Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,123, Nathaniel Wentworth, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Wentworth, Nathaniel Oliver
W. 14. 123
B.L.Vt. 24613-160-55
CONTENTS

5576 Massachusetts Olive Wentworth widow of Nathaniel Mah Wentworth who served in the Revolutionary
1885 June 10, Special order to pay when vouchers returned to 30. am.
war, as a private
Deaf
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26 Dollars 88
Cents per annum, to commence the 4th day of March, 1848.
9 th July 1849.
Certificate of Pension issued the // day of Feby 1857, and sent to
D. G. Bulfinch Boston Mass:
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 174 Vol. 2
Reg 8 mar 55-161871

21, 190  Massachusetts  Nathaniel Wentworth of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a private in the Rev War commanded by Captain Pennington of the Regt commanded by Col. Francis on the Mass line for 8 Mos
Cont. Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Aug.  1833 and with A. Lusk's  Doclets
Arrears to the 4th of Mar $ 3.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep  13.33  $ 66.66
Recorded by J. C. Cuth } Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. } Clerk. Book E Vol. 3 Page 93
Report Lt Genl. Wentworth Aug 28/50
72 Norfolk

E. Brown Aft. 11/86
16,1871 Act Mich. June 19/55
Olive Wentworth widow of Mathaniel Wentworth pri; In the Revolutionary War a Pensioner
Mass. Mil; Claimant is now a Pensioner Act July 5 1848 request to evidence on file
ad: 160 ac, apt. 30/86
Map Lely & B. 56/86
Vol. 101. page 92
Ephraim Brown Jr. Boston Mass.

Army Pension Agency Boston 5 June 1855
Sir
Herewith forward the application of
Oliver Wentworth
for County Land - who is a pensioner on the roll of this Agency under Act 2 Mt. 1848
Respect
To the Hon W. Waldo Comm. of Pensions
E. Shaw

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, June 5. 1855.
I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed,
Ellis Ames was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Widow Revolutionary Pensioners
APPLICATION FOR BOUNTY LAND.
(By the Widow of a deceased person who has not had a Land Warrant.)
STATE OF Massachusetts } COUNTY OF Norfolk }
On this fourth day of June A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Olive Wentworth aged Eighty two years, a resident of Canton in the State of Massachusetts who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the Widow of Nathaniel Wentworth deceased, who was a Soldier in the Company commanded by Captain revolutionary war and served as a private in manner particularly set forth in the papers on file in the Pension Bureau in the matter of her application for pension under the Act of 2 February 1848.
in the _____ Regiment of _____ commanded by _____ in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812.
That she is now a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States , at the rate of 26 2/4 dollars per annum, that the pension Certificate was issued to her under date of 11 February 1851 , & that she is now a widow that her said husband
at _____ on or about the _____ day of _____ A. D. _____ for the term of _____ and continued _____ in actual service in said war for the term of _____ and was honorably discharged at _____ on the _____ day of _____ A. D. _____
She further states that she was married to the said _____ on the _____ day of _____ A. D. _____ by one _____ and that her name before her said marriage was _____ that her said husband died at _____ on the _____ day of _____ A. D. _____ and that she is now a Widow.
She also declares that she has not received a Warrant for Bounty Land under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3d, 1855. That she prays that the Certificate thereof may be sent for her to Ephraim Browne Jr. Boston-Mass.
Olive Wentworth

STATE OF
Massachusetts
COUNTY OF
Norfolk
We, Edwin Wentworth and Aaron E Tucker residents of Canton in the State of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Oliver Wentworth in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.  Know her to be the identical widow of Nathaniel Wentworth, who was reputed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, that she is a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, and that she is now a widow.  Edwin Wentworth Aaron E. Tucker
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Ellis Ames Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF
Massachusetts
COUNTY OF
I, _____ certify that whose genuine signature appears above, is and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission is dated on the _____ day of _____ A. D. 185____ that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand
this
day of
June
A. D. 185____

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, November 26 th 1850.
I hereby C ertify, That at the date of the annexed attestation G. S. Bulfinch was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. B. Cushing
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Suffolk
Be it known, that before me G. S. Bulfinch, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Nathaniel French and made oath in due form of Law, that he has been personally acquainted for about forty years with the family of Nathaniel Wentworth dec d , mentioned in the annexed documents, as having been a soldier of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States and well knows that Olive Wentworth, named in the annexed certificate of Jabez Talbot, and who intends to make a Declaration to obtain a Pension is the identical person whom he has been acquainted with as wife & widow of said Nathaniel Wentworth. He married Sophia Wentworth a daughter of said Nathaniel & Olive Wentworth. There is no doubt of the identity of the Olive Wentworth named in the papers annexed & to be annexed, with the widow of Nathaniel Wentworth dec d above mentioned
I sworn to & subscribed this 25 day of October 1850. Before me
Nath l French
G. S. Bulfinch Justice of Peace
I certify that the above named Affiant Nath l French is a person of veracity, and whose statements may be relied on. G. S. Bulfinch Justice of Peace

12797
Nathaniel Newton Ut
Trust & Mark
16. 16 06
(May 16 1833
P. 399
e Abel Cushing
Dorchester
Maps

BRIEF in the case of  Nathan Wentworth of Stoughton  County of Norfolk  in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Volunteered 1 st Nov. 1776 until last March 1777 5 private Gen. Ebenezer Francis { Maple Capt Stephen Penniman { Milton " Thos. Kelley { Widell   November 1777 3 Substitute for Col. Hulburt's Regiment Col. Brooks { North Capt Maybin { Cambridge  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? not any  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Stoughton Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses & traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. S. Wilcox Examining Clerk.  2 nd March 1833

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, November 26 1850.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Samuel Gay was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. H. Cushing
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk Town of Houghton ss. Married by the Rev d Zachariah Howard Nathaniel Wentworth and Olive Capen (Both of Houghton) April fifth, Seventeen Hundred & ninety two
The above is a true copy from the Records of Marriages in the Town of Houghton, with the exception of the date which in the Record is expressed in fair legible figures as follows "April 5 1792"
Attest Jabez Talbot Jr. Clerk of the Town of Houghton
I Jabez Talbot Jr. above named depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Houghton aforesaid in the County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Houghton with the exception above named as certified by me Jabez Talbot Jr. Town Clerk
Norfolk ss.
Houghton Oct. 22 nd 1850
Personally appeared the above named Jabez Talbot Jr. and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true Before me Lem d Guy Justice of the Peace

Declaration of Oliver Wentworth widow of Nathaniel Pension under Act 2 nd Feb. 1848.
Mass.
Maria 1792 Hus d dec d 9 July 1849
Adm d 8 mos 1/2 $26:66 per annum, Com d 9 July 1849
5576
G. S. Bulfinch Boston, Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss.
On this fifth day of November A.D. 1850 personally appeared Olive Wentworth of Canton in said county, aged seventy-eight 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 29 July  2 nd February 1848, that she is the widow of Nathaniel Wentworth deceased who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and served as set forth in his Declaration to obtain a Pension under the Act of 7 June 1832 now on file in the Pension Office, and drew a Pension of twenty six dollars and 66 cents under said Act of 7 June 1832.
She further declares that she was married to him the said Nathaniel Wentworth on the fifth day of April in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two that her husband the aforesaid Nathaniel Wentworth died on the 9 th day of July 1849, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794, viz at the time above stated. Sworn to and subscribed. The words "2 nd February" first interlined. in open court then and there on the day and year first herein before written
Before
J Selins judge of Probate
Olive Wentworth

Nathaniel Wentworth Son to Samuel Wentworth and Sarah his wife was born November 11 th 1761
A true Copy from the Town Records of Houghton
Attest James Sween, Town Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this twelfth  twenty fifth day of August in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge  Justices of the Court of Probate now sitting at Intercession  Intercession in and for said County, Nathan Wentworth a resident of Stoughton in said County, aged seventy  seventy , who being first duly 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 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at said  Stoughton on the eleventh day of November A. D. 1762, and that there is a record of his birth in said  Stoughton : that he was in the United States service from the first  first day of Nov. A. D. 1776, to the last  the last day of March A. D. 1777 as a volunteer  volunteer in the Capt. Stephen Paine's  Capt. Stephen Paine's company that he was residing at said  Stoughton aforesaid when he entered said  service
his company belonged to Col. Glen's or Francis Regiment & was first stationed near Dorchester heights the object being to guard against British cruisers which lay off Boston harbor but they did little duty excepting drill duty. About the first of March 1777 he was marched into Boston & his company being divided he was enrolled in Capt. Mophins Wilders Company & was stationed one month in Boston when he was dismissed but never a written discharge. In the November following he again went into the Militia service as a substitute for one Eliphalet Paine in a company commanded by Capt. Mayhew in Col. Brooks Regiment. His term of service was for three  five months but being unwell  taken he was in actual service but three months - during said time he was stationed at Fort No. 2 - at Cambridge & the object of the service was to guard Burgoyne's men then lying as prisoners at Cambridge - on Prospect Hill - when he was dismissed he received no written discharge & he has no documentary evidence.
And said Wentworth further states that he was living at said  Stoughton when he entered the service as aforesaid & that he has lived there ever since - & that he is known to Mr. James Capen & Mr. Joshua Wood.
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.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
We Joshua Wood - now
Nathan Wentworth a clergyman, residing in the town of

And said Wentworth further states that he was living at Laid Houghton when he returned the service as aforesaid & that he has lived there ever since - & that he is known to Mr. James Capen - & Mr. Joshua Ward
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.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
We Joshua Ward - now
Nathl Wentworth a clergyman , residing in the Town of
Milton - and James Capen now - residing in Stoughton
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Wentworth who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy 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 as aforesaid.
Joshua Ward James Capen
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 abovenamed appli- cant was a revolutionary voluntarily  Soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Joshua Ward , who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman , resident in the Town of Milton ; and that James Capen who has also signed the same is a resident in Stoughton and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Sherman Leland Judge of Probate
I Samuel Haven, Regt of the Court of Probate aforesaid, — do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Wentworth for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Haven. 7

I James Capen of Houghton in the County of Norfolk being of legal ability to give evidence do testify & say that that in the Month of November 1877 I entered the service of the United States as a soldier of the state troops in Cambridge I was in Capt. Adams Company - whilst I was there I was stationed at Fort No. 2 - Whilst I was there I frequently saw Mr. Nathaniel Wentworth within a week he was in Capt. Mayhew's Company - & I was occasionally on guard with him - I do not know how long he staid but think it most of the time that I was there - he was a private in said company
James Capen
See witness the
Norfolk August 25 th 1882 Subscribed & sworn to
before S. Leland Judge of Probate
I further certify that said James Capen is a credible witness S. Leland Judge of Probate
I Joshua Ward of Milton in the County of Norfolk being of legal ability to give evidence do testify & say that I was in Stephen Dunningham Company in 1876 - from about the first of August to the last of March 1877 - Mr. Nathaniel Wentworth was in said Company & did duty as a soldier as he has within stated, & from about the first of Nov. 1876 - to about the last of March 1877 - when our engagement was out & we were discharged but not by writing -
Joshua Ward
Norfolk August 25 th 1882 Subscribed & sworn to
before S. Leland Judge of Probate
I further certify that said Joshua Ward is a credible witness S. Leland Judge of Probate
12.707
One
Charles Wentworth

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Boston
26 Nov 1850
Sir,
Enclosed is a Declaration made by Olive Wentworth to obtain a Pension under the Act of 2 Feb. 1848. Sundry documents in support of her claim are also enclosed.
She wishes her Pension Certificate to be sent to my care.
Very Respectfully
Your obed t serv t
G. S. Bulfinch
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions.

Massachusetts Roll Act 7 June 1832 Nathaniel Woodworth. per annum March 4, 1849.

12/7/07 Nathaniel Wentworth
Abel Puring Esq Dorchester Mass

Nathan Wentworth BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? NO
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 5 & 7 & 8
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
A clergy man could not without dishonour leave his parish. S. Leland P. & Co.
* The depositions are on the back of the paper containing the declaration. S.L.

Ray WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14123
Olive Wentworth Widow Nathaniel Wentworth Pris. Rev. War
Act: Feb. 2, 1848
Index:—Vol. M , Page 321
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 19 1856.
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 Nathaniel Wentworth is borne on pay roll of Capt. Stephen Penniman's Comp. Col. Nicholas Dikes Regt. from Dec. 1. 1776 3 mos. as private from Stoughton
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Francis D. Wite Secretary of the Commonwealth.

161891
Oliver Wentworth
Boylston
Mr. Josiah Wint Commissioner of Pensions Washington
D.C.

Phases 2, Feb 148, Mafic:
BWV/Dr

✓ 24: 613
J. New Am

Army Pension Agency Boston 21 April 1856
Sir
I herewith forward a Certificate from the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, of the service of Nathaniel Wentworth husband of Olive Wentworth, applicant for Bounty Land No. 161.891—
Respy
Hon. Josiah Minot -
E. Brownell