Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,498, for Abel Mason, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Mason, Abel
S 18,498
CONTENTS
Carded

Chp. 26 Feb 1834 ton apt. -
in letter to the Dr. Chap March 1834 - Dr. to hand - coln H A L. H. - hira apt. 30. 1834
26.153  Massachusetts
Abel McLean of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Captain in the Comp commanded by Captain Martin of the Reg commanded by Col. Scudder in the Mass line for 8 Mos. 410 d. Sunk. $111.04 5 " 16 " Cap $110.56 $221.60
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 221 Dollars 60 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Aug. 1832 and Mrs. L. White South Ber
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '34 $43.20 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept '33 110.80 $554.00
Revolutionary Claim Not June 7, 1832 G. Little Clerk,
Recorded by Book E Vol. 3, Page 54

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of con- gress passed June 7. 1832 -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss County of Worcester
On this Seventh Day of August in the Year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Two - personally appeared before the subscriber one of the justices of the court of Com- mon Pleas for the Commonwealth aforesaid, Abel Mason of Southbridge in the County of Worcester aged Ninety Three 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. 1832 That he entered the service of the United States, under the follow- ing named officers and served as herein stated viz: That he was a Lieutenant in Captain Adam Martin's company of Militia, in Colonel Learned's Regiment of Massachusetts Bay Militia, said company was raised in the Towns of Sturbridge Sudbury and Charlton in said County, That he with said company entered the service of the United States, on the Twentieth of April, in the Year of our Lord, Seventeen Hundred and seventy five, the day after the battle of Lexington, and that he was stationed at Roxbu- ry and continued there for the term of Eight Months and ten days as a Lieutenant in said company during the whole of that term, And the said Abel Mason further states, that as Captain of a company of Militia in Colonel Jonathan Holman's Regiment of Massachusetts Bay Militia, he with said company marched to Providence, in the service of the United States in the latter part of the Year Seventeen Hundred and seventy six, and served as Captain for the term of six weeks, and was stationed at Providence, during that time -

And the said Abel Mason further states, that he was captain of Company of Militia in Colonel Job Cushing's Regiment of Massachusetts Bay Militia and that said Regiment was drafted on the Thirteenth of August in the year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred and seventy seven and on the sixteenth day of the same month, said Regiment marched for Bennington, and said Regiment was at the Taking of Burgoyne, and the said Abel states that as captain of said company he was with said Regiment and served till the 30 th day of October November A.D. 1777. from the date aforesaid, has gone from home for the term of Three months and Twenty Three days.
And the said Abel Mason further states, that as capt. of a company of Militia in Col. Jacob Davis Regiment of Massachusetts Militia he marched with said company to Tiverton, in the State of Rhode Island, and served as capt. -ain aforesaid, for the term of Thirteen days -
All the above services were in the Massachusetts Militia I have several documents tending to substantiate the foregoing statements all of which will be annexed to this declaration - and the said Abel Mason hereby relin- quishes every claim whatever to a pension or an an- nuity except the present. And he declares that his name is not on the Pension Rolls of any agency in any state. - That he was born in the Town of Sturbridge, on the Third of April in the year 1739 Old Style - That his age is recorded in his family bible which he now has before him and also in the Town book's for said Town of Sturbridge. That he was born and had always resided where he now does, which at the time of his birth was Sturbridge but is now Southbridge. That in all the above cases of service he volunteered the names of some of the regular officers who served with him, were

Let Benjamin Freeman - let the taking of Burgoyne be Lieut. Elkan Putney let John Salmon, let Job Cushing At Tiverton, let Daniel Folkmann. let Nathaniel Walker - The said Abel Stone further that while he served at Roxbury as aforesaid he had a Lieutenant's Commission which commission is now lost. He has made diligent search for it and cannot find it, and cannot now recollect by whom it was signed. Let Providence he had a Captain's Commission which is now lost and he also served under the same commission at the taking of Burgoyne and at Tiverton - The persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood and who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution, are the Rev. Jason Park, and Linus Child Esquire - Abel Major
We Jason Park a clergyman residing in the town of South bridge in the County of Worcester, and Linus Child residing in said Southbridge hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt. Abel Major who has sub- scribed and sworn to the above declaration - That we believe him to be Ninety Three Years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revo- lution and that we concur in that in this opin- ion - Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss. On the 14th day of August 1832. Personally appeared Jason Park, and Linus Child the signers of the above certificate and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me. Solomon Strong Judge C.C. Pleas.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss.
I the subscriber a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the same being a Court of Record having a Clerk and seal do hereby certify that on the 7th day of August 1832 I proceeded to the dwelling house of the within named Abab Mason in Southbridge to take his examination for the purpose of procuring a pension. The said Abab Mason from old age and bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court. The said Abab Mason signed the within declaration in my presence and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me. And I do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named officer was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that Jason Park who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said town of Southbridge and that Simus Child who has also signed the same is a resident in said town of Southbridge and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. I further certify that I have for several years been well acquainted with said Simus Child and know him to be a person of great respectability.
Clerk's certificate of the Solomon Strong Judge C. C. Pleas. Official character of Judge Strong is on a sheet of paper annexed. A. Mayhew, C.

12.657
Abel Alasnia
Sept 8 Mo 10 day Cups 5 " 16 — 440 13 26 14 " 17 86

BRIEF in the case of
Abel Mason of Southbridge  in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  3. How old is he? 93  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.     when he was 21st of April In 1775 — 8 10 Lieut. Col. Gen. Gates, Maj. Gen. Sullivan   ditto later part of 1775 — 1 15 Captain " Gen. Schuyler do   discharged 13th Aug 1777 & re-en — 3 18 dito " Gen. Washington do   died 3rd March 1832 — — 13 dito " Gen. Gates do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Taralogon  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sturbridge, now Southbridge, Worcester Co., Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary proof - his discharging roll as Lieut. Col. of the 1st Mass. Regt. of Artillery, dated 13th Aug 1777, and his pension roll, dated 13th March 1832.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. S. Hildreth Examining Clerk.  2nd March 1832

Mason Abel S18498. Mass.
Payroll of capt. Abel Mason's co., Col. J. Davis' regt. Mass. mil. for July and Aug. 1780. muster roll of capt. Abel Mason's co., Col. Job Cushing's regt. Mass. mil. from Aug. to Nov. 1777.
Payroll of capt. Abel Mason's co. Col. Job Cushing's regt. Mass. mil. Aug. 13 to Nov. 30, 1777
These papers have been removed from the claim and sent to the War Dept. Jan. 16, 1913.

18498 INVALID.
File No. 18498
Abel Mason
Capt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay. } }
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England,
To Abel Mason Gentleman
Greeting.
James Otis O. Greenleaf Calebushing Winthrop Joseph Greville John Wheelwright Dea. Taylor Michael Harley D. M c Intosh
YOU being appointed captain of the 10th Company of the 5th Regiment of Militia in the County of Chester whereof Jonathan Holman Esq r is Colonel By Virtue of the Power vested in us, W E do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly.—You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Captain in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline:—And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Captain and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from your part of the Council or your superior Officers
Elkanah Moses Gill J. Hall B. White Chas. Chauncy John Taylor
GIVEN under our Hands and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown this 12th Day of April in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the Third, Anno Domini, 1776.
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council
Scott Mason Clerk

THE CONGRESS OF THE COLONY MASSACHUSETTS-B
THE
To Lieut. Abiel Mason gentlemen.
GREETING.
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Courage, Do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you the said to be Lieutenant of the Company whereof the Regiment of Foot under Command of Col. Ebenezer Dearn raised aforesaid, 'for the Defence of said Colony.
conduct, Mason to be Capt. in the Congress
You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a in leading, ordering, and exercising the said Company in Arms, both and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline ; and commanded to obey you as their Lieutenant , and you are your follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall, from Time to Time, General and Commander in Chief of the Forces raised in the Colony Defence of the same, or any other your superior Officers, according to Discipline in War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you.
man Officers hereby serve and from the for the les and
By Order of the Congress.
A. D. 1775.
P. T.
, the 17 th of May A. D. 1775. John Shrimpton Secretary P. T.
Signature

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Whereas I Abijah Bigelow, clerk of the court of Common Pleas, of said Commonwealth, for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the Honorable Solomon Strong, Esquire, is one of the Justices of said court of Common Pleas, and that his signature to his certificate of the oath by him administered to Jason Park and Linus Child, and his certificate and signature thereto, of the oath by him administered to Abel Mason, applicant for a Pension, and of the cause and manner of doing the same, which is herunto annexed, are in the proper hand writing of the said Solomon Strong.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said court of Common Pleas, this seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, Js.
The papers hereto affixed, being transmitted to me the subscriber, for authentication, to be used as evidence in support of the application of Abel Mason, for a pension, under the Law of the United States, passed June 7, 1832, I have caused the same to be thus authenticated, by attaching them to this certificate, with a ribbon, the ends of which are passed under my seal of office, as required by the War Department.
In testimony whereof I, Joseph G. Kendall, a clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of Worcester, hereto set my hand, this twenty fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas.
Jos. G. Kendall Clerk.

To whom it may concern we Caleb Allen of Sherbornidge & Denison Wheelock of Southbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - of Lawfull age testify and say - we were Soldiers under Capt. Adam Martin - stationed at Roxbury near Boston in the year 1775. Abel Mason of Southbridge in said County - was our first Lieut. under said Martin, and served eight months and ten days
Caleb Allen
Denison Wheelock
June 19-1832 -
The above named Caleb Allen & Denison Wheelock appeared and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above
Before me - Oliver Hooker Esq. Peace I hereby certify that the above named Caleb Allen & Denison Wheelock are entitled to full credit - Oliver Hooker Esq. Peace Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, held within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that Oliver Hooker Esquire, before whom the above affidavit of Caleb Allen and Denison Wheelock, and the annexed Affidavit of Jacob Allen and Caleb Allen were made and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and that his signature thereto appears to me to be in his own proper hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the County Seal, this seventh day of September A. D. 1832.
Abijah Bigelow, (Clerk)

To whom it may concern
I Jacob Allen of Sterbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawfull age - testify and say - I was a Soldier under Capt. Abel Mason at Providence Rhode Island - in the year 1776-7- and served as my Capt. two months at that time Jacob Allen
I Caleb Allen of Sterbridge &c - do hereby certify that I was a Soldier under Capt. Abel Mason at Providence, Rhode Island. I served one month and on account of ill health I was discharged at the end of said month - — Caleb Allen
June 19- 1832 -
The above named Jacob Allen and Caleb Allen appeared and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above
Before me - Oliver Hooker Jus Peace I hereby certify that the above named Jacob Allen & Caleb Allen are intitled to full credit.
Oliver Hooker Jus Peace

12657
Abel Mason
Louis Chieffo Southbridge 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 Abel 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? Yes 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? 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? No - his name not found Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes 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? No 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, deposeh 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 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 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.