Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,742, Jonathan Foster, Mass. N.H.

Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
Mass. 
N.H.

Foster, Jonathan
[Foster,] Mercy

NUMBER
W. 14,742.

CONTENTS

Page 2

15,503 R
New Hampshire

Jonathan Foster
of Hillsborough Cty [County] in the state of New Hampshire who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Greaton of the Massachusetts line, for the term of Three years

Inscribed on the roll of New Hampshire at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence the 1st. day of May 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th of October 1818 and sent to JK Smith Esqr [Esquire] Amherst N Hampshire

Arrears to 4th of Septr. [September] 1819. 16 [mth??] & 4/30 | 129:6
Semi-anl. all'ce [semi-annual allowance] ending 4th March 1820 | 48.
 | $177:6

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}

[Note] Mar Continental

See let. to Jno. Stevens, (widow) Aug. 8, 1837.

[[Application??] sent to J K Smith Esq 19 July 1820. Amherst New Hampshire

Page 3

1.376
Concord N Hampe. [New Hampshire]

Mercy Foster
widow of Jonathan Foster decd. [deceased]

who died on the 31 March 1821 of Hillsboror in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Woodbridge of the Rgt. [Regiment] commanded by Col [Colonel] Grearton in the Massa. [Massachusetts] line for 3 years Mass.

Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of - 80 - Dollars   Cets, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Sept. [September] 1837 and sent Willis Johnson, Mason, N.Y.C.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1837 | $520.00
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar. 38 | $40.00
 | $560.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3d.}

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk, 
Book A. Vol. 2d. Page 25

Page 4

Jona. Foster 95th
f
3rd Regt. [Regiment] in the Ma [Massachusetts] line

Sworn to 1st of May 1818

Private

Col Greatons Regiment
Massachusetts Line

1780 - 3 years

[Reld.??] [Relayed??] with additional [illegible] to the War Department

Not on roll

Proof of service by the testimony of a credible witness. _
[the above overwritten by Admd.[Admitted]]

Page 5

I Jonathan Foster of the Town of Mason in the Couty of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire Labourer a Resident [illegible] in of the United States now in the ninety fifth year of my age do solemnly swear, that in the year AD 1775 in April I inlisted [enlisted] for eight months in Capt. [Captain] Benj. [Benjamin] Mann's Company in the Regiment, Commanded by Col. [colonel] Read in the New Hamsphire Line, which term of eight months I faithfully served until Jan.y [January] AD 1776 when I was honoriably [honorably] dismissed by my officer on Winter Hill Ms [Massachusetts] after this I inlisted in Capt. [Captain] Job Shattucks Company in the Militia [illegible] eight months at Ticonderoga After this I served two months at Portsmouth NH in Capt Lovejoy's Company in the Militia After this I inlisted for seven months and served at Rhode Island & served out my time in Cap.t Peter Drown's Company Militia In the month of April A.D. 1780. I inlisted in the Continental establishment in the Revolutionary war for the term of three years in Cap.t Christopher Woodbridge's Company in the third Massachusetts Regiment & Line Commanded by Col Graton & served faithfully until the month of November AD 1782 and was then discharged before my three years had expired as I was one imployed [employed] in the works

Page 6

which discharge was signed by Michal [Michael] Jackson at a place called West Point in the State of New York which I have since lost as it was burned when I lost my dwelling home by fire about six years last part  I was in the battle of Bunker hill so called and was wounded there by a musket ball which passed thro' [through] my left shoulder & came out on the back of my neck cutting a part of the cord on my shoulder which has prevented me from carrying any heavy wait [weight] on said shoulder  I have never been placed on the Pension list of Invalids or did I ever apply for one I am in reduced circumstances I stand in need of assistance from my Country for my support I have no further evidence now in my power to offer in support of my services against the Common Enemy.

Jonathan Foster

Sworn to this first day of May AD 1818

Before me J.H. Smith } associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Page 7

I George Dakin of Mason in the County of Hillsborough aforesaid one of the selectmen & overseers of the poor testify that I am acquainted with Jona. [Jonathan] Foster who signed & made oath to his affidavit on this sheet in my right & [illegible] & that he is poor & destitute of property & stands in need of assistance for his support having been for some years [illegible] by charity & help from the Town of Mason.

George Dakin

Sworn to this first day of May AD 1818 Before me JHSmith} associate Justice of the Court of Com [Common] Please


State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss.}  On the first day of May AD 1818 Before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas aforesd. [aforesaid] [Cou?] personally appeared Jonathan Foster Resident in Mason in sd. [said] County in the ninety fifth year of his age and being duly cautioned made solemn oath agreeable in Law in order to obtain a pension under the late act of congress entitled "An Act [illegbile] for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war."  That he inlisted [enlisted] in the Month of April AD 1780 for the term of three (after having served several other campaigns) in Capt. Christopher Woodbridge's Company in the third [Regt??] commanded by Col. Graton in the Massachusetts Line and continental service in said corps or in the service of the United States until the Month of November AD 1782 & was then discharged before the 3 years expired or he was one employed in the works which discharge was signed by Michal Jackson at West Point NY which discharge was burned in his dwelling home seven years past that he was wounded in Bunker Hill battle, has never been placed on the pension list of the U.S. & never applied that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of assistance from his County for his support & that he has no further evidence in his power to offer in support of his services.  From all which I certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Jon.a [Jonathan] Foster did serve in the Revolutionary war against the Common Enemy on the Continental Establishment more than nine months  I further certify that he is in reduced circumstances from my own knowledge & needs the assistance  of his Country for his support& I now transmit the proceedings & testimony to him & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of congress  J.H. Smith } Associate Justice of ye. [the] Courts of C. [common] Pleas

This certifies that the signatures of JH Smith on this paper is in his own hand writing & that he is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Hillsborough aforesaid In testimony of which I have hereto set the seal of said County.

Moses Eastman Clerk

Page 8

Copy 69

Jonathan Foster

[Ronsd??]

15503  5 Oct [October] 1819

Page 9

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

HILLSBOROUGH, SS.

At a Court of Common Please for the first district, holden at Amherst in said county of Hillsborough, on this fourth date of July, 1820, being a court of record ; having power of fine and imprisonment, and unlimited Jurisdiction in point amount.

PRESENT

The Hon. [Honorable] {

JOSHUA DARLING,
JEDIDIAH K. SMITH 

} Justices.

Personally appeared, in open court, Jonathan Foster aged ninety eight years, resident in Mason in said county, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, to wit:- In the Regiment commanded by Col [Colonel] Greighton in the company commanded by Capt [Captain] Christopher Woodbridge in the Massachusetts line on the continental establishment and served from about Sept AD 1780 to November 23rd AD 1782 when I was discharged.

the date of my original declaration was on the first day of May Anno Domini, 1818 I have received a pension, the certificate of which is numbered 15503 on the back thereof.

And I do solemnly [swear or declare??] that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engages in the land or naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, passed on the 18th day of March, 1818;" and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, and property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me ; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the following schedule, by me subscribed.

An inventory of the personal estate of Jonathan Foster of Mason in the county of Hillsborough and state of New Hampshire

He has no real estate but has been a town pauper for a number of years
He is at this present time boarding himself by the consent of the Town living with Mr. Jason Dunster

Personal Estate
Framing Utensils | 2"00
Hollow ware | 1"00
1 pine table | "25
4 old chairs | "25
Crockery ware | "75
 | $2'"25

Mason July 1 1820

Page 10

My embarrassments by debts, one eleven dollars and seventy nine cents due to various persons.

My occupation is that of a husbandman, my healthe is good but labour under the weight of almost a century of years

My family, residing with me, consists of my wife aged eighty six years, named Mercy tolerably healthy but unable for service by reason of age

Jonathan Foster


Sworn to and declared in open court, on the 4th day of July Anno Domini, 1820.
M Eastman Clerk

I MOSES EASTMAN, Clerk of the above named Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing declaration and oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court ; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited, in the foregoing schedule, is Four dollars twenty five cents

In testimony wereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this day of July, 1820.

M.Eastman } Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the Couty of Hillsborough.

Page 11

V2391

S893

Mercy Foster
widow of Jonathan

Married 1779
died 1821

[Aom?] pn [pension?] $80 per ann [annum]

commencing 4 March 1831.

Mass. [Massachusetts] Conl. [Continental] Line
Cap Woodbridge
Col Greaton

[William??] Johnson Esq [esquire]

Mason N.H. [New Hampshire]

Page 12

State of New Hampshire

Hillsborough County ss.

On this twenty first day of July A.D. 1837 personally appeared before me, Luke Woodbury, Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills &c. in and for said County of Hillsborough Mercy Foster, a resident of Mason, in said County of Hillsborough, aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836: That she is the widow of Jonathan Foster late of [crossed out word][crossed out: Mason] Ashby in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, deceased who was a Revolutionary pensioner, under the act of Congress 1818, That she [illegible] as present, for the particulars of his services, on the evidence now in the Pension department, which was furnished by him.

She further declares that she was married to the said Jonathan Foster, on the thirtieth day of November in the year of our Lord 1779: that her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Fosters, died at Ashby aforesaid, on the thirty first day of March A.D. 1821: and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will [manfully??] appears by reference to the proof hereto annexed.  That her maiden name was Mercy Town. That her husband resided for many years previous was at Mason aforesaid. 

Mercy Foster + her mark

Attest
John Stevern

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before LuRr Woodbury } Judge as aforesaid

Page 13

State of New Hampshire

Hillsborough ss.

July 21. 1837.

I do hereby certify that the aforesaid Mercy Fosters is, in my belief, a credible person: and that she is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity, which is the cause of executing her aforesaid declarations at this time.

LuRuWoodbury } Judge as aforesaid

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Luke Woodbury before mentioned is Judge of the Probate of Wills &c. in and for said County of Hillsborough as above and beforementioned, and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Count and subscribed my name, this twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven.

A. Wallace Clerk

Page 14

I Nathaniel F Cummings Clerk of the town of Mason in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire.  of law full age testify and say that I have examined the record of said Town of Mason and find the following record

Jonathan Foster married to Mercy Towns November 30th 1779 by Jonatha Pearle Pastor

A true copy of record

Mason July 26 1837

Nathaniel F Cummings } Town Clerk of Mason

State of Newhampshire
Hillsborough SS
Mayson July 26th 1837
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned
Before me Willis Johnson } Justice of Peace


State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County ss.
July 20th 1837

I do hereby certify that the aforesaid Nathaniel F Cumings is a creditable person whose testimony [illegible] in a court of justice

Willis Johnson Just [Justice] Peace

Page 15

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify, that Willis Johnson within mentioned is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough as within mentioned, and that the within signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name, this twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.

A. Wallace Clerk

Page 16

RECORD DIVISION
am

3--525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.,  , 190 

W.F. 14,742

In reply to your request of ___, received ___, for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Foster a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.
  |  |  | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. |  
Apr. [April] | Jan'y [January] 1776 | Pvt. [Private] | Benjamin Mann | Reed | N.H. [New Hampshire]
after above | 8 mos. [months] |  | Job Shuttuck |  |
[checkmark] | 2 mos. |  | Lovejoy |  | 
[checkmark] | 7 mos. |  | Peter Drowne |  | 
Apr. 3 Sept. [September] 1780 | Nov. 1782 |  | Christopher Woodbridge | Greaton | Mass. [Massachusetts]

Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill where he was wounded
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [checkmark]
Date of application for pension, May 1, 1818 His cl. [claim] was al. [allowed]
Residence at date of application, Mason Hillsborough Co. [County] N.H.
Age at date of application, 94 yrs. [years] He died at Ashby Mass. Mch [March] 31, 1821
Remarks: He married at Mason N.H. Nov. [November] 30, 1779. Mercy Towns. She was al. pens. [allowed pension] on an application executed July 21, 1837, while a resident of Mason, Hillsborough Co. N.H. aged 84 years.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner

1565b3m10-08

Page 17

Jona. [Jonathan] Foster, inscribed on NH [New Hampshire] roll A.D. 1818 died 1821 at Ashby Mass. to what time may be paid

[HHL??]

up to March 1821.

Page 18

[illegible pencil abbreviation]

20 Dexter Street
Springfield Massachusetts

July 27, 1912.

Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.

Please send to above address the revolutionary record of Jonathan Foster of Mason, N.H. [New Hampshire], who died in Vermont in 1828, also that of his father Jonathan Foster of Mason, N.H., who died in 1821.  I believe both to have been on the pension roll.

Very truly, 
Edwin R. Spaulding

Page 19

Rev [Revolutionary] WIDOW, &c. [etc.]

File No. 14,742
Mercy Foster
Widow of Jonathan Foster
Pri [Private] Rev War

Act July 4th 36

Index:--Vol. A, Page 248

[Arrangement of 1879.]


Dec [December?] 27 '98
FC Pierce
Chicago, Ills

1912 Aug. 5 Hist. [History] to Edwin R. Spaulding [V.L.M.??]

Page 20

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss. Mason July 26, 1837

I Ebenezer Hill, of lawful age, depose & day that I attended, as a clergyman, the funeral of Jonathan Foster, formerly of Mason, a Revolutionary Pensioner, who died in Ashby, and further testify from a record of deaths of inhabitants of Mason, by me kept, that this even took place March 31, 1821.  And I testify that Mercy Foster, his wife at the time of his death, has remained a widow to this day.  And further your Deponent with not.

Ebenr Hill


Sworn to, and subscribed on the day and year last above written
Before Me Willis Johnson Just [Justice] Peace


State of Newhampshire [New Hampshire]
Hillsborough County ss. Mason July 26th 1837
I hereby certify that the aforesaid Ebenr Hill is a creditable witness

Willis Johnson Justice of Peace


I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior County of Judicature for the county of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify, that Willis Johnson is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough, as above mentioned, and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name this twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty seven

A. Wallace Clerk

Page 21

Mason August 29

Free

Hon [Honorable] Joel R Poinsett
Secretary at War
Washington City

Page 22

9507 Sept. [September] 4, 1837
Pension office.

N.y. [ y overwritten by H] [New Hampshire]
Act 1836
Adm [Admitted]

Page 23

To the Hon, Mr Poinsett Secretary at War.  Sir & have complyed with the instructions of the Department in the case of Mrs. Mercy Foster and Miss Sarah Garbett can now make return wishing if any thing further is requested that I might inform ar if certifacates are issued that they may [illegible??] to me

Your humble servant

Willis Johnson

[Mason??] Newhampshire [New Hampshire]

August 29th 1837

Page 24

I Nathaniel F Cumings Clerk of the town of Mason in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, of law full [lawful] age. testify and say that I have examined the records of said town of Mason and find the following record.  Jonathan Faster [Foster] was married to Mercy Towns. by. Rev. [Reverand] Jonathan Searle. the thirtieth day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine

A true copy of records

Nathaniel F Cumings
} Clerk of the town of Mason

Mason. August the twenty fourth A.D.
one thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven

State of Newhampshire [New Hampshire]

Hillsborough ss}

Mason August 24 1837

Then personally appeared the above named Nathaniel F. Cumings Clerk of the town of Mason, and made solemn oath that the above copy, from the records of the town of Mason, by him subscribed is true

Before Me Willis Johnson Justice of Peace

Hillsborough ss I do hereby certify that the above named Nathanel F Cumings is a creditable witness

Willis Johnson Justice of Peace

Mason August 24th 1837

Page 25

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Willis Johnson withing named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough as within mentioned, and that the within and foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name this twenty fifth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and thirty seven_

A. Wallace Clerk

J501

Page 26

Amos Blood,s [Blood's] Deposition

Page 27

I, Jonathan Foster Jr/" of Lawful age testify and Say, that I was personally knowing that Jonathan Foster of Mason in the County of Hillsborough, State of Newhampshire [New Hampshire], did inlist [enlist] and serve in the Continental Service of the United States in the revolutionary war, in the year 1781 & 1782 more then Nine months in the third Regt. [Regiment] Commanded (according to my best recolection [recollection] by Col [Colonel] Graton; and that I have seen since he left the service his regular discharge, which I suppose was Burnt at the time he Lost his House by fire.

Jonathan Foster Jr.
July 1st/" 1819

State of Newhampshire
Hillsborough ss.
}
July 1st/" 1819.

Personally appeared the above said Jonathan Foster Jr/" and made Solemn Oath that the foregoing Deposition by him Subscribed is true, 

Before me,

Timothy Dakin, } Justice of the Peace


This certifies that Jona. [Jonathan] Foster Jr. who submited [submitted] the above affidavit is a Creditable Witness in the Court of Law also that Timothy Dakim who made the above certificate of sd. [said] Jona. Fosters oath is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough whose official acts as such are in [better??] to credit by the Law of the State of New Hampshire.

JH Smith } associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Hillsborough

Page 28

Jona/" [Jonathan] Foster Jr/" [Junior]
Deposition

Page 29

This certifies that the signatures of JK Smith on the two papers to which this is attached is in his own hand writing & that he is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Hillsborough in the state of New Hampshire In testimony whereof I have here affixed the seal of said Court

Moses Eastman Clerk

Page 30

I Amos Blood of Lawful age testify and say, that Jonathan Foster [crossed out: of] Now of Mason in the County of Hillsborough, State of Newhampshire [New Hampshire] did inlist [enlist] & joined the Continental Service of the untied states in the revolutionary War [crossed out: service] in the year 1780 at Newyork [New York], and continued [crossed out words] a soldier for more than Nine month; and I have no doubt but he served his terms of Inlistment [Enlistment] & Received an honourable discharge, all which is according to my best knowledge.

Amos Blood X his mark
Mason August 11th 1819


State of Newhampshire
Hillsborough (Ss.)
Mason August 11th 1819

Personally appeared the above named Amos Blood and made solemn oath the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true

Before me
Timothy Dakin Justice of the peace

This certifies that Amos Blood who subscribed the above affidavit is a creditable witness in Courts of of [sic] Law & that Tim : Dakin who made the above certificate of sd [said] Bloods oath is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County whose official acts are entitled to credit by the Laws of the State of New Hampshire

J.K. Smith
}
Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Hillsborough