Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 11301, Benjamin Weld, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Weld, Benjamin Navy
RE 11 301
CONTENTS
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lettt Hon G. Ewan. Feb 17 '47
77 Suffolk
Ms 92      March 1839 Massachusetts Benjamin Weld of Boston in the State of Mass who was a Commissioned Hospital commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass. a time for 21 years Comr Dept
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 600 Dollars - 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Oct 1833 and sent C. F. O. Early Boston Mass Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $1500.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th March 300.00 $1800.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M. N. Madison Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 2 Page 93

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Suffolk ss. Boston
On this second day May A. D. 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, now sitting, Benjamin Wald, a native of the City of Boston & for many years a resident therein, aged 75 years, 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 in the year 1820, or the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - as the same shall be considered applicable to his case -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated -
That in July 1775, he was appointed Commissary in the Hospital Department with the Massachusetts Troops in the Continental Line of the United States Army, & thus became one of the Staff of the Army - He continued to discharge the duties of this officer, till October 1782 a period of more than seven years, when the hospital department was broken up on the expectation of peace - during this time he received sixty dollars per month, being a Major's pay - General Turner, a Surgeon General, was at the head of this department, & Dr John Warren was second in officer. He continued with

the army in their various movements - was at Long Island at the time of the retreat & lost all his baggage - then on the retreat from New York he was ordered to Newark in Jersey & remained during the winter till the hospital department was removed to Bethlehem - After the campaign of 1779 he was ordered to Boston, to take charge of the hospital in that place - In October 1782 he obtained a discharge -
After the war he was Deputy Collector for the Port of Boston for more than sixteen years - he was then appointed a Selectman for the town of Boston - afterwards was elected a Representative to the State Legislature - & during the last war was a member of the Board of War for Massachusetts -
He is now in reduced circumstances, having suffered severely from mercantile losses & a later freshet -
He has delayed his application until the present moment, having had no occasion before his late misfortunes for the bounty of Govern- ment, & not being aware that there were any survivors who could prove his services -
He hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & de- clared that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
In answer to the interrogatories proposed

by the Court he saith
That he was born at said Boston April 22 nd 1758
At the commencement of the war he lived in Boston, since then he has lived a great portion of the time in Boston, part of the time in Bridgewater, & is now with his Wife in Boston —
He voluntarily entered the service —
He was well acquainted with General Turner and Doctor Warren. He received a Commission as Commissary but lost the same in France during the French Revolution. He is well acquainted with the Rev d Mr s Parkman & William H. Sumner, Adjutant General of the State of Massachusetts, who can vouch for his reputation — He annexes all the documentary evidence he can obtain, & knows of no survivor except A. Cheever & T. Walcutt, who can prove his services —
He never received a Commutation Certificate, having been absent in Europe from the close of 1802 till 1810, & it being of little value.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me
Peter O. Thacher
Judge of the Municipal Court.
We, Francis Parkman, a Clergyman, & William H. Sumner, both residing in said Boston, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Weld, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been an officer of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
Francis Parkman
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court.

And the said Court doth hereby declare their opinion that the above named and foregoing Applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, the same being done after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department, the answers thereto which are embodied in the foregoing declaration.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Francis Parkman, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman and pastor of the New North Society in Boston aforesaid, and is a resident in the same city - and that William H. Sumner who has also signed the same, is the Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is resident in Boston aforesaid; that both are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Peter C. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss;
I Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, the same Court being a Court of Record do hereby certify that this sheet and three other sheets hereto annexed and under the seal of said Court contain the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Weld for a pension; that Peter C. Thacher Esquire is sole Judge of said Court and his signatures on these papers are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Boston, this second day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty three.
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk.

I, Abijah Cheever of Saugus in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Physi- cian, on oath depose & say, that during the Revolutionary war in the year 1779, I was Sur- geon's Mate, & during the ensuing year I was Junior Surgeon in the Hospital Department of the United States Army in the Continental line — On my first entrance into the Hospi- tal of this Department at Boston, in July 1779 I found Benjamin Weld Esquire (now present while I give this deposition) one of the Staff of the Continental line of the Revolutionary army — he was then Commissary in the Hospi- tal department, having the supervision of the stores, provisions & medicines of the hospital — I remember distinctly his continuing in this of- fice until the Spring of 1782, & according to the best of my belief & recollection, he continued in this office some time afterwards; & when I first formed his acquaintance in 1779 I remem- ber hearing that he had been some time in the service. I have at different periods since, been well acquainted with the said Weld, I remem- ber him many years as Deputy Collector of Bos- ton & Charlestown, & believe that implicit con- fidence may be reposed in his statements
Sworn to and subscribed on the 2 nd day of May, A.D. 1833, in open Court, before me
Peter O. Wacher, Judge of the Municipal Court
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk ss. Boston May 2 nd 1833 — I have personally appeared the above
Abijah Cheever

named Abijah Cheever & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me, & I certify that I well know the said Cheever to be a man of truth & veracity, having been well acquainted with him for many years past, & believe that firm reliance may be placed on his statements & that he is entitled to full credit.
May 2 d 1833
Hasket Derby Justice of the Peace.
Sworn to
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss. I, Thomas D. Phillips Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, being a Court of Records, hereby certify that E. Hasket Derby Esquire, before whom Abijah Cheever and Thomas Wallcut, have deposed, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk and I believe the signatures on these papers, purporting to be his, are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at said Boston this Second day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk.

I Thomas Wallcut of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy four years on oath depose & say that during the Revolutionary War from 1778 or thereabout according to the best of my recollection until the close of the Revolutionary struggle I was a steward in the Hospital Department of the United States Army and was stationed at Boston. At that period I was well acquainted with Benjamin Weld Esquire who has this day solicited me to give my deposition. During the above period the said Weld was on the staff of the United States Army as a commissary of the Hospital Department. I remember distinctly that he continued in this office at least three or four years although I cannot remember the exact period when he entered or left the service, his services were of great importance to the country. I remember him well although I have not seen him for many years identify his person. He continued to discharge the duties of this office until the Hospital was broken up in Seventeen hundred & eighty two
Thomas Wallcut
Suffolk ss Boston April May 1 st 1833 Then personally ap

peared the within named Thomas Walcutt and made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed before me and I certify that said Walcutt is a credible witness
J Harket Derby Justice of the Peace

26. 937. —
Benj. Held
Company in the Me- dical Hospital.
2 years
$600
By order of the Secy of War
~ J. B. B
S. H. Derby Esq. Boston Mr

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 30 th 1833.
* 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 Benjamin Weld Commissary in the Medical Hospital under Doct. Warren was paid for his services in one Book from April 11 th 1777 to Dec. 31. 1779, is thirty two months and twenty days , at £18. per mo: is £588.- and another Book his name appears as Commissary in a similar service from January 1 st to December 31 st 1780 - is twelve months at £18. per month is £216.- making in the whole forty four months and twenty days - and amount paid is £804.-
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

State of Maine.
COUNTY OF Cumberland , ss. Brunswick .
On this eleventh day of June A.D. 1839
personally appeared before Barrett Potter Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for the County of Cumberland in the State aforesaid, in open Court, Nabby Weld of
a resident of Brunswick in the County of Cumberland and State or District of Maine, aged sixty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions 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 Weld who was a Commission
of the Hospital department in the revolutionary army, and according to her best knowledge and belief entered the army a few days after the battle of Lexington at the commencement of the revolutionary war and served till the year seventeen hundred and eighty three when he resigned; that when he entered the service he resided at Boston in Massachusetts , that Dr. Morgan was Quartermaster General of the said department, and that her said husband served at Charleston , Long Island and other places and was lately a pensioner of the United, and his certificate was for $600 per annum and dated October 24. 1833, numbered 21,719; and for evidence of these facts this applicant refers to the application of the deceased and the evidence in support thereof by virtue of which said pension was obtained and to the records and rolls of the army.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Benjamin Weld on the ninth day of September in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two and that her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Weld died on the fourteenth day of March last , 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.
Nabby Weld
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written:
Before Barrett Potter Judge

I Eugene Weld of Brunswick in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine, Physician, on oath declare that I am a son of the late Benjamin Weld formerly of Boston Massachusetts, who was a Commissary in the revolutionary army as I have ever understood, and a pensioner under the United States, and Nabby Weld, his wife, now an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of July 7. 1838, that my father the said Benjamin Weld died at Brunswick aforesaid on the tenth fourteenth day of March last past, leaving the said Nabby Weld, his widow; and that the said Nabby Weld still remains his widow and has not since married.
Brunswick June 11. 1839
Eugene Weld
State of Maine Cumberland ss } Brunswick June 11. 1839. Then the above named Eugene Weld, a person of fair reputation for truth and veracity, personally appeared and was duly sworn to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed before me, the word "fourteenth" first interlined.
Barrett Potter Judge of the Court of Oyer and terminer

37
Eugene Webb M.D.
Brunswick.
Maine.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 13 th 1839.
I hereby Certify, That Jonathan Chapman of Boston _____ is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk _____ in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; 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.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

"Seventeen Hundred and Ninety Two. September Ninth. Benjamin Hold to Abby Perkins."
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County, Boston.
To all whom it may concern.
I hereby certify that the above lines, within marks of quotation, are a literal copy from the Records of the Marriages solemnized by Revd. Samuel West, late one of the pastors of this church, with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the Records in fair, legible figures, viz, 1792. September 9; which Records are now in my custody.
Signed this 13 th day of June, 1839
John Pierpont Minister of Hollis Street Church
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Subscribed & sworn to 16 th June 1839. I, John Pierpont, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Minister, in the County, town, and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said church, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
John Pierpont, (Pastor)
Sworn to before me
Gen l Chapman
Justice of the Peace

Boston, June 15th, 1839. Yours of the 9th inst. was received this yesterday, and I have endeavored to comply with your request to-day. The Chairman accompanied me to the Secretary's Office to obtain the certificate that his signature was genuine. The Secretary is now at Washington, but one of his clerks says that nothing more is necessary for your purpose than what I now send you - as they are having constant applications for such a certificate as the present, which is all that is required at the Pension Office, and not a certificate as to the justice's genuineness. I therefore could not obtain more, and trust that you will succeed with what is now sent. All of us are well. Remember me at home.
Yours truly, dear Eugene. Saml. Rogers.

5667
Kathy Weld dec.?
NY
act 7 July 38

State of Maine Cumberland ss:
I Charles Cobb Clerk of all the Judicial courts in said county Certify that Barrett Potter is a Judge of Probate for said county as appears within, 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 Superior Judicial for said State this eighteenth day of June A.D. 1837
Charles Cobb Clerk

11.301.
P. O. Nobby Ward
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Maine Nabby Weld widow of Benjamin
See letter to Eliz. Everett, Aug. 7 th 1839
See to Sats. Mar. 9. March 1843.
See to Mrs. Geo. Ewing Aug. 12. 46
11301
Act July, 7 th 1838

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
July 22 1846.
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 Benjamin Weld, is borne upon an Account in Army Books, as a Commissary in Medical Hospital under Dr Warren, and there audited by his Service from April 11 1777 to December 31 1779, 32 months and 20 days, at £18 per Month. Upon another account in said Books, as a Commissary in Medical Department under Dr Warren, and there audited by his Service from January 1 to December 31 1780 12 Months at £18 per Month.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Burley,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, made by the Children of the party who rendered the service.
Caroline Wild on behalf of herself, an about brother & two sisters, children of Mary Wild late of the State of Maine County of Cumberland Town of Brunswick
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of Benjamin Welch in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts
He enlisted from the Town of Boston, where he was an inhabitant in the County of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts in the year 1775 soon after the Battle of Lexington in the Company commanded by Captain entered the service as a Commissions of the Hospital Department where he continued until a few months after the close of the war in the year 1783 when he resigned. and he served as follows, * viz:— Regiment was Doctor Mungan was Director General of the Hospital Department, under whom he served. He served at Charleston, Long Island & other places & was a pensioner of the United States, his Certificate was for 60. $ per Annum dated Oct 24 1833. & numbered 21719
* Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

2299 Simonds
I am now years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this 27 th day of June A. D. 1846.
Signed by said Caroline Neld - in my presence,
John McKee
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Caroline Neld in behalf of herself & Mother & Sisters.

Senate Ch.
Aug 8 th 1848
J. L. Edward Esq.
Comm ee on P
Sir -
Has the good up to examine the papers, & in your line whether the applicants are entitled to any thing, in the shape of commutation - pay - pension - or in any other way -
Very resp d
W. Evans.

Boston May 2 nd 1833 26 State Street
Hon. Louis McLean Secretary of the Treasury
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose the application of Benjamin Weld Esq. for a Pension under the Act of Congress of 1828 - It has been drawn up with care, is accompanied with vouchers & has been verified in Court - You will perceive by it, that he was one of the Staff of the American Army from the commencement of the Revolution, until the close of the war at the latter part of 1782 when the Hospital Department was broken up -
One of his witnesses, Dr Cheever, who now receives a pension under the act of 1828, was a surgeon's mate in the same department, but served for a much shorter period -

Mr Weld was formerly one of the most affluent & influential merchants in Boston, & is still highly respected - Having sustained severe losses from failures, he has depended for several years past, for his subsistence, upon the income of some Mills in Brunswick Maine, which were recently carried away by a freshet - Under these circumstances, we doubt not his claim will receive your immediate & favorable consideration -
If any formalities have not been complied with, I will, upon notice, supply any deficiencies -
I remain with the highest Respect
Yr Obb. Servt.
C. Hasket Derby per
Br. H. Andrews
Hon. Louis McLean

New York, Feb 21. 43.
M rs . A. Stewart
Are the children of the widow of Benj. Wld entitled to a pension.
Y s 7. See Feb 23/43 Pension Office.
NY

New York 21 Feby 1849
Sir
Perceiving that the Law of 7 th June 1838 regarding pensions has undergone a change of interpretation of late which provides for cases before excluded, I beg leave to submit to you the following, being connected with the parties interested in its decision.
Benjamin Weld was a pensioner of for services in the revolution and died 14 March 1839. He left a widow who died 20 July 1840. Their marriage took place after the revolution and prior to 1 st Jan y 1794.
The question upon which I ask the favour of your opinion is - are the children of the widow entitled to a pension under the act of June 7 th 1838? and if so for how long? from 4 th March 1836 to 4 th March 1841 or only from the commencement of the act to the period of her death. 20 th July 1840?
Truly John C. Spencer Secretary at War Washington.
I am very respectfully Your most obed t serv t M c L. Stewart Pension Agent

Dr. Sir,
I sent you a day or two ago, certain papers in regard to the claim, if any, of the heirs of Perry's Will.
I shall be interested as soon as I reach home about it. Pray send me
forthwith , some information which will enable me to answer Swift, to
Gardner, Mason -
Yours -
Pen. Gh. Aug 20.
A. E. Vans

Sen. Ch. Feb 15: 1847
J. L. Edward Esq Sir,
Will you have the goodness to inform me, whether the heir of Dery. Weld, late of Maine, a pensioner - are not entitled to his commutation pay? He was a Surgeon, I think, & served to the close of the war, I believe - An early answer will
Greatly M c h
Yours R t serv t Geo Evans