Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14078, John Vinson, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Vinson, John or Vinson Rebecca
N. 14078
CONTENTS

10.136.
Massachusetts
John Vinson
of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain Brufant of the Regt commanded by _____ in the Mass. time for 6 Mo 15 Days
Rate
80 Norfolk
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 21 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Mar 1833 and sent to S Leland Bowdoin Esq
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $233.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep " 10.83
$57.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H S Blair Clerk, Book 10, Vol. 2 nd Page 89,

5744. Massachusetts~ Rebecca Vinson~ widow of John Vinson~ Mass who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private ~ ~
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 21~ Dollars 66~
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of October 1849. and sent to
Samuel Humphrey Weymouth Mass~
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 170 Vol. 2

V 1834
Rebecca Vinson widow of John Mass.
act 7. July 38
36.77-
at 1832 -
adm'd emo. 450/uri
$21.66
Died 23 oct. '36
bur: com: 24 oct. '36-
L Humphrey Weymouth Mass 1881

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7 th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;"
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Norfolk }
On this twenty-seventh day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Norfolk Rebecca Vinson a resident of Weymouth in said County of Norfolk, 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 benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;"
That she is the Widow of John Vinson late of Weymouth in said County deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution and received a Pension under the act of Congress of June seventh one thousand eight hundred and thirty two of twenty one dollars and sixty six cents per annum; and that she has heard him state his service as a soldier in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz That he served as a private in Capt Joseph Trefant's company several months in the year 1775. Also that he served in Capt Thomas Wash's company a short time in the year 1776.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Vinson on the nineteenth day of January seventeen hundred and seventy seven; that her husband the aforesaid John Vinson died on the twenty third day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six; 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.
Rebecca Vinson
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written by the said Rebecca Vinson who by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court to render her declaration
Before me S. Leland / Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk
Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that Sherman Leland is Judge of said Court of Probate & that his signature on this paper is genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I hereby certify have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this tenth day of September A.D. 1838
Jonathan H. Cobb Reg

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.
Erroll Sampson
I, JAIRUS WARE , Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that
Samuel G. Humphrey Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said of- fice, and that his signature to the annexed certificates is genuine & true
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twenty eighth day of August A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight  Erroll Sampson Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss. Town of Braintree ss. I Judson Stoddard Town Clerk of said Braintree hereby certify that the following is a true copy from the records of said Town of Braintree, with the exception of the date, which which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures to wit.
Marrried by the Rev. Ezra Weld, January nineteenth nineteen hundred and seventy seven (19. 1877)
John Vinson of Weymouth and Rebecca Clark of Braintree.
Attest Judson Stoddard Town Clerk
I Judson Stoddard above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Clerk of said Town of Braintree and that the above is a true extract from the records of Town, with the exception named, as certified by me.
Judson Stoddard Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss. 22. yolk County ss. August 10 th 1838. Then personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for the County of Norfolk affirmed the above named Judson Stoddard and subscribed the above certificate and deposition and made solemn oath that the same is true
Daniel Humphrey Justice of the Peace

We John Vinson of Weymouth in the county of Norfolk and state of Massachusetts aged forty nine years, and Polly Vinson of said Weymouth aged forty six years, testify and say, that we were acquainted with John Vinson late of Weymouth aforesaid deceased for many years prior to his decease, and also with Rebecca Vinson his wife, now his widow, who is now about eighty two years of age. The said John Vinson deceased, died on the twenty third day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty six in the eighty third year of his age. We saw his remains after his decease and attended his funeral. The said Rebecca Vinson is yet living and remains the widow of the said John Vinson deceased.
John Vinson Polly Vinson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. August 11 th 1838. Then personally appeared before me the subscribers justice of the peace within and for the County of Norfolk the persons named John Vinson and Polly Vinson and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by them submitted in my presence is true, and testify that the above named John Vinson and Polly Vinson are well known to me and are persons of good reputation for truth.
Isaac Humphrey, Justice of the peace

Any communication from the Pension office in regard to the case of Mrs. Vinson may be addressed to the subscriber
Samuel Humphrey
Weymouth Sept. 1830.

7108 John Vinson
Parish
6 Mo. 15 days
amt
$21.66-
E. J. Leland

7108  BRIEF in the case of  John Vinson  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? 78  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.     Vol. In 1775 19 th June 6 15 private Capt Joseph Trufant.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Weymouth Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional & documentary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. W. Wight  Examining Clerk.  Jan'y 25. 1833.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this fourteenth 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 of the Court of Probate now sitting at Quincy in and for said County, John Vinson a resident of Weymouth in said County, aged seventy eight , 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 Weymouth aforesaid on the first day of January , A. D. 1754, and that there is a record of his birth on the Town Records of Weymouth that he was in the United States service from the nineteenth day of June A. D. 1775, to the third day of January A. D. 1776 as a Soldier in the Massachusetts Continental Line that he was residing at Weymouth aforesaid
when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Joseph Prentiss
: that he marched from _____ to _____, from _____ to _____ from _____ to _____
: that he served at said Weymouth with _____ none of the regular troops; and
none of the regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Weymouth
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the _____ day of _____ A. D. 17_____, to the _____ day of _____ A. D. 17_____ as a _____ in the _____ : that he was residing at _____
when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of _____
: that he marched from _____ to _____, from _____ to _____ from _____ to _____
: that he served at _____ with _____ of the regular troops; and
regular officers were known to him: that he was in _____ battle
and at the end of his service received _____ written discharge.
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the _____ day of _____ A. D. 17_____, to the _____ day of _____ A. D. 17_____ in the _____ : that he was residing at _____
when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of _____
: that he marched from _____ to _____, from _____ to _____ from _____ to _____
: that he served at _____ with _____ of the regular troops; and
regular officers were known to him: that he was in _____ battle
and at the end of his service received _____ written discharge.

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. John Vinson
We John B Hollis one of the sub  clergymen , residing in the said Weymouth
and Samuel Humphrey  also one of the residing at said Weymouth hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Vinson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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.
John B. Hollis Samuel Humphrey
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 applicant was a revolutionary warrior and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that John B Hollis , who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said Weymouth ; and that Samuel Humphrey  stay on book who has also signed the same is a resident in Weymouth and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Sheuman Sland / Judge of Probate
I Samuel Haven, Reg. 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 John Vinson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Haven. 3

Reported
Massachusetts 4208
Rebecca Vinson widow of John Vinson who was a Private in the Massachusetts line for 6 1/2 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Twenty One Dollars Sixty Six Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of January 1844 and sent to R. Baldwin Boston Mass
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 56

Rebecca Vinson
Mass.
act 7. July 38
21. " " from
4 March 36 to 29 Oct
'36 —
Elizah Clark
Brighton
Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this ninth day of January eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before me Noah Torrey a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Norfolk Rebecca Vinson a resident of Weymouth in said County eighty six years of age who being duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the fourth of March 1836 to the twenty fourth day of October eighteen hundred and thirty six from which period she has been already paid under the act of the seventh of July 1838 and the Declarant further alleges that she is still the Widow of John Vinson who was a private in the Revolutionary War that her pension was allowed at the rate of twenty one dollars and sixty six cents per annum, and was paid to her at the agency at Boston in the State of Massachusetts, and further she saith not Rebecca Vinson
Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year above written Before Me Noah Torrey Justice of the Peace
Norfolk ss. Weymouth January 9th 1843 I hereby certify that Rebecca Vinson who has signed & made oath to the above declaration is known to me to be the Widow of John Vinson deceased and that she has formerly received a pension from the United States Noah Torrey Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary's Office Jan'y. 15. 1843
I hereby certify that at the date of the within attestation Noah Surray was a justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk
Witness my hand & the Seal
John P. Dinsmore
Secretary of the Commonwealth

631. Massachusetts — Rebecca Vinson — widow of John Vinson — who was a Private — in the Massachusetts Line —
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 21 — Dollars 66 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1844.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of October 1844. and sent to
Samuel Humphrey Weymouth Mass. —
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A,
Vol. 2 — Page 39.

Massachusetts 3292
Rebecca Vinson, widow of John Vinson
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 23. October 1836 of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass _____ line for 6 1/2 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 21. Dollars 66 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Funding 23 o . October 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of February 1843 and sent to Elijah Clark, Brighton, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A. Vol. 1. Page 142.
A new certificate was issued in this case under the opinion of the Attorney General of the 2 d Sept. 1842, which was given in consequence of the Resolution of Congress of the 16 th of August 1842.
Reported

Massachusetts - 3,292
Rebecca Nelson, widow of John Nelson,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7: June '32 and who died on the 23 d October 1836 of Norfolk in the State of Mass ts who was a Par. in the Comp y commanded by Captain Trufant of the Reg t commanded by [blank] in the Mass ts line for 6 mos 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 21 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836. 24 th Dec r 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of June '39, and sent to L. Humphrey, Weymouth, Mass ts
Arrears to the 4 th of Mar. - $ Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdick, Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 - Page 142
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 March to 4 Sept 1839. age Notified 24 June 1840

Massachusetts Roll, Act 3 March '43 & 17 June '44, Rebecca Vinson, widow of John, Pri, $21:26 per annum, To what time last paid? pa to 4 th Mar. 1844. Bk 1/2.

I John Vinson of Weymouth in the county of Norfolk and commonwealth of Massachusetts aged forty nine years do testify and say that Rebecca Vinson Widow of John Vinson late of Weymouth deceased resides near me with whom I am well acquainted. She is about eighty three years of age and enjoys health as well as most persons of her age, but is un- able by reason of age and infirmities to ride more than a short distance. In August last at the time that she made her Declaration for a Pension she was quite unable to ride the distance necessary to make her declaration in court, or the next court to be held in Norfolk county, and every court of record held since have been at least sixteen miles distant from her residence
John Vinson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. Jan'y 10 th 1839 I then personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for the county of Norfolk, the above named John Vinson and subscribed the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true, and I certify that he is a person well known to me and is a credible witness. Samuel Humphrey Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk ss. I Sherman Lee a commissioner of the Court of Probate in and for said county hereby certify that according to the best of my recollection & belief. The above is a true statement of the truth.

a condition of the said Rebecca Vinson, in the month of August last past, at the time, she made her declaration before me, to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 7 th 1830. In witness whereof I the said Judge hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 15 th day of January A.D. 1839
J. L. Wilson

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 14 th of June 1844. intitled "An Act to continue the Pensions of certain Widows"
State of Massachusetts } County of Norfolk } ss.
On this eighteenth day of September in the the year one thousand eight hundred and forty nine personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in the said County of Norfolk Rebecca Vinson a resident of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk aged ninety three years, who being 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 the seventeenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty four intitled "An Act to continue the pensions of certain widows": That she is the widow of John Vinson late of said Weymouth deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and died on the twenty third day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six; that the Revolutionary service of the said John Vinson was duly proved by himself in the year 1832. for which he received a Pension of $21.66 per year during his life: and in the year 1838. she duly proved her marriage to the said John Vinson, his death, and her widowhood, and that she received a Pension under the Act of Congress of July 9 th 1838. for five years; and under the Act of Congress of the 3 d of March 1843. for one year

She further declares that she is still a widow
Rebecca her  X Dinnon mother
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above or within written
Before me Samuel Humphrey, Justice of the And in presence of us
John G Rogers Rachel Rogers
Vice And I hereby certify that the said Rebecca Dinnon is well known to me

I John G. Rogers of Weymouth in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty three years, and Rachel Rogers of said Weymouth aged forty seven years, do severally testify and say, that we are well acquainted with Rebecca Dinson of Weymouth aforesaid, widow of John Dinson late of said Weymouth deceased, she is yet living and we believe she is in the ninety fourth year of her age, we know that she remains the widow of said John Dinson deceased, and we know that she is the same person that drew a pension under an act of Congress of 1830. for five years, and has drawn for one year since the expiration of the said five years, and only one year. We are acquainted with these facts by having had the care of her for most of the time of the last ten years.
John G. Rogers Rachel Rogers
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County SS September 18 th 1849 Then personally appeared before me the subscribers a justice of the peace within and for the county of Norfolk, the above named John G. Rogers and Rachel Rogers and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by them subscribed in my presence is true, and I certify that they are well known to me as persons of good reputation for truth. Leonard Humphrey Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK ss.
I, EZRA W. SAMPSON, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Samuel Humphrey Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed certificates are genuine and true.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twenty first day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
Ezra W. Sampson Clerk.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14978
Rebecca Vinson
Widow of
John Vinson
Pr. Rev War
Act: Act 24/8
Index:—Vol. M , Page 300
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Act
Adm o Act 17 June 1844 Coag o 4 March 1844,
Adm o Act 2 Feb 1848,
Samuel Humphrey Weymouth, Mass,

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the second day of February 1848. granting pensions to certain widows
State of Massachusetts Norfolk County
On this eighteenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty nine personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in the said county of Norfolk Rebekah Vinson a resident of Weymouth in the county of Norfolk and State aforesaid, aged ninety three years, who being 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 the second day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty eight granting Pensions to certain widows: That she is the widow of John Vinson late of said Weymouth deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and died on the twenty third day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six: that the Revolutionary service of the said John Vinson was duly proved by himself in the year 1832. for which he received a Pension of $21.66 per year during his life. And in the year 1838. she duly proved her marriage to the said John Vinson, his death, and her widowhood, and that she received a Pension under the Act of Congress of July 4 th 1838.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK ss.
I, EZRA W. SAMPSON, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Lemuel Humphrey Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed certificates  are genuine and true.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twenty first day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
Ezra W. Sampson Clerk.

✓ V 1834 Let. to D. Humphrey Dec. 20, 1838
Act 7 July, 1838.

John Vinson Mass. at June '32 when last p'd.
Gyr
20 June 33
Died 23 rd Oct 1836 18 th to that period
117

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 20 th . 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," - Rebecca Vinson, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Twenty one Dollars and Sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1838. has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1839. to the 1 st Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Harris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Vinson 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? 2 citizens 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 documentary evidence XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 7.
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 the 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.
† 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 authenticated 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 end 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.

4129 Mrs Rebecca Vinson Widow of John Vinson
$21:66 pr an
R. Baldwin Boston Mass
4208
56

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, and the amended act of 23d August, 1842.
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Norfolk. }
On this twelfth day of September in the year Eighteen Hundred Forty Three personally appeared before the subscribers Justice of the Peace of the County of Norfolk in said State Rebecca Vinson a resident of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk aged eighty seven 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 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of John Vinson deceased , who was a Private Soldier in the army of the Revolutionary War, and who drew a Pension from the United States of $21.66 per ann under the act of June 1832; and whose widow Rebecca Vinson since his decease drew the same amount of Pension under the act of July 1838. The precise duration of the service of said John Vinson or the names of his Officers cannot now be known.
She further declares that she is still a widow. Rebecca Vinson
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
Me Noah Torrey Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally and particularly acquainted with Rebecca Vinson widow of the late John Vinson deceased and do know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be
Noah Torrey Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston October 18 th 1813
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Noah Surray was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
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.
Jno A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Brighton Jan'y 16 th . 1843
Dear Sir,
I enclose to you herewith the claims of Mrs. Rebecca Vinson, Mrs. Hope France, & Mrs. Deborah Bumpus, & Mrs. Mary Bumpus, for arrears of Pension.
Very Resp't You Chas. Smith Elijah Clark
Thos J. L. Edmonds Commissioner of Pensions at Washington,

John Winson
7108.
Edwin D. Leland

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug t . 6 1832.
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 John Vinson is borne on a roll of Capt. Joseph Trufant's Independent Company in the State Service, & is therein stated to have served six months, two weeks and one day from June 19. 1775. Edward D. Dins Ly

September 29 th 1849
Decl Rebecca Vinson Widow of John
4208 Mass
J. P. Edwards Esquire
2 Feby '48
Commissioner of W.P. com Washington City D.C.
FREE

Weymouth Sep. 25 th 1849.
Honored Sir,
Enclosed are Declarations of Rebecca Vinson, widow of John Vinson late of Weymouth, deceased. Any communication from the Department relative to these applications may be addressed to the subscriber Most respectfully yours Daniel Humphrey
J. L. Edwards Esquire