Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,905, for Samuel Mansfield, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Mansfield, Samuel Mary
N. 23,905
CONTENTS

22916
Massachusetts
Samuel Mansfield
of Lynn in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain  of the regt commanded by Col Wadsworth in the field time for 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Mar ch 1832 and sent Isaac Dates Lynn Mass
  Arrears to 4th of Sep r 1832  $49.99    Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 33  16.66     $66.65  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H S Blair Clerk Book D. Vol. 27 Page 67.

871
Massachusetts
Mary Mansfield widow of Samuel Mansfield decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 17th November 1837 of Essex Co in the State of MS. who was a Private in the by Captain _____ commanded by W. Wadsworth of the Regt. commanded line for 10 mo's
Inscribed on the Roll of a MASS. a at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 17th November 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Apr. 1838, and sent to Mrs. J. Hall Lynn MS.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1835 $31.33 Semi-annual allowance ending March, 1836, 16.66
$48.99
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by A. H. Atkinson Clerk, Book _____ Vol. _____ Page 106

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss.
On this fourteenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the HONORABLE DANIEL APPLETON WHITE, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, now sitting, in Salem  Samuel Mansfield resident of Synn , in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 74 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 7, 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
In the month of August  September in 1775 he enlisted into the service of said State into a company commanded by Capt King , but the part of the company in which he served was commanded by Lieutenant Harris Chadwell of said Synn and was stationed to protect the sea coast against surprise and invasion, that he served under said Chadwell for six months and was discharged in December 1775  January 1776 . He remembers seeing Capt King once in the town and no more. Capt King commanded the remainder of the company at Salem . For this six months he does not recollect of seeing any or knowing of any orders from any military officers whatever except those above stated nor any private now living except Henry Hallowell of said Synn .
In the year 1777 he served the two months of September and October for said State in Boston in guarding the public stores in a company raised from Salem , Synn & Boston . He believes the company was commanded by a Capt Ward , but the principal direction of it was by Lieut Field of Salem . He was in Boston and in the service when Gen Burgoyne surrendered and partook in the rejoicings. He remembers his standing encamped at the Quarters of General Heath in Boston at that time.
He further states, that he served two months at Rhode Island in 1778 under Capt Love , Lt Harris Chadwell , in the Regiment of Col Wadsworth , General Sullivan and belonged to the boats that brought off the Americans under General Sullivan . The first night the provisions were carried to Siverton and the next night the troops were landed by the boats. All was haste & bustle. He thinks he saw Gen Lafayette there and of this he has no doubt.

Questions propounded by the Court.
Quest. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was born in Lynn in 1758.
Quest. Have you any record of your age, if so, where is it?
Ans. I have no record of my age. Henry Hallowell my neighbor has a memorandum of the births of all my family, and this corresponds with what I have ever been told, but how the Hallowell obtained his information I know not.
4 th Question. Have  When were you called called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute for whom?
Ans. I always went voluntarily and was never a substitute.
3 rd Quest. Where were you living when you called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live?
Answer. I lived in Lynn and Lynn has always been my home to the present day.
Quest. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental & militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. Answer. I remember no regimental officers or other troops in my service of 1778 and at Rhode Island I was attached to the boats during the whole time there, I cannot recollect any officers of any kind except those I have stated.
Question. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer. I cannot say for a certainty, whether I had any.
I believe that I had. A discharge was not considered of any value by any body. I do not know what has become of them.
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.
Samuel Mansfield
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
D. White
JUDGE OF PROBATE.
We, Daniel Chessman a clergyman, residing in Lynn aforesaid, and Isaac Bates Esquire, a magistrate, residing in Lynn aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Mansfield who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 74 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.
Daniel Chessman Isaac Bates
Subscribed and sworn to before
D. White Judge of Probate.

And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Daniel Chilson who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Lynn and that the said Isaac Bates who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at Lynn and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
A. H. White Judge of Probate
I, NATHANIEL LORD Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Mansfield for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourteenth day of August , A. D. 1832.
Nathaniel Lord Jr. mb

State of Massachusetts- County of Essex } fs-
On this 28 th day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight; personally appeared before the Judge of Probate for the County of Essex, Mary Mansfield , a resident of Lynn in said County, aged seventy four years , who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, entitled an "Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," that she is the widow of Samuel Mansfield , who was a private, in the revolutionary war; in the militia of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Mansfield on the twenty sixth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty nine ; that her husband the aforesaid Samuel Mansfield died on the seventeenth day of November , in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven ; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four , viz at the time above stated.
Mary Mansfield
Essex fs. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.
By me D. H. White Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex. Js. Lynn Aug th 16 th 1838
“ Mr. Samuel Mansfield and Miss Mary Rhodes both of Lynn was married by Mr. Parsons, on the twenty-sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. ”
I Thomas Bowler clerk of the Town of Lynn, in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, certify that I have the custody of the records of said Town, and that the above extract, 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.
[March 26. 1789]
Thomas Bowler Town Clerk of Lynn
I Thomas Bowler above named depose, and say, that I hold the office of Town clerk, in the Town, County, and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Lynn, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Thomas Bowler clerk of the Town of Lynn. Sworn before me. John Little Justice of the Peace

Sam Mansfield Forwarded by Isaac Gates Lynn Mass
No 1837
Plate 10 Months Admiration
$33.33.
Isaac Gates Esq Lynn Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Saml Mansfield  of  Synn  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy Four 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.     In 17 15 — 6 — Private Capt. King   77 — 3 — " Capt. Ward   98 — 2 — " Col. Mansfield  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Synn 
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses, traditionary evidence 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not perfect under the seal to certify that Judge  of the District Court is in his hands the foregoing  He certifies that I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
H. C. Addison Examining Clerk.

7 th
By the Court. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbor- hood, who can certify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. I name the Rev Daniel Chesman, Harris Chadwell, Elijah Downing, Esquire & Isaac Gates Esquire.

Pamuel Mansfield Mass. act 7 June 1832 As what time p ri ?
Per: Officer
Nov 1. 1835
ad to 4 Sep 1837
JH

R,
WIDOW, &c.
July-15-1962 Hon E. M. Roberts H
File No. 23905
Mary Mansfield Widow of Samuel Mansfield Brn Mass - Lin
Act July 7th 1838
Index : Vol M , Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Samuel Mansfield 18 o 1837.

I Harris Chadwell of Lynn in the county of Essex & state of Massachu- setts aged 86 years testify, depose and declare upon my oath, that Samuel Mansfield of said Lynn served under my command being  at Lieutenant for six months in the year 1775. The men un- der my command were stationed at said Lynn. I had over me Capt. Hill of Salem, but he took no command of my men. I received all my orders from the Committee of Safety. I cannot now remember the names of that committee; but as they were elderly men, I have no doubt of their being all dead. I fur- ther depose and testify, that said Sam- uel Mansfield served in a company com- manded by Capt. Thomas  John Lose of which I was Lieutenant for five months in the Regiment commanded by Colo Wadsworth. General Putnam in command at Rhode Island in 1778; But on consideration I remember that Benjamin Dike then Gov. Clish; Major Clee- ve & Edward Johnson were of the committee. They are all dead. Harris Chadwell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Essex ss.
On this fourteenth day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, judge of Probate for the said county of Essex now sitting in Salem within said said county Harris Chadwell and made so- lemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affi- davit by him subscribed. And the said Judge from the questions put to him to elicit the truth do certify, that, in my opinion, that the said Harris Chadwell is entitled to belief and full credit.
In Testimony whereof I the the said Judge have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal official the day & year aforesaid.
D A White Judge of Probate

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ESSEX, ss.
I, JOHN PRINCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Essex, do certify, that Hon. Dan d A. White is Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County. That Jonathan Tuttle of Lynn
Esquire,
Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, and that their signatures hereon are genuine.
WITNESS MY HAND, and the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas, at Salem this 28 th day of August A. D. 1838
John Prince Clerk.

Hon Lee at War-

Lynn Mass Aug 1 18 th 1832
Hon Sec of War.
Sir, any communication upon the application of Samuel Mansfield for a pension will be at his request, made to me.
I am, Sir, with due respect your humble serv t Sam l Gates

Anna Mansfield
1837
Anna e Gates Lynn Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Saml Mansfield which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: ' For _____ year _____ months and _____ days. I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

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

Sims August 28 th 1858.
J. L. Edwards Esq Sir:-
I herewith send you applications for pension and half pay of Mary Mansfield, and Betty Washburn. Mary Mansfield is claimant under the act of July 7 th 1838. Her husband was a pensioner. The original certificate granted to him accompanies the papers, which will, I suppose, enable you to refer to the dispositions taken for the purpose of obtaining that, for the necessary facts in this case. The deponents are now all dead, as well as all other persons, within her knowledge, personally knowing to the service of her husband. The other necessary notes also accompany it.
Betty Washburn is applicant under the act of 4 July 1836. I send with the papers in her case, the letter received by her announcing the death of her husband.
Your O bl Servt Thos B. Marshall

Payments to be made at Boston Mass by The Pres't & B d Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass.
Recorded by H. M c Blain Clerk, in Book D. Vol. 2 nd page 67.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Mansfield of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Thirty Three ————— dollars and Thirty Three 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 Twenty Third day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Lewis Cass. Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards

107 Mary Mansfield
admitted
Pr. $33. 33 100

State of Massachusetts } County of Essex } f.
I Daniel Symonds of Lynn in the county and State aforesaid on oath depose and say that I was acquainted with Samuel Mansfield (the identical person named in the pension certificate, a copy of which is hereto annexed) at the time of his death, and had been for many years previously thereto. That his death took place at said Lynn on the seventeenth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven - and I further say that Mary Mansfield, the applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838. entitled an "Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," is the widow of the said Samuel Mansfield, and has since his death remained unmarried.
Daniel Symonds
Essex ss August 21 st 1838 Then the above named Daniel Symonds, who is a credible person, personally appeared, and made oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me
Jan s Little Jus Peace
Copy of Pension Certificate -
War Department
Revolutionary Claim -
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7 th June 1832. Samuel Mansfield of the state of Massachusetts, who was a private in the army of the Revolution, is entitled to receive thirty three dollars, and thirty three cents, per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4 th of March 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4 th of March and 4 th of September in every year
(Seal)
Given at the war office of the United States this twenty third day of November, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Examined & Countersigned J. L. Edwards -
Lewis Cab. Secretary of War

I Henry Hallowell of Lynn in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy seven years and eight months upon my oath declare, that I served six months in said Lynn in the year 1775 in a part of a company commanded by Lieu- tenant Harris Chadwell of said Lynn and that Samuel Mansfield of said Lynn served as a private with me during the time. I cannot tell ex- actly the time said Chadwell's men were discharged, but I know, that after I was discharged, I again enlist- ed for a year into a company com- manded by Captain Ezra Durdall and said Durdall's company joined other troops on Winter Hill on the first day of January 1776. The men under Lieut. Chadwell were stationed to watch and protect the sea coast. It was a time of great alarm and anxi- ety with the people, as the British troops then lay at Boston. I make this declaration upon oath according to my own recollection and the account of the proceedings of that day in a book kept by me and in my own hand writing.
Henry Hallowell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex ss. 13 th August 1832.
Henry Hallowell Personally appeared (s) before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Essex and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed. And the said Justice do further certify, that the said Hallowell is a creditable man and that in the opinion of said Justice is entitled to full belief, and that he is at present laboring under bodily indisposi- tion and unable to attend any Court, unless the same be held in his own house.
Isaac Gates Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex ss.
I John Prince Junior, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Essex & Common- wealth of Massachusetts, do certify, that Isaac Gates Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit or deposition was sworn, was at the time a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Essex and duly empowered to administer oaths, and that his signa- ture attached hereto is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix- ed the seal of said Court this 14 th day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
John Prince Clerk