Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 37315, for George Pratt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass-
Pratt, George
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S 37315
CONTENTS

Papers copied for Land agent of Museum Dec 13 1836
N. R. 8070 Maine
George Pratt,
of Kennebec Co. in the State of Maine who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Wattles of the Regt commanded by Colonel Smiths in the Massachusetts line, for the term of nine months, from June 1781 to March 1782
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 22 day of April, 1818 and
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 of March 1819 and sent to R.C. bow Esq. Augusta. Maine
Restored to the Roll on 5 day of March 1829 and notification sent to Colonel P. Sprague at Washington City. Pension commencing on the 14 of June 1828
Amount due on 4th of Sept. 1829 }
$ 117.86
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, May 1, 1820.
Sept 1819

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

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

George Pratt, Newington Tr. Col. Smith, Mass. Reg June 1781 to March 1783
April 22. 1810
Proofs of Service wanted by
CV 12.216 - 8.32
12 718 - 39.10
13 218. 80.00
$127.42
Adm c

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Somerset Co.
On the twenty second day of April A.D. 1910 Elias Bryant, within named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the within deposed deposition by him subscribed. Before me Nathan Weston Jr. C. Just. C. Court C. P. H. 2 Eastern Circuit.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I George Pratt aged fifty three years, a citizen of the U. States, born in Middleborough, Massachusetts, now resident in New Vineyard, Maine, upon oath testify and declare, that in June 1781 I enlisted as a private soldier for the term of three years in the war of the revolution against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, in Capt. Water's company and Col. Smith's regiment of the sixth regiment Massachusetts line. I served until sometime the last of February or first part of March 1782 when having procured a substitute who was accepted in my place, I took my final and honorable discharge from the service at continental village near West Point. My discharge I have since lost and it is not now to my knowledge in existence. I fully believe and have no doubt that I served in my own person in the continental army, the full term of nine months.
David Tannen N. Vineyard
From my reduced circumstances, I need the assistance of my country for support. And I do hereby relinquish all my claim to any pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the U. States, if any; but I am not to my knowledge borne on any pension list whatever. I request that I may be placed upon the pension list for the District of Maine.
George Pratt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Somerset ss.
On the twenty second day of April A.D. 1810 George Pratt abovenamed, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration, by him subscribed. Before me Nathan Weston Jan. C. Mch. C. Court C. Pleas 2 Eastern Circuit.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Elias Bryant of New Vineyard in the District of Maine, of lawful age, upon oath testify and declare that I am well acquainted with George Pratt abovenamed. Living at the time in the same town with him, I know that in June 1781 he enlisted into the continental service for three years, and that he returned home from the army the spring following. From his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support. He sustains the character of a man of truth.
Elias Bryant

I David Turner of lawful age, do testify & say (that according to the best of my knowledge & recollection - in) I was knowing to George Heath a soldier of New- Hampshire in the County of Somerset, taking in the service of the United States, from Middlebury in the State of Massachusetts, in the month of June A.D. 1781. - And that we marched together to Phillipsburgh in the State of New York, and there joined the third line of troops, and I often saw him there, & at other places, as the army moved from place to place - and further with not
David Turner
Subscribed May 13 th A.D. 1818
Before me Br. Then the above named David Turner personally appeared, & made oath to the above Deposition by him subscribed -
Before me J. M. H. Justice of the Peace
Hon. Nathan Weston Esquire.
Augusta

George Pratt
Attenboro
8070 4794 20 chas 189
Sept 1819
R. L. Vose. Augusta Maine.

Have aged sixteen years & and a boy who lives with me by the name of Hosea Bumpas, aged thirteen years Except the forgoing and my necessary bedding and clothing I have no estate or income whatever George Pratt
Subscribed & sworn to and declared both the oath and schedule on the thirty first day of May 1821 Before me Nathan Weston Junior 6 P. M. C. C. Plea
A true copy Attest J. M. Davis Clerk.

State of Maine.
I John Davis Clerk, for the County of Kennebec of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Ken- nebec and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and that the original was exhibited in open Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is Four hundred  seventy nine dollars and  cents ; and deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule, the value of said property in the opinion of said Court, is Four hundred twenty nine dollars and  Cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of June 1820.
John Davis Clerk of said Court for the County of of Kennebec

(Copy)
State of Maine.
240
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
ON this Twenty first day of May , 1820, personally appeared before Nathan Weston Junior chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, George Pratt aged  fifty four years, resident in Newvineyard in the County of Somerset within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain  Wattle and Regiment commanded by Colonel Smith of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of Three years
that his original declaration was made before Judge Weston on the  Twenty seventh day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 8070 . And I, the said George  Pratt do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
George Pratt
The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz:
Eighty four acres of very poor land in Newvineyard with a small house mostly unfinished, and a barn thereon, all of the value of three hundred dollars. One horse of the value of twenty dollars. Three cows of the value of forty dollars. One heifer of the value of ten dollars. One yoke of two years old, steers of the value of twenty dollars. Five sheep and five lambs of the value of ten dollars. Two swine of the value of seven dollars. Old household stuff, besides necessary bedding of the value, not exceeding twenty dollars. One watch of the value of eight dollars. Mechanicks tools of the value of thirty dollars. Implements of husbandry, of the value of nine dollars. I have no debts due to me, and owe as much as fifty dollars. The income derived from the foregoing property, deducting the interest I pay, does not exceed twenty five dollars a year. My occupation is that of a farmer, but from age and infirmity am not able to do more than half a days work in a day. My family, at home consists of four persons, myself, my wife Cynthia aged forty five years, who is now out of health, and has been able to labor very little for many years past, and for considerable part of the time under the hands of a physician. My daughter Jane

November 15, 1939
Mrs. Ralph H. Conant 10 High Street Augusta, Maine
BA-J/AWF George Pratt S. 37315
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of George Pratt of Somerset County, Maine.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S.37315, based upon the military service of George Pratt in the Revolutionary War.
George Pratt was born in Middleborough, Massachusetts, date of birth not given, nor are the names of his parents shown.
George Pratt enlisted in Massachusetts, June 1, 1781, served as a private in Captain Wattles' company in Colonel Smith's Sixth Massachusetts regiment, and was discharged late in February or early in March, 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 22, 1818, at which time he was aged fifty-three years and living in New Vineyard, Somerset County, District of Maine.
In 1820, his family "at home" consisted of his wife, Cynthia, aged forty-five years, his daughter, Jane, aged sixteen years, and a boy

named Hosea Bumpus, aged thirteen years, it is not shown that this boy was related to the family.
The soldier, George Pratt, and his wife, Cynthia, were still living in 1828 in New Vineyard, Maine, and at that time one Mary Batts aged fourteen years was living with them, it was not stated that she was a relative.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
George Pratt Certificate # 8070 Issued March 20, 1819 Rate $8.00 per month Commenced April 22, 1818 Act of March 18, 1818 Maine Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

MRS. RALPH H. CONANT GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH 10 HIGH STREET AUGUSTA, MAINE
Oct. 26, 1939.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs;—
Will you please give me whatever information the pension record has concerning George Pratt , who lived in both Somerset and Franklin Counties, Maine.
We have located his grave, and want to prove his Revolutionary service, to place a bronze marker.
Thanking you for your assistance, I am
Yours cordially,
Ethel Corby Conant

8070
Maine
George Pratt
of New Vineyard in the dis state of Maine who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Smith of the Mass. line, for the term of 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 22. of April, 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 20. of March 1819 and sent to R. Vose Esq. Augusta. Me.
  Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819  83.43    Semi-ann. all'ce ending 1 Sept. 1819  48.     $ 131.43  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinued
Notification sent to R. Vose, Augusta, 13 July 1820.

Certificate of Doct. Joseph Caldwell, in the case of George Pratt

I certify that Mr George Pratt is unable to sustain hard labour on account of ill health and a hernia which has troubled him much for the last six months, that his wife has been for some years totally helpless, that kept her bed nearly all of the two last years, and has been very expensive to him for medical aid, & that in my opinion he is indigent and has strong claims to that relief provided by law for the indigent soldiers of the Revolution.
Joseph Caldwell
Farmington 3rd June 1825

Certificate of the Neighbors of George Pratt, an applicant for a Pension

We the subscribers, select-men of the town of Newberry in the County of Somerset and State of Maine hereby certify, that Mr. George Pratt of said Newberry is a man in very indigent circumstances, that his wife has been in a declining state of health for a number of years and is now very low, her medical aid has been and still is expensive, Mr. Pratt depends wholly on his labour for the support of himself and family and is himself quite infirm on account of age and ill health and that in our opinion he is justly entitled to the relief provided by Law for indigent soldiers of the Revolution.
Newberry and May 21 - 1828
Wm R. Flint
John Putnam
Plantin Daggett
John D. Luce } Town } Clerk

37315 Rev INVALID.
1929. Nov. 15 - List to Mrs. Ralph H. Conant and
File No. 87,815
George Pratt Dr. Her. Dad
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 402
[Arrangement of 1870.]

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Sir
I send herewith the additional -d papers in the cases of Richard Warner & George Pratt - to which I solicit your early attention -
Very respectfully
Yours
Abt. Smit-
P. Graham
J. L. Colvards Esq

2 o Schedule George Pratt priv. Maine Roll N o 8.070
Val. of prop 72.00 income 30.00
R. C. Rose Augusta Me

DECLARATION,
In order to be restored to the Pension List, under the act of the 1st March, 1823.
State of Maine.
COUNTY OF Kennebec ss.
ON this fifth day of June 1828 personally appeared in open court before the Supreme Judicial Court being a Court of Record for said County, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction unlimited in amount, keeping record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment George Pratt , resident in said County, aged sixtythree years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of the eighteenth of March, eighteen hundred and eighteen, the first of May, eighteen hundred and twenty, and the first of March, eighteen hundred and twenty-three—that he the said George Pratt enlisted for the term of three years on the first day of June in the year 1781 in the State of Massachusetts in the Company commanded by Captain Wattles in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Smith in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps until 1782 when he was discharged from the said service in Peekskill in the State of New York that his name has been placed on the pension list, and dropt there from for on account of his property.
AND, in pursuance of the Act of the first May, eighteen hundred and twenty, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, eighteen hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby, so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March, eighteen hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
George Pratt
SWORN to and declared, on the fifth day of June 1828, before
Nathan Weston Junr
Just. S. S. C.

SCHEDULE of the Real and Personal Estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted)
belonging to me the subscriber, viz: No real estate & no personal property except,
One old mare of the value 15.00 One cow - ten dollars - one heifer five dollars 15.00 Twelve sheep - twelve dollars - two swine - three dollars 15.00 A few blacksmiths tools which have been in use twenty years value 12.00 One old plough, one axe, one hoe & one old shovel 3.00 And a few articles of old furniture, viz. 8 old chairs, 2 old tables, one low chest - 1 iron pot - broken skillet & a broken tea kettle, & a few articles of crockery, 6 old knives & forks & four or five spoons all of the value of twelve dollars 12.00 No debts due me that can be collected, my yearly income does not exceed thirty dollars a year.
SCHEDULE of the family residing with me George Pratt who, by occupation am a farmer which I am unable to pursue by reason of a bad rupture & being subject to the rheumatism.
   Names. Ages. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     Cynthia my wife fifty four Sick under the Doctor's hands & has been confined to her bed for three years last past & I have been at great expense on her account.   Mary Batts 14 years Who lives with us to take care of my wife George Pratt  
That since the exhibition of my first Schedule, the following changes have been made in my property. I have sold my real estate for the payment of my first debts to Jonathan Lock, and he permits me to live on the premises paying him twenty dollars a year until he can sell the place.
   Names of the persons to whom sold. Time of Sale. Amount of Money, or description of property received in return.     Jonathan Lock June 3 d 1828, Who paid debts against me which I was owing, - George Pratt  
I, Robert C. Vose , Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within the said County of Worcester do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said George Pratt did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify, that the foregoing oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Records of said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Seventy two dollars and cents . - This income not exceeding thirty dollars a year.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this fifth day of June 1828
Robert C. Vose Clerk of the Court of the County of Worcester

I for with an Lots of New Vineyard in the County of Dukes Maine, aged fifty three years, supwards do here with declare that I purchased of George Pratt, of said New Vineyard the land and improvements when he has lived for a number of years - the consideration was as mentioned in said deed the sum of two hundred dollars, and I gave him at the time viz on the third day of June 1828. The date of the deed a copy of which is herunto annexed, an obligation to pay certain debts which said George Pratt, owed several standing against him - I have since paid by giving my security the following persons viz    Dr. Aaron Stoyles -  the sum of -  Forty dollars  40.0    Dr. Stoyles & Caldwell -  twenty five  25.0    Doct. John Barnard -  thirty two doll. 87 1/2  32.80    W. John Titcomb -  Four dollars 59 1/2  4.59    Clifford Ditcher -  nine doll. 27 1/2  9.27    and to Dr. Joel R. Ellis estate   35.25      146 91  
The above sums amounting to one hundred and forty six dollars & ninety one cents I have paid to the persons above named, by taking up said Pratt's notes and giving my own - there are still remaining several small debts which I am bound to pay making in the whole the sum of one hundred & twenty dollars & the balance of my obligation to said Pratt about thirty dollars I am not to pay until I get possession of the place, which cannot now be done owing to the helpless situation of said Pratt's wife, who is now sick & unable to be removed. - The said Pratt is a neighbor of mine, but in no way related and finding him embarrassed and pressed with debts & sickness in his family, I agreed to purchase his small place to enable enable him to pay his debts and prevent his being sued and paying costs - The above debts it will be seen

were principally due to Physician for attendance on his sick wife, who has been confined to her room for the last three years - I consider that I gave the full value of the land & improvements and more than the place would fetch at public sale - Yours a Look
Kennebec p. June 5 th 1828 - Subscribed and sworn to before me the subscriber in open court, before the Supreme Judicial Court, now sitting at Augusta within and for the County of Kennebec. The deftment being in my opinion a credible witness -
Nathan Weston Jr.

Know all Men by these Presents,
THAT I George Pratt of New Vineyard, in the County of Somerset, and State of Maine, Blacksmith
In consideration of the sum of two hundred Dollars to me paid by Jonathan Look of said New Vineyard, in the County of Somerset, Yeoman (the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge) do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Jonathan Look, his heirs and assigns, forever a certain tract, or parcel of land situated in said New Vineyard, bounded as follows (to wit) beginning on the County road, adjoining Jonathan Look's land, thence running south, one hundred, and sixty rods to William Anderson's land, thence east, one hundred rods to land formerly owned by Benjamin M. Belcher, dec'd thence running North until it strikes land owned by Jonathan Look, thence by said Look's land until it strikes the County road, thence by said road to the first mentioned bounds, containing about Eighty four acres, more or less, with all the privileges, and appurtenances thereto belonging.
To Have and to Hold the same to the said  above granted and bargained premises, with all the privileges, and appurtenances thereof, to the said Jonathan Look, his heirs and assigns, to his or their use and benefit forever. And I do covenant with the said Jonathan Look — his — heirs and assigns, That I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises — That they are free of all incumbrances — That I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Jonathan Look, to hold as aforesaid. And that I will warrant and defend the same to the said Jonathan Look, his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. Rescinded November.
I certify that I have no seal of office Asa Clark Regr
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I the said George Pratt, together with Cynthia my wife, relinquishing all his right of dower in the above granted premises, have hereunto set our hands and seals this third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty Eight
George Pratt Seal Seal
Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of John Gould Abraham Johnson
This day George Pratt Kennebec ss. June 3 rd 1828 Personally appeared and acknowledged the above named foregoing instrument, by then the above named subscribed, to be his free act and deed, before me Edward Butler JUSTICE OF PEACE.
Somerset ss Recd June 11. 1828, entered & compared with the original June 18. 1828 Somerset ss, A true Copy Attest Asa Clark Regr

Copy
Somerset Is Rec June 11. 1828 and entered with the Records of Deeds Book 20 Page 3.09
Asa Clark Regr
State of Maine
Kennebec
I Robert C. Vose, Clerk of the Judicial Courts within the County of Kennebec, do hereby certify that Asa Clark Esq. is Register of deeds within the the county of Somerset, & that the above is his proper signature. In Testimony whereof I subscribe my name and affix the County Seal of said Kennebec County this fourteenth day of June A. D. 1828.
R. C. Vose.
Copy = DEED
George Pratt to Jonathan Look