Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,121, Thomas Fisher, New York

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(8-1776)

SERVICE
New York

FISHER, THOMAS
JANE

NUMBER
W. 21.121

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CONTENTS

[a series of blank lines follows]

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406 [scratched out] 40 [/scratched out]

Massachusetts
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Jane Fisher
of Bristol in the State of Mass.
who was a [crossed out] Private [/crossed out]in the [crossed out] Company [/crossed out] commandd by Captain N.Y. of the [blank space] commanded by [blank space] in the [blank space] [crossed out] line for [/crossed out] widow of Thomas Fsih-er [Fisher] decd [deceased] late a prived in the Revolution

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Inscribed on teh Roll Mass. at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

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Certificate of Pension signed the 21 day of Jany [January] 1837 and sent to Hon. N. B. Borden Ho. of Reps [House of Representatives]

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Arrears to the 4th of Sept [September] 1836 $440.00
Semi-anl. [semi-annual] allowance ending 4 March 37 - $40.00
[sum line]
$480.00
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{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836}

Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1. Page 50

[written on opposite side of fold] Sent rec Clerk L. P. Agt. 2 Sept. 1837

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Hannah Hathaways
Testimony

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State of Massachusetts County of Bristol} Ss

Hannah Hathaway of Dighton in Said County of Bristol widow being Seventy years old and upwards. Maketh oath and sayeth that some time in the winter or spring in the year of Seventeen hund-red [hundred] and Eighty one Thomas Fisher and Jane Richmond (both free persons of Colour) were married in her fathers house in said Dighton. that she the said Hannah Hathaway was present at the time of the marriage but do not know any other person now Living who was present that the marriage was solemnized by the Ev. John Smth whas then a Regular ordained Minister in the Said Town of Dighton. that she is shure [sure] that the marriage took place in the year seventeen hundred and Eighty-one but is not shure [sure] whether it was in the Last part of winter or the fore part of Spring in said year. that soon after his marriage he the said Thomas Fisher Enlisted as a soldier and Marched to the state of New york. taht he died in Taunton in said County in the autumn of Eighteen hun-dred [hundred] and sixteen that she the said Jane Fisher has Remained a wdo Ever since that period of time

Hannah Hathaway

Bristol Ss

October 15th 1836

Then the above named Hannah Hathaway personally appeared and made oath in due form of Law that the above named decla-ration [declaration] by her subscribed is just and true
Before me Abiathar White {Justice of the Peace

I Certify that the above named Hannah Hathaway is a Ceredible person and that her Testimony is Entitled to full Credit
Abiathar White Justice of the Peace

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[written at top of page]
Jane Fisher
widow of Thomas.
Mass.

[written sideways below the above]
No. 505
J. Fisher declaration

admd [admitted?]
2 years pre
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80$
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[underlined] no deduction

Hon. N. B. Borden

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State of Massachusetts County of Bristol} Ss

On this twenty ninth day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty-six personally appeared before the Supream [Supreme] Judicial Court held in Taunton in and for the said County of Bristol Jane Fisher (a Coulored [colored or coloured] person a Resident in Taunton in the County of Bristol and state of Massachusetts aged seventy three years and upwards she being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath mke the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 That she is the widow of Thomas Fisher (a coulored [colored or coloured] person) Late of said Taunton deceased who was a Private in the Army of teh Revolution that according to the best of her Recollection the said Thomas Fisher served as a militia man in a Campaign on Rhode Island and also in a Campaign to White Plains before he Enlisted in the Continental Service that she believes he Enlisted in the Continental Service in teh fore part of April Seventeen hundred and Eighty-one but do not know what Captain he served under nor what Regiment he served in; that he served in the Cap=asity [capacity] of a waiter or servant to Hodijah Baylies who was thena Major in the army, until the Spring of Seventeen hundred and Eighty-three when the said Hodijah Baylies Returned him the said Thomas Fisher to his Regiment again, that he the said Thomas Fisher served in said Regiment until the autumn of Seventeen hundred and Eighty three when he was discharged and Returned home

She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Fish-er [Fisher] on the Eight day of March in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty-one; taht her husband; the aforesaid Thomas Fisher died on the fifteenth day of October Eighteen hundred and sixteen; and that she has Remained a widow Ever since that period; as will more fully appear by Reference to the proof hereunto annexed

Jane X Fisher [the words "her mark" are written above and below the X respectively]

Witness Jas. Sproat
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Before said Court
Jas Sproat Clk'

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above mentioned;
Attest Jas. Sproat Clerk of Said Court

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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the Investigation of teh matter that the before named Jane Fisher (the applicant) is the widow of the aforesaid Thomas Fisher and that she was married at the time she states in her declaration that the said Thomas Fisher was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as she the said Jane Fisher states and that he died at the time stated and that the said Jane Fisher has rem-ained [remained] a widow Ever since that period of time

Attest Jas. Sproat Clerk of the Supream [Supreme] Judicial Court in and for the said County of Bristol

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol} Ss

I James Sproat Clerk of the Supream [Supreme] Judicial Court in and for the said County of Bristol do hereby Certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jane Fisher for a pension

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this twenty-ninth day of October one thousand Eight hundred and thirty-six

Jas. Sproat

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Rev
WIDOW, &C.

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File no. 21121
Jane Fisher
widow of 
Thomas Fisher
Pri Rev War

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Act: July 4th 36
Index: - Vol. A, Page 239

[Arrangement of 1870.]

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Set. 21 Nov. 36 to A White Esq.
& Hon. N. B. Borden
Jany 5 '37.

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Hon.
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
District of Columbia

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North Dighton December 2d 1836

Sir

I have unexpectedly obtained the Required proof in the Case of Jane Fisher; and herewith return her papers which are authenticated and should be pleased to have a Return as soon as Convenient

I should be pleased to hear something from Mrs Sarah Brown's declaration as it has been in the pension office a Long time; if it is incorrect pleas [please] to send me the proof that attended it that a new declar=ation [declaration] may be made

I am Respectfully your obt [obedient] servant

Abiathar White 


Hon.
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
District of Columbia

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I Jonathan Jones of Dighton County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, yeoman of Lawful age on oath testify and Say that I am the duly elected and qualified Clerk of the Town of Dighton that I have held said office for seven years past: that it is the practice in said Town for the Clergyman or Justice who Solemnizes a marriage to make a Return to teh Town Clerk and he would Record it in the Town Books, adn that the Records of said Town are in my Custody that the Book containing the Records of said Twon from the time of its incorporation 9which was more than a hundred years ago) up to the year Seventeen hundred and ninety is much mutilated and torn and some part of it is gone, and that it is my opinion that that part Containing the Record of the marriage of Thomas Fisher with Jane Richmond (if it was recorded as its records are not perfect) has been torn off and destroyed

Jonathan Jones {Town Clerk of Dighton

Bristol Ss
November 30th 1836

Then the above named Jonathan Jones a Respectible [respectable] person personally appeared and made oath in due form of Law that the above affidavit by him signed is just nd true
Before me Abiathar White {Justice of the Peace

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol} Ss

I James Sproat Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Bristol: Certify that Abiathar White is a Justice of the Peace now in Commission in and for said Court and that the signatures attached tot he affidavits of Abiathar Leonard, Hannah Hathaway, Jonathan Jones, Tabathy Pool, and Peter Adams purpor=ting [purporting] to be his are his genuine signatures

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this Second day of Decem=ber [December] Eighteen hundred and thirty-six
Jas. Sproat

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Abiathar Leonard's
Testimony

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State of Massachusetts County of Brsitol} Ss

Abiathar Leonard of Taunton in Said County of Bristol Esquire being Seventy years old and upward Maketh oath and Sayeth that in the autumn of the year Eighteen hundred and Sixteen Thomas Fisher (a Coulerd person) died in said Taunton that he the said Abiathar Leonard assisted in Laying him out after h died. Taht he the said Thomas Fisher Left a widow Viz. Jane Fisher who is still Living. and that she the said Jane Fisher has Remained a widow Ever since that period of time
Abiathar Leonard

Bristol ss

October 15 1836

Then the above named Abiathar Leonard personaly appeared and made oath in due form of Law that the Above declaration by him subscribed is just and ture
Before me Abiathar White {Justice of the Peace

I Certify that the above named Abiathar Leonard is a Credible person and that his testimony is Entitled to full Credit

Abiathar White Justice of the Peace

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I Tabathy Pool of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts singe woman being seventy-five years old and upwards on oath Testify and Say thatin the Last part of winter or the fore part of Spring in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one I was in Dighton at the house of Mr Auston (the father of Hannah Hathaway) and there & saw Thomas Fischer and Jane Richmond Married by Rev. John Smith who was then an ordained Minister in said Dighton

Tabathy Pool

Bristol Ss

November 30th 1836

Then teh above named Tabathy Pool a Respectable person personally appeared and made oath in due form of Law that the above affidavit by her signed is just and true

Before me Abiathar White {Justice of the Peace

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol} Ss

I Hannah Hathaway of Dighton County aforesaid widow being seventy years old and upwards
On Oath testify and say that I know that Thomas Fisher and Jane Richmond were married at the time I stated in my former affidavit from the following forth Viz. that soon after they were married the said Thomas Fisher Enlisted as a soldier and went int o the service and served as a waiter to Major Hodij-ah [Hodijah] Baylies, and during the Compaign Jane Fisher the wife of the said Thomas Fisher lived within a few roads of my father's house and I frequently heard her speak of her husband being in the Service and I was knowing to Thomas Fisher's Coming home on a furlow and living with his wife Jane Fisher and again Returning to the Army, and I likewise know that the said Jane Fisher Received the wages or Bounty of the said Thomas Fisher for her supp-ort [support] during his service as a Solider these things all took place after I saw tehm Married.

Hannah Hathaway

Bristol Ss

January 12th 1837

Then the above named Hannah Hathaway a Respectable and Credible person personally appeared and made oath in due form of Law that the above affidavit by her signed is true
Before me Abiathor White Justice of the Peace
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To the Honorable J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir I here send you the facts which Enabled Hannah Hathaway to testify to teh time of Thomas Fisher's marriage these are other persons who know these facts but did not see them married. the other witness who saw tehm married testified from general recollection, I would say that I was Born and have Lived Ever since within 1 1/2 miles of the place in which they were married, and Lived for years after they were married and most of the people who are old Enough Can Remember that Thomas Fisher when a Soldiering after he was married. The Clerks Certific-ate [Certificate] is no attached fo she is very poor and her money is all Expended in paying Court fees and Clerk's fees; I have had nothing for my trouble should it be Necessary for the Clerk to Certify in this Case please to inform me and it may be some one may Lend her money to pay his fees
In the Case of Mrs Mary Eddy I would say that when I took the affidavit

[written sideways in the left margin of the document]
I Certify taht the interlines between the first and second Line and between the twelfth and thirteenth Line from the Oath the the Eracement at the Bottom of this affidavit were made before it was signed or sworn to Abiathor White Justice of the Peace

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol} Ss

I Hannah Hathaway of Dighton County aforesaid widow being seventy years old and upwards
On Oath testify and say that I know that Thomas Fisher and Jane Richmond were married at the time I stated in my former affidavit from the following forth Viz. that soon after they were married the said Thomas Fisher Enlisted as a soldier and went int o the service and served as a waiter to Major Hodij-ah [Hodijah] Baylies, and during the Compaign Jane Fisher the wife of the said Thomas Fisher lived within a few roads of my father's house and I frequently heard her speak of her husband being in the Service and I was knowing to Thomas Fisher's Coming home on a furlow and living with his wife Jane Fisher and again Returning to the Army, and I likewise know that the said Jane Fisher Received the wages or Bounty of the said Thomas Fisher for her supp-ort [support] during his service as a Solider these things all took place after I saw tehm Married.

Hannah Hathaway

Bristol Ss

January 12th 1837

Then the above named Hannah Hathaway a Respectable and Credible person personally appeared and made oath in due form of Law that the above affidavit by her signed is true
Before me Abiathor White Justice of the Peace
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To the Honorable J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir I here send you the facts which Enabled Hannah Hathaway to testify to teh time of Thomas Fisher's marriage these are other persons who know these facts but did not see them married. the other witness who saw tehm married testified from general recollection, I would say that I was Born and have Lived Ever since within 1 1/2 miles of the place in which they were married, and Lived for years after they were married and most of the people who are old Enough Can Remember that Thomas Fisher when a Soldiering after he was married. The Clerks Certific-ate [Certificate] is no attached fo she is very poor and her money is all Expended in paying Court fees and Clerk's fees; I have had nothing for my trouble should it be Necessary for the Clerk to Certify in this Case please to inform me and it may be some one may Lend her money to pay his fees
In the Case of Mrs Mary Eddy I would say that when I took the affidavit

[written sideways in the left margin of the document]
I Certify taht the interlines between the first and second Line and between the twelfth and thirteenth Line from the Oath the the Eracement at the Bottom of this affidavit were made before it was signed or sworn to Abiathor White Justice of the Peace

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Affidavit of Rufus Hadges he was from home he said that he knew that Samuel Eddy Enlisted on on the 29th of March 1781 from Recolection [recollection] and from writing he had drawn that day & did not ask what that writing was but drew the affidavit accordingly, but on Enquiry [inquiry] said I have found that the writing was the Record of the birth of a Child which he got a friend to Record in an old family bibled and he knew that Samuel Eddy Enlisted on that day for he saw him that day and he told him that he had Enlisted, so it appears that his testimony si formed mostly in Recolections [recollections] there are others in Norton who Can testify that he Enlisted in the Spring of 1781 and as his discharge is dated in July 1783 it will cover more than two years, and I would ask is there not more than two years serivce proved by the Rolls

yours Respectfully Abiathor White

Dighton January 13th 1837

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P Adams

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol} Ss

I Peter Adams of Taunton in said County of Bristol yeoman being Ninety five years old and upwards on oath Testify and say that I was acquainted with Thomas Fisher a coloured man late of Taunton deceased; that the said Fisher enlisted in the service of the United states in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six and served under Captain James Cooper in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Bradford at White Plains and its vicinity in the State of New york for the space of nine months and was discharged and returned hom with me, and that in the Spring the year seventeen hundred and Eighty one he again Enlisted in was called the three years service and served at West Point and its vicinity in the State of New York under Cap=tain [Captain] Jeremiah Miller in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Bradford after=wards [afterwards] by Col. Vose; a short time and then he was taken to serve as waiter or servant to Hodijah Baylies who was then a Major and Aid=decamp [Aide de Campe] to General Lincoln but continued to draw his Rations in said Company until Major Baylies went with part of the army to York Town Virginia to fight against the British army under Cornwallis the said Thomas Fisher returend to his Regiment again which was then Commanded by Col. Vose and served until the autumn of Seventeen hundred and Eighty three and was then discharged I think it was the first Regiment.

Peter X Adams [the words "His Mark" are written above and below the X in between the name Peter Adams respectively]

Bristol Ss

November 29th 186

Then the above named Peter Adams personally appeared and made oath in due from of Law tha the above affidavit by him signed is just and true
Before me Abiathar White {Justice of the Peace

I Certify that the above named Peter Adams is a Credible person and that his Tesitmony is Entitled to fair Credit
Abiathar White Justice of the Peace 

[written on the sideways in the margin of the document]
I certify tat the words [underline] year [/underline] and [underline] served [/underline] and the erasement at the End of the ninth Line was made In this affidavit before it was signed and sworn to
Abiathor White Justice of the Peace

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[an ink spot spread by water is visible on the page]
H Baylies

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I Hodijah Baylies of Dighton in the County of Bristol of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify that Thomas Fisher, a free black man, a Continental soldier in one of the Massachusetts Continental Regiments (which Regiment is not now numbered) was, in the Spring of the year 1781, taken by me, then a Major in the Continental Army of the United States and Aide de Camp to Major General Lincoln, to be my servant or Waiter, and that he continued with me in that Capacity till the spring of the year 1783, when I sent him back to his Regiment. He served with me about two years, perhaps a few days more, and possibly a few days less. Whether the said Thomas Fisher was enlisted for three years or for the War, i do not recollect; but whichsoever it was, his Term of Service as a Continental soldier must have exceeded two years. 

The said Thomas Fisher has been dead for many years; but his widow is still living as I am credibly informed. 

H. Baylies

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol Ss. Octber 7th 1836 The Hon. Hodijah Baylies a credible person, made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed - - - - -
Before me A Bassett Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol} Ss

I James Sproat Clerk of the Cout of Commons Pleas in and for the County of Bristol Certify that Ansolm Bassett is a Justice of the Peace in Comm-ission [comission] in and for said County and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed the seal of say Court this thirty first day of October Eighteenhundred [eighteen hundred] and thrity-six. J.P. Sproat

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

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Fisher, Thomas
GRADE Private
LINE Virginia

WARRANT NUMBER 12130
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED March 26, 1792 to Francis Graves, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form i 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 subse-quent [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.