Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,570, for Alexander Mason, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. J.
Mason Alexander
S. 17.570
CONTENTS
carded

15353
Massachusetts
Alexander Mason
Bristol in the State of Mass
was a Fifer in the company commanded
Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
Col. [blank] in the [blank]
for [blank] 8 [blank] R.I.
Capt 12-15 Days
Priv 2 15 "
76 Pension
Entered on the Roll of [blank]
the rate of 83 Dollars 58 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of June
1832 and [blank] Board
of Pensions
to the 4th of Mar 1830 $167.16
trans. allowance ending 2 Sep
41.79
$209.95
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Bristol ss. — On this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate for now sitting at Scituate in and for said County, by his Alexander Mason a resident of Seekonk in said County, aged seventy four , 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 A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Warren in the state of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations on the third day of Decem r A. D. 1757, and that there is a record of his birth in said Warren — : that he was in the United States service from the some time day of May A. D. 1775, to the first day of Jan y , A. D. 1776 as a fifer in the Rhode State troops — : that he was residing at said Warren
when he entered the service ; that he enlisted a fifer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Thomas Gray in the regiment of Colonel Thomas Cloudh, William S. Miller was Lieutenant Colonel : that he marched from Warren to Roxbury, from & after the battle of Bunker Hill we were stationed at Prospect Hill : that he served at  there were no regular troops there at the time ; and General Washington General Greene General Lee and General Putnam regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge : that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Warren aforesaid at Swansea & Seekonk in the County of Bristol aforesaid
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the first day of Decem r A. D. 1776, to the about day of  three A. D. 1777 months as a private in the Rhode Island Militia — : that he was residing at Warren when he entered the service
when he entered the service ; that he was drafted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Esau Green Smith Bower Lieutenant —
: that he marched from Warren to Bristol, from in the state of Rhode Island & there remained for said period — : that he served at believes there were no regular troops there of the regular troops ; and
& no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge. That he knows of no person alive by whom he can prove this service
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from some time in Feb y A. D. 1777, to the sixteenth day of March A. D. 1778 as a corporal in the Rhode Island State troops — : that he was residing at Warren aforesaid
when he entered the service ; that he enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Gideon Moseley in the regiment of Artillery commanded by Col. Robert Elliott Amos Dillson first Lieutenant & Uriah Moseley second Lieut. : that he marched from Warren to New Bristol, from there to Tiverton from there to Bristol ; that much to Tiverton at Spencer's expedition : that he served at believes there were no regulars at these places of the regular troops ; and at this time & that there were no
regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received a written discharge. which has since been lost

State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office August 16. 1832.
I certify that at the session of the General assembly of said State held in the first Monday of August instant, Levi Hoaille was elected a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Warren in the County of Bristol, for and until the first Wednesday of May next: and that he has been commissioned accordingly: as appears of Record in this office.
Witness Henry Bowen Secy.
I further certify that at said Session Samuel S Allen was elected a Public Notary for said County of Bristol for the term aforesaid: and that he has been commissioned accordingly: as appears of Record.
Henry Bowen Secy.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
Samuel H. Arnold
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Be it known that the name " HENRY BOWEN," to the afore- written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Sec- retary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law : Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Provi- dence, this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two and of Independence the fifty- seventh.
Samuel H. Arnold
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy

I Joseph Mason of Swansea in the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five I was in the Rhode Island State Service in the Regiment commanded by Colo. Church and Capt. Martindale carrying in the Eight months Service and Stationed at Roxbury near Boston and that I have been intimately acquainted with Alexander Mason of Warren from his youth that I know he was in the same Regiment with me & then in Capt. Thomas Grays Company Stationed at Prospect Hill near Boston and that I understand and believe that the said Alexander Mason served his time out in said Company & I visited & saw said Alexander during the term, after I had enlisted in Major Crans Company Question asked by Alexander Mason how old are you Answer Seventy nine years last May
Swansea July the 12 th 1832 -
Joseph Mason
Joseph Mason
Bristol ss. July the 12 th 1832 -
Then the above named Joseph Mason was examined and cautioned and sworn agreeable to Law to the truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed Before me Thomas Dick Justice of the Peace
I the above named Thomas Dick do hereby certify that I consider the above named Deposition to be a man of truth - - - Thomas Dick

I James Mason of Rehoboth in the county of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five I was knowing to Alexander Mason of Warren enlisting into the army of the Revolution in the Regiment — commanded by Col. Church in the company commanded by Capt. Thomas Gray in the Eight months Service and that he enlisted in said company as a fifer and that the said Alexander Mason returned after the expiration of his enlistment and I also testify that I was knowing to the said Alexander Mason enlisting into a company of artillery stationed at Bristol Rhode Island in the fifteen months Service so called officer names not recollecta
Question by said Alexander Mason how old are you
Answer Seventy five years and have been intimately acquainted with the said Alexander Mason from my youth
Rehoboth July the 12 th 1832 —
James Mason
Bristol Js. July the 12 th 1832 —
Then the above named James Mason was examined and cautioned and sworn agreeable to law to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed Before me Thomas Pick justice of the Peace —
I the above named Thomas Pick do here by certify that I consider the above named Deponent as a man of truth Thomas Pick

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I, James Sprout, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Thomas Peck, Esq., whose signature is subscribed to the within and annexed certificates, is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this Twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two. J. Sprout

I Nelson Miller of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island aged about Seventy Eight years, on solemn oath do testify and say, that I am acquainted with Alexander Mason formerly of Warren in said State, but now of Seekonk in the State of Massachusetts, and I further testify that I was a drummer in Capt Martindale's company in Col Thomas Church's Regiment in the eight months service in the year 1775 and was quartered at Roxbury and at other places near Boston during that service. I further testify that said Mason served in Capt Thomas Gray's company which belonged to the same Regiment during the same time of eight months. I have personally known said Mason from his childhood. Moses Turner was the lieutenant of said Gray's company and Henry Sherburne late of Newport deceased was according to the best of my recollection major of said Regiment — Nelson Miller
State of Rhode Island
1832
Bristol the 20 th day of July
Personally appeared
Nelson Miller the above

subscribing deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of his foregoing deposition and subscribed the same in my presence. In testimony whereof I Samuel Allen a Notary Public duly appointed & commissioned and engaged and practicing at said Bristol have here set my hand and official seal and I further certify that I am acquainted personally with the said Nelson Miller and know him to be a man of the strictest integrity and veracity —
Samuel Allen
Notary Public

I Barnard Flaile, of Bristol in the county of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, of the age seventy three years and upwards, do hereby testify and say, that on or about the tenth day of June A.D. 1777 I enlisted into Captain Gideon Westcott's Company of Artillery in Colonel Robert Elliot's Regiment of the Rhode Island Line, and I served as a private soldier in said Company until the 16 th day of March A.D. 1778; that at the said time I enlisted into said Company Alexander Mason now resident in Seekonk in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was a corporal in said Captain Westcott's Company, and that said Alexander Mason served in the capacity of corporal in said Company during the whole of the nine months and six days that I served in said Company; said Mason had enlisted into said Company a considerable time before I entered the same. This Company was raised for the fifteen months service, so called; and I understood that said Mason served the whole time for which he enlisted. Amos Gillson was first Lieutenant, Uriah Westcott was second Lieutenant, & Isaac Pitman was third Lieutenant of said Company, William Badger was Clerk and afterward was appointed Lieutenant of said Company. Major Flagg was Major of said Regiment. Said Company was stationed the principal part of the time in Bristol in said State. At the time of General Spencer's expedition on Rhode Island said Company marched to Kingston; and afterward returned to said Bristol.
Barnard Flaile
The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, Bristol ss. In witness whereof the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 20 th day of July A.D. 1832.
Then personally appeared before me the subscriber, the above named Barnard Flaile and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition which was reduced to writing by me in the presence of the said Deponent and was by him subscribed in my presence. Taken to be used in the application of the above named Alexander Mason for the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7, 1832, entitled "An Act supplementary to an Act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," and I hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with

said Barnard Haile, and that he is a credible person.
Levi Haile Justice of the Peace.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 14th day of March 1844.
notary public.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol August 17th D 1832.
We Luther Baker a clergyman in the town of Swansea in said county and Benjamin Kingsley residing within the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Mason who has subscribed and sworn to the ab-
State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations,
TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE, 20th WARREN, Rhode Island July 1832.
Alexander son of Mannaduke Mason and Hannah his wife, was born on the third day of December A. D. Seventeen hundred and fifty seven
A true copy of record.
Witness Samuel Randall Town Clerk.
years eighty rotation a Baker. Kingsley said
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. Alexander Mason Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
H. Baylies Judge of Probate
We Thomas Peck Esquire a clergyman, residing in the Town of Swansea in said County of Bristol and Albin Hunt Esquire residing in Seekonk in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Mason who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Thomas Peck Albin Hunt
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
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 abovenamed appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Thomas Peck, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Swansea near Seekonk; and that Albin Hunt a Justice of the Peace who has also signed the same is a resident in said Seekonk and are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
I Anselm Barrett the Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Alexander Mason for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Anselm Barrett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol August 17 th D 1832.
We Luther Baker a clergyman in the town of Swansea in said county and Benjamin Kingsley residing within the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Naon who has subscribed and sworn to the declaration that we believe him to be 74 - years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution. and that we concur in that opinion
Luther Baker. Benjamin Kingsley
Sworn and Subscribed. the day and year aforesaid Before me Thomas Pick Justice of the Peace —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Bristol ss. I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Thomas Nutt is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that I believe the within resignation purporting to be his, to be genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand At the seal of said Court this twenty second day of May Eighteen hundred thirty three -
Anselm Bassett

10266 Alex. Mason
Super 8 Month Hospital 12. 15 days Park 2. 15 "
5. 11. 12 06 (May 4 1893) P. 372
$83.58
A. Bapelt Sunnuntaina Maal

10.200
BRIEF in the case of Alexander Mason of Seekonk - in the State of Mass - (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 Years -  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. R. Island State   Years, Months, Days.     sometime in May In 1770 8 as a Fifer Col M c Church enlisted   to the 1 st Jan y - 1776 not stated - Capt M c Gray   1 st Dec r 0 - about - 2 15 Private Capt. B. Osmby. drafted   thinks Feb y 1777 not stated Corps Capt G. Wescott enlisted   to the 16 Mar - 1778 12 15 Col R t Elliot   Artillery  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Warren - Rhode Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by witnesses - & the traditional evidence of others - all certified to be credible persons  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

17 570 INVALID.
File No. 17 570
Alexander Mason
Life Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]

10.266
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Alexander Mason — 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 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? — no — XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? — none — 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."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Alexander Mason a resident of Seekonk in said County of Bristol who being duly sworn, deponeth 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 every particular, but best according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades;
As to his first term of service mentioned in his declaration made on the seventeenth day of August last past before the Hon. Roderick Byles Esquire Judge of Probate in & for said County of Bristol he now says that he enlisted as a fifer on the last of April A. 1775 & on the first day of May, he marched to Roxbury near Boston & there served until the first day of January, A. 1776 making a term of eight months
As to the second term of service mentioned in said declaration the said Mason says he was drafted and served as a private from the first day of December A. 1776 to the fifteenth day of February A. 1778 making a term of two and a half months
As to the third term of service mentioned in his said declaration he now says that he enlisted as a corporal in the Artillery and served from the first day of March A. 1777 to the sixteenth day of March A. 1778 making a term of twelve and a half months .
As to the * In answer to the 11 th and 12 th objections as returned to his said declaration your declarant, now testifies that he has

obtained the Affidavit of the Reverend Luther Baker a Congregan, and another residing in the Town of Swansey, in said County which is annexed to his said declaration, he being the only Congregan with whom he was acquainted, who was knowing to his being a soldier of the Revolution; And that by reason of the Rev Mr Baker's engagements, he could not be obtained to go before the Court and testify at the time of his making his declaration, was the cause of the affidavit being taken before a Justice of the Peace
Alexander Mason
State of Massachusetts Bristol County ss } May 17. 1833
Then personally appeared Alexander Mason and made oath to the foregoing affidavit by him Subscribed
Before me Allen Hunt Justice of the Peace
I further certify, that Luther Baker, whose certificate is annexed to said declaration is a Congregan Allen Hunt Just. Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss.
I, Anselm Gapett, Register of the Court of Probate, for the County of Bristol do hereby certify that Allen Hunt is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County; and that the signatures above purporting to be his, are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the twenty second day of May eighteen hundred & thirty three.
Anselm Gapett

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Mason, Andrew GRADE Sergeant LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8512 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 17, 1789 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.