Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6992, for Ebenezer Mason, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Mason Ebenezer , Sally
P 6 9 9 2
B.L. Wt. 14,542-16d-55
CONTENTS

117 16 2 / Mch. 3rd May 4/1853
Sally Mason wid. of Benzyer Mason, Private Capt. Mason's Cont. Line, Col.
Mch. Line
Ent. 18 Dis.
Revolution War:
Ad: 160 a. Cr. Jany: 16/56.
Mch. Reg. Dr. B. B. B.
File
Sally Mason, Spencer, Mch.
Vol M 1 page 9.

Declaration, in order to secure the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester.
On this sixth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before NATHAN DANE Judge of Probate for the county of Worcester
now sitting Ebenezer Mason a resident of Spencer in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy-one 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 June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That sometime in the month of May A. D. 1780, the said Ebenezer Mason performed six months service as fol- lows, viz, The State of Massachusetts called upon the various towns belonging to its jurisdiction to furnish a certain number of soldiers for the service of the United States the town of Spencer was called upon to furnish seventeen soldiers as its quota. The said town of Spencer choose a committee to enlist the men, and Major David Roots and Capt. John Draper were two of said commit- tee. The whole number of seventeen were accordingly furnished, & Thaddeus White, Nathan Murray, David Jackson, Samuel Jackson, James Upham, Fred- ick Hunt, with myself were a part. We marched from Spencer accordingly, sometime in the month of May 1780, to Springfield, Mass. where we passed muster , then marched to West Point in the State of New-York; soon after our arrival at West Point, we were divided and detached off into various companies in the continental line of troops to fill vacancies in General Minton's Brigade and Colonel

Sixteenth Regiment, the name of the Captain who commanded the company in which I was detached, I not certainly recollect but I believe his name was Peter Harwood of Brookfield. The troops aforesaid were stationed a part of the time at Peekskill in the State of New-York, and the most of the time in various places in the State of New Jersey. I served about two months in said company as a common soldier, and then one of said company by the name of Green, who drove the baggage waggons was promoted to a Sergeant, and I then took his place and drove the baggage waggons until we came into winter quarters, and then I did duty as a soldier the remainder of the term being almost seven months although I enlisted for six months only. I was born at Watertown, Massachusetts February 18 th 1761, and removed with my parents to Spencer aforesaid when I was six years old and have lived there ever since, and live there now, my birth is on the town clerks records in said Watertown. Have no written discharge and do not recollect of receiving any. Have no documents but rely on the annexed deposition of Thaddeus White Esqr. I refer to Jonas Mearns Esqr. Rufus Adams, Abraham Capen, and Adams (Drury, some of my neighbours and who can testify to my character for truth.
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 aforesaid.
Beate NATHAN DAME Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester

ed Worcester, September 8 d . 1832
+ We Levi Packard a clergyman residing in the town of Spencer, and William Pope Esqr. residing in said town of Spencer hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Mason, who intends to apply for a pension under the late act of Congress, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before me.
James Dyer Just. Peace
Levi Packard William Pope
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Levi Packard is a clergyman resident in the said town of Spencer and that William Pope Esqr. who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Spencer and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
NATHL. HAME Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Joseph Wheeler Reg d Clerk of the Court of Probate for Worcester County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Mason for a pension & that James Dyer before whom the annexed affidavit was made is a Justice of the Peace in the said County in full credit & that he signed the same In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this Sixth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two. -
Joseph Wheeler Reg d of said Court of Probate in Massachusetts

I Thaddeus White of Washington in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, but formerly of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, being now Seventy three years of age do testify and say, that some time in the Month of May A.D. 1786, Ebenezer Mason, enlisted with sixteen other men of whom I was one, into the service of the United States, in the war of the Revolution. Said Ebenezer Mason with the others enlisted into the service aforesaid by authority of a committee chosen by the town of Spencer aforesaid, for the express purpose of filling up vacancies in the several companies of the continental troops. The said Mason with the others then marched to Springfield in Massachusetts where, he with the others past muster , then marched to West Point in the State of New-York; soon after, the soldiers aforesaid were detached and divided off into various companies in the continental line of troops to fill vacancies in General Nixons Brigade and Colonel Nixons Regiment, but what company I do not for a certainty recollect, as he and myself were, after one or two months, detached into separate companies, but I do know that said Mason served as aforesaid as a private soldier for the common defence of the country, the full term of six months and was then honorably discharged. The troops aforesaid were stationed a part of the time at Peekskill in the State of New-York, and the most part of the time in various places in the State New-Jersey.
Thad. White
Worcester ss August 2 1832
Then personally appeared the above

named Thaddeus White, before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester and was sworn to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed.
James Draper Just. Peace.
Worcester August 2. 1832) This may certify that I am acquainted with Thaddeus White Esquire who has submitted the within deposition, and hereby testify that he sustains a good char- acter for truth and veracity.
James Draper Just. Peace.

BRIEF in the case of Ebenezer Morrison of Spencer in the State of Mass ts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 years  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. As a Gen.     May In 1780 — — Private Col d Wood Col d Wilson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Spencer Mass ts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By a living witness  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.
R. H. N. d. Collett Examining Clerk.
July 25 12 Dec 32

No. 1. Declaration
To be made by the widow of a deceased person who has not had a land warrant.
State of Massachusetts } County of Worcester } S
On this twenty sixth day of April 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 Sally Mason aged eighty nine years a resident of Spencer in the state of Massachusetts who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Ebenezer Mason who was a Private in the Revolutionary War and served more than five months in said war, and who made application at the War Department for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, but which claim was rejected because his service was not continued the full term of six months, but at the same time it was admitted by J. L. Edwards then Commissioner of Pensions that the name of Ebenezer Mason appeared on the rolls then and now deposited in said Department, in the Continental Line for more than five months, to which she refers for the evidence of her claim. She further states that she was married to the said Ebenezer Mason in said Spencer on the second day of September A.D. one thousand seven hundred and ninety four by one Joseph Pope then a minister of the Congregational Society in said Spencer and that her name before her said marriage was Sally Dears, that her said husband died at said Spencer on the thirty first day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty six and that she is now the widow of the said Ebenezer Mason and has never since married.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855, and she hereby requests that the warrant when issued may be sent to James Draper Esquire of Spencer in the state of Massachusetts
her Sally X Mason mark
State of Massachusetts } County of Worcester } S
The above declaration was subscribed and sworn to before me on the day and year first above written James Draper justice of the Peace
This may certify that the word "died" was introduced before the signing thereof. By me James Draper justice of the Peace.

We Dennis Ward and Jacob C. Carpenter residents of Spencer in the State of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the within declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sally Mason 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
Dennis Ward
Jacob C Carpenter
State of Massachusetts } County of Worcester } ss
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the twenty sixth day of April A.D. 1855, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the per- son she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim
James Draper Justice of the Peace

I Edward C. Dyer town clerk of the town of Spencer in the County of Worcester and state of Massachusetts hereby certify that the following are true extracts from the records of said town, viz. "Ebenezer Mason and Sally Mears both of Spencer were married, "September second one thousand seven hundred and ninety four." "By me Joseph Dyer Clerk."
"Ebenezer Mason died August thirty first one thousand eight hundred and forty six..."
I certify that they are true copies of the record with the exception of the dates which are expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows
"September 2. 1794."
"August 31. 1846."
I Edward C. Dyer above named depose and say that I hold the office of town clerk in the town, county and state aforesaid and that the above are true extracts from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.
Edward C. Dyer Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I,
Joseph Mason Clerk of the Judicial Courts
for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that James Draper on the twenty sixth Day of April A.D. 1855 was, ever since has been and still is
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his signature to the certificate of oath upon the declaration and affidavits hereto annexed are genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said County, this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
J. Mason Clerk.

I Edward C. Dyer town clerk of the town of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts hereby certify that the following are true extracts from the records of said town, viz, " Ebenezer Mason and Sally Bews both of Spencer were married, " September second one thousand seven hundred and ninety four.,, " By me Joseph Dore Clerk.,,"
" Ebenezer Mason died August thirty first one thousand eight hundred and forty six.,,"
I certify that they are true copies of the record with the exception of the dates which are expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows
" September 2. 1794.,,"
" August 31. 1846.,,"
I Edward C. Dyer above named depose and say that I hold the office of town clerk in the town, county and state aforesaid and that the above are true extracts from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.
Edward C. Dyer { Town Clerk of Spencer
State of Massachusetts } County of Worcester } ss April 27, 1855
Sworn to before me
James Draper Justice of the Peace

August 31, 1909.
Mr. S. S. Mason,
Birdsall, N. Y.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 27" and received the 30" instant, you are herewith furnished a statement of the services of the only Ebenezer Mason of Spencer, Massachusetts, found on the pension records of the Revolutionary War.
Ebenezer Mason R. File No. 6,992, applied for pension September 6, 1832 at which time he resided at Spencer, Massachusetts. He stated that he was born at Watertown, Massachusetts, February 18, 1761 and removed when six years of age to Spencer Massachusetts with his parents whose names are not stated.
He alleged that at Spencer, aforesaid, in May, 1780, he was enlisted for six months by Captain John Draper, and marched to West Point and served in Captain Peter Harwood's company, Colonel Nixon's regiment for two months, after which he drove a baggage wagon until they went into winter quarters and then served again as a soldier the remainder of his term.
His claim for pension was never allowed for the reason that he failed to furnish satisfactory proof of six months' actual military service, as required by the law of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
Very respectfully,
Letter returned to Mr. Marsh P
Acting Commissioner.

P. 6992
8-079.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER,
....., 190....
No. Claim, .....
Cert. No. .....
Claimant, .....
Soldier, .....
Co. ..... Reg't. .....
New Section
ACTION AND ORDER:
  To Chf. Recd Div. Action Please reply AUG 20 1909 through Dick COMMISSIONER.  
Mason

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Hill
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Ebenezer Mason
Service Mass.
Additional Service Rev. War
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
no claim as above
except Wid. 1442 + R. 6992.
Aug. 30, 1909.
Sol. born June 7, 1763 New Gloucester, Me. N. 1442 Private 1790-1780. Resided Maine.
Born July 18, 1761 at Watertown, Mass. Rej. 6992 - Mr. 1780

✓ 14.542
5
New Caney

Mr. Foster: lot 32, Dey's Mps
W. H. D.

Pub. Musum
FREE
Dr. R. Waldo Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington
D. C.

1909 Aug. 31. Hist. to S.S. Mason Birdsall, N.Y. This cannot be - P
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
6995
P. O. 2
Benjamin Mason
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Ebenezer Mowen
6992
on roll of Henna for five months 45 days -
Rejected.
See letter to James Draper dated May 24, 1833 -
James Draper Spencer Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ebenezer Albee - James Albee  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? No 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? 14 XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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? 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? 14 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? 14 Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 14 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? 14 XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 14 XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 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 shewn 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 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.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Mason, Edward GRADE Sergeant Major LINE New Hampshire
WARRANT NUMBER 3329 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Dec. 21, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.