Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15451, James Watson, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Watson, James Lucy
No 15451.
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 1441
S Lucy Watson
widow of James Watson
who died on the 17 April 1823 of Worcester Co. in the State of Mass.
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Green of the Reg't commanded by Col. Samard in the Mass. mil.
time for 9 months & 8 days Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 30 Dollars 88 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Sept. 1837 and sent to Hon. Jno. Davis, Senate.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '37 200. 68 Semi-annual allowance ending 6th Mar. '38 15. 44
$216.12
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 — }
Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2 — Page 62

1967
Lucy Watson 1967
widow of James Watson Mass.
Manned 1777
for Boston
Adm 2 pri 9 mo 8 ds $ 30.88 per ann. commg 4 March 1831.
Her J o Davis USS

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss. Probate Office.
I certify that Ira Barton is Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, duly appointed and qualified. and that the several signatures of his name as Judge of Probate to Papers hereto annexed, were, in each case, written by himself - and that Joel Davis and James Draper are, each of them, Justices of the Peace for said County, and that their names subscribed as such to Papers hereto annexed was, in each case, written by himself - and that they were duly Commissioned & sworn. In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said Court this 14th day of May 1837.
Theophilus Wheeler Reg of the said Probate Court.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the fourth of July 1836.
State of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss.
On this eleventh day of May 1837, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester Lucy Watson a resident of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts aged eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 1, 1836. That she is the widow of James Watson, late of Spencer aforesaid deceased, who was a private soldier in the army of the revolution and who, according to the best of her knowledge and belief, served as follows, viz. The said James Watson, sometime in the month of April 1775, enlisted as a private into a company of militia, commanded by Captain Joel Green, that David Prouty was Lieutenant and Mueben Slayton was Ensign, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Jeremiah Johnson Larnard, that he marched from Spencer, the place of his residence immediately after his enlistment, to Roxbury in Massachusetts, that he was stationed at said Roxbury and continued there until the latter part of December of the same year, when he was discharged and returned to Spencer, having continued in the said service full eight months. That while he was at said Roxbury, the battle of Bunkerhill was fought, being near the place he was stationed. Also, sometime in the year 1777, the said James Watson enlisted into another company of militia, commanded by Captain David Prouty, that Jonas Newton was first Lieutenant and Benjamin Lewiston was second Lieutenant, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Job Cushing. That he marched from Spencer sometime in the fore part of July in the same year and marched to Bennington in Vermont, where he staid about a fortnight, he then marched to a place called Half Moon in New York where he staid about another fortnight, he then returned to Bennington and arrived there the next morning after the battle that was fought there under the command of General Starkus, he then staid there several days and was then discharged and returned home at Spencer, having continued in this last service

full two months, he arrived home sometime in the month of September. She further declares that she was married to the said James Watson on the first day of May (1777) in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, that her husband, the aforesaid James Watson, died at said Spencerville on the seventeenth day of April A.D. 1823; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. And she further states that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim, other than that annexed.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me  W. B. Barlow Judge of the Lucy + Watson Court of Probate for said County marks
And therefore the Court do declare it as their opinion, after a full investigation of the matter that the said James Watson was a soldier of the revolution; that he married to the said Lucy; that he hath since deceased, and that she hath ever since remained his widow as she hath done on oath declared, she being in my opinion a woman of truth.
W. B. Barlow Judge of said Court of Probate

I Rufus Putnam of Rutland in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, do testify and depose that I am the Town Clerk of the Town of Rutland aforesaid, having in my posses- sion the Records of said Town - that the following is an extract from the Records of said Town to wit -
"James Watson of Spencer & Lucy Brownings of Rutland joined in Marriage May 1 st 1777 by me J. Buckminster Pastor of Rutland"
A true copy Attest Rufus Putnam, Clerk of the Town of Rutland
State of Massachusetts } ss. Worcester County }
I the subscriber, a Magistrate of said County do hereby certify that the said Deponent subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me this twentieth fourth day of April 1837, and that the said Deponent is a credible witness
Joel Davis Justice of the Peace

I David Livermore of Spence in the County of Penobscot, being sixty three years of age do affirm and say that I always knew a neighbor to James Watson of Spence, who was always spoken and believed in this vicinity to be a soldier of the revolution. He died about fourteen years ago, and Lucy Watson his wife, has remained a widow ever since his death. I am also acquainted with Joseph Root & Nathan Craig, whose depositions are here shown me, and I know them to be men of truth. David Livermore supplemental - embracing other facts
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts beareth witness that on this day personally appeared David Livermore also known to me, and made oath to the truth of the above deposition. I further certify that I know him to be a man of truth.
Before me Mr. Barton judge of the court of Probate for said County

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the deposition signed by Nathan Cragg was made before me this day personally appeared Nathan Cragg known to me to be the person described to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand this 1st day of May 1837. James Draper Justice of the Peace.
I Nathan Cragg of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, Gentleman of lawfull age do testify and say, that, sometime in the year A.D. 1777 I enlisted in a company of Militia, commanded by David Prouty as Captain, and Jonas Newton was first Lieutenant and Benjamin Lewiston was second Lieutenant to serve a tour in the revolutionary war, and that James Watson late of said Spencer, now deceased, enlisted with me in the same company, that we marched from said Spencer sometime in the forepart of July of the same year and went to Bennington in Vermont where we staid about a fortnight as near as I can recollect, we then marched to a place called Half Moon in New York where we staid about another fortnight, we then returned to Bennington and arrived there the next morning after the battle that was fought there under the command of General Starkes, we then staid there several days and was then discharged and returned home, having continued in the service full two months and arrived home sometime in the month of September the same year. During the whole of this tour the said James Watson continued in the service with me and returned home with me having also served full two months. The said company was in the Regiment commanded by Col. Job Cushing and the whole commanded by General Benjamin Lincoln.
Nathan Cragg
State of Massachusetts } ss Worcester County }
I the subscriber a Magistrate of said County do hereby certify that the said Deponent subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me this first day of May 1837, and that the said Deponent is a credible witness.
James Draper Justice of the Peace

I David Livermore of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, Gentleman of lawful age do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with James Watson late of Spencer aforesaid, deceased, for more than forty years before he died, and do know that he died on the seventeenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three, and I further testify and say that I am also well acquainted with Lucy Watson, the widow of the said James Watson, and have known her for more than fifty years, and do know that she has never been married since the decease of her said husband, but remains a widow to this day.
David Livermore
State of Massachusetts Worcester County - {
I the subscriber a Magistrate of said County do hereby certify that the said Deponent subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me this tenth day of May 1837, and that the said Deponent is a credible witness.
James Draper Justice of the Peace

I Joseph Wheat of Spencer in the county of Worcester a State of Massachusetts, of lawfull age do testify and say that some time in the month of April 1775 I enlisted into a company of militia commanded by Captain Joel Green, David Prouty was Lieutenant and Reuben Slayton was Ensign, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Jeremiah Larned to serve in the war of the revolution, and that James Watson of said Spencer now deceased enlisted with me at the same time into the same company, that we marched to Roxbury in Massachusetts immediately after our enlistment, that we was stationed at said Roxbury and continued there until the latter part of December of the same year, when we was discharged, having continued in the said service full eight months, when we returned home, and that the said James Watson continued with me in said service during the whole term of eight months. While we were stationed in Roxbury the battle of Bunkerhill was fought, being within about two miles from where we were stationed. Joseph Wheat
State of Massachusetts } ss Worcester County }
I the subscriber a Magistrate of said County do hereby certify that the above named deponent subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me this first day of May 1837 and that the said Deponent is a credible witness
James Draper Justice of the Peace

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15451
Lucy Watson Widow of James Watson Pr. Rev War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. M , Page 309
[Arrangement of 1870.]

James Watson.
75. 8 mo. Grea. on roll Vol. 15. p. 16.
July 77. 2 — Priority sub. or .. 22 p. 84. 85-186. July 1. Da 1777 1 no 8 p. 85
Manuel May 1777
Vol 22 p 82 By order of Council 22 Sept 77
March 27 2nd dist 18 Oct 77
in the Co. with Walter Cragg M.O. Rev. Mr. Watson

Mr. J Davis Senate MS

I Nathan Grage of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, being Eighty three years of age do testify and say, that having once given in my affidavit respecting the service of James Watson, deceased as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, in order that his widow Lucy Watson might substantiate her claim for a pension, and understanding that her claim was rejected because my affidavit aforesaid was not corroborated by the return of the pay roll in the Secretary's office, and being again called upon for further testimony, do again testify and say, that about the forepart of the month of July A.D. 1777, I voluntarily enlisted into a company of militia commanded by Capt. David Prouty, the name of the first Lieutenant was Jonas Newton and the name of the second Lieutenant was Benjamin Livingston, the name of the orderly Sergeant was William White, and one other of the Sergeants name was James Smith. I enlisted from the town of Leicester, and we started from said Leicester as I well remember, on Sunday about noon, and marched to Spencer where we staid over night, that the next morning the said James Watson with others, joined our company and we then marched directly to Brannington, Vermont, we tarried at Brannington a few days, and marched to a place on the river Hudson, in New York, called Half Moon, we staid at Half Moon, a few days, but cannot precisely recollect how long, when we again returned to Brannington and arrived there the next day after the battle was fought under General Stark. I am confident of the time we returned to Brannington, because we arrived there on Sunday, the battle being fought on Saturday previous and the prisoners were shut up in the Meetinghouse. We tarried at Brannington until the forepart of September when we were discharged and we then returned home having been in the service two months, and the said James Watson was with me during the whole time, and I particularly recollect of coming home in company with him, and I was well acquainted with him before our enlistment into the same company as above stated. I would also further testify, that I was out in another town the same

year under the same captain and went also to Brimington, but the said James Watson was not with me, and being apprehensive that the latter campaign might have been mistaken for the former in examining the returns of Capt Prouty, I will also state some of the particulars of the latter campaign. Accordingly I enlisted about the first of October in the year 1777 into another company of Militia commanded also by David Prouty, and the name of the first Lieutenant was William Watson, there were also in the same company with me Isaac Gemen and Samuel Bangs and others from Leicester and John Draper, Nathaniel Loring, Jonas Muzzey and others from Spencer but James Watson was not one of said company, we marched the first of October and arrived at Brimington the seventh day of the same month being the day the battle was fought at Saratoga, we were soon after discharged and returned home being from home about one month. I would however state that we went from Brimington to Fort Edward where we staid until the surrender of Burgoyne when we was discharged, and further your deponent saith not.
Nathan Cragg
Worster J.
September 9. 1837 Then the above named Nathan Cragg personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed, and I further state that he is a credible witness and entirely worthy of belief; and I cannot but further add, that although eighty three years of age, his memory is wholly unimpaired, and that his mental as well as his physical powers are retained to a remarkable degree.
Before me
James Draper Justice of the Peace
Worthington Sept 16-1837 I hereby certify that Nathan Cragg the above deponent is a man of unblemished character & held in the highest estimation by all who know him as an honest man of the strictest veracity.
J Davis

I David Livermore of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, Gentleman, being sixty three years of age do testify and say, that having before given my testimony upon the same subject, do again state, that I have been well acquainted with James Watson late of Spencer deceased for more than fifty years ago, and until his death, I was born in his neighborhood and have known him ever since I can remember of knowing any of my neighbours, and for many of the last years of his life I was much in his company, and I have often heard him tell of his being out as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and I particularly recollect of hearing him frequently tell of his being out on a tour to Brimington, that he was on duty while the British prisoners were shut up in the Meetinghouse, being one of the guard to confine them there, and I remember of hearing him also tell, that in the night while on guard there was a disturbance of some sort among the prisoners, and some of the American soldiers on guard fired into the Meetinghouse and killed or wounded some of the prisoners; I have heard him say that he was not in the battle under Gen. Stark, but arrived there soon after the battle.
David Livermore
Worcester 10 September 11. 1837.
Then the above named David Livermore personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed and further state that the said David Livermore is a man of strict truth and veracity.
Before me
James Draper Justice Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Worcester, do certify, that James Draper, Esquire, is a Justice of the peace in and for said County, and that his signature to the foregoing certificates, attached to the depositions of Nathan Ledge and David Livermore, on this sheet of paper, is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my name, and affix the seal of said Court, at Worcester, this twelfth day of September, 1837.
Jos. G. Kendall Clerk

1967 May 19
Mal 136 H. J. B. & Co.
James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington.
D. C.

108 Spencer May 15. 1837
Sir, I here enclose to the Pension Office the Declaration and proofs of the claim of Lucy Watson the widow of James Watson late of Spencer deceased, for a pension. Should there be any thing incorrect, or any further proofs necessary, please to inform me, and when the certificate shall issue, please direct the same to be, and you will oblige Yours &c
James Draper
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington.

2 Notes given to Milton S. Whipple H on of Douglas Dated June 26 th 1835
$550 each
Signed Asa Hayer Robert Rogerson 2 o Dunne Hayer