Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,976, for John Jepherson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Jepherson John Mary
NUMBER
W. 14.976 B.L.Wt. 26.436-160-55
CONTENTS

1499
Massachusetts
John Daphson
of Uxbridge in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain  of the Reg't commanded by C. Read in the Wars time for 15 Mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 50 Dollars - Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of Nov 1832 and sent to Claimant Uxbridge Mass
  Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  $ 75-    Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar 33  25-     $1 00 -  
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. H. S. B. Clerk Book D. Vol. 2 nd Page 60.

Engr. Oregon Hon. Feb 4/56
126.669 } Act. Mar. 3 May 18/55
Mary Cepheron, wid of John Cepheron, (Prir
Capt. Col.
Revolutionary Russia Widow has been also imprisoned
Map Feb 48-1346 W. 160001 May 22/56 R. G. L.
James Gregory Shaw Marked Mgh.
Vol. I. 39. -

Reported
1346
Massachusetts Mary Jefferson widow of John Jefferson who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of August 1848 and sent to David Holman Douglass Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 75 Vol. 2.
Key 3 m 55-126664

Mary Johnson all right ch. dt. 1.27 copied in E. Dec. 7 compared.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, May 3, 1855.
I Hereby Certify , That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed,
Enoch Brown was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; 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 hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Massachusetts } ss. COUNTY OF Worcester
On this Seventeenth day of April , A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five , personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary Stephenson aged 80 years, a resident of Upton in the State of Massachusetts who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Stephenson deceased, who was a Private in the Revolutionary War in the Company commanded by Captain and a Revolutionary Pensioner , in the 1st Regiment at the rate of fifty commanded by Colonel in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18th of June, 1812. She further declared that she was pensioned at the same rate as her said late husband, on the 22 day of August 1840, under the act of February 2, 1840, as per Pension Off of that date, No 1248 that her said husband
at on or about the day of A. D. 18 , for the term of and continued in actual service in said war for the term of and was honorably discharged at on the day of A. D. 18 ; but that, to the best of her knowledge and belief, her husband never received any written or printed discharge,
126.663
She further states that she was married to the said John Stephenson in Granite , on the 1st day of November A. D. 17 88 , by one John Smith , a Justice of the Peace , and that her name before her said marriage was Mary ; that her said husband died at Upton , on the 10 day of March A. D. 184 8 , and that she is now a widow. and she begs to refer to the evidence upon
She further declares that she has heretofore made application for bounty land under the Act approved September 28, 1850, and obtained a Land Warrant for acres, No. which she has legally disposed of, and it cannot now be returned, which she was pensioned as above said, in 1840, and that she has not yet received a pension from the government
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "Act approved March 3, 1855," and prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to JAMES GREGORY & SON, of Marblehead, Mass.; and declares that she has never applied for nor received, under this or any other Act of Congress, any Bounty Land Warrant except the one above mentioned.
Mary Stephenson March

before me this day personally appeared David Holman and his wife Mary Holman, known to me to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing declaration and affidavit, and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. We David Holman and Mary Holman residents of Franklin County in the State of Tennessee upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by us in our presence; and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. And we know that she is now a widow. David Holman Mary Holman
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be; and that I have no interest in this claim.
Ernest Brown Justice of the Peace.
State of _____
County. _____
We, _____ and _____ having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew _____ who was a _____ in the war of _____ whose widow now applies for bounty land; that we knew him for more than _____ years before his death, which occurred at _____ about _____ years ago; that we know that he died about that time, because
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she is now unmarried, and that we are disinterested.
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this _____ day of _____ A. D. 18_____
Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of _____ of the said County and State, and _____ whom I know to be credible persons, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the foregoing application; that _____ the applicant for bounty land in the foregoing declaration is now unmarried, and that she is the widow of the late _____ who was a _____ in the war of _____ and that the said _____ died at the time above stated.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this _____ day of _____ 185_____
Justice of the Peace.
before me this day personally appeared David Holman and his wife Mary Holman, known to me to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing declaration and affidavit, and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Ernest Brown

No 54 Mary Jefferson wid of John Map act 17 June 1844 Married 1783 husband decd 23 Nov 44 admo. 15 mo in $50 00 per mth Nov 23 rd Nov 1844
David Holman Douglas Map

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss.
On this twenty sixth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and forty three person nally appeared before the Probate Court for the County of Norfolk aforesaid Mary Jefferson a resident of Uxbridge in said County of Norfolk who being first duly sworn according to law doth on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed June 17th 1844 entitled an act to continue the pensions of certain widows
That she is the widow of John Jefferson late of said Ux- bridge deceased who was a private in the army of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7th 1832 at the rate of fifty dollars per annum as by his certificate returned in to the Pension Office will ap- pear. For evidence of the ser- vices of said pensioner she refers to the papers now on file at the Pension Office.
She further states that she was not married to the said Jefferson prior to his leaving the service but was married before the first

day of February 1794 to sit on the first Monday of December seventeen hundred and eighty by John. She further states that her said husband John Jefferson son died on the twenty third day of November eighteen hundred and and forty four that she has not since intermarried but still remains his widow and she further states that she is now of the age of eighty years.
her Mary Jefferson Mark
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid the name of Mary Jefferson being in my hand writing and the mark made by her
John Thomas Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss.
I, Charles G. Brewster, Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester, do certify, that Benjamin D. Thomas is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified - and that the above is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, this twenty sixth day of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.
Chas. G. Brewster, Register.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss —
I Josiah Graft of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventyfour years on oath testify and say That I have been acquainted with John Jepherson of said Uxbridge and I further testify & say that about the first day of January in the year of our Lord seven hundred and seventy six John Jepherson beforementioned then of Uxbridge where he now lives & has always resided enlisted into the service of the United States. He served in the Company of Capt. Brapp and in the Regiment of Col. Read. I enlisted and served in the same company with him. We were first stationed at Dorchester in the vicinity of Boston, and were there when the British army evacuated Boston. After that event we marched to the City of New York, and were there and in the immediate neighborhood of the City for a few days. Then we went to East Chester, where we had a skirmish with the British. The British Army were in the City of New York at this time. After a years service with Jepherson in the month of January following our enlistment I obtained a furlough & returned home & left Jepherson in the service, how much longer he served I do not know.
Josiah Graft

Gloucester ss August 27 th 1832 Then the above named Josiah Graft after being duly sworn and examined, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, taken at the request of miss John Johnson, before me — Jos. Shaye Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that the above named Josiah Graft the deponent is a competent witness, and reported to be a man of truth and veracity — Jos. Shaye Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss
I Jesse Morse of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy four years being duly sworn testify and say that in the month of July in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy seven there came an order for the town of Uxbridge to raise a certain number of men, to go to the State of New York, to oppose Gen. Burgoyne - I was engaged to go. I served in the company of Col. Brattle. Fletcher was our Lieutenant. Daniel Kelly was our Ensign. We marched to Stillwater, through Bennington, in a day or two after that battle was fought. There was a man, in the company by the name of Joseph Graft considerably advanced in years. About the time we arrived at Stillwater, John Jepherson of Uxbridge came and joined our company as a substitute for Joseph Graft and served in the company three months or more but during commanded our Regiment. We were in the Division of Gen. Lincoln. John Jepherson, myself were engaged in several battles at the taking of Burgoyne. John Jepherson served three months, and returned home with me - I think about the last of November -
Jesse Morse

Worcester Jp Aug. 13 th 1832 The above named Jesse Morse after being duly cautioned and examined, made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him, subscribed, taken at the request of John Jefferson before me Jos. Mayes Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Jesse Morse the deponent is a competent witness and reported to be a man of truth & veracity - Jos. Mayes Justice of the Peace

Payable semi-annually---the first pay- ment on this certificate will be made on the 4th of March next, at the U State Branchbank Boston
Recorded
John Jefferson

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY That, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, _____
John Sepherson _____ late a Private _____ _____ in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts _____ Agency, at the rate of — Eight — dollars per month, to commence on the — 26 th — day of May — one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this — 22 d — day of — December — one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen
J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.

John Jefferson 4 Papers for a Petition
8488
Alma

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this twentyeighth day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before Nathaniel Daine Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting John Jepherson a resident of Upton in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy two 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 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he enlisted into the service of the United States about the first of January A.D. 1776, for one year or what was called the yearly service. He enlisted at Roxbury and entered immediately into the service upon his enlistment. He was in the Company of Capt. Moses Knapp, Lieut. Peter Graft, and Macomber and Ensign, Benj. Dike were the other company officers. He was in the Regiment of Col. Joseph Read - Major Smith & Lieut. Col. Shephard were other Regimental officers. He marched from Roxbury to Dorchester and was stationed there about a month in Col. Read's Regiment. Brig. Gen. Heath commanded the Brigade. He was there at Dorchester when the British Army evacuated Boston. After that event, he marched in Capt. Knapp's Company to the City of New York. He was at the City some time, and then the American Army were driven out of the City by the arrival of the British Army. He then went to East Chester, where he had a skirmish with the British. Col. Read's Regiment & most of the Brigade was engaged in it, then he went to the White Plains and was there at the time of that battle but not actively engaged in it. In the course of the war, Gen. Glover took command of the Brigade. He then went to Hightstown in the State of New York, with most of Col. Read's Regiment, where he remained till the latter part of January, and then was discharged & returned home after a years service. In the month of July A.D. 1777, he again entered the service of the United States as a substitute of Joseph Graft of Miss Upton who was drafted to go to New York to oppose the march of Gen. Burgoyne. He was an aged man & procured himself to take his place. Jepherson went & served some three months in the Company of Capt. Knapp, in the Regiment of Col. Cushing. He was in the Division of Gen. Lincoln. He was there at the time of the taking of Gen. Burgoyne, about the last of November, he was discharged and returned home, with Capt. Knapp's Company after three months service. He was born at Douglas in said County the 20th of March A.D. 1760. He believes that there is a record of his birth at Douglas. He moves from said Douglas to Miss Upton where he became very young, & has resided in said Upton ever since.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nathaniel Daine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
John Jepherson

We Benjamin Adams a Clergyman residing in the town of Uxbridge and Baruch Bullard residing in said Uxbridge hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Jehherson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nath. Haine Judge of Baruch Bullard Probate for the County of  Benjamin Adams Worcester
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Baruch Bullard who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Town of Uxbridge and that Benjamin Adams Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Uxbridge and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nath. Haine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Register, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Jehherson for a pension. That Joseph Shay before whom the annexed affidavits were made, is a justice of the Peace for the said County of Worcester in full credit.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court of Probate this 28th day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two .
Theophilus Wheeler Register of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

I hereby certify that John Dapherson resident of Gloucester and son of John Dapherson late of Douglas deceased, and Mary Morse daughter of Jesse Morse of Abbeville, were duly joined together in marriage on the first day of November A.D. one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, by me the subscriber
John Smith (son P.) Justice Peace
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Town Clerks Office Gloucester County of Providence November 22 d A.D. 1847
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "the first day of November A 1787 b ".
Glouis H. Powne Town Clerk
I Glouis H. Powne above named, depose and say: that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the county, Town and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Gloucester with the exception above named as certified by me
Glouis H. Powne Town Clerk
Providence R.I. November 26 th 1847
Then appeared the above named Glouis H. Powne and was duly engaged to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed.
Before me Charles A. Brown Justice Peace

State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretary's Office, Providence November 27 th A. D. 1847
I Henry Bowen Secretary of said State; Keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof;
DO CERTIFY, that on the twenty sixth day of November A. D. 1847. Charles A. Stocum whose official certificate is annexed was a Justice of the Peace within the town of Gloucester in the county of Providence duly elected and commissioned, as appears of record; and as such by law authorized to take Depositions, the Acknowledg- ment of Deeds and other Instruments, and administer all neces- sary oaths.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, at Providence, the day and year above written.
Henry Bowen
Fee one dollar. Paid }

DR. E. A. DANIELS, 302 NEWBURY ST. BOSTON.
May 219 1896,
To the Com. Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir —
I am searching for information as to the record of an ancestor, John Jefferson of Mybridge, in the Revolutionary War — He himself received a pension & his name appears in the lists - printed 1820 + 1840. He died 1844 & his widow Mary received a pension of $8 a month. She died 1862. 96 yrs. of age. From her it was learned that John Jefferson enlisted at the age of 17 & was at the Battle of Bunker Hill —

Will you kindly have sent to me an abstract of the evidence of service which was produced when the application for his, & his widow's, pension was made?
I am not able to find anything about him in the records at the State house here —
Yours truly
E. A. Daniels,

DR. E. A. DANIELS, 302 NEWBURY ST. BOSTON.
May. 29. 1896.
Mr. D. J. Murphy Com. Pensions.
Dear Sir —
Yours of the 23 d inst., relating to the revolutionary record of John Depherson of Nexbridge is at hand — & I wish to thank you for your trouble in looking up the records — I saw Mr. Tracy yesterday, Asst. Secy of State & have hunted through the rolls at the State House without succeeding in finding any record of this man — I have for some time been trying to find his ancestry unsuccessfully — Mr. Tracy suggested that perhaps the records of the Pension Office would give

Other further particulars about him & his service — of not too much to ask, could you have the records examined again, to see if there can be given any thing about his service with more particularity? Mr. Tracy said usually a blank for the purpose was filled out, & that particulars of service were given —
He enlisted at Roxbury — Does the record state from what town he came? or name other companies or regiments than Col. Read & Capt. Knapp.
I am finding this ancestor very dif- ficult to trace if you can further assist me
I'm once very much obliged
Yours very respectfully,
Edw. A. Daniels,

John Jefferson map act, June 1832 $50 00
To what time was he last paid G. L. D.
Pension Office June 27. 1848 }
Paid to 4 th Sept. 1844.
B. D. B.

✓ 26,436
5 New Aug

No 547.
Mary Jeperson
Wap
Rel. to Rev. Holman
Oct 29. '47
Act 17 June 1844

Massachusetts
Mary Sepherson widow of John Sepherson who was a Private in the Regiment
Husband died 23 Nov. 1844
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March , 1844. 23 rd Nov.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of June, 1848, and sent to
David Wolman Douglas Mass.
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 32

Douglas M c Nov. 29.
20
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington D. C.

Douglas Ms. Nov. 29 th 1847.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
I here inclose two certificates, containing the evidence of the marriage of Mary Jefferson of Ulverston Mr. Widow of John Jefferson late of said Ulverston deceased, who was a Pensioner of the Pensioner, under the Act of June 7 th 1832. Her Declaration in order to obtain a Pension I inclosed to you on the 22 nd Inst. I hope the papers will prove satisfactory to the War Department and that a Certificate will be granted to her. — I would again state that it is her request that any thing relating to the business which you wish to communicate to her, might be sent to me at Douglas Ms. — In looking at the Post Office Law, (if I understand it) provision is made by Congress for the payment of the Postage on Letters &c addressed to you on Pension business I have therefore sent this without paying the Postage & if I am mistaken, I will, on being informed, send the money for the Postage.
Yours respectfully
David Holman

Decem 24
Nov 29 2
a Mary Jefferson wid of John Nap act 17 June 44
Edward Eng. Commissioner of Pensions Washington
D. C.
Paul 10

Douglas Ms. Nov. 22, 1847
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I am requested by the Widow Mary Jepherson of Ulveridge Ms. to forward to your Office the enclosed, and to say to you that she has been waiting two or three weeks hoping to obtain the evidence of her marriage to send with it. But owing to sickness and the absence of a material witness the evidence is not yet ready to forward. After diligent search I have obtained documentary evidence of the marriage and as soon as it is verified by the proper Officers I will forward it to you without delay - Mrs. Jepherson is aged & feeble, and being ignorant as to what may be done in order to obtain the pension she has delayed making application for about three years. Her husband, John Jepherson deceased drew his pension up to Sept. 4, 1844. Any communication relative to the pension, which you wish to send to her you may address to the sub-infer at Douglas Ms. yours with due respect & esteem
Daniel Holman, P.M.

Ray
WIDOW, &c.
e No. 14976
Mary Jefferson widow of John Jefferson Per. Geo. War.
Act: Feb 2d 48
dex:—Vol. a , Page 374
[Arrangement of 1870.]
B

May 23 '96 Dr. E. A. Daniels Boston, Mass LWV
July 5 '96 further reply to E. A. Daniels LWV Boston Mass.
FI
In

5,034 Massachusetts Roll-
John Sepherston Mass' } Private / Line }
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 26 th of May 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d of December 1818. and sent to C. D. Bangs Esq d Worcester Mass.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818 - 3 mo \frac{6}{31} \frac{14}{30} - 26:60 Semi-ann. all'ee ending 4 th  March 1819 - 48: -
$52. 74:60
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
One Year.
Uxbridge Worcester Mass.

Marblehead, February 15 th , 1856.
Honored Sir:
Your favors of the 14 th & 15 th insts. respecting the B. Land cases - act of March 3 rd '55 - of Love Handy - No 126,667 - Prudence Green - No 126,668 and Mary Jefferson - No 126,669 - for want of the "record evidence" required by the 3 rd section of said Act, - were duly received.
We therefore now herewith return all your said favors with all the "record evidence" which the archives of Massachusetts afford annexed to your favors under the seal of the State.
It will be noticed that in the case of Mary Jefferson, widow of John Jefferson the Hon. Secretary certifies that the name of the husband is not borne on the rolls of his office; and it is no doubt strictly true that there is no "record evidence" in his office in a large portion of these aged widow cases, especially where the service was not "Continental".
Still we have thought it best to send on the Certificate in Mrs. Jefferson's case, because we think that, reasoning from analogous Executive Decisions, we, and the friends of these aged widows, believe, are not without hope that the decision refusing to recognize the evidence filed by their husbands in support of their Pension Claims will be revoked by the action of Congress, if not by the Law Office of the Government. We feel the more confident of this, because Congress directed by a Resolve in '46 and also two more in 1848, that such evidence alone should be sufficient to entitle them to the much more important matter of a Pension; and Attorney General Johnson in his Decisions of 27 th of March '49, decided that such "Legislative Interpretation" ought to be of binding force in revision of Executive Decisions.

We are, with great respect, Your Hon's humble servt, James Gregory & Son
Hon. J. Menot, Comm r of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, January 10 1848.
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 there is no evidence of service of any one of the name of John D'ferson or D'fferson. Not upon rolls of Capt Knapp, Col Reed. No rolls of Capt Knapp for 1776. The only roll of Capt Knapp in this office for service in 1777. is that of Capt Job Knapp of Col Job Cushing's regt for 3 months from August. Said Capt Knapp belonged to Purgarts, as appears from rolls of his Company. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Wm. Duffs Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Douglas Ms Jan. 7 th 1840
To the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts
Sir,
I write in behalf of Mary Epheser Widow of John Epheser late of Uxbridge Ms. deceased, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of Jan. 7, 1832. - She has petitioned for a Pension and the Commission of Pensioners J. L. Edmund Esq. requires that the alleged services of her deceased husband John Epheser be confirmed by the Records in your office. He alleged that he entered the service and served twelve Months in 1776 under Capt Knapp of Colo. Reeds Regiment, and Three Months in 1777 in the same Company, attached to Colo. Cushings Regiment. It is her request that the Rolls in your office be searched and if they confirm the above alleged services you would send a certificate of the same to me that I may send it to the Commission of Pensioners at the War Department.
Yours with due respect.
David Holman P.M.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County, ss.
I, William Jennison, Assistant Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Francis Deane Junr Esquire, on the seventeenth day of November, 1847,
was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature to the certificate, on the deposition of Thomas B. Shove, hereunto annexed, is genuine.
GIVEN under my hand, and the seal of said County, this twenty fourth day of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty- seven
W. Jennison, Asst. Clerk as aforesaid.

I Thomas B. Shove of Ulverston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Aged 84 years, do hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted for more than sixty years with John Jopherson dead, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of June 7, 1832. - and with Mary Jopherson his lawful widow, who still lives and asks for a Pension. I have always lived a nigh neigh- bour to them and was present and saw them married. They were married at the house of John Smith Esq. in the Town of Gloucester, County of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, and according to my best recollection, on the first or second day of November, one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven. & Shove att. D. Holman
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester p. November 17- 1847
Then personally appeared Thomas B. Shove and made oath that the certificate above subscribed by him was true according to his best knowledge & belief
Before me
Francis Deane Justice of the Peace
Worcester p. Nov. 17- 1847 I hereby certify that Thomas B. Shove the affiant has and for twelve years past full been personally known to me and that he is a competent & credible witness
Francis Deane Justice of the Peace

Payments to be made at Boston Mass by The Pres d B d Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass.
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk, in Book D. Vol. 2 nd page 60.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Iepherson of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Fifty ————— dollars and ————— cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Fifth ————— day of Nov one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Secy of War Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston.
February 9. 1856.
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 name of John Ishanson is not borne on the rolls in this office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written)
J. D. Slee
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
PENSION OFFICE,
1856.
Feby: 4 th
Gentlemen
The claim of Mary Jefferson, for bounty land under the act of the 3 d March, 1855, No. 126.669, has been examined and suspended.
The revolutionary service of John Jefferson, the husband of the applicant, does not appear of record in this office.
The 3 d section of said act requires a service of "FOURTEEN DAYS" to be established by "RECORD EVIDENCE."
Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim will be favorably considered.
IT SHOULD BE OBSERVED, that the recorded action of this office, admitting a revolutionary soldier to the list of pensioners upon parole proof, is not considered "record evidence" of service within the meaning of the act aforesaid. In all applications for bounty land under this act, the papers of the soldiers, or their widows, who have applied for or received pensions, as well as the rolls in this office, are carefully examined for record evidence of service, before this circular is issued.
Respectfully,
J. MINOT, Commissioner.
Messrs Jas Gregory & Son, Marblehead, Mass,
+ My own reference to the Secty of State of Mass: as the Sol rs alleged a sum of 1776 from bounty 47 th Genl Col ts Bnaph & Lieut. Jos: Rear, & in 1777 under Col ts Bnaph & Lieut. Austin.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
Worcester COUNTY, }
On this twenty Eighth day of July 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,
Mary Sepherson a resident of Uxbridge in the county of Worcester aforesaid aged Eighty one years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of John Sepherson who was a resident of Uxbridge Mass. and who was a Private in the War of the Revolution, and is the identical person who drew a pension under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of Fifty dollars and cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Mary X Sepherson mark L.S.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day Before me, and year above written,
In presence of
David Holman
Jack Shore
Chester Morse Justice of the Peace.
I Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares.
Chester Morse Justice of the Peace.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
Worcester COUNTY, }
I, Charles W. Hartshorn Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Chester Morse on the twenty eighth day of July last was, is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this first day of August - 1848.
Charles W. Hartshorn CLERK.

Douglas Ms. Jan. 27, 1840
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I rec yours of the 29 th ult. and by request of Mr. Stephenson sent a copy of the Alleged Service after received from him, John Stephenson to the Secy of State, requesting an examination of the records in his Office relative to Military services &c. The result I here enclose. It appears that there are no rolls in the Office of Capt. Knapp for the year 1776; but still it is the opinion of Mr. Stephenson, Widow and after legal proof in the vicinity that he performed the alleged service. They think that he enlisted for the year under Capt. Knapp as a recruiting Officer and when mustered into the continental establishment, performed the service under other Officers. I enclose a paper found among his papers, containing a deposition which he certified before B. Leffey of Ulverston, relative to the services of William Dawson who recd a Pension, in which he states that he was with Mr. Dawson, in the service during the year. I think they must have been mistaken as to the name of the Captain under which they performed the service, for they were both of them men of veracity.
Mr. Stephenson says that the Husband was in the service long enough to entitle him to a full Pension and under the Act of 1818 March 1818 he recd a Pension of 96 dollars, but was stricken from the list because he had more property than the law allowed a Pension to possess under that Act. - When he made application for a Pension under the Act of Jan. 7, 1832 he did not include all his services in the application, because the principal creditors of a part of his services then lived in the western country that it would be difficult to obtain their testimony; also many of them were dead.

Mr. Jefferson wishes me to state further that she distinctly recalls her husband's telling over his services in the war, and naming certain places where he was & certain events that occurred in his sight & hearing. He said to his friends that he was at Portsmouth Point saw one of Neighbors head shot off & whose name was Wakefield - said he was in the Northern Army (probably in 1776) at Brandy Point - Lindenaraga - Spotsylvania - just below Saratoga & was there when Burgoyne surrendered - was in the same when Arnold deserted and saw Andre hanging. - Was at Trenton & White Plains We are satisfied that he performed services in the war equal to what he stated in his declaration but the precise times & under what Officers we are unable, at this day, to prove. Almost all the old soldiers of the Revolution in this vicinity are dead and most of the people now living know but little about the trials & hardships of the war of the Revolution, except what their fathers have told them.
As to any further evidence we do not know where to go to find it. We hope however that what has been forwarded will prove satisfactory and that the Department will send her a certificate which will constitute a little towards her comfort & support the little time she has to live.
Yours with due respect I esteem
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Darius Holman

State of Massachusetts I John Jefferson — a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Hyannis — in the County of Barnstable in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on is about the first of January in the year Seventeen Hundred & Seventy six
I entered and was engaged in the land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the close of the same year
as a private soldier — against the common enemy, without any interrup- tion or absence: that I belonged to capt Moses Hapgood's Company in Col. Joseph Read's Regiment in the Massachu- setts line in Genl. Heath's division
and that I left the service on early in the year Seventeen Hundred & Seventy Seven — after a term of one year service and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of fifty eight years
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
John Jefferson
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 26 th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 18 pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18 th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me,
Edw. Bangs Judge C. Court Com Pleas Western Circuit
the abovenamed John Jefferson
and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination du- ly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid.
Edw. Bangs

John Sepherson Representative
John Sepherson first
Read's Mass. Reg. 1776 to 1777.
Admitted

I William Patrons of the Bridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify & say that I am was a soldier with John Gipher within named in the war of the Revolution in the Continental establishment in Capt Mens Knapp's Company, mounted by him, and am well knowing to the truth of the within representation by him made.
William his X Patrons mark -
Worcester ss
May 16 th 1840
Personally appeared William Patrons above named well known to me and entitled to credit and was duly sworn to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed with his mark —
before me Beriah Fift Deputy of the Clerk

State of Massachusetts I William Parsons — a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Woburn in the County of Middlesex — in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on the first  is about the first of January in the year Seventeen Hundred & Seventy Six —
I entered and was engaged in the land — service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the close of the year
as a private Soldier — against the common enemy, without any interrup- tion or absence: that I belonged to Capt Moses Thompson's Company in Col. Joseph Read's Regiment in General Heath's Brigade
and that I left the service on is about the first of January Seventeen Hundred & Seventy Seven — and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and property, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of Eighty Seven Years —
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
William Parsons mark —
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this _____ day of _____ in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and _____ pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me,
the abovenamed and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination du- ly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid.

I John Gephart of Medbridge in the County of Worcester Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman of lawful age do testify & say that I am personally acquainted with William Nasson within named was a soldier with him in the war of the revolution in Capt Moses Knapp's Company at the time he has within stated and am well knowing to the truth of the within representation by him made. John Gephart
Worcester ss May 16 th 1840
Personally appeared John Gephart above named and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me Benaiah Pratt Justice of the Peace