Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8982, Abiel Washburn, Mass. Navy

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Navy
Washburn, Abel Abigail
W 8982 B.L.M. 26984-160-55
CONTENTS

15. 6444
Massachusetts
Abiel Washburn
of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Cotton of the Regt commanded by Col. Cotton in the Massa line for 2 years
Mil
74 Plym
Inscribed on the Roll of Massa at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of July 1833 and sent to R. Rhoads Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $160.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00
$ 200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. Hazen Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 92

17 Massachusetts Abigail Washburn widow of Abel* Washburn Mass who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private * Abiel W.R.R. May 8, 1909
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars —
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.
17 Sept. Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Dec. 48 and sent to
Wm L. Hale Wadsworth Rep't.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 1848, Page 73 Vol. 1
29th July,
book C.

126246 Act March 3/53 Mar 10
Abigail Washburn Wid of Abiel Washburn pm
In the War Revolution & a Pension Claimant as a Pensioner July 1884 8
Map July 48-17 W: 16 Oct 1849 May 23, 1856 [Signature]
J. R. Perkins North Bridgewater Mass.
for J. R. Perkins Feb 2/56
Vol. 1. page 15

I Jacob B. Shaw Town Clerk of the Town of Middleborough Massachusetts hereby certify that in the record of Marriages in said town the marriage of Abial Washburn and Abigail Briggs is recorded as follows, viz,
Augt. Thirteenth Seventeen hundred Eighty Seven I Married Abial Washburn of Plympton & Abigail Briggs of Middleborough Joseph Barker
I Jacob B. Shaw above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Middleborough Mass and that the foregoing is a true extract from the record of Marriages in said Town with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows viz. Augt. 13 th 1877.
Middleborough (October 19 th 1848)
Jacob B. Shaw Town Clerk Of Middleborough Mass
Com. Men weath of Massachusetts Almouck, ss, Then personally appeared Jacob B. Shaw, subscriber to the foregoing, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same and well known to me to be a person of truth & veracity — Before me Celia Ward Justice of the Peace

I certify that the within named Eliab Ward within named is an acting justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth and that the above is his signature
Attorney. Hale Nem. Low
Nov 9. 1848

23107
Abel Washburn Mass
Private
2 years
Adm'd
Mr Lord Plymouth Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abel Washburn Plymouth Co Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Entered 1775 More than 2 priv Capt Merton Col Garnet 72 years   1777 3 " Grover Cotton Dor Plymouth   1778 1 12 " Subsistant Cushing Rhode Island Rhode Island Chart   3 " Cotton Fullerton Waters Bristol   11 (Seaman) Brigg Jates Capt Waters  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain _____ of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Revolutionary Pensioners. —
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth ss. On this twentieth day February 1832. Personally appeared before me Wilson Wood Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Plymouth aforesaid, Abiel Washburn 2 d a resident of Middleborough in said County of Plymouth Commonwealth aforesaid aged seventy two years who being first sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States and/or the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That early in the year 1795 the particular month he cannot now recollect he enlisted into a military company under then under command of Capt William Weston, Andrew Sampson, Lieut. at Plymouth aforesaid which company was stationed at a Fort on the Gurnett (so called in the outer Harbour of Plymouth) that he helped build said Fort and served, there as one of the Garrison of said Fort more than two years. Several other officers had the command of the company aforesaid during the period of my said service among which was Lieut. John Washburn, my Father and Lieut. Smith —
To prove the above period of service he has procured the deposition of Corban Barnes hereto annexed which is the only evidence of the P. service that he knows of within his power to obtain —
That after wards and as he believes in the latter part of the summer or in the fall of the year 1797 — He enlisted as a Private into a Company commanded by Capt Nathaniel Goodwin belonging to the Regiment of Col. Theophilus Cotten for an

expedition to the State of Rhode Island. That P. Company marched to and was quartered in Tiverton in said State of Rhode Island; and that he there served three months - That he knows of no member or Officer of said last mentioned Company living and is un- able to procure testimony of said service.
That after wards in the year 1777 or 1778. which he cannot now recollect he enlisted in an expedition to the State of Rhode Island into a company under com- mand of Capt. Lieutenant. Josiah Thompson St. belonging to the Regiment of Col. Cushing - That said Company marched to Bristol in said State of Rhode Island and that he there served six weeks. That he knows of no Officer or Soldier of P. Company now living or any one else whose testimony of P. service there he can procure.
That in the summer of the year 1778 he enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Cross Cotton which Company which Company marched to Rhode Island & that he served there three months and was in the battle on the Island of Rhode Island when General Sullivan was Commander in chief. - x
That he served as a Seaman on board the Brigg "Gates" which he believes was in the State service - Capt. Daniel Waters Commander mounting 16 guns & carrying 120 men That she sailed from Boston & returned to Boston after her cruise, and he served eleven months; that she first cruised off New-York & then went to Martinique in the West Indies and refitted after being nearly wrecked in a gale. That to the Eastward of Martinique she made prize of the British Brigg 'Active' mounting 16 guns. That said prize-Brigg was in the convoy and this Deponent was in the Prize and

arrived in Boston in her - that off the coast the Brig 'Gates' parted with the convoy and cruised off Halifax.
And the Declarant says that in the several enlistments above specified he served in the land-service two years & six months and in the Brig 'Gates' eleven months amounting in the whole to forty one months; and that he never had a written discharge: That he was born in Plymouth Mass'tts in the year 1760. and that his birth is recorded as he believes on the Records of said Town. That he was a resident of said Plymouth during the revolutionary war and until he moved to Middleborough in the same County where he now resides. That he is known generally to the older inhabitants of said Plymouth, to the Judge of Probate for said County & Jonathan Standish of said Middleborough and to many others in the vicinity. That he has no documentary evidence of said services. —
Abiel Washburn 2 d
County of Plymouth. The above declaration was made, subscribed & sworn to Before me Wilkes Blood Judge of Probate July 20 th 1833.
We William Eaton, a Clergyman, and Jonathan Standish, yeoman, both residing in the Town of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abiel Washburn 2 d who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is respected & beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution. — And we concur in that opinion. Jonathan Standish William Eaton

The foregoing certificate of William Eaton & Jonathan Standish was sworn to & subscribed by them in my presence.
Wilkes Wood, Judge of Probate
And I Wilkes Wood Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war-department do hereby declare my opinion that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states: And I the said Judge further certify that it appears to me that William Eaton who has signed the preceding certificate is a large man resident in the Town of Middleborough and that Jonathan Standish who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Wilkes Wood
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Wilkes Wood Esq. Judge of Probate for said County & that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine and that the foregoing are the original proceedings before said Judge in the application of Abiel Washburn for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this sixth day of March A.D. 1833 Jacob H. Lord

16 Declaration of Abigail Washburn M rs of Abil Map Act 29 July 1848 Mamie 1797 Husband and 7 Sept 48 Adm $80 per M rs 17 Sept 1848
Hon A Hale House Rep Providence Map

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress of the 29 th of July 1848
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth County ss. On this twelfth day of October in the year 1848. Personally appeared before me the subscriber Judge of Probate in & for the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, Abigail Washburn widow of Abial Washburn a resident of East Bridgewater in said County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged Eighty five 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 29 th 1848— That she is the widow of Abial Washburn who was a soldier in the War of the American Revolution and served in various campaigns therein as a private. He served during the Revolutionary War and at one time was on board the Jersey Prison-ship and was one of the party under Col d Barton who went to take Priscott, and was at other places as I have heard him say, but for proof I must refer to the Rolls and documents which have been preserved of his services. He was a pensioner as will appear by his Declaration on file. He enlisted from Plymouth, in the said County of Plymouth. She further declares that she was married

to the said Abial Washburn in the month of August in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven at Middleborough in the said County of Plymouth and that her husband the said Abial Washburn died on the seventh day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight and that she has remained a Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She further declares that she has now in her possession the Pension Certificate of the said Abial Washburn bearing date the 2 day of July AD 1833 signed by John Robb Acting Secretary of War and recorded in Book E. Vol 2 Page 92
Abigail her mark Washburn
Plymouth ss. I hereby certify, that the above Declaration of Abigail Washburn was sworn to and subscribed before me, the day and year above written, and that the same was done at the dwelling house of the said Abigail in East Bridgewater, for the reason, that she was unable by reason of age and bodily infirmity to attend the Probate Court for that purpose.
Aaron Hobart. J. Probate for said County

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob St Lord Register of Probate for the said County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the Hon. Sam Hobart is Judge of Probate duly Commissioned and qualified & that the fore- going is his true & genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have here- unto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this twentieth day of Octo- ber 1848.
Jacob St Lord

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Abiel Washburn 2nd a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 2 yrs. Priv. { Wm Weston Lt. John Washburn Sta at the "Gurnet" Mass.   1777 6 mos. lieutenant Col. Cushing   Sum. or Fall 77 3 mos. Nathaniel Gordon Theophilus Cotton   Sum. 78 3 mos. Crews Cotton ✓   ✓ 11 mos. Seaman { Daniel Waters Captured the British Prize "Active" and boarded the prize which they took into Boston. Brig "Gates"  
Battles engaged in, R. I.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Plymouth, Mass.
Date of application for pension, July 20, 1833. Altered.
Residence at date of application, Middleborough, Mass.
Age at date of application, Born at Plymouth, Mass. in 1760 son of Lt. John Washburn above.
Remarks: Col. mar. at Middleborough Mass. Aug 13, 1797 Abigail Briggs  hed. Sept. 7, 1848; she pens. on appt. of Oct. 12, 1848 as 85 res. East Bridgewater,  Mass. Widow stated that the soldier was on the prison ship  "Jersey" - no further particulars.
Very respectfully,
Open

See Mass book under various spelling -
Apl 77 to R. I under Sturtevant
Ap 77 " " Goodwin
July 78 " " Cotton
End
Naval Hist P. 4 "Geul Gates" ship 18 guns - 1778  ? P. 139 one schooner from Mass - was finally captured by British.
Lossing pp. 640 + 645.

Copy —
War Department Widows Pension
I certify that in conformity with the act of 29 th July 1848 Abigail Washburn of Massachusetts widow of Abiel Washburn who was a private in the revolutionary war is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of eighty dollars per annum commencing on the 17 th of September 1848; and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage
Given at the War Office of the United States this 5 th day of December One Thousand Eight hundred and forty eight
W. L. Marcy Secretary of War
Examined and countersigned C. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Recorded in Pension Office on the roll of pensions under act July 7 th 1838 page 73. Vol I Book D — Th. Lumphin Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. On this twenty third day of April A.D. 1855 - personally appeared be- fore me, a justice of the peace in and for said County of Plymouth - Abigail Washburn of East Bridgewater in said County aged ninety two years - and made oath that she is the identical Abigail Washburn to whom was issued the Certificate of which a copy is written on the preceding page, and which certificate she now has in her posses- sion - and regularly receives her pension -
That she is now the widow of the said Abiel Washburn - who was a private in the Revolutionary War - and a pensioner -
That her husband in his life time did not apply for nor receive - nor has she heretofore applied for or received, any warrant for Bounty land under any act of Congress -
That she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled, under the act of Congress passed March 3 d 1855 - and she prays that a certificate thereof may be sent for her to J. R. Perkins North Bridgewater Massachusetts -
Attest Chas Washburn
Justice of the Peace
Abigail her X Washburn mark

The day and year above written Subscribed and sworn to by the said Abigail Washburn before me J. R. Perkins Justice of the peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss -
We Olive Washburn and Lucy Howard the first a resident of East Bridgewater and the latter a resident of West Bridgewater in said County - having humbly sworn depose and say that we well knew Abiel Washburn whose Widow now applies for county land - and knew them both at the time of his death - we knew him to be a Revolutionary pensioner - and we well know that the said Abigail receives her pension as his Widow a copy of the Certificate whereof is ad- joined hereto. That we have known said Abigail for more than twenty five years That we saw her sign the foregoing decla- ration -
Olive Washburn
Lucy Howard
Plymouth ss. April 23 rd 1855 - Then the above named Olive Washburn and Lucy Howard whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who swear that they are disinterested - in the above applica- tion made oath to the truth of their deposition above written before me - And I certify that I am disinterested - J. R. Perkins, Justice of the peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Plymouth ss. I certify that J. R. Perkins Esquire before whom the within declaration & affidavit was made & sworn to, was at the date hereof a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned & qualified to administer oaths & to take acknowledgments of deeds &c. and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County & Commonwealth, this second day of May A.D. 1855.
Wm. H. Whitman } Clerk of said Court
Abigail H. Fisher Applicant for Adoption 126,240

Brockton Mass. April 26. 1909
To Pension Bureau. Wash. D. C.
In Sep. 1848 died in East Bridgewater Mass a Revolutionary pensioner Abiel Washburn
Age 91 years 9 months. His life was mostly in Middleborough Mass. I find his name a pensioner of Middleborough on the rolls of the 6 th U.S. Census 1841 Can you give me his record of service naval I presume as I heard him describe his suffering on a Prison Ship from whence I think he escaped. One of his gr. grand children understands the ship or place as Portsmouth.
I am trying to write up his record and hope you have more particular information. Was he a Privateer?
When enlisted? name of Ship? " Captured Where confined amount of Pension? other particulars
Yours respectfully
James Sidney Allen

78982
PENSION U. S. A APR 27 1909 OFFICE
RECORD APR 23 1909 DIVISION
88.88

1909 May 8. Hist to James Sidney Allen. p.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No.
8982
Abigail Washburn
Wid.
Abiel
Washburn
Brnt Rev. War.
Act:
July 29"
1848.
Index:—Vol.
16
Page
307
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ariel Wahlum Map. act 7 June 32 $80 per Ann
To what time was he last paid?
G. C. A.
Pension Office Mm 30 48
Paid to 4 th Sept. 1847.
1213.

✓ 26.984
2 Nov 1884

Rev. Mr. [unclear]
St. Anne
J. L. Edwards Esq Comt of Pensions -
Genl. [unclear]

Washington D.C. Dec r 5 th 1848
Sir
I am requested by Welcome Young Esq. of E. Bridgewater, Mass. to ascertain if the applications of Molly Chamberlain & Nabby Whiting and of Abigail Washburn have been received at the Pension Office.
The two former were forwarded by him several months since.
Please have the goodness to communicate to me the information desired, and if the applications are granted, to send me their Certificates —
Very Respectfully
Yours
Deborah Hale
J. L. Edwards Esq.

I Nathaniel M Davenport of East Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that I have lived a near neighbor to Abial Washburn late of East Bridgewater aforesaid deceased for two or three years last past and that I have been acquainted with him for ten years last past. And I further certify that I was present on the tenth seventh day of September last past and assisted in laying out the deceased and was also present at his funeral and assisted in burying said deceased - I further certify that I am well acquainted with Abigail Washburn widow of said Abial Washburn and now live near neighbor to her and have so lived for two or three years last past. And I further certify that the said Abigail Washburn is a person of truth and veracity.
Nathl M. Davenport
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth County ss. November 9 th 1848. Then personally appeared before me the above named Nathaniel M Davenport and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed was true, and

I further certify that the above named Nathaniel W. Davenport is a person of truth and veracity -
Wilborne Young Jas. Pease
I certify that the above named Wilborne Young is an acting Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth and that the above is his signature
William Hale Mem. Cury
I further certify that the above named Nathaniel W. Davenport is a person of truth and veracity - I have known him for some time past and have no reason to doubt his veracity. He has been known to me as a person of truth and veracity. I have known him for some time past and have no reason to doubt his veracity. He has been known to me as a person of truth and veracity.
I further certify that the above named Nathaniel W. Davenport is a person of truth and veracity - I have known him for some time past and have no reason to doubt his veracity. He has been known to me as a person of truth and veracity.

Abiel Washburn 2 o
23107

I born Barns of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth & commonwealth of Massachusetts testify & say that I was a Soldier in a com- pany of Militia in the war of American In- dependence; that said company was stationed on the Gurnett in the outer Harbour of Ply- mouth aforesaid; that I entered said company in the summer season of the year 1775. or 1776 in which year I cannot be positive but think it to have been 1775 And when I entered the said company & went on to the Gurnett where a fort had been lately built I found Abiel Washburn, the second then of Plymouth Town, but now of Middborough in said County, there a Soldier and a Private in said company. That I from that time served in said company upon the Gar- nett more than two years. And that the said Abiel Washburn was a Soldier & served in said company during that whole time, And to the best of my belief he was honorably discharged. said Washburn & myself were then both of Plymouth and had grown up school-mates together and my recollections are clear upon the sub- ject. The company while I was a member of it was commanded by Lieut. John Wash- burn & Capt. Stephen Churchill in summer season.

and further the Deponent saith not. —
Corbin Barnes
Plymouth ss. February 18 th . 1833. Personally appeared the above named Corbin Barnes a person well known to me and who is a man of good char- acter for truth & veracity and subscribed and made oath to the above deposition
Before me Wilkes Wood Judge of Probate for the County of Plymouth
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Plymouth ss. I Jacob H Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth, do hereby certify that Wilkes Wood is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County & that the above signature purporting to be his is true & genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this sixth day of March A.D. 1833.
Jacob H Lord