Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31227, for Joseph Mason, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Mason, Joseph
S. 31 227
CONTENTS

no 3754
Massachusetts
Joseph Mason
of Waverly in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Peck of the reg t commanded by Col. Dyer in the Mass line for 8 mos. service 3 " 12 do. do.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 23 Dollars 60 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Feby 1833 and sent to J. Hodge Esq. Ref d
Arrears to 14th of Feb 1832 $65.49 Semestral allowance ending Mar 33 21.83
$87.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book
J. H. Blair Clerk Vol. 27 Page 67

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ) BRISTOL, ss. )
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Dighton — in and for said County on the Seventeenth day of August — by Adjt. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, Before the Honorable HODIAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Joseph Mason a resident of Swansey in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated, in reply to the fifth subjoined interrogatory, to wit, first, in a company of artillery commanded by Major John Francis, Capt. Balch, Lt. Stevens, Drury, & Moss ; I do not recollect to what regiment,pany, we were attached; again under Capt. Poley Peck, Lt. Henry , in a regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Carpenter, Lt. Col. Lane ; again under the same Capt. Peck, Lt. Perry ; under the same Col., and the particulars of my services I will particularly state in reply to the fifth interrogatory;
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Warren in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island , in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty three
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it?
I do not know of any record of my age, I state it according to what my parents told me when I was young.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I have lived in said Swansey ever since I was four years old.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
The first time I voluntarily enlisted; the two other times I was drafted.

4. How were you called into service ; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? The first time I voluntarily enlisted; the two other times I was drafted.
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. Capt. Martin dale I entered in the month of June  May in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five, and served under them at Roxbury, in the army besieging the British in Boston. I served eight months & while in Roxbury lived almost the whole time under a shower of cannon balls & bombs; Under Capt. Peck, the first time I was drafted, and we marched in the month of September in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six from Swansey through Providence in R. Island, and Lebanon & West Chester in Connecticut, to White Plains above Kingsbridge; during the battle of White Plains our regiment was in the rear of the American army & not engaged; during the rest of our term of service we were harassed by the enemy & moved from place to place in the neighbourhood of White Plains; Under Capt. Peck the second time I was drafted to go in Sullivan's expedition to R. Island, we marched to Tiverton in R. Island and thence crossed to the Island, and marched to the American lines near Newport, during the retreat of the army from those lines, our regiment marched by the west road, and at different times during the day were engaged with the enemy who marched in pursuit of us; after the retreat of our army to the main we marched to Warwick in R. Island, there kept guard till our time was out, serving on this occasion six weeks; At Roxbury I remember the regiments of Col. Varnum Col. Hitchcock & Col. Church of the Rhode Island line, they were at Prospect Hill near Cambridge; At Rhode Island I remember Col. Webb's regiment of Continentals; these are all the other regiments I recollect, & I either did not hear or have forgotten the first names of the officers whose surnames only I have stated; I refer for proof of these several services to the annexed affidavits; In both the two last mentioned services I was a sergeant, but have lost my warrants.
8 m o . —
2 m o . —
1 1/2 m o .
11 1/2 m o .

no 2836 Joseph Narox

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge on the service; and, if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? I was a soldier & a sergeant; I never received a written discharge.
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Thomas Peck & Alexander Mason, Esq? The Reverend Luther Baker, and Benjamin Kingsley, all of said Swansea, & Alexander Mason Esq? of Seekonk.
And the said Joseph Mason doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Joseph Mason H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
WE Thomas Peck a Justice of the Peace and Alexander Mason certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Mason who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine 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 to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Peck Alexander Mason H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
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 Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Thomas Peck — who has signed the preceding certificate is a Justice of the Peace resident in the Town of Swansey in said County of Bristol, and that Alexander Mason — who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town, and is a credible person, and that their — statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate. Register of Probate
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } BRISTOL, ss. }
I Anselm Bassett — Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Mason — of Swansey — in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Bassett

Ja! Mason
NA2836.
Archives not available to enable
Nov 15 1832
Private Morts Sept 3 " 12 days
Alma
$43.66-
Inn
A Babin
New Bedford Light Exp

BRIEF in the case of Joseph Mason of Manzey in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Cont  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 79 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.     May In 17 35 " 8 " Private Gen. Maj Grand   Sept 76 2 " Sergt Capt Peck  Perhaps Col.   1 12 " Capt Peck  Same  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Manzey  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses not stated as credible 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Witnesses not stated as credible & a Hunt & Peck can not certify as they used to
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signature] Examining Clerk.

BRIEF in the case of Joseph Mason  of Nantucket 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? 79 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.     May In 17 95 " 8 5 Private Gen. Maj. Grand   Sept. 76 2 " Sergeant Capt. Peck } Perhaps Col. Lane   1 12 "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Nantucket  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses not stated as credible 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Missses not stated as credible & a want of Peck's name not certified as being such a defect
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signature] Examining Clerk.

Joe Masino
2836
A Bapett Mr Bedorn Flap

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

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? # 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? No XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
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.”
# See next page

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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
†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.
No. 11 & 12 Amended by certificate of the Judge of Probate
14. Regiment added

To all whom it may concern.
This certifies That I, Nathaniel Elliott now residing in Providence in the state of Rhode Island &c in the year 1775, enlisted as a soldier in Capt Holdens Company of Artillery Colonel Varnum's regiment; That I marched with said company to Roxbury in the state of Massachusetts, and soon after my arrival at said Roxbury volunteered and was accepted as a private in Major Crane's company of Artillery. I remained in said company and stationed at said Roxbury until the evacuation of Boston by the British troops. During the time that said company of Artillery was at said Roxbury, Joseph Mason now of Swansey in said state of Massachusetts, entered as a private in said Crane's company. He marched under the command of Col. Varnum, but not in the same company with me to Roxbury, but after he entered said Crane's company we were messmates together. During the time for which he enlisted in said company, to wit the term of eight months. Said Mason is now personally known to me, and being messmates together I know that he served in said Crane's Company eight months at one time and was then regularly discharged.
Providence May 13. 1829.
Nathaniel Elliott
Providence &c
In Providence May 13. 1829.
Sworn to Before me
Providence &c
In Providence Dec 8. 1832
William Read Staples
I certify that Nathaniel Elliott signed the foregoing affidavit is a very respectable & credible person
Justice of the Peace
William Read Staples, Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations — Secretarys Office
August 21 st 1852.
I hereby certify, that William R Staples has been elected a Justice of the Peace for the town of Providence by the General Assem- bly of this State at their May session A.D. 1829 — and that on the 13 th day of May A.D. 1829 he was qualified to act in said capacity according to Law. And I further certify that the signature "William Read Staples," attached to the preceding document is the proper hand writing of the said William Read Staples.
Witness Henry A Bowers
Fee $1 paid by Mr Staples
Deputy Secy

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
Samuel H. Arnold
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Be it known that the name "HENRY BOWEN," to the afore- written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Deputy Sec- retary of the State aforesaid, duly appointed  elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Provi- dence, this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two and of Independence the fifty- seventh .
Samuel H. Arnold
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry L Bowen Deputy Secy.

31227 INVALID.
File No. 81,997
Joseph Mason Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 256
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I, Joel Bowen of Seekonk in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age to give evidence being duly cautioned and sworn according to law do testify, and say, that Joseph Mason now residing in Swansey in said County, was drafted on the first of August in the year A D 1778 and Marched to Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island was on Rhode Island on the twenty ninth day of said August in an engagement with the British; Afterwards Marched to Greenwich in said State; and served one and a half  Months in Capt Pelig Peeks Company in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Carpenter, in General Lovells, Brigade I, at the same time. Served in Captain Stephen Bullocks Company & was attached to the same Regiment & Brigade
Joel Bowen Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County. ss
Seekonk August 14 A. D. 1832 Then personally appeared Joel Bowen after being duly cautioned & examined and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me Allen Hunt Just. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By District Atty. I. James Sprague, Clerk of the County Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Thomas Peck & Allen Hunt Esq. whose signatures are affixed to the within & annexed certificates, are Justices of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two I. James Sprague
Bristol ss. Dec. 4. 1832. This certifies that I am well acquainted with Joel Bowen who signed the within affidavit and that he is a person of credibility —
Allen Hunt Just. of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss. I Anselm Bussett Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Thomas Peck and Allen Hunt are Justices of the Peace within and for the said County of Bristol and are qualified to administer oaths and that the signatures to the proceeding certificates purporting to be theirs are their genuine signatures - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this seventh day of December eighteen hundred and thirty two - Anselm Bussett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol August 17 th 1832.
We Luther Baker a clergyman in the town of Swansea in said county; and Benjamin Kingsley residing within the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Mason who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 79 - years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Luther Baker. Benjamin Kingsley
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year before said
Before me Thomas Dick Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that it would have been too much inconvenience and expense to Joseph Mason whose application is hereto annexed to produce at Court the clergyman of the Town of Swansey in which he resides, to wit, the Rev. Luther Baker whose certificate under oath is produced and that he is a clergyman & gentleman of credibility and hereto annexed. Given under my hand at a Probate Court holden at Dighton in and for the County of Bristol this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
H. T. Daryliez Judge of Probate for said County of Bristol.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
I Nathaniel Kingsley of Swansea in the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth aforesaid of Lawful age to give Evidence Do testify and say that in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary army at New York in the in the regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Carpenter company commanded by Capt. Deley Dike, that Joseph Mason of Said Swansea was a Sergeant in Said company and served in Said company two months and then discharged being the end of the time for which the Said Joseph Mason enlisted: further the Deponent saith not Swansea June the 29 th 1832: Nathaniel Kingsley
Bristol ss. June the 29 th A.D. 1832:
Then the aforesaid Deponent was examined and cautioned, and sworn agreeable to Law to the Deposition aforesaid by him signed and subscribed Before me Thomas
Dike Justice of the Peace -
Bristol ss. Nov. 29. 1832 - I certify that the above named Nathaniel Kingsley who signed the above affidavit is a respectable & credible person - Thomas Dike Just. of the Peace