Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22658, Benjamin Esty Williams, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass
Williams, Benjamin Esty Mary
N. 22 658
CONTENTS

Notice sent to Rev. Roy Augusta, Jr. 13th July 1820
12 270 Maine 2
Benjamin Williams of Vassalboro' in the state of District Maine who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Alden of the Massachusetts line, for the term of 9 nine months.
Inscribed on the Roll of District of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 14 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 of July 1819 and sent to Robert E. Vose Augusta Maine
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 10 30 30 10 30 30 5.50
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sep. 1819 — 48.
$133.30
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinued

Repeated Dec. 28/48
2658
Name
Mary Williams widow of Benj m Williams who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Dec. 1848 and sent to
Hon. N. H. Hamlin U. S. Senate
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 43 Vol. 1,

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I the subscriber, being Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor, that Benjamin Williams , a citizen of the United States, now resident in Vassalborough , in the said County of Kennebec , in the District of Maine, on the fourteenth day of April , A. D. 1818, made application to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor; that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed March 18, A. D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by the said applicant, is hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a private soldier , in the war of the revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and that from his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the Court in which I preside, to be hereunto affixed, this twentysecond day of May in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Nathan Weston  John C. North C. C. C. Pleas 2 d East Circuit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
KENNEBEC, ss.
THE Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable NATHAN WESTON, Junior, Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset ; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto his Certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand : Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
John Davis

Benjamin Williams
Vassalborough at Lynn Woods
Pr. Col. Pepperell's Mass
Reg. May 1778 to March 1779
9 mo
April 14. 1818.
Proof of Service wanted
Hernber County
May 27 th 1819
Prof A. Bradford Certif
On roll
Admitted 13 July 1819

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I Benjamin Williams, aged fifty six years, born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, a citizen of the U. States, now resident in Vespaborough, Maine, upon oath testify and declare that on the twelfth day of May, 1778 I enlisted as a private soldier, in the war of the revolution against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for the period of nine  two months, in Capt. Shay's company, and Col. Rufus Putnam's but served the greater part of the time in Col. Alden's regiment  regiment , Massachusetts line. This period I fully served out, and took my honorable but verbal discharge at Cherry Valley, March 14. 1779. I was in the battle of Cherry Valley.
From my reduced circumstances, arising from my inability to labor, upon which I have heretofore depended, I am in need of assistance from my country for support. And I do hereby relinquish all my claim to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the U. States, if any; but I am not to my knowledge borne on any pension list whatever. I request that I may be placed upon the pension list for the District of Maine.
Benj! Williams,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
74
November 1 st .
On the fourteenth day of April A.D. 1818 Benjamin Williams above named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the above declaration, by him subscribed.
Before me Nathan Weston Esq. Dist C. Court C.Phas 2 d Eastern Circuit.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Isaiah Crowell of Vespaborough in the District of Maine of lawful age, upon oath testify and declare, that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Williams above named. For the reasons by him above given, I am of opinion that he is in need of assistance from his country for support. He sustains the character of a man of veracity.
Isaiah Crowell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Kensington p.
On the fourteenth day of April A.D. 1810 Isaiah Crowell within named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the within deposition, by him subscribed. Before me Nathan Weston
C. Just C. Court C Plus 2 East. Cir. crit.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. August 16th 1838 I James Swan Town Clerk of Stoughton in the County and state aforesaid do hereby certify that I find the follow- ing among the records of Marriages in the Town of Stoughton County and state aforesaid returned by the Rev. Jedidiah Adams V.R. Benjamin Esty Williams & Mary Johnson both of Stoughton December the twenty first seventeen hundred and eighty four. I the said James Swan do certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on record in fair legable figures as follows December 21 st 1784. James Swan, Town Clerk of Stoughton
I James Swan above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Clerk in the Town, County and state aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Stoughton with the exception of the date above named as certified by me
James Swan, Town Clerk of Stoughton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. August 16th 1838 Sworn to before me
Benjamin Richards Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office Aug. 16. 1858.
I hereby certify that the within Benjamin Richards is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk. Witness the Seal of the State.
John C. Bigelow
Sec'y to the Comm't

1052 Mary Williams widow of Benjamin Williams late a pensioner Act March 18. 1818 same Agency
Act 7 July 38
Married in 1784 Died in 1828.
admitted 9 months 30 days
No deduction
Geo. Wm Morton Augusta Maine

34 DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
STATE OF MAINE.
Kennebec County, ss.
On this Eighth day of August A. D., 1838, personally appeared before the Hon. Nathan Weston Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State.
Mary Williams a resident of Napalboru in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, aged Seventy two 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 7th, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of Benjamin Williams late of said Napalboru deceased, who was pensioned under the Act of Congress of March 18, 1818, & afterwards dropped from the rolls, on account of his property. For evidence of which she refer to papers now on file in the War Department.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Benjamin Williams on the twenty first day of December in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four ; that her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Williams died on the tenth day of August  eighteen hundred & twenty eight ; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated; that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. That her maiden name was Mary Johnson & she was married at Houghton, Massachusetts .
Mary Williams
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me (the applicant from infirmity, being unable to appear in open court)
Nathan Weston C.J. H.C.

State of Maine
On the eighth day of August, 1838, Mary Williams, the applicant within named, was examined and sworn, as within stated. I am satisfied, that she was married to Benjamin Williams, late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, on the twenty first of December 1784, that the said Benjamin Williams deceased on the tenth day of August, 1828, and that the said applicant has ever since remained his widow.
Nathan Weston C.J. S.J.C.
STATE OF MAINE.
Kennebec ss.
I the subscriber Clerk of the County for said County hereby CERTIFY, That the Hon. Nathan Weston before whom the proceedings were had, is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of said State. I also CERTIFY, That the foregoing summons contains the original proceedings of the said Justices in the matter of the application of Mary Williams for a pension.
Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this twenty seventh day of August, A. D., 1838.
The Swan

I Luther M. Williams of Vassalboro', Kennebec County, Maine, do upon oath testify & say, that my father Benjamin Williams died at said Vassalboro' on the tenth day of August eighteen hundred twenty eight and that my mother Mary Williams by whom the foregoing declaration was made, has remained a widow ever since that period.
Luther M. Williams
State of Maine
Kennebec, ss: Subscribed & sworn to this 8th day of August A.D. 1838. the deponent being a credible witness.
Before me, Nathan Weston C.J.
S.J.C.

True Copy
Attest John Davis Clerk
Mr. P. Note. August
July 1819
15 July 1819
12. 270 — 1327#
Millville
Benjamin W. Williams
284
284

State of Maine.
I John Davis Clerk, for the County of Wernatch of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and that the original was exhibited in open 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, including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is Thirteen hundred twenty seven dollars and  cents , and deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule, the value of said property in the opinion of said Court, is Five hundred twenty seven dollars and  cents
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of June 1820.
John Davis Clerk of said Court for the County of Wernatch
property, or securities, contracts or debts, due to me: nor have I any income other than what is

284 State of Maine.
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
ON this Third day of June , 1820, personally appeared before Nathan Weston Junior chif Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Benjamin Williams aged fifty eight years, resident in Wapalborough in the County of Kennebec within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain Patrick and Regiment commanded by Colonel Adams of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of Nine months and was in the battle of Cherry Valley when his Colonel was Killed —
that his original declaration was made before Judge Weston on the fourteenth day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 12270 . And I, the said Benjamin Williams do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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 eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; 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 hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Benj: Williams —
The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz: One hundred acres of land in said Wapalborough with a small house and barn thereon, of the value of one thousand dollars — One old horse of the value of twenty dollars — Two cows of the value of thirty dollars — One yoke of oxen of the value of fifty dollars, One three year old heifer worth twelve dollars — one two year old heifer worth ten dollars — Two yearlings worth ten dollars — Two calves worth five dollars — Ten sheep and six lambs worth twenty dollars — Two hogs worth eight dollars and four pigs worth four dollars — Old household stuff besides necessary bedding, not exceeding thirty dollars in value — Farming tools worth thirty one dollars — Old sleigh and harness worth five dollars — I have no debts due to me that can be collected, and I owe as much as eight hundred dollars — My income from the foregoing property does not exceed fifty dollars a year —

I am by occupation a farmer but from age and infirmity am able to do very little labor, and depend upon my children and my pension for support. My family at home consists of myself, my mother Mary Williams aged eighty who is not able to do any thing. My wife Mary aged fifty three years who is very rheumatic and often unable to dress or undress. My daughter Asah, aged twenty seven years, my son Benjamin aged twenty four, my son Belah aged twenty who is weakly and totally unable to labor. My daughter Mary aged eighteen My son Luther aged fourteen and my son John aged eleven.
Except the foregoing and my necessary clothing and lodging I have no estate or income whatever.
Benjamin Williams
Subscribed Sworn to and declared both the oath and schedule on the thirteenth day of June 1820.
Before me Nathan Weston Juv. C. S. C. C. C. Pleas

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section ETL
October 20, 1930
Mr. H.W.Matthews 144 Broad Street Bangor, Maine
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.22658, that Benjamin Williams was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, date not given. The name of his father is not stated but his mother, Mary, was living with him and his family in Vassalboro, Maine, in 1820, and was then aged eighty years.
While residing in Stoughton, Massachusetts, he enlisted May 30, 1778, served as a private in Captain Shays' Company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts Regiment and in Colonels Alden and Brooks' Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged March 14, 1779.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 14, 1818, at which time he was aged fifty-six years and resided in Vassalboro, Kennebec County, Massachusetts (Maine).
He died August 10, 1828, at said Vassalboro,
The soldier married December 21, 1784, at Stoughton, Massachusetts, Mary Johnson. Both were then of said Stoughton. His name appeared on the record of marriages of Stoughton as Benjamin Esty Williams.
His widow, Mary, was allowed pension on her application executed May 8, 1838, at which time she was aged seventy-two years and resided in Vassalboro, Maine.

In 1820, the soldier referred to the following children: Achsah, Benjamin, Bela, Mary, Luther and John, aged twenty-seven, twenty-four, twenty, eighteen, fourteen and eleven, respectively.
In 1838, son Luther M., was a resident of Vassalboro, Kennebec County, Maine.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.
Date of death of widow not on AB

116
a testimony when of the present at the time of the 1537 trial of the ... ... ... ...
...
J. B. Hill Bangor. Maine

Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2 d February 1848 entitled "an act to make further provi- sion for serving widows and soldiers of the Revolution."
State of Maine
County of Penobscot ss.
On this tenth day of December AD 1848 personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Penobscot. Mary Williams a resident of Bradford in said County aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2 d of February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who serv- ed during the Revolutionary war, that she is the widow of Ben- jamin Williams who was a private in the army of the Revolution, that she cannot from recollection state the Regiment or Corps in which he served but for the same refers to her declaration and the accompanying papers on file in the department. That the annual amount of pension which she received under the act of June 17 th 1844 was thirty dollars. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Witness
Mary Williams
Gosham Davis
Charles Williams known to me and subscribed the day & year first above rec d
Gosham Davis J Pease
I certify that the above declaration is personally known to me Gosham Davis J Pease

State of Maine
Penobscot ss.
I William T. Hilliard Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County hereby certify that Gorham Davis is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County; that he is duly qualified to act as such and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State this Eleventh day of November A.D. 1848.
W m T. Hilliard Clerk

1680 Mary Williams
$30 per ann
George W. Morton Esq. Augusta, Me.
Geo W Morton Augusta Main.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting Pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received Pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
STATE OF MAINE, } County of Kennebec ss. } On this Fifteenth day of May A. D. 1843, personally appeared, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, Mary Williams a resident of Vassalboro in the County of Kennebec aged Twenty Six years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Benjamin Williams who was a private during the Revolutionary War; that she was pensioned as the widow of the said Benjamin Williams at the rate of thirty dollars and _____ cents per annum, under the Act of July 7, 1838, which was paid to her at the agency in Portland in the State of Maine . She further declares that she is still the widow of the said Benjamin Williams having remained unmarried ever since his death.
Mary Williams Holman Johnson Abner Johnson
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written,
Before me,
Isaac Fairfield Justice of the Peace.
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me to have been pensioned under the Act of July 7, 1838, and is the reputed widow of Benjamin Williams deceased, and has remained unmarried ever since his death.
Isaac Fairfield Justice of the Peace.

State of Maine,
Kennebec County, S.S. I the subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held for and within the said County of Kennebec, do hereby certify that Isaac Fairfield, is a Justice of the Peace as within stated, and that the within signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine the thirty first day of May 1843.
J. R. Nichols,

Benjamin  W. Williams Bradford  Verity
B. Williams
Return with ————
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts
to our Hon. ————
1878, being ————

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT, May 2 d 1819
BY THIS I CERTIFY, That it appears by public, official documents remaining in this Department, that Benjamin Williams served as a Soldier in Capt. Williams Company, and Col. Alden's & Brooks Regiment, (being one of the Regiments in the Massachusetts Line, and on the Continental Establishment,) in the American Army, in the War of the Revolution, from June 1778 to March 1779, being nine years and  months, The time for which he enlisted -
Alden Bradford
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In whose Company does not appear - He went from Houghton - was mustered and arrived at Fishkill June 14 - 1778 - was in the 7 th Regt. & according to a certificate of Selectmen of Houghton & St. Eliph. Thorp of said Regt. - Benj.

Williams enlisted for a said nine months - those certificates being presented by him & left in this office, that he might obtain pay from this State for said service; which he accordingly did -
Welden Bradford
Secy of Committee of Maps
Welden Bradford
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
1930 - Oct 20 - Dist to Mr. H. H. Mathews 868
File No. 22658
Mary Williams Wid. of Benj. Williams Rev. War
Act Feb 2 d 1848
Index: Vol. 16 , Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1537.
Maine
Mary Williams widow of Benj m Williams who was a Pirate in the Mass. line for 9 months,
Rep Aug 25—
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of August, 1843 and sent to
Geo. W. Morton Augusta, Maine.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book L Vol. 1 Page 11.

Mourne - 953
Mary Williams
widow of Benjamin Williams, m d who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th Mar. 18 th and who died on the 18 th Aug. 1828 - of Kirtland in the State of Maine who was a P er in the Comp y commanded by Captain  of the Reg t commanded by  in the Dept t . time for 9 m ths
Inscribed on the Roll of  at the rate of 30 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1832
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Nov r . 38, and signed Geo. W. Norton Aug st 2 nd m c
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept - $ 75. 00 Semi-annual allowance ending  15. 00 $ 90. 00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdick Clerk Book A Vol. 1 - Page 26 .

TELEPHONE AT OFFICE AND RESIDENCE
AGENT FOR THE A. I. ROOT CO.'S BEEKEEPER'S SUPPLIES
H. W. MATTHEWS CARPENTER AND BUILDER
20 FRANKLIN STREET 144 Broad "
BANGOR, MAINE. Oct. 4, 1930. 19
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen;-
I am informed that the record of Benjamin Williams , a Maine Revolutionary soldier, and prisoner, is on file in your office.
The reference is: Benjamin Williams; list '35c; Mass. line; Private; age 65; Kennebec County. Will you please give me what information you can in regard to him?
Thanking you for the favor I am,
Your's,
H. W. Matthews