Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15066, for Abner Mathews, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Mathews, Abner Lydia
W 15066
CONTENTS

Massachusetts - 2656
Lydia Matthews widow of Abner Matthews
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June '32 and who died on the 24 th April 1837 of Middlesex in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Howland of the Regt. commanded by Cooke in the Massachusetts line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 35 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836. 25 25 37
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of May '39, and sent to Mrs. Abner Matthews Bellevue, Mass.
Arrears to the 4 th of March — $ 65.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 17.50
$ 83.50
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. B. ... Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 — Page 106

15218,
Massachusetts
Abner Mathews
of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Duke in the Mass line for 10 (100) Days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 24 Dollars 99 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of June 1833 and sent Hon Nelson Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 69.98 Semi-ant. allowance ending 29 Sept 17.49
$87.47
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. N. Blair Clerk, Book 1, Vol. 2, Page 53.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex — ss.
On this seventeenth day of August , Publick  D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas , now sitting at Concord , within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth
aforesaid, Abner Mathews of Billerica, in said County and Commonwealth aforesaid — aged Seventy two years
Who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say —
In 1776 towards the Autumn of the year, he was drafted in the Town of Lincoln in said County, to serve for three months in said Service — was attached to the Company commanded by Capt. Hunt of Acton — marched forthwith to Marlborough, where the Company collected, then marched to a place called Bell's Gate or Kingsbridge in New York, then to White Plains, was there attached to Col. Benjamin Brooks' Regt. — was in the battle at White Plains. Genl. Washington then commanded. Genl. M c Dougall was in command there — after the skirmish the Americans retreated to North Castle, where his 3 months having expired, he returned home to Lincoln.
In the Winter of 1776 & 1777 he again enlisted at Lincoln for the term of four months under Capt. Morse, Harrington of Grafton to go to Dorchester Heights, marched immediately there, was attached to Col. Dyer's Regt. — served out his four months then returned home to Lincoln.
In 1777, he again enlisted at Lincoln under Capt. Darrer of Lincoln for 2 or 3 months, does not recollect which — to go to Lake Bargarine, marched in the month of August he thinks, first to Concord, where the Company formed then marched on to Saratoga, there joined the Army under the command of Genl. Gates — does not recollect his Col's name —
In 1778 — he again enlisted at Weston in said County, for three months, he thinks, under Capt. Buttrick, he thinks, not certain — to go to Rhode Island, marched to Rhode Island, crossed over Howland's Ferry, on to the Island was attached to Col. Mackintosh's Regt. — was at the retreat of the Army under Genl. Sullivan — was one of the picket guard, when the British were marching following & retreated, firing for 4 or 5 miles, crossed over Howland's Ferry on the main land & served out the term of his enlistment & was discharged & returned home again.
Has no documentary evidence — never receiving any discharge —

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, which except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to and Abner Matthews
We
Nathaniel Whitman a Clergyman residing in the town of Billerica in the county of Middlesex & Joseph Dows  in Billerica hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abner Matthews who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy  seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Nathaniel Whitman -
Joseph Dows
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Nathaniel Whitman who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman Resident in the town of Billerica & Joseph Dows  the town of Billerica is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Isaac Fisher Register or Probate in for said County of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Abner Matthews for a pension.
J.P.P. Gay Clerk of the Court of
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Isaac Fisher
I also certify that Charles Wheeler Esq. whose own proper signature is set to the certificate to the depositions hereto annexed is a justice of the Peace for said County of Middlesex
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this seventh day of August , A.D. 1832
Isaac Fisher

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit.
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the seventeenth day of August A. D. 1832 On the application of Abner Mathews — claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, In Marlborough in the County of Middlesex, the 24 th day of February, 1760
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, Has no record, supposes his birth was recorded in Marlborough aforesaid —
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, The three first terms in Lincoln — the last term at Westford has since time lived in Billerica for about twenty seven years past —
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer, The V th term was drafted — the other terms enlisted
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer, at White Plains Genl. M c Dougall — Genl. Washington Commander in Chief — at Rhode Island Genl. Sullivan — others not recollected —
6. State the names of 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?
Answer, Rev. Nathaniel Whitman — Joseph Dows Abner Mathews
Middlesex ss. August 17, 1832 — I probate court sworn to in open court.
Isaac Fisher Clerk

2823
Certificate of marriage
Abner Matthews
to Lydia Matthews.
2823
act 7 July 38.
m 89 d 38
adm.
10mo 1501 pri
$35.
died
38
pen: com.
38
Wickford Station Wellesley Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss—
On this fifteenth day of September in the year of Our Lord, Eighteen Hundred & Thirty Eight personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Police Court of Cambridge  the City of Lowell in and the County aforesaid sitting , Lydia Matthews, a resident of Billerica in the said County of Middlesex aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows"— That she is the widow of Abner Matthews who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution, who was drafted as a militia man, at Lincoln in said County in the Autumn of 1776 to serve for the term of three months, as a private and served the said three months, in Capt Hunt's Company, attached to Col Ebenezer Brooks' Regiment.
In the winter of 1776 & 1777, he again enlisted at said Lincoln under Capt Moses Harrington of Grafton for the term of 4 months to go to Dorchester Heights, was attached to Col Dyke's Regiment. He served the said term of four months.
In 1777 he again enlisted at said Lincoln under Capt Darrer of Lincoln to go to Lake Burgoyne & served at the term two months— was at the capture of Burgoyne & guarded the prisoners down to Charles-

town. — In 1778, he again enlisted at Weston, for the term of three months, under one Capt Boutwick the Colonies, Col M c Intosh's Regiment marched to Howland's Ferry & soon on to the Island, was at Genl Sullivan's Retreat. — was discharged at the end of the three months. —
That the said Abner Matthews, her late husband was a pensioner of the United States under the act of 1832 — That your claimant has no documentary evidence in support of her claim, other than the records at the War Department and the evidence of her said husband, accompanying his claim for a pension under said act. —
She further declares that she was married to the said Abner Matthews in Lexington the Twenty first — day of May in the year Seventeen Hundred & Eighty nine that her husband the aforesaid Abner Matthews died on the twenty fourth day of April — in the year Eighteen Hundred & Thirty seven that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen Hundred & Ninety four, viz — at the time above stated. —
Lydia Matthews.
Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year above written before Joseph Locke, Justice of the Police Court of Lowell.

I, Albert Soke, Clerk of the Police Court of Lowell in the county of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby certify that Joseph Soke Esquire above named, is a justice of a court of record and that his signature above is his genuine signa- ture. In witness whereof I hereunto put my hand and seal of said court this fifteenth day of September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight. Albert Soke, Clk. P.C.L.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. I, Albert Soke, Clerk of the Police Court of Lowell in said county hereby certify that Bro. Baldwin & Sam Stetson Esquires, are justices of the peace within & for the county of Middle- sex aforesaid, and that their sig- natures to the two certificates following are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto put my hand and the seal of said court this twenty second day of Octo- ber in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight. Albert Soke Clk. P.C.L.

I, Marshall Preston of Billerica in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age on oath depose and say that the aforesaid Abner Matthews, the late husband of the aforesaid Lydia Matthews, died at said Billerica in the month of April, 1837, and I was present and attended his funeral -
Marshall Preston.
Middlesex. ss. September 14 th 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Marshall Preston, (with whom I am well acquainted and whom of testimony in my opinion, is entitled to full credit & belief) and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed
Before me John Baldwin { Justice of the peace

The following is an extract from the record of marriages for the town of Lexington in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - viz -
"Abner Matthews of Lincoln and Lydia Smith of Lexington were married" the twenty first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the Record in fair legible figures as follows -
"May 21, 1789"
Charles Tidd, Town Clerk of Lexington
I Charles Tidd, above named, depose & say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Lexington, County & State aforesaid, & that the above is a true extract from the Records of said town, with the exception above named, as certified by me -
Charles Tidd } Town Clerk Middlesex ss. August 14th A.D. 1838 } of Lexington Sworn before me Saml Stetson, Jus. of the Peace.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15066
Sydia Mathew Widow of Abner Mathew Rev War
Act: July 7 th 88
Index:—Vol. M , Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Above Mathews Maf's act 7 June '32 at the rate of $34.99/100 when last filed
May 3.
Due 24 April 1837 paid to that period DH

7111
Alma Mater
Return this with the papers.
Parat 10 Mos 15 days
Capt Harrington, Col Dykes
Rest Mch
5. 16 16
P. 288
$34.99
Gen. Nelson
Alma Mater

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Oliver Matthews 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? 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? Witnesses 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 Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Alvin H. Phelps of Preston
Depositions of Capt. Bigelow, of Weston Leonard Hoar Esq. and Amos Barker of Lincoln

Middlesex ss Weston July 5 th 1832 I Alpheus Bigelow of Weston in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Gentleman, - of lawfull age testify and say that Abner Matthews of Billerica in the County aforesaid - was out with me in the United States service the term of six weeks or more at Rhode Island in the Regiment commanded by Colo. Mackintosh.
Alpheus Bigelow
Middlesex ss. July 5 th 1832
Personally appeared the above named Alpheus Bigelow and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
before me Charles Wheeler Justice of Peace
I Leonard Hoar of Lincoln in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Gentleman testify and say that Abner Matthews of Billerica in the County aforesaid was out with me in the United States service, at the the taking of Burgoyne - under the command of Capt Samuel Farvar for the term of 60 days - to the best of my recollection
Leonard Hoar
Middlesex ss. July 5 th 1832
Personally appeared the above named Leonard Hoar and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed - before me Charles Wheeler Justice of the Peace

Middlesex ss. Lincoln July 5 th 1832
I Amos Barker of Lincoln in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Gentleman testify and say that Abner Matthews of Billerica in the County aforesaid - was out with me in the United States service the term of four Months at Dorchester under the Command of Capt Moses Harrington, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Dyke _____ Amos Barker
Middlesex - ss. July 5 th 1832
Personally appeared the above named Amos Barker and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me Charles Wheeler Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named Deponents, Alpheus Biglow, Leonard Hoar & Amos Barker are well known to me, and are credible witnesses and their testimony entitled to full confidence - Charles Wheeler Justice of the Peace

I James Adams of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Gentleman aged seventy two years on oath before and say that previous to the Revolutionary war I resided in Lincoln in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts & was a resident there when the war commenced; at that time I was well acquainted with Abner Matthews now of Billerica in the County of Middlesex & said Commonwealth who then lived in Lincoln. We were playmates & according to the best of my recollection attended the same school. In or about the month of September 1776 we entered together at Lincoln in a regiment commanded by Colonel Elazer Brooks. Eli Benant of Concord was our Lieutenant, our Captain I do not recollect, we marched together to the State of New York with the Massachusetts State Troops were at the battle of White Plains & served together in the campaign a period of three months according to the best computation I can make. I have often heard of said

Matthews since the war, have understood that he was at in several other campaigns, & believe that he has ever maintained an unblemished character. =
James Adams
Suffolk p Boston Aug 16 th 1832 The generally appeared the above named James Adams to me well known and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me. E Harket Derby Justice of the Peace
Suffolk p Boston March 28 th 1833 I hereby certify that the abovenamed James Adams is a credible witness & that his testimony is entitled to full confidence
E Harket Derby Justice of the Peace

St. Matthew's Application
7111.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By his Excellency  LEVI LINCOLN , Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know Ye, That Elias Haskell Ditty Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, for the County of Suffolk.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof,  I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this Sixteenth day of August, A. D. 1832, and in the fifty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor,
Edward D. Dangs
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex ss.
On this twenty-seventh day of March A.D. 1833, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the peace within and for said County of Middlesex, Abner Matthews, of Middle Billerica in said County, 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, in the Revolutionary war, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades. For three months in the year 1776 in the State of New York, I served as a private -
For four months in the year winter of 1776 & 1777, in the vicinity of Boston & in Dorchester heights, I served as a private
For two months in the year, of 1777, to go to take Burgoyne at the North, I served as a private -
For one month & fifteen days  several in 1778 in the State of Rhode Island, I served as a private, and for such terms of service I claim a pension -
Abner Matthews
Sworn to & subscribed this 27 th day of March. A.D. 1833
Before me Marshall Preston. Jus. of the peace
I further certify that the above named, Abner Matthews is the same person, who made oath to & subscribed the original declaration to which this is annexed.
Marshall Preston Jus. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex County. ss. —
I Isaac Fiske, Register & Clerk of the Court of Probate, within the said County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that Marshall Preston Esq. Charles Wheeler Esq. whose own proper signatures are set to the certificates of the affidavits & depositions hereto annexed, are Justices of the Peace within the said County of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Cambridge this nineteenth day of April A.D. 1833.
Isaac Fiske