Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7018, for Charles Mathews, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Mathews, Charles
R 7018
CONTENTS

Charles Matheny of me declaration
Capt M c Copley M c A g P 81 63 69
April 11- 1836 1) Rep t to Comm ee on Rev. pensions Report
June 3 rd 1836 - Comm ee d is ch d to lie
24
Hall of M un Bond 3. vs to lie

State of Maine —
Waldo, ss — On this 18 th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before Alfred Johnson Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting in Belfast within & for the County of Waldo, Charles Mathews aged seventy three years this day residing in Lincolnville, 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 — Viz.
That he was in Plainfield in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut on the 18 th of August 1759 as he has always been informed & believes, at which time his father was in the service at Quebec. & whether there be any record of his age he cannot say. — That when he was seven years old his family removed to Georgetown in the then Province of Maine, on the day I was sixteen years old, in August 1775 I enlisted into a company of Minute men under the command of Capt. Thomas McCobb of Georgetown, where I then resided for three months & served my term out at Hannibal's point & at Small Point at the mouth of Kennebec, but did not leave the Town. That in the year 1776 in the month of April while he was still living at Georgetown, he enlisted as a volunteer private into a company under the command of Capt. Riggs, he thinks his name was John for the term of nine months, & served his time out & received a smaller discharge, which he lost on his removal to Thomaston. During this time he was stationed a while at Falmouth, now Portland, & five weeks at North-Yarmouth when Capt. Riggs had orders from Brig. Genl. Thompson

of Brunswick to mark there, where he was stationed until his time was out. He never joined any Regiments. Luther Hall was Lieutenant, & there was no 2 nd Lt of the company.
That in the year 1777 he served three months in a company of detached Militia under the command of Capt James McCobb at the mouth of Kennebec & Sheepscot River, guarding the coast. His service was performed from about the last of April to the last of July of that year; Wm Sprague was Lieutenant & a Lithgow was 2 nd Lt.
In May 1778 he was drafted again as a private in a company under the same James McCobb, for three months & served his time out at the mouth of Kennebec River on Spinney Island; that in the year 1779 he was for the third time drafted into Capt Jordan Parker's company of Artillery for the term of three months from the first or about the first of August, & served his time out at Cox's head & Arrowick
Island, where we had a combat with a Privateer; and In the year 1782 in April he enlisted into a Regiment commanded by Col. S. and McCobb during & served the war, at the mouth of Kennebec River. But to my knowledge his father Theophilus Batchelder was then a Lieutenant; he knew
no officers of the Regular Army, never having served except with his Companies as aforesaid. Since the Rev- olution he resided in Thomaston, & for forty years last past at 2 nd Lincolnville. He has no documentary evidence, & knows of no one living who can testify as to his services. He can refer to Nathl. Milliken, Paul H. Stevens & Joseph Goodell Esqrs. justices of the Peace in 2 nd Lincolnville who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services.

as a soldier of the Revolution
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Charles Matthew
Before me Mormon Judge
We Thomas McKenney a Clergyman residing in the Town of Lincolnville & Andrew McKenney residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Charles Matthew who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, & have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Thomas McKenney Andrew McKenney
Before me Mormon Judge
var
And the Judge/Probate do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, & served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that Thomas McKenney who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in Lincolnville that Andrew McKenney who has also signed the same is a respectable person residing in same Town, & that their statement is entitled to belief.
Alfred Hemenway Judge
1810

has also signed the same as a credible person residing in same Town, that their statement is entitled to belief.
Alfred Johnson Judge
I Charles Mathews. Further state in addition to the foregoing, that in the year 1782 I enlisted in the month of April into a Regiment, Commanded by Col. Samuel M c Cobb during the war as before stated. I served until peace took place in April 1783. that I was stationed at the mouth of the Kennebec River
that Benjamin Lemenk was my Captain. that I served in this last named term twelve months - I further state in recapitulation of the foregoing, that in 1775 I served three months, in 1776 I served nine months, in 1777 I served three months, in 1778 I served three months, in 1779 I served three months & in 1782 & 1783 I served twelve months, making in the whole, two years & nine months - I further state that during the whole of said time I served in the capacity of a private.
Charles Mathews
State of Maine Huldo Ys. Feb 20th 1834
This day sworn to Subscribed.
Before me, Joshua Dillingham Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify, that I have been acquainted with Mr. Charles Mathews for twenty years or more, that his character for truth stands unquestioned & that I believe the foregoing declaration to be true in all its parts -
Joshua Dillingham. Justice

I Nathaniel McLooney Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Waldo do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Charles Matthews for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this eighteenth day of August A.D. 1832
Nathl. McLooney Register of Probate
Charles Matthews
Declaration
Capt McLooney
P 816369
April 11 1836
Rep to Comm on Rev. Pensions
Report
June 3 1836 - Comm on Rev. Pensions
Hall of
Minutes
Book 3. no 10 to 12

State of Maine
Waldo County ss.
I Nathaniel M. Lowney Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Waldo hereby certify that Joshua Dillingham is a Magistrate for said county & that his signature in two places on the other side of this sheet is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set hand & seal of office this 21 st day of Feby 1834.
N. M. Lowney

Declaration, in order to be placed on the Pension List, under the act of the 18th March, 1818.
County of Waldo ss.
On the twenty ninth day of July 1830, personally appeared in open court being a court of record for the County of Waldo , Charles Mathews of Lincolnville resident in said County, aged seventy one years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March, 1818, and the first of May, 1820; that he the said Mathews enlisted for the term of during the war on or about the last day of April in the year 1782 in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Benjamin La Monte in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel McCobb in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental establishment that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the end of the war when he was discharged from the service in Bath in the State of Massachusetts that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present; that his name is not on the roll of any State, except Massachusetts; and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension: Because I was ignorant of the provisions of the law, and unable from poverty to procure the necessary advice and assurance
And, in pursuance of the act of the 18th May, 1820, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, 1818, 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 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 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor have 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. I am by occupation a Labourer, but from increasing age & infirmity have become unable to work. I have no wife or family, my children being all of age, and having left me and that I live with one of my sons as aforesaid; and that I have no property real or personal.
Charles Matthews.
That since the 18th of March, 1818, no changes have been made in my property but I have been made in my property supported entirely by the charity of my son.
Charles Matthews.
Sworn to, and declared, on the twenty ninth day of July A.D. 1830 before
David Perham Clerk of Court of Common Pleas I H. D. Anderson Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of Waldo, do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said Charles Matthews 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 the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the said Charles Matthews has no property.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this third day of August 1830.
H. D. Anderson } Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of Waldo
No schedule annexed, there being no property.

May 6, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ady
Charles Mathews
Mrs. Marian Wiley The Eastland, The Congress Square R.7018 Portland, Maine
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Charles Matthews, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R.7018, based upon the military service of Charles Mathews in that war.
Charles Mathews was born August 18, 1759, in Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut, and when seven years old his family moved to Georgetown, that part which was later called Phippsburg, Lincoln County, Maine. The names of his parents are not shown.
After the Revolutionary War he lived in Thomaston, Maine.
Charles Mathews applied for pension August 18, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Lincolnville, Waldo County, Maine, where he had lived forty years, and stated that while a resident of Georgetown, (Massachusetts) Maine, he enlisted August 18, 1775 and served three months as private in Captain Thomas McCobb's Massachusetts Company; that he enlisted in April or May 1776 and served nine months as private in Captain John Riggs' Massachusetts Company; that he enlisted the last of April 1777 and served three months as private in Captain James McCobb's Massachusetts Company; that he enlisted in May 1778 and served three months as private in Captain James McCobb's Massachusetts Company; that he enlisted the first of August 1779 and served three months as private in Captain Jorden Parker's Company of Artillery; that he enlisted in April

1782 and served as private in Captain Benjamin Lemont's Company, Colonel Samuel McCobb's Massachusetts Regiment to April 1783.
His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of his services as required by the pension laws.
In 1830 Charles Mathews stated he then had no wife, and that his children, all of age, had left him , and he lived with one of his sons, no names of children were given and there are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Charles Matthews Revo. Maine.
Rejected. See letter 26. Oct. 1830 to J. Thayer
7018

1939 May 6. Hist to Mrs. Marian Wiley
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
7018 REJECTED
P. O. Charles Matthews
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

C O P Y
Jonathan Thayer Esqr. Camden, Maine
War Department Pension Office October 26, 1830
Sir:
The declaration of Charles Matthews, which you sent to this Department has been examined and placed on our files. The regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel McCobb, in which he alleges to have served, did belong to the continental army. As the laws providing for revolutionary soldiers extend to none who did not serve on the continental establishment, a pension cannot be granted.
J.L.E.
C O P Y

The Eastland
The Congress Square
Portland, Me.
Research Dept U.S. Veterans Bldg Washington D.C.
Gentlemen; - I am desirous of obtaining service record of my ancestor in order to form the M. A. R. His name is Charles Matthews, born Aug 17-1759 died June 17-1844. tomb stone at Lincollville Me with his wife Mary Higgins born Feb 14-1761 died June 27-1829. Do not know place of residence before coming to Lincollville. This information will be very much appreciated.

If there is a charge for this service I will be very pleased to pay it -
Yours very Truly
(Mrs) Marian Wiley

War Department, Pension Office,
March 6 th 1834.
Sir,
Some of the services stated in the declaration of Charles Matthews, cannot be recognized as actual services within the act of 7 th June. The nine months services alleged to have been performed in 1776, and the years services performed in M c Cobb's Regiment in which he states he enlisted for during the war, are very doubtful. The only force raised for during the war, was the continental army, to which M c Cobb's Regiment did not belong. It will be impossible to determine whether the claimant is entitled to a pension, or if entitled, at what rate it should be computed, unless his actual services in embodied corps, raised by the proper authority be shown. So far as services of this character extended, it may be probably shown by the rolls in this

the office of the Secretary of the State of Massachus- etts. The papers are returned, in order that the claims may be verified from that source of in- dices.
I have the honor to be Yours sincerely J. L. Edwards
Hon. Joseph Hall } Hon. of Reps. }

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 29 th 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the roll of Capt. Thomas McEobbs' Company, in 1775, as described by Charles Mathews who claims for services under the said Captain in 1775, is not found in this Office. Charles Mathews claims for services under Capt. Riggs in 1776, under Capt. James McEobbs in 1777 & 78, under Capt. Gordon Parker in 1779, and under Capt. Benj. Leemont in 1782, - but the rolls which he describes are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Damps. Secy

Camden May 11 th 1834.
Bro. Knowles,
Will you have the goodness to procure the deposition of Mr. Job Perry of Thomaston relative to the Revolutionary services of Mr. Charles Matthews of Lincolnville - I learn from Mr. Sheldon, whose deposition on the same subject I enclose, that Mr. Perry was also knowing to the facts stated in his deposition and perhaps to other services for which Mr. Matthews claims a pension.
Mr. Matthews claims as follows -
1775 Three months under Capt. Thomas McCobb, of Georgetown Arthur Lithgow 1 st Lieut. company of Minute men - served at Hennenwell's point & Small Pond at the mouth of the Kennebec - 1776 Nine months - under Capt. Riggs, was stationed a while at Falmouth, now Portland & five weeks at North Yarmouth & the remainder of the time at Brunswick. Luther Hall was 1 st Lieut. 1777 Three months in a company of detached militia under Capt. James McCobb, served at the mouth of Kennebec & Sheepscot Rivers. Wm Sprague 1 st Lieut. & Lithgow 2 nd Lieut. 1778 drafted & served three months under the same James McCobb, served his time at and Penney Island at the mouth of the Kennebec 1779 drafted, served three months under Capt. Jordan Parker in a company of Artillery, at Cox's head & Arrow-sick Island 1782-3 Twelve months under Capt. Ezra Lement. Saml. Lement his bro. was 1 st Lieut. enlisted during the war, served six months was then furloughed, but peace took place before he was called on & before he joined the Continental Army, as they generally did who enlisted for during the war.
This last service includes that stated in Mr. Sheldon's deposition. Mr. Sheldon says he was not aware that Mr. Matthews enlisted for during the war, but that he might have been furloughed instead of being discharged as he states - Mr. Matthews says that he should have joined the continental army but the officers petitioned to have the continental men there stationed that season with the militia, and the request was granted and that when the six months men, of Mr. Sheldon was one, were discharged the continental men were furloughed.

Mr. Mathews states some other services but not under regular enlistments —
Application has been made to the Genl. office in Massachusetts but the rolls as described cannot yet be found — The Department requires the evidence of two witnesses when the rolls cannot be found.
Mr. Sheldon now receives a pension & the deposition of Mrs. Derry was made use of in his case and accompanied his declaration.
I have stated the services of Mr. Mathews and enclose the deposition of Mr. Sheldon which may serve to refresh Mr. Derry's memory in some particulars —
If you will give this your attention as early as convenient and return the papers to me I will pay you satisfied for your trouble —
Respectfully your Obed Servt
Warren Garrison

Camden Feb. 11. 1836
Dear Joseph Hall
Dear Sir
After so long a time I have received Charles Matthews' paper from Mr. Knowles through Mr. Lowell. Mr. Lowell states that Mr. Perry does not know enough about Matthews services to agree. therefore I know of no other one to call on. Mr. Little to Knowles I infer from that you will get the principal history of the war, but in addition to the services then stated, he says he served at Winasport four weeks guarding the town against the British man of war, Rainbow. year not recollected
four weeks at the mouth of New Bedford river building fort Higgings & soldiery.
Spent several days at different times during off the Forces in their whale boats to the amount of three or four weeks. at another time when repairing a Privateer in the night was taken prisoner and was in irons 2 1/2 days, then furloughed and sent to Portland Capt of Privateer name was Wain , of Portsmouth.
You will understand that Matthews was in part furloughed instead of being discharged as stated by Sheldon. He had enlisted for during the war , but at the request of the officers, the Continental men then (in that immediate action) that season were stationed with the militia. he enlisted for during the war in April, served 6 months, then furloughed , as before stated, until called on, but never took place before they were called on, therefore when the militia six months were discharged the Continental men were furloughed .

There were not many during the war men with him at the time, and suppose that it was not generally known among the soldiers who were and who were not Continental men. He states that there were a good many interesting orders out for during the war men to be there at the time he intended from during the war he thought he might as well do it as to be out half the time off and on, but that there was not probably any order of the intention made there at that time. I must really believe he is entitled to a pension. He states many particulars but I have not time to name any more.
I send all the papers and those that are not wanted if any, can be retained.
In haste yours truly
William Dawson

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Charles Mathews which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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 - see Question 5 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

I Ephraim Sheldon of Camden in the County of Waldo & State of Maine aged seventy years do on oath depose & say that I am well acquainted with Charles Matthews of Lincolnville in said County of Waldo - That the said Charles Matthews enlisted into the company commanded by Captain Benjamin Lemont, & whose Lieutenant was Samuel Lemont, that this company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel McCobb - That said enlistment was made and entered into by said Charles in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty two during the revolutionary war - That said company was stationed on the Kennebec river at Cox's Head, now in Ship'sburg in the County of Lincoln & that said Charles Matthews faithfully served as a private in said company for the space of six months commencing on the first day of May and ending on the first of November in the same year & that the said Matthews was honorably discharged. The reason of my being so particular in my recollection is that I was attached to the same company during the whole time of said Matthews service - knew him well at that time and was discharged at the same time with him.
Ephraim Sheldon
State of Maine Waldo ss. on this twenty sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared the above named Ephraim Sheldon and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition , and I certify that the deposition aforesaid of the said Ephraim is deserving of credit.
Before me
Warren Pearson Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
Waldob. I H. D. Anderson clerk of the Judicial Court of Waldo County hereby certify, that Warren Bawson Esq r is a Justice of the Peace duly com- missioned and qualified and that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this fifth day of May A D 1834
H. D. Anderson } clerk of said Court of Waldo Co.

Camden State of Maine Octo  Sept 19, 1830
2 To John H. Eaton,
Dear Sir, I take the liberty to enclose you the detouration of Charles Matthews of Lincolnville in the County of Waldo State of Maine & the certificate of the Judge & clerk, Mr Matthews was a revolutionary Soldier I hope you will be able to find his name among some of the Rolls documents in your office relating to the army of the Revolution. Mr Matthews is man of truth I have no doubt all he states is true, but I believe he can get no further evidence of his service than his own declaration. If it is absolutely necessary to have further evidence please inform me, how it must be authenticated,
I am, Sir, with great respect your old servant.
Sam l Thayer,

The undersigned Inhabitants of Lincolnville being desirous that all persons who may have served their country in the struggle for Liberty and independence during the Revolutionary War and as Mr Charles Matthews a citizen and one of the first settlers of said Town hath for many years past often declared within our Penobscot that he did voluntarily serve his country as a part of the time during the said Revolutionary War and they further certify that they have for many years been personally acquainted with said Matthews and have never known any thing in his character different from truth and veracity and as a respectable citizen of said Town
Lincolnville August 7 th 1832
Isaac H. Stevens. { Subscribers of Lincolnville Nathl. Milliken Joseph Miller.

I Charles Mathews of Lincolnville in the county of Waldo and state of Maine do certify and say that I was in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy six an inhabitant of the town of St George town now Shipshburg and in the month of April or May of that year I enlisted in a company under the command of one Captain Priggs I think his name was John for the term of nine months and served for the term of nine months and received a regular discharge and in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty two I again enlisted into a company commanded by Benjamin Leamont in the Regiment commanded by Col Samuel Mc Cobb During the war and served as a private soldier in said company until the Peace of seventeen hundred & eighty three and received my regular Discharge.
Lincolnville March 17 th 1830
Charles Mathews
The undersigned inhabitants of Lincolnville her by certify that they have been personally acquainted with the above named Charles Mathews one of the first settlers of said town and have often heard him speak of his services in the time of the Revolutionary war but did not apply for a pension under the first law of Congress but thinks he is intitled under the present law and well deserving the same
We certify further that our acquaintance with Mr Mathews leaves in us no doubt but his statements are true and correct his general character being what we consider good for truth and veracity Dated at Lincolnville the 17 th of March 1830
Nathl Milliken Adair Knight Paul H. Stevens, Joseph Good  Attest: [Signature] Clerk