Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,740, Jonathan Foster, Mass.

Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

Foster, Jonathan
[Foster,] Rachel

NUMBER
W. 14,740

Page 2

5262
Vermont
Rachel Foster
widow of Jonathan Utah
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
13th day of Dec 1849
and sent to A. Ray,
Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 53 Vol. 3
Let. to Hon. L. B. Peck
Jany 22d 1850

Page 3

State of Vermont
Caledonia County
} ss.

On the 4th day of December AD 1848 personally appeared before me Luke P Poland Judge of the Supreme Court within and for the State of Vermont Rachel Foster a resident of Hardwich in the County of [crossed out: Lamoile] Caledonia aged eighty six years who being first duly sworn according to law doath [doth] on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows and also the act of March 3d 1843 also 17 June 1844 and February 2 1848 all of which relates to Widows pensions that she [crossed out: she] is the Widow of Jonathan Foster who was a private in the Revolutionary war from [crossed out: Takesberry] Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts; all the [particulars??] she can state of his service is that she recollects of his often speaking of being out under Captain [Jost or Fost or Fast??] and Col. [Colonel] Jackson but in what year she don't remember she has often heard him say that he was but sixteen years old when he first went out and that he was out on a six months tour when Gen [General] Arnold deserted and that he saw Andre hung, she also also [sic] recolects [recollects] hearing him speak of a man by the name of Luke Putnam being in the same Company with him and that there was two men by the name of Pratt who weare [were] his messmates and that he was was [sic] entitled to the Bounty land and was sorry he had not looked it up when he could get it but he had an idea he could not get it because he did not look it up as soon as he first got home.

She further declares that she was married to the Said Jonathan Foster at Walpole Newhapshire [New Hampshire] January the 21d 1784 that her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Foster died on the 17th day of May 1813 and prior to her marriage her name was Rachel Kitridge that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the servis [service] but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four Viz at the time above stated

Rachel Foster

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above Whitness [witness] before

Luke P. Poland Judge of the Supreme Court

Page 4

I hereby certify that from age and bodyly [bodily] infirmity the within named Declarant Rache Foster is unable to attend court and that she retains her mental faculties remarkably well for a person of her age, and her memory appears to be very good.  I also certify that the said Rachel Foster is a person of good moral character and entitled to full credit.

Dec. [December] 4th A.D. 1848

Luke P. Poland Judge of Supreme Court


State of Vermont
Caledonia County ss.
}

I Sam R. Martocks clerk of the Supreme Court of Judicature of the State of Vermont, in & for the County of Caledonia, do hereby certify that the Hon. [Honorable] Luke P. Poland is one of the Judges of Said Supreme Court duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the 8th day of Novr. [November] 1848 and will expire on the 8th day of Novr 1849, and that his Signature to the above & foregoing are genuine.

Given under my hand and the Seal of Said Court at Danville in Said County this 5th Day of December AD 1848

Sam. R. Murtocks Clerk.

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I Jonathan Foster of Hardwich in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont aged fifty six years the 9th day of January 1849 Deposetestify [depose testify] and say that in my Earliest Childhood I recollect seeing the Original bible in which my Father had a record of his Marriage and the births of his Children and it was in my father's handwriting but the record of his death was made by me and after the death of my Father I lived with my Mother till I was married, which was about three years on after that She lived in my Family up to the present time with the exception of a Visit occasionally to see her daughters her things have remained with me and therefore the bible remained with me but in consequence of its being much worn and apart it had ben [been] for years 

[inserted text with uncertain placement: thrown away among the rubish [rubbish]]

and about three years ago I copied the Same off Correctly into another bible merely to preserve the dates and did now know at that time that my mother was entitled to a pention [pension] and the old bible was sole with some paper rags  I further say that the dates of the births of the Children to my best recollection and belief are correct and that neither my Mother or my Fater was ever Married but once and further say that Rachel Foster is the widow of Jonathan Foster and that we are her Children and ware [were] all born in the Town of Tewksbury Massachusetts

I further say that the [leaf?] hereunto annexed is the identical leaf on which I copied the record about

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Three years ago and that I [lent?] it out of the bible for the express purpose of annexing it to this affidavet [affidavit]  I further say that I heard my Father Jonathan Foster often speak of being in the revolutionary war under Capt [Captail] Fox and Col.[Colonel] Jackson he said that Capt. Fox was as cunning as a Fox he spoke about Luke Putman being in the Service with him and some by the name of Pratt and I think many others and used to talk about his right to some bounty land that he never had got it

Jonathan Foster



State of Vermont
Lamoille County ss.
}
At Morristown in the County of Lamoille this 9th day of January A.D. 1849 personally appeared Johnathan Foster, and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  I also certify that I have seen the bible from which the annexed leaf, containing a record of births of Jonathan Foster & his family was taken, and that the same appears to have been taken therefrom and I have no doubt it was and that [illegible] the statement made by Mr. Foster in his affidavit in relation to said record to be true.  That I have been acquainted with the said deponent for more than twelve years, past, and he is as I understand and believe the son of Widow Rachel Foster, who resides with him in Hardwick.  and that said Jonathan Foster is a credible witness  I further certify that I have no doubt but that said [illegible] contains a true statement of the facts therein contained

Luke P. Poland Judge of Supreme Court

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FAMILY RECORD [text shown in previous image]

Births, | Births,
Jonathan Foster | Rachel Foster
was Married | Born July 22nd 1785
January 21st 1784 | [Peloda??] Foster
Jonathan Foster | Born Jany [January] 10th 1787
Died May 17th 1813 | Lydia Foster
 | Born Nov. [November] 11th 1784
 | Jonathan Foster
 | Born Jany 9th 1793
 | Abigail Foster
 | Born Nov. 25th 1796

5H

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8709
Vermont
Rachel Foster
widow of Jonathan
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued 
the 13th day of Dec 1849
and sent to A. Roy, Present
Acts of March 3, 1843 & June 17, 1844.
Recorded in Book A 
Vol. 2 Page 62

Page 9

10788 M.
Vermont
Rachel Foster
Widow of
Jonathan
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 17 May 1813
of in the State of
who was a Pri in the Company
commanded by Captain Brown of the
Regt commanded by in
the line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents 
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of
Decr 1844 and sent to
to
A. Ray, Present
Total amount, $
Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by J.P. Chase Clerk;
Book D Vol 1 Page 127

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14740
Jonathan Foster
Dec 4 1848 - [illegible]
Hardwick St
Jul 19 75 Tewksbury Mass
Apr [illegible] Brown
[illegible] [illegible]
July 4, 80 Dec 9, 80
Capt
[illegible]
No 1 [illegible]
Mrs Rachel Kitredge
Jany 7.1 1784 [illegible] NH
D. May 17, 1813

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3-595.
O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Searched by
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier
Service
Additional service
Remarks
Chief of Division.
15444b10m8-1900

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C.R.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C
Dear Sir:-
Will you please send
me the Revolutionary record of
Jonathan Foster, a resident of
Plymouth, Vt. who received a
pension as did also his wife
after his death. Hoping to hear
from you as soon as may be
convenient.
I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. J. H. Mandigo.
Wallingford, Vermont,
Aug. 25, 1902
[Stamp: U.S.]
[Stamp: Old War & Navy]
[Stamp: Aug 29 1902]
[Stamp: Files.]
[Stamp: P. B.]
[Stamp: Pension]
[Stamp: B]
[Stamp: U.S.]
[Stamp: Aug]
[Stamp: 27]
[Stamp: 1902]
[Stamp: Office.]

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g ford VT
Ray 
Widow, &c.
File No. 14740
Rachel Foster
Widow of
Jonathan Foster
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 248
Arrangement of 1870.
Oct 16-1902
J. H. Mandigo - Wallin

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W 13784
Phebe Foster
VT
Hon J.G. Palfrey [Illegible]
21, 49.
act 7 July, 1838

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13784
Rachel Phebe Foster
mo of Jonathan
[unintelligible]
Act 7 July 1838
Admitted
Pr. $80 per annum
4 Mark [unintelligble] to 4 March 1841
for 4 Mar 43 to 4 March 48,
for 4 March 48 -----
these were enlistments
in 1780 in Cap [unintelligible]
Camp for the [unintelligible]
Jonathan Foster is found
as having enlisted for the
war. He [unintelligible]
[line unintellgible]
I find settlement certified.
A. Ray
Prot

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Boston 9th Feb. 1849
Dear Sir
Enclosed herewith I send the
papers in the pension case I mentioned to you some
time ago, and which you were so kind as to consent
to present, in your letter of the 14th Dec. ult.
You will observe that the certificate of the Secretary gives but 2 mos. and 18 days service, not
enough for a pension unless the records at Washington
show more service. I will be obliged to you therefore,
if you will request a search of Col. Jackson's rolls
for the "last three years service", which, I am informed
are at Washington
The proof of the marriage is not quite so full
as I could desire, but I trust will be deemed
sufficient to establish that fact. It has come to
my knowledge since the evidence was taken, but
by some oversight or inexperience in the business
was not embraced in either of the affidavits, that
although Mrs. Foster at the time of her marriage
resided at Walpole, in N.H. and was married
then, she nevertheless was a native of Tewksbury
and had always lived then until 1783, when her
family removed to Walpole. I mention this as an
explanation of what struck me with some surprise
that Russel Mears should recollect the maiden

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name of the woman whom Foster married.
As he states in his affidavit, "Kittridge", I understand, is one of the oldest and most common names in Tewksbury.
I thought it necessary to allude to these points.
In other respects, I believe the case explains itself.
That it is an honest claim, I am convinced beyond
a doubt by facts which have come to my knowledge
in the investigation of it since it was put into my
hands, but which it is not now necessary to
trespass upon your time to refer to. That it has
remained so long without being presented, would be,
I know, a suspicious circumstance ordinarily,
and regarded as such by the Commissioner. But
it was not until recently that the existence of the
law granting pensions to widows came to the knowledge
of this family, owing doubtless, to the comparatively
obscure and sparsely peopled section of the country in which they reside.
The great age of the widow and the desire
that she may receive the benefit of her application before her death, induces me to ask you to present
this claim in person to the Commissioner, in the
hope that any obstacles which may arise to its
speedy adjustment may be removed, unless it
be making too great a demand upon your time
which I know must be very much occupied.

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Washington 
Oct. 16, 1869
James L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pension 

Sir 

I have received from Franklin Hall Esq of Boston a copy of your letter of March 21/49 in the case of Phebe Foster widow of Jonathan, an applicant for the act 1838. 

It appears the records of your office do not afford evidence for the last three years of the war, his claims  that Jonathan Foster served to the end of the war Col Henry Jackson. On examination of the certificate I find letterment certificates I find in Vol. 1 viz
13,886 Jonathan Foster  was paid $15.50 for Sons to Jan 1 82
14,323 " " " " 42.34 " " Jan 1 83
15.506 " " in gratuitie 80 " " Apr 6 "
15,869 '" " pay 62.36 ""


These payments except the gratuity were of course for balance of pay due at the stated lime. showing more then two years service 

I remain very respectfully
your ob. sv
Alex. Ray

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I, William Ruggles of Walpole in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, testify and say that I am Clerk of said town of Walpole and have been for the past eleven years, and that the records of said town have been in my possession during that period. 

I further testify and say that I have made a careful and diligent search of said town records, and also, the church records in said town and from the year 1764 to 1810 inclusive, and do not find any record of the marriage of Jonathan Foster of Tewksbury in the State of Massachusetts with Rachel Kittridge of Walpole 

Walpole January 22d 1849. William Ruggles Town Clerk of Walpole 

The State of New Hampshire Cheshire SS 

January 22, 1849. The above named William Ruggles personalally appeared subscribed and sworn to the above 
Before me F.L.Lace Justice of the Peace

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House of Repretating Jany. 2. 1860 

Sir, 
I have been requested make enquiries of you whether there was any agent in this City who aided in obtaining a pension for widow Rachel Foster of Hardwick, Vermont?  Will you be please again me any information you may have in the subject?

your obt svt 
L. B. Pike 

J.L. Edward Esq. Comm. of Pensions

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I. Russel Mears of Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath testify and say that I am now in the 83 year of my age. I was born and brought up in Tewksbury and have always lived there. I served from there in the war of the revolution and an now a pensioner. I was well acquainted with Jonathan Foster who married Rachel Kittridge. He was a soldier in the Revolution, but we did not serve together. We lived at some distance from each other in Tewksbury, but we often met after the war and used to talk together about it. I recollect he told me that the last time he enlisted it was for during the war and that he staid until it was ended, and was in Capt Fox's Company. I never was in Capt Fox's company myself, but have often heard of him. He belonged I believe Dracut a town on the other side of the river from Tewksbury  
witness John Parkhurst 

Russel his X mark Mears 

Middlesex Ss. Jan. 29th 1849. Then personally appeared the above named Russel Mears and made oath in due form of law that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true and further certify that I live the next house to said Mears and have known him many years, and that he retains his faculties to a remarkable degree for a person of his age can hear without difficulty & can see without the aid of spectacles. I further certify that I believe him to be a cautious witness I never heard his reputation for truth & veracity doubted

Before me, William Rogers Justice of Peace

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Secretary's Office, Boston February 1849 

I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation William Rogers was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 

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

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Secretary's Office, Boston November 1848. 
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 Jonathan Foster is borne upon a Muster Roll of Capt Jonathan Brown's Company, as a private of Tewksbury from April 19, 1775, 1 day Upon a Pay Roll of the of Six months men of the town of Tewksbury, as a private from July 4 to December 1780, including allowance of 11 days for travel. 5 months and 17 days - not upon all of Capt Fox

The name of Luke Putnam, mentioned in the annexed application is not borne upon any roll with that of Jonathan Foster

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And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

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

Wm Tufts Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth

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The Secretary of the State of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish Evidence from the Rolls in his office of the service of my husband Jonathan Foster in the war of the Revolution 

He enlisted from the Town of Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, All the perticulars I can give of his services is that I recollect of his often speaking of being out under Capt. Fox and Col. Jackson but in what year I do not remember I have often heard him say that he was but Sixteen years old when he first went out and that he was out on a six months tour when Gen Arnold deserted and that he saw Andre hung I also remember hearing him mention of a man by the name of Luke Putman being in the same Company with him and that there was two men by the name of Pratt who were messmates of his 

I am now 86 and shall be 87 the 10 day of next Febry and my memory does not enable me to state my husbands Service more fully then above I married him after he left the Service 

Witness my hand this 28th day of October AD 1848 
Rachel Foster
Signed by said Rachel Foster  in presence of David Tuttle Justice of the peace