Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19636, Joseph Widger, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Continental Mass.
Widger, Joseph Rebecca
N 19636
CONTENTS

✓ 3464 Massachusetts
Rebecca Wedge widow of Joseph Wedge who was a private in the Mass s Militia
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 57 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Decem r 1843 and sent to
Jamie Gregory Marblehead Mass s
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 57

6165 - Act 7 July 1838
Rebecca Widge, widow of Joseph - Map.
By the ...

State of Massachusetts, } ss. Salem. County of Essex, }
On this twentieth day of August, A.D. 1839, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate within & for the said County & State, Rebecca Widgeon, a resident of Manchester, & formerly a resident of Marblehead - both in said County - in which latter town she was born & brought up - aged nearly Seventy-eight years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, from the best of her knowledge & belief, make the following (Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows": That she is the widow of Joseph Widgeon, who was a Private in the Company of Capt. William Blackler of the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot commanded by Col. John Glover in the War of the Revolution: That her said husband resided in said Marblehead at the time of his enlistment, & enlisted in said Corps, & in said town as a Private & volunteer, in the "eight months service" - on the twenty- fifth day of May, A.D. 1775: That her said husband continued in said Corps doing his duty in & about said Marblehead until shortly after the Battle of Bunker's Hill, when he marched with said Regiment to Cambridge, near Boston, & joined the American Army encamped there then under the command of General Ward, & soon after under the command of General Washington: That her said husband continued with said Regiment doing his duty at said Cambridge & around said Boston, until the thirty-first day of December following, when the term of enlistment having expired the Regiment was discharged.
She further Declares, that according to the best of her knowledge & belief her said late husband again immediately enlisted at said Cambridge, & on or about the first day of January, 1778, as a volunteer & private into the fourteenth Regiment of the Continental Army, Massachusetts Line, commanded by the aforesaid Colonel (afterwards General) John Glover - for the term of one year: that soon after his said enlistment he marched with said Regiment to Beverly in said County & State, where said Regiment was ordered to take up its quarters for the purpose of guarding

She further Declares, that according to the best of her knowledge, & being her said late husband again immediately enlisted at said Cambridge, & on or about the first day of January, 1776, as a volunteer & private into the fourteenth Regiment of the Continental Army, Massachusetts Line, commanded by the aforesaid Colonel (afterwards General) John Glover - for the Term of one year: that soon after his said enlistment he marched with said Regiment to Beverly in said County & State, where said Regiment was ordered to take up its quarters for the purpose of guarding said Port & the large amount of goods captured & sent in there by the State & Continental vessels: that her said late husband continued doing his duty in said Regiment, at said Beverly, until sometime in the month of July next following, at which time the City of New York being deemed in danger of being captured, it was ordered to march for that City: that they accordingly marched & arrived there (as per Heath's memoirs, page 51) on the second day of August next following: that said Regiment was employed in & about said City doing Guard duty until its capture by the enemy on the fifteenth of September next following, when it retreated with the rest of the Army to the neighboring Country, & was with it at the Battle of White Plains on the twenty-seventh of October: that soon after, the Army went into Winter Quarters, at either Fish Kill or Morristown, at one of which places the Regiment continued until the thirty-first of December, when the Term of enlistment having expired it was discharged & her said late husband returned home.

She further declares upon her best knowledge & belief, that after her said husband returned home in January, 1777, he was engaged in the Public Naval Service of the said State of Massachusetts, & went two cruises in the course of that year, in either the State Brig Massachusetts or the State Brig Tygranide - which vessels were commanded at different times by Captain Nathan Wiske & Harraden - in one or both of said vessels in the course of that year - having served as a Seaman for both cruises; that in the following year of 1778, he served as a Seaman on board the Continental Brig General Gates, John Shimmer Esquire commander, & was in the latter vessel when Capt. Shimmer was killed in Battle, some time in the summer of that year; that she has no Documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony she can procure in proof of either the last described period of his Land service, or the different periods of his Naval Service above referred to for the years 1777 & 1778, & she begs leave to refer to the Rolls & Documentary evidence of the War Department, Washington, for proof of the same.
She further declares that her said late husband was in much Privateering service after his said Public Naval Service in said War, but that she has no present recollection or knowledge of any other Public service performed by him than that which she has herein stated & declared.
She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Wedger on the eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty-six; that her husband the said Joseph Wedger was killed in Battle on board the Privateer Schooner Swordfish of Gloucester, in the late War with Great Britain, on the twenty-first day of August in the year eighteen hundred and twelve, & that she has remained a widow ever since his death; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred & ninety-four, viz: at the time above stated as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Witnessed by - J. S. Cushing M. S.
Rebecca Wedger

said Joseph Widgeon was killed in Battle on board the Privateer Sabine Swiftfish of Gloucester, in the late War with Great Britain on the twenty-first Day of August in the year eighteen hundred and twelve, & that she has remained a widow ever since his death. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred & ninety-four, viz: at the time above stated as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Witnessed by - J. S. Clegg
M. Allen
Rebecca her mark Widgeon
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written -
Before me - D. A. White { Judge of said Court of Probate.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex ss. Probate office.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that the honorable Daniel A. White, before whom the foregoing declaration of Rebecca Widgeon purports to have been taken, is the judge of probate for said county; and his name, subscribed to the certificate thereof, is his genuine signature; and the same was taken in open court.
Given under my hand and seal of office this twentieth day of August, A.D. 1839.
Nath. Lord Jr.

Extract from the Records of Marriages in the Town of Marblehead county of Essex & State of Massachusetts.
Seventeen hundred Eighty six September Eighteenth.
Mr. Joseph Wedget & Miss Rebecca Vickery both of this Town
I certify that the above is a true extract from the records of Marriages in this Town, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record, in fair, legible, figures as follows 1786 Sep r 18.
I, Richard Homan, above named, depose & say that I hold the office of clerk in the Town of Marblehead, county & State aforesaid, & that the above is a true extract from the Records, with the exception, above named as certified by me.
Rich d Homan Rich d Homan clerk of the Town of Marblehead,
Essex ss.
Marblehead April 23. 1839
Then appeared Richard Homan above named, a credible witness & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me,
James Gregory, J. of the Peace

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19,636
Rebecca Widgeon Widow of Joseph Widgeon Priv. Rev. War.
Act: Mar. 3 rd 1873
Index:—Vol. M , Page 344
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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letter James Gregory Sept. 5. '43
Massachusetts 5806
Rebecca Widgeon, — widow of Joseph Widgeon, dec d .
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 21st Augt. 1812 of Essex Co in the State of Mass. — who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Blacker of the regt commanded by Genl Ward in the Mass. Militia line for 7 m. 5 ds. private 10 m. —————
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. — at the rate of 57 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Increased from $23.88 —
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of June 1840 to Lieutenant James Gregory, Esq. Marblehead, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar — 1840 $228.88 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep / '40 28.61
Deduct former payments. $257.49.
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D r M c Curdy, Clerk, Book A. Vol. 1. Page 145.

6165 Oct 1838 - Mups.
Rebecca Mülger, widow of Joseph - Lit to Jas Gregor 27 Nov 1839.
Act. '38

Ja s Gregory } 7 May 1840 } S
R
5106 Massachusetts
Rebecca Wedge, widow of Joseph Wedge, dec d .
who was a pensioner under the act of and who died on the 21 st Aug t 1812 - of Essex Co o in the State of Mass. who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Blaisdell & the Brigade commanded by Genl. Washington in the Mass. Militia line for 7 mo. 5 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensions at the rate of 25 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 27th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of Feby 1840, & sent to Ja s Gregory Marblehead, Mass.
Arrears to the 1 th of Sept r 1839 $ 83.58 Semi-annual Allowance ending 4 th May '40 11.94
$95.52
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by J. M. Condy Clerk. Book 1 Vol. 1 Page 145
Ja s Gregory Marblehead Mass

Payment to be made at Boston — by F. Haver Agent for paying pension- ers, in the Agency of Massachusetts Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 1, Page 45 by
L. M. Curdy Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Five years' Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Rebecca Widger of Massachusetts , widow of Joseph Widger, deceased , who was a private in the Revolution and died on the 21st day of August 1812 , is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of Twenty three dollars and Eighty eight cents per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty ninth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty .
J. P. Smith
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Rebecca Wedyer Miss of Joseph Mass As July 7 1838 Married 1782 died 1872 Allow 7 m. 5 a pm $23.88 per ann. Mass. militia Col Blackler On roll of honor 10 m.
Isaac Gregory Marblehead Mass.

Feb 12 as the com mencement of the day
Feb 12.
Mr. Dyer &
Laurens
FEB
Rev
Chap.
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Marblehead, February 5th 1840.
Honored Sir:
In your favor of the 17th of November last, relative to the claim of Rebecca Wedge, widow of Joseph Wedge, under the law of July 7th 1838, you state that the 12 months' service declared for in 1776 cannot be allowed for want of both Rolls & proof. Mrs Wedge's claim for this '76 service must then be hopeless, for there are barely two living that I have been able to find in this part of the Country who served there through the year, & they can't recollect above one in a hundred who served with them.
This '76 service was the "one year Continental Service " which is plainly described & defined in our Revolutionary History, & it is certainly almost unaccountable that the Record of it should not be found in the Archives of the General Government. It may be that the name given to it among the few orderly books of the Colonel who commanded the " 14th Regiment " is not recognized in the Department. I beg permission to observe, that it will be a great favor to these applicants who claim for this service ('76) under Colonel Glover, & at the same time take the burden of a useless correspondence from off the Department

(Continued on next page through mistake.)
"increase of pension, for the same service, and shall reply to you soon"
With respect to this notice of the service claimed on board the General Gates, I desire respectfully to observe, that the evidence of the Public Character of this vessel, forwarded by E. Homer Esq of Boston on the 17th of Oct. last - referred to in my letter of the 21 st of the same month, has been declared by your Honor to be satisfactory - as appears by your answer to Mr Homer which has been exhibited to me.
Mr William Laskey, late of this town, & now a resident of Lynn, served on board the General Gates at the same time Joseph Wedger & John Wells did, & he was pensioned, August 6th, 1833, to the amount of $32 per annum for the service . It is therefore much to be hoped that the claims of these two widows will at length be allowed for the said service, & in the case of Mrs Wedger the service of 12 months in '76 declared for by her must be dropped by her for the present .
In the case of Mrs Margaret Garney, widow of Thomas Garney, under the law of '38, I am instructed to ask for the Certificate offered her in May last for the service in '73, as there is no prospect of her being able to satisfy the Department for the other service declared for. *
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
I am, very truly & respectfully, Your Honor's ob td . serv t . James Gregory
* It is also respectfully requested that a Certificate for the claim of Abigail Dodge, widow of John Dodge, Law of 1831, since the pensioned for the service in '76 declared for by her must be dropped by her for the present. 22nd Feb. 1874. James Gregory

if the applicants for the benefit of this service can be informed whether there is any record of any Regiment commanded by Colonel John Glover in the year 1776 , of any name, number, or title whatever among the Records of the War Department.
General Glover entered the service as Colonel of the 21 st Regt. of Massachusetts Foot, in April 1775, & also commanded a Regiment in '76 - in the one year's service which is denominated among his papers, now before me, the "11 th . Regiment of the Continental Army." I also found in a letter of his, written to "John Pierce Esq. Paymaster General," in 1783, also before me, that he was commissioned or appointed a Brigadier General in the Continental Forces, February 21 st 1777, & retired from the army July 22 d 1782. It would therefore seem that his name must often appear upon the Records, whether it appears for the interesting service of year of '76 or not.
Your Honor's said favor of November 27 th does not say or state any thing about the alleged service of Mrs. Widgeon's late husband in 1775, & she is desirous of knowing whether the proof is satisfactory for that term. The conclusion of said favor is in the following words: - "The service on board the General Gates will, for the present be omitted. I have received your letter in the case of Mrs. Mary Wills claim for an
(Please see opposite page.)
increase.
Am Genl. Gage

ku 39 26 h 30 13.
32 34
37
40. 42
8. 65 name n dah hlon

Marblehead April 23 d 1840.
Honored Sir:
I have the Honor herewith to forward to you the Pension Certificate of Rebecca Widgeon, widow of Joseph Widgeon, with the view of obtaining the benefit of her late husband's services on board the Continental Brig General Gates.
It will be seen by Mrs W s Declaration - a copy of which is now before me - that she declared for service on the Land in both the years of 1775, & '76 under Colonel John Glover, & also for Naval Service both of the two following years of 1777, & '78.
The Pension granted allowed for about 7 months' service in '75 & nothing more .
The affidavit of William Laskey is now forwarded with her Certificate in proof of the fact of Widgeon's services on board the General Gates.
According to your Honor's favor of Nov. 27 th , 1839, the name of Joseph Widgeon is not borne on either of the Rolls of the Brigs Massachusetts or Tyranicide; it would therefore seem that Mrs Widgeon was mistaken in the name of the vessel. From enquiries since made, there is reason to believe it was the Brig Freedom that he served in before the General Gates' service .
James L Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
very respectfully,
James Gregory

Marblehead, Sept 26th, 1839.
Honored Sir, -
I have the Honor herewith to forward to you the Declaration of Rebecca Widgeon, widow of Joseph Widgeon, deceased, who is now & has been for many years past a resident of Manchester in this County, & who, together with her said late husband were born & brought up in this town. Mrs Widgeon, it will be seen, claims the benefit provided by the law of July 7th 1837.
I have the Honor to be, very respectfully, Your Honor's ob. servt. James Gregory
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Joseph Widgeon d 182 Rebecca Widgeon m. 17865
75 May 25. y. 5. Blackkn. S 7th Jan. 12.
Maß. a Tyranicide Scutler Fisk a Herndon
on roll 78 10. Gen Gatsy Skimmn S
33 33 23 88 57.21
88 8 88 8 177.6
Vol 39 p 1 Oct 77 Mass not on July Mand. 1807 4. from Jan to Dec 2, 6m 17 Scutler not on
78 Jos Widgeon Carpenter male 1778 m. Widgeon 3 Herndon on 120 Jos Wooden

I, William Lasky, of Lynn in the County of Essex & State of Massachusetts, do on my oath testify & declare, that I am in the Seventy eighth year of my age; that I was born & brought up in Marblehead in said County & lived there more than seventy years of my life; that I am a Pensioner under the act of June 7 th , 1832, for Revolutionary services on board the Continental Brig General Gates, & the State Brig Tyrannicide; that I have a distinct recollection of several Marblehead men who served on board said Brig General Gates at the same time I did myself, & for which service I was first Pensioned to the amount of Thirty-two Dollars per annum, August 6 th , 1833.
And I do further testify and declare that Joseph Wedger, formerly of said Marblehead, & late of Manchester in said County, & the late husband of Rebecca Wedger of said Manchester served on board said Brig General Gates at the same time I did myself, & as long as I did myself.
Witnessed by William L. Hooker
William his  X Lasky mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, } ss. Lynn. March 13 th , 1840. County of Essex .. }
Then the above named William Lasky personally appeared & made oath in due form of Law to the truth of the above affidavit & subscribed the same in my presence. And I certify that said Lasky is a credible witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal the day & year above written.
James Gregory, Notary Public.

2096.
Rev. Wifery
$57:22 per ann
James Gregory Marblehead Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Manchester. County of Essex .. }
On this twelfth day of June, A.D. 1843, personally appeared before me J. W. Allen, Justice of the Peace in & for the said County of Essex, Rebecca Widgeon, a resident of said Manchester, & formerly a resident of Marblehead in said County, aged nearly eighty-two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed March 3 d 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Joseph Widgeon, who was a Private in the Company of Capt. William Blackler, of the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) John Glover, in the War of the Revolution. Also a Seaman in the Continental Brig General Gates, John Skinner Esq. Commander.
She further declares, that she was pensioned under the law of July 7 th , 1838, to the amount of twenty-three dollars and eighty-eight cents per annum, for the first named term of service - on the 29 th day of February, A.D. 1840: that on thirtieth day of June next following she was allowed for the second named term of service, by which her pension was increased to the sum of fifty-seven dollars and twentytwo cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Witnessed by Robert W. Buck J. W. Allen
Rebecca her X Widgeon mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written - and I certify that said declarant is personally well known to me Before me, J. W. Allen Justice of the Peace.
Authentication next page.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston June 15. 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation John W. Allen was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex.
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.
Wm. A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I, John W. Allen, of Manchester in the County of Essex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do on my oath testify & declare, that I well knew Joseph Widgeon, the late husband of Rebecca Widgeon, now of said Manchester, formerly of Marblehead, in said County. Said Joseph Widgeon was killed on board the Schooner Swordfish of Gloucester, in said County, in the late War with Great Britain, on or about the twenty first day of August A.D. 1812. I have always understood & believed that said Joseph Widgeon performed service in the War of the Revolution, but the particulars of it I cannot affirm from my own knowledge.
Said Rebecca Widgeon is an applicant for the benefit of the Pension Law of July 7th 1838; and I well know that she is now a widow, & has remained a widow, ever since the death of her late husband, the aforesaid Joseph Widgeon, deceased.
Witnessed by Laura Colby David Colby
J. W. Allen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } County of Essex . . . . . }
ss. Manchester, Aug. 23. 1839.
Then John W. Allen Esquire, a gentleman who is well known to me personally as a credible witness & of good moral character, personally appeared, & made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed —
Before me,
David Colby — J. of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept. 11. 1839.
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 Joseph Wedger is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. William Blackler's Company Col. John Glovers Regt. where it appears he served to the 1 st of August 1775. entered Service May 25 th whole time of Service 2: M. 1: W. 5 days. as a Private from Marblehead. The name of Joseph Wedger is borne on a Return of Commissioned and Non Commissioned Officers & Privates - 6 th Comp. 21 st Regt. foot. in the Service of the United Colonies of North America. Commanded by Jno Glover Esq. as a Private from Marblehead - the Return is dated Cambridge Oct. 9. 1775. and signed " Wm Blackler Capt "
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ESSEX, ss.
I, JOHN PRINCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Essex, do certify, that
David Colby & James Gregory Esquires, are Justices of the Peace within and for said County, and that their signature hereon are genuine.
WITNESS MY HAND, and the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas,
September 24, A. D. 1839.
John Prince
Clerk.