Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13820, for Joseph Mason, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Mason, Joseph
S. 13820
CONTENTS
carded
103 81
1731

6612  New Hampshire  Joseph Mason of Walpole in the State of N H who was a Sgt in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ by Col Nison in the _____ time for 18 Mos. Sgt 6 " Infan }
* Mass. Aug. Continental. Records corrected Sept. 27, 1906, S
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of 12 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
March  Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of March 1833 and June 6 th to Hubbardston Rep t Arrears to 4th of March 1833 — $224 — Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " — 56 —
$280 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by _____ Blair Clerk Book D. Vol. 1 st Page 171.

10457
Joseph Mason
Walpole
18 Months lease 6 50 per 24
amt $112
Hon. H. Hubbard Esq.
W. H. Edwards Keene N. H.

BRIEF in the case of  Joseph Ellason  of Walpole  in the State of New Hampshire  (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? Eighty one 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.   Years, Months, Days.     enlisted In 1775. May 9 fifer Gen. Sullivan   1777 Oct 2 Capt Smith Col Nixon   4 in place of S Reed 1 Capt Farnam   volunteered 1778 9 Sergt. Gen. Fellows. Col Putnam   " 1779 9 " Capt Hovey. Col Tyler  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lincoln, Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? two persons certify to traditional evidence Joseph Wheeler a living witness - also Elizabeth Mason a living witness Original order book kept by the applicant.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Keith Examining Clerk.

Elijah Mason's debt for Jos. Mason To T. & S. Morris. —

Know ye that I Elyah Mason of Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut of 74 years of age do testify and say that Joseph Mason of the town of Walpole in the State of New Hampshire is a Brother of mine and that he was the same Joseph Mason who served in the army in 1775 under Capt Smith for nine months with me — and that he the said Joseph Mason was in the army with me in 1778 nine months longer — and that he served in the whole term that I was with him eighteen months — and further the Deponent saith not — Elyah Mason
State of Connecticut Windham County ss Personally appeared in open court Elyah Mason and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed and I hereby certify that the said Depo- nent is a credible witness and that his Statement is entitled to credit — Woodstock August 11 th 1832 —
John Paine Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Woodstock

I know John Penn is Judge of Probate for Worcester County Mass & the within is his signature
H. Bullock

Dilapidation of 10.451 Joseph Mason
of Walpole Cheshire Co. N.H.
Please return to Mr. McEdward Keene N.H. 60 C.H.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, } COUNTY OF CHESHIRE. }
On this Eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared Before the Hon Aaron Watson Judge of Probate for said County of Cheshire, now sitting, in open Court Joseph Mason a resident of Walpole in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged 81 years last March who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th,
1832. That he was in the Service of the United States in the Continental militia Service in the Revolution as follows In 1775 was in the Lexington & Concord Fight that he enlisted in May after for 8 months as a private in Capt Smith Company Col Nelson's Mass Nison's Regt Genl Sullivan's Brig was stationed at Cambridge in the was afterwards of Battle of Bunker's Hill retreated & one month over  was afterwards of  one month over  was afterwards of  one month over was discharged there In October 1777 enlisted volunteered for 2 months as Capt Parsons Co was at the taking of Burgoyne guarded the prisoners to P'keepsie there one month one month  one month of one month  one month  one month  one month  one month  one month 1778 enlisted again for 8 months in the Continental Service marched in May to Fishkill New York before we joined any Company numbered there & was ordered by Genl Sullivan to take command of a guard there till fall then joined Col Putnam's Regt at holding fort  at holding fort  at holding fort his Camp Officers built our Huts at the expiration of the 8 months were discharged at P'keepsie returned home In the Summer of 1779 enlisted again for 9 months as Capt Hovey's Company Col Tyler's Regt went to P'keepsie & there till the enemy left the Island then went to New York & there three my time over was discharged there - was a 6th  6th  6th That he was born in Concord N.H. in the year 1751 - 6th  6th  6th has a record of his age in the family record - lived at Lincoln N.H. where went into the war - now lives at Walpole aforesaid and have lived there since the war - was a volunteer in all, and was a 6th  6th  6th one month as stated above for one Regt - In the 8 mo service recollects Genl Washington, Genl Putnam - Genl Warren - In his 9 mo service recollects Genl Fellow - sends herewith his orderly book kept at Rhode Island in his Capt Hovey's month of it in his own hand writing - William Robinson & Dea. P. Emerson are acquainted with me and will certify as to my veracity - I then belief of my service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State.
Joseph Mason
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me Aaron Watson Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____
We William Robinson and Daniel R Emerson both of Walpole aforesaid - hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Mason who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be eighty one years of age - that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution - and that we concur in that opinion. -
W m Robinson
Daniel R. Emerson
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that W m Robinson and Daniel R Emerson both of Walpole aforesaid are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I the undersigned Register of the Court of Probate for the said County of Cheshire, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Mason for a pension -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighth day of August A.D. 1832
John Parker } Register of the Court of Probate

Soldier says that he forwarded Order book,
No order book of Joseph Mason on file Sept. 25, 1906. A. Wilson.
Probably returned?
I have this paper no claim.

NATIONAL SOCIETY
PRESIDENT GENERAL, WILLIAM SEWARD WEBB, NEW YORK CITY.
HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS GENERAL, JOHN L. WORDEN, U. S. N., WASHINGTON CITY.
LUTHER L. TABBELL, MARLBORO, MASS.
WM. WIRT HENRY, RICHMOND, VA.
VICE-PRESIDENTS GENERAL, HORACE PORTER, NEW YORK CITY.
JONATHAN TRUMBULL, NORWICH, CONN.
BRADLEY T. JOHNSON, BALTIMORE, MD.
ALBERT EDGERTON, ST. PAUL, MINN.
CHAMPION S. CHASE, OMAHA, NEB.
SECRETARY GENERAL, JAMES C. CRESAP, U. S. N., ANNAPOLIS, MD.
TREASURER GENERAL, JAMES OTIS, NEW YORK CITY.
REGISTRAR GENERAL, G. BROWN GOODE, WASHINGTON CITY.
HISTORIAN GENERAL, HENRY HALL, NEW YORK CITY.
SURGEON GENERAL, CHARLES E. BRIGGS, ST. LOUIS, MO.
CHAPLAIN GENERAL, RT. REV. CHAS. EDW. CHENEY, CHICAGO, ILL.
Annapolis, Md.,
28 May 1892.
My dear Sir,
Will you oblige me by giving me any information which the Bureau may afford of the service in the American revolution, of Sergeant Joseph Mason; that is, anything relating to his pension, &c.
Family tradition has it that Joseph Mason was a Sergeant in Captain Hovey's Company, Colonel Nathan Tyler's reg't. He was at Providence, R. I., July 1779 and at Newport, R. I. Dec. 1779. He is supposed to have drawn a pension - well supported by tradition. Joseph Mason was born at Concord, Mass. Mar. 6, 1751.
With great respect Yours sincerely James C. Cresap Lieut. U.S. Navy.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington

Ans Jan. 16-1893
Rev. F. T.
Lieut James P. Creap.
27/ Minneapolis. Had
96. Soldier pensioned
Mason. Reene. N. H.
Met.
Rehman
13820 INVALID.
File No. 13820
Joseph Mason Sergt Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 299
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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

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? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no 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? no 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, deposeh and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

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

Dispo for Job Morning
to 1 st 2 nd 3 rd & 4 th morning

I John Wheeler, of Westminster, New Hampshire seventy two years of age, depose that so I am well acquainted with Joseph Mason, now of Walpole, N.H. - that in the year 1775, said Mason and I then lived in Lincoln , Massachu- setts - that I well remember that in the month of April of that year he left Lincoln to join the troops assembling in the vicinity of Boston - being one of the minute men It was the general belief & I have no doubt of the fact that he was in the battle of Concord and Lexington - & that he soon after, enlisted to serve for eight months - I saw him at Winter Hill in the succeeding month of September - there doing duty as a fifer in capt Smiths company in col. Nixon's regiment. It was, and is the genl. belief - and it is my belief that he was in the battle of Bunker Hill. - From my recollection of the time of his return to Lincoln which was I believe in February, I am confi- dent that he served nine months, he being detained in service a month longer than his enlistment
Afterwards, when troops were called for to op- pose Burgoyne, the said Joseph Mason left Lincoln for that purpose. It was, and is, the general belief - and I have no doubt of the fact, that he did duty as a volunteer on that occasion - According to the best of my re- collection he was absent seven or eight weeks
Afterwards - he enlisted for nine months to fill up the continental regiments - I know this being present when he set out - he went with my brother-in-law, Munroe, to Fishkill, & was absent nine months - during this time, as I have often heard and amily believe, he served as sergeant. The year was 1778-9

In the year 1779, he enlisted again for nine months. I saw him depart - and went two or three miles with him - The time of his departure was, I think the beginning of July - During this time he served as sergeant in capt Thomas Hobbs Hoveys company. - I do not recollect the precise time of his return, but have no doubt that he served nine months. Providence was the place of rendezvous.
I have been well acquainted with said Mason from early life to the present time then & now living near each other - and the one now living at Walpole is the same who performed the services above mentioned
State of New Hampshire John Wheeler Cheshire ss. August 8. 1832. Then the above named John Wheeler, personally appeared and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed was true.
Before me Elijah Parker justice of the Peace Cheshire ss. Aug. 8. 1832.
I Salma Hale, clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Elijah Parker is a justice of the Peace in and for said county & that the foregoing official signature is in his own hand writing In testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
S Hale clerk

I know that John Wheeler the writer in Department is a respectable Witch H. Hubbard