Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,630, Joshua Trafton, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Grafton, Joshua Mass.
S. 18,630
carded
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for notes.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for notes.

5436
Maine
Joshua Nrafton of Shapleigh in the State of Maine who was a Capt in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col Sherburne in the _____ has for 2 yrs 11 mo Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of 480 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Feb. 1833 and sent to Hon R M c Intire House of Reps Arrears to 14th of Sep. 1832 $ 720.00 Semi-ant. allowances ending Mar 1832 40.00
$960.00
{ Revolutionary Claim } { Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk. Book _____ Vol. 1 Page 93
See letter 9 March 1833 to J. Wingate. This man was reported as having died in June 1831. _____ within not recorded
This man _____ till living see let. from agent within dated 10 th October 1833-

Joshua Stratton
5712
Shapleigh
[Large cursive signature, likely J. Stratton]
[Cursive signature, likely J. Stratton]

STATE OF MAINE.
York ss....At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, begun and holden at York within and for the County of York on the first Tuesday being the fourth day of July and by adjournment at Alfred from day to day, on the twentieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable Benjamin Greene, chief Justice Judge of said Court.
ON this twentieth day of July in the year 1820, personally appeared before Benjamin Greene, chief Justice of said Court
the same proceeding according to the course of the common law, having jurisdiction unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said Circuit , county Joshua Frafton aged seventy four years, resident in Shapleigh in said Circuit , county who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a Captain  in the company commanded by Capt. in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Sherburne in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration, made on the twenty fourth day of April A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 5,412 was granted. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and 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, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed; that my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is herein particularly described, also subscribed by me.
his Joshua Frafton mark
Sworn to and declared, on the 20th day of July A. D. 1820. out of Court.
BEFORE Benjamin Greene
Ch. Justice One of the Judges of the said Court.

SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz:
No real estate or personal —
Joshua X Grafton mark
SCHEDULE of the family residing with me Joshua Grafton who, by occupation am a husbandman which I am unable to pursue by reason of infirmity & blindness.
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     Family none Joshua X Grafton mark  
STATE OF MAINE.
I, Daniel Sewall , ss. Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said Circuit , within the county of York do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto an- nexed, 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 aforesaid schedule, is nothing dollars and  cents. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty fourth day of July , A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Daniel Sewall , { Clerk of the said Circuit Court for the County of York

Capt. Joshua Grafton
admitted Capt. 2 ye. 11 mo. $480.00 —
McIntire H.R.

I Joshua Trafton of Shapleigh in the County of York, State of Maine aged 87 years next June do testify & say that I am the same Joshua Trafton to whom a pension certificate dated January 23 rd 1819 numbered 5,712 was granted, on account of services rendered the United States during the Revolutionary war, which entitle him herewith returns to the war department and with to take the benefit of the Act of June 7 th 1832.
In May 1775 he enlisted as an Ensign for eighteen months in Col. Scammons Regiment in Capt. Saml. Darby's Company & served principally at Cambridge M.S. In January 1776 he enlisted for twelve months as Lieutenant in Col. Patterson's Regt. Capt. Wm. Wyman's Company, we marched from Cambridge M.S. to New York, from there to Canada & joined General Arnold's Army at Montreal; when the twelve months had expired I enlisted in June 1777 for three years as Captain in Col. Henry Sheldon's Regiment, and served in said regiment two years and nine months when he resigned his commission and left the Army sometime in the month of March A.D. 1780.
He now lives in the town of Shapleigh in the County of York where he has resided for about fifty years last past - He relinquishes every claim to a pension what ever except the present pension his name is not on the pension roll of any state only as above stated.
Joshua Trafton
York p. January 23, 1833 personally appeared Joshua Trafton with whom I have been personally acquainted more than twenty years last past, & consider him a man of truth & veracity, & made oath that according to his recollection & belief the above affidavit by him signed is true. Before me James Tyler Justice of Peace.

State of Maine.
Yah ps. I William Cutter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate for said county, hereby certify that James Ager is a true copy of the record for the said county of York, as within stated and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand hand and affixed my seal of office this 28th day of January A.D. 1833.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Register of Probate.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MCS/eel
May 9, 1929
Miss A. Pauline Ham 2 Columbia Terrace Adams, Massachusetts
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.18630, it appears that Joshua Traf- ton enlisted in May, 1775, place not stated, and served eight months as an ensign in Captain Samuel Derby's Com- pany in Colonel James Scammon's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in January, 1776, and served one year as second lieutenant in Captain William Wyman's Company in Colonel John Paterson's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted, June 1, 1777, and served two years and nine months as a captain in Colonel Henry Sherburne's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 24, 1818, at which time he was seventy-two years of age and was living in Shapleigh,, York County, Maine.
There are no data on file relative to wife and children.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

4 Maine
Joshua Frafton
Shapleigh in the state of D o of Maine who was a Cap n in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sherburne of the Massachusetts, ne, for the term of 9 months, 18.20 Mass & Continental.
scribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 24 of April 1818
ertificate of Pension issued the 23 of Jan y 1819 and sent to George Thatcher Esq r Saw M r .
Arrears to 4th of September 1818 4m 30 $ 87.33 semi-ann. all ce ending 4 March 1819 120.
$207.33
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Notification sent to Genl. Small 12 Oct 1820 Hembank Maine

Joshua Trafton Sur. File 18,630
The muster roll of Capt. Joshua Trafton's co., Col. Henry Sherrburne's battalion for March 1780 has been removed from above claim to be sent to the War Dept.
adm.
Apr. 14, 1910
Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16, 1913

Joshua D. Norton
Payable semi-annually---the first payment on this certificate will be made on the 4th of March — next.
At the Cumberland Bank Portland at Portland. Me.
Recorded

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY That, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818.
Joshua Trafton ————— late a Captain ————— in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pen- sion List, Roll of the District of Maine ————— Agency, at the rate of — Twenty — dollars per month, to commence on the — 24 th — day of April ————— one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this — 23 rd day of — January one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.

Joshua Grafton
Red Green
245

War Department,
N o 5712
PENSION OFFICE,
12 Oct r 1820.
SIR,
You are hereby informed that the schedule of your property has been examined; and the Secretary of War has directed your name to be continued on the Pension Roll.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
To Mr.
Joshua Lrafton Shapleigh Maine

War Dep t Pension Office March 9. 1833
Sir,
Be pleased to stop the payment of the pension of Joshua Trafton, whose name was inscribed on the roll of your agency under the act of March 18. 1818, and whose name  was was reported by you to this Dept. as having died in the month of June 1831. Some one personating him has since presented a claim under the act of June 7. 1832, and has been inscribed on the roll. You will be so good as to inform me whether or not he has received any money, and if so, how much: and I will be obliged to you if you will endeavor to bring the offender to justice. An early answer is requested.
Joshua Wrigate Jr. Esq Portland Maine
[Mem o . After I wrote the foregoing it was discovered that Trafton's name

Off. B. Ms.
Portland
13 J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington DC

Off Bank Me. S Portland Oct 10. 1833 J. B. Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions Washington C.
Sir
In answer to the enquiry in yours of the 2 nd inst I have to inform you that Cap t Joshua Trafton was erroneously reported dead in our Report for June 1831. He was living, and was paid his pension on the 29 th May last. I believe that there never has been any other pensioner on our Roll by that name.
Very respectfully Your obt servant J. W. Wight Jr Agent By J. D. Duglas

2 Columbia Terrace, Adams, Mass.
Oct. 28, 1928.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
For the purpose of join- ing the Daughters of the American Revolution, I am desirous of tracing the record of my great grandfather, Joshua Trafton. The U. S. War Department has given me the following data from its records:
"Joshua Trafton, ensign,

30 regiment of foot, Massachusetts commanded by Colonel James Scammon. He was commissioned May 19, 1775, and his name appears on the records of that year as late as Sept. 20, 1775."
"Joshua Trafton, 2d Lieutenant, Captain Wyman's Company, 15th Regiment of Con- tinental Troops commanded by Colonel John Paterson. He enlisted Jan. 1, 1776 to con- tinue in service to Dec. 31, 1776, and his name is borne on a return dated New York, April 16, 1776. No later record of his service has been found."
Joshua Trafton, Captain of a company in Colonel Shelburne's Regiment, Continental Troops. He was commissioned June 1, 1777, and resigned April 20, 1780."
If you can give me any further information in regard to Joshua Trafton's record, I shall be very much obliged.
Very truly yours,
(Miss) A. Pauline Ham

Blue Earth, Minn
March 27 1907
To the Hon Com ee of Pensions
Washington. D.C.
My dear Sir:
I am a descendant of one Joshua Frafton a revolutionary soldier who joined the forces at old Kittery formerly Massachusetts now Maine. Tradition says he was a Captain and that he was a pensioner until his death. I desire to join the Daughters of the Revolution and am informed that a statement from your office that he was a revolutionary pensioner as appears from the records, is sufficient authority for my application. I would be glad to have such statement.

Respectfully.
Ruth E. Inswell
Blue Earth - Minn

P 18630 INVALID.
1907 Apl. 18. History to Ruth E. Buswell 1929 May 9 hist. to Miss C. Pauline Ham MCS
File No. 18630 Josiah Dighton Capt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 379
[Arrangement of 1870.]

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joshua Trafton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. Sur. file 18630
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 75 8 mos. Ensign Samuel Derby James Scammon Mass.   Jany. 76 1 yr. 2 Lt. Mr. Weyman John Patterson Conel - Mass   June 1. 77 2 yrs. 9 mos. Capt. Henry Sherburne Conel  
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓
Date of application for pension, Apr 24. 1818.
Residence at date of application, Shapleigh, York Co. Me.
Age at date of application, 72
Remarks: No data as to family

Joshua Trafton Capt. n 76 - 9 months Sherburnes re d Rhode Island 24. April 1818
Adm d ?

I Joshua Trafton of Shapleigh in the County of York and Commonwealth of Massachusetts a native citizen aged seventy two years declare that I served in the armies of the United States of America during the Revolutionary war about five years, as follows. In the month of May in the year 1775 I entered a company then commanded by Captain Samuel Derby in Col. James Scammons Regiment of the Massachusetts line & Continental establish- ment, I enlisted as an Ensign in said Company & had a Commission signed by the President of Congress, which in the various removals & accidental misfortunes I have been subjected to I have lost. In this capacity & company I served eight months; and then was promoted to a se- cond Lieutenancy in a company commanded by William Wymon & Col. John Patterson Regiment where I served one year. I had a Lieutenants Commission but have lost it. At the expiration of this year the soldiers terms, for which they had engaged, being out; they mostly returned to their homes - And about the month of April 1777 I had leave to go home being honorably discharged; And on the first of June 1777 I had a Captains Commission in Col. Henry Sherburnes Regiment, being one of the sixteen additional Regiments raised by order of Congress - Under this commission I was engaged for nearly eleven months in the recruiting service till I filled my company I joined Col. Sherburnes Regi- ment at Westpoint on the North River and continued in the service & same regiment till some time the month of April 1780. All which will appear by my Muster Roll made up for the month of March same year, & hereto annexed. I had an honorable discharge in writing signed by order of General Washington, but this with other papers I delivered many years ago to Major Derby to authorize & enable him to get some arrears due me and I

have not been able to procure said Discharge or other papers as Major Derby died soon after in a distant part of the Country from where I lived. I have not now, nor never had any pension, I am now in very reduced circumstances having no property of any kind & depend on the charity of friends for a subsistence. I stand in absolute need of support from my Country. I am unable to do any labour being a broken man — Joshua Trafton
April 24. 1818. The above named Joshua Trafton personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, & being duly sworn made oath to the truth of the declaration by him subscribed. George Harker { One of the Justices of the S. J. C. of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This may certify that Capt. Joshua Trafton has resided in the town of Shapleigh more than thirty years as we have been informed has served as an officer in the Revolution- ary war & since that time he has been till of late a Deputy Sheriff in the town aforesaid but a few years Past the Selectmen or Assessors have concluded that he was not able to pay even a poll tax as his property was chiefly taken from him. Shapleigh March 7 th 1818 Mr. Bodwell } Selectmen Samuel Sland } of Simon Ross } Shapleigh

Commonwealth of Massachusetts — ss
Be it known that on the twenty fourth day of April 1818 before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of the said Commonwealth personally appeared Joshua Trafton of Shopleigh in the County of York & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who being duly sworn according to law, de- =clared the declaration hereto annexed & by him subscribed in my presence is true — in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war, from which declaration signed & sworn to as aforesaid I George Thacher Justice & as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Joshua Trafton did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in his said declaration against the common enemy, & that he is in reduced circum- =stances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support — And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony had before me to the Secretary for the department of war pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid Act of Congress.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & have caused the seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed this thirtieth day of May, eighteen hundred & eighteen
George Thacher