 1832.
Residence at date of application, Bedford, Massachusetts.
Age at date of application, born march 5, 1760 in Bedford and died December 4, 1833.
Remarks: married in Bedford October 16, 1783 to Martha Horner, she born October 1762.
Very respectfully,
- Commissioner

Mr. C. F. Bacon Philbrook
Box 26, Station A
Boston, Massachusetts

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14,236
Revolutionary WIDOW, etc.
File No. 14236
Martha Bacon
widow of Thompson Bacon
Private, Revolutionary War
Act: March 3rd, '43
Index: Vol. A, Page 34
(Arrangement of 1870.)

October 4/93 Mailed History C. B.l Philbrook

February 3/98. History to C. C. Warren, Laurel, Mississippi
(see Inv. 30-768)

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Massachusetts 1314
Martha Bacon, widow of Thompson Bacon, deceased, who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June '32 and who died o the 4th December 1833 of [illegible] in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain - of the Regiment commanded by [illegible] Conway in the Massachusetts line for 7 months and 20 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 25 Dollars 54 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of December '38 and sent to Honorable William Parmenter 
[illegible] of [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of September - $63.85
Semi-annual allowance ending - $12.77
$76.62
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by R. B[illegible] Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1, Page 71.

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Thompson

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We Samuel Stearns a Clergyman residing in Bedford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and John Hormer of the same Bedford certify that we are well acquainted with Thompson Bacon, Esquire of Bedford and who has subscribed that annexed declaration, and we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is generally believed and reputed to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we in the Neighborhood where he resides, and we concur that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the 20th day of August A. D. 1832.
Samuel Stearns
John Horner
Before me, Samuel Dana, Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex

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B 4688
14 October 1843
Massachusetts
Martha Bacon
Act 1843
$25.54 per annum
R. Bacon
Bedford, Massachusetts

Bedford, Massachusetts
October 11th
FREE

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

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To J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions

I, Martha Bacon of Bedford in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts depose and say that I am the identical Martha Bacon widow of Thompson Bacon who was a Revolutionary Pensioner, that I still continue to be his widow, and have received a five years pension of twenty five dollars and fifty four cents per annum.
Martha Bacon
Witness Eliza Webber, R. Bacon
Middlesex, ss: Octobe 2nd 1843 then the above was subscribed and sworn to by the aforesaid Martha Bacon.
Before me Reuben Bacon, Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Martha Bacon and that the statement above by her subscribed is true.
Reuben Bacon

The above named Martha Bacon wishes a renewal of the necessary papers to obtain her pension agreeably to the act of the last session of Congress.
Yours very respectfully, R. Bacon

Commsioner of Pensions

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston
October 5th 1843
I hereby certify that at the date of the annexed attestation Reuben Bacon was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jonathan A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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Thompson Bacon

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I John Webber of Bedford in the County of Middlesex and oCmmonwealth of Massachusetts, being seventy one years of age, do certify and say that I was in the Militia service in the Revolutionary War and know that Thompson Bacon of said Bedford was with me in three months service in 1778 in Boston and vicinity (after the British evacuated it) in the company of Captain Edward Farmer from Billerica in said county and think said service commenced some time in March and ended some time in June following, duty was guarding stores, patrolling the streets and also in Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island six weeks, commissioning some time in  August 1778 and that he served until six weeks had passed away. Also that he served in the three months service on Rhode Island as a substitute in the place of Jonathan Wilson, duty for fortifying Butts hill, said service commenced about the second day of August and ended about the 2nd day of November. In all the foregoing service I was with him.
John Webber
Bedford, July 28th, 1832
Subscribed and sworn to before me.
Reuben Bacon, Justice of the Peace

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Secretary's Office, November 27,. 1832.
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 Thompson Bacon is borne on a pay roll of pay due to the company of Captain Edward Farmers company in the regiment of guards in the service of the United States, doin duty on Bunker Hill commanded by Colonel Jacob Gerrish for the space of 3 months, from the 20th of February to the 20th of May 1778.
Again, his name is borne on a "Pay roll of the company in the Massachusetts States service, under the command of Captain Bacchus Wright, in Colonel Cyprian How's regiemnt" for the space of 3 months and 8 days, time to return home included, from the 30th June 1780. Date of discharge October 20th 1780. 
I further certify that there is no roll of Captain Varnum's company on which the name of Thompson Bacon is contained in service at Rhode Island, on file in this office.
Edward D. Bangs, Secretary

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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thompson Bacon 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 he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what about 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 that the one und the Act of June 7, 1832? yes.
VII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes.
VIII. Hs 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.

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2.
 
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 can be had?
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no.
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes.
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? yes.
XVI. +Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactory? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes.

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, etc. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposits 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.

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Washington
December 1, 1838.
Sir,
I enclose you the application of Martha Bacon for pension under the [illegible] of 1838 July 7.
Full credit respectfully be given to the statements of the [illegible] they are personally known to me and are of the first respectability.
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
William Parmenter

James L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

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U.S. PENSION OFFICE
G
September 11, 1893

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Boston
September 8th, 1893.

Honorable William H. Lochren
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington DC

Dear Sir:
If you can furnish me with the war record of one Thompson Bacon, private, Middlesex County, Massachusetts Militia, who received under the law of 1832 a pension as a Revolutionary soldier, I should deem it a great favor to hear. He doubtless went from Bedford as he lived and died there if I am not mistaken.
Very Respectfully
C. F. Bacon Philbrook
Box 36, Station A
Boston

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

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Bacon, Thompson
GRADE Sergeant
LINE New York

WARRANT NUMBER 6820
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED September 28, 1790
to McAuly and Brown, assignees