Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5580, for Solomon Pratt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Pratt, Solomon. Betsey
N. 5580
CONTENTS

11990 Name
Solomon Pratt
of Kennebec in the State of Maine who was a prnt: Whil: in the Company commanded by Captain Ward of the Regt: commanded by _____ in the Mass: and line for 23 m 2d mntroop 28 " for
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 99 Dollars 18 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of July 1833 and sent to R. C. Vose Present
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $198.36 Semi-ant. allowance ending Septm. 49.59 $247.95
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 Page 42

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. KENNEBEC COUNTY, }
On this third day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, Solomon Pratt a resident of Madison in the County of Somerset and State of Maine, aged Sixty nine 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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1776 with Captain Ward and served in Col. not recollect regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Ward Captain . That in November 1776 he enlisted as a private in that company for three months. That this period he served out at Nantasket in Boston Harbor and was there verbally discharged in January or February 1777. That in the summer of 1777 he again enlisted into the same Capt Ward's company, but does not recollect his Colonel. That this term of enlistment was as a private for three months, which he served out at Fort Hill Boston , and was there verbally discharged in the fall of 1777. That in January 1779 he again enlisted as a private for three years in a company of artillery usually commanded by Lieut Samuel Treat, but his commander was William Burbeck, who was called Colonel, who was Chief Engineer and commander of Castle William, but the company it might have been attached to the regiment of Colonel Thomas Crafts of the Massachusetts troops. That his company was the garrison of Castle William in Boston Harbor. That he continued to serve until December 1780 twenty three months, when by request of his father he was verbally discharged at Castle William.
Asked under the instructions of the Department, he ans-
Eliza Pratt for Pratt

wers: That he was born at Weymouth, Mass. where his age is recorded he supposes, and where his home was during his revolutionary services. That in 1803 he removed to Conway, Northampton, and in May last he removed to Madison, where he now lives. That at the above periods he enlisted, was not drafted or received as a substitute. That he never took any written discharge. That he has stated above where and how he served. That he is not certain that the garrison of Castle William was attached to any regiment. That he cannot state more particularly the commissioned officers.
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.
Sol d Pratt
Sept 3
Text Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Before
Nathan Weston Jr not s.p.c.
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
Nathan Weston Jr
State of Maine April 4 th 1833. I hereby certify that it has been made to appear to my satisfaction that the above named applicant by reason of age & infirmity cannot without prejudice to his health appear in open court to renew his declaration of claim to make oath to the same.
Nathan Weston

State of Maine.
KENNEBEC, ss.—I, JOHN A. CHANDLER, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Solomon Pratt for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 15 th day of October
A. D. 1832,
J. A. Chandler

Solomon Pratt 25942 Private - Mass. Troops, Ward's Co: 3 months
" 3 "
Dt. Heat's Co: 23 " 2302
23 months & 2 days as a Private of Artillery.
5 " " 26 days as a Private of Infantry.
28 months & 28 days. —
Proof C. D. Bangs' Certificate cattle rolls found in Depp's Office in May 1833. —
Adm d
23 mo 2 ds Matross
28 ds pri: Infy
24 —
95.83 3/4
27
3.08
W. C. Rose
99.18
Augusta, Me.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. KENNEBEC COUNTY, }
On this third day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, Solomon Pratt a resident of Madison in the County of Somerset and State of Maine, aged sixty nine 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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1776 with Captain Ward and served in Col. not recollect regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Ward Captain . That in November 1776 he enlisted as a private in that company for three months. That this period he served out at Nantasket in Boston Harbor and was there verbally discharged in January or February 1777. That in the summer of 1777 he again enlisted into the same Capt Ward's company, but does not recollect his Colonel. That this term of enlistment was as a private for three months, which he served out at Fort Hill Boston, and was there verbally discharged in the fall of 1777. That in January 1779 he again enlisted as a private for three years in a company of artillery usually commanded by Lieut Samuel Treat, but his commander was William Burbeck, who was called Colonel, who was Chief Engineer and commander of Castle William, but the company it might have been attached to the regiment of Thomas Crafts of the Massachusetts troops. That his company was the garrison of Castle William in Boston Harbor. That he continued to serve until December 1780 twenty three months, when by request of his father he was verbally discharged at Castle William.
On being asked if he had any instructions of the Department, he answers:
That he was born at Weymouth, Mass. where his age is recorded he supposed, and where he was during his revolutionary services. That in 1803 he removed to Conway, New Hampshire, and in May last he removed to Madison, where he now lives. That at the above periods he enlisted, was not drafted or received as a substitute. That he never took any written discharge. That he has stated above where and how he served. That he is not certain that the garrison of Castle William was attached to any regiment. That he cannot state more particularly the commissioned officers.
Eliza Pratt X J. Pratt

and commander of Castle William, but it might have attached to the regiment of Col Thomas Crafts of the Massachusetts troops. That his company was the garrison of Castle William in Boston Harbor. That he continued to serve until December 1780 twenty three months, when by request of his father he was verbally discharged at Castle William.
Under instructions of the Department, he answers: That he was born at Weymouth, where his age is recorded as he supposed, and where he was was during his revolutionary services. That in 1803 he removed to Conway New Hampshire, and in May last he removed to Madison, where he now lives. That at the above periods he enlisted, was not drafted or received as a substitute. That he never took any written discharge. That he has stated above where and how he served. That he is not certain that the garrison of Castle William was attached to any regiment. That he cannot state more particularly the commissioned officers.
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.
Sol d Pratt
Sept 3
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Before Nathan Weston Jr Act S.P.C.
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
Nathan Weston Jr
State of Maine April 4 th 1853. I hereby certify that it has been made to appear to my satisfaction that the above named applicant by reason of age & infirmity cannot without prejudice to his health appear in open court to renew his declaration I again to make oath to the same. Nathan Weston

582 New Hampshire Pensions Betsey Pratt widow of Solomon Pratt Maf who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Priv Matros
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 99 Dollars 18
Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1848.
3 rd February 1853 Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of June 1853 and sent to
Geo. B. Moody Bangor Me.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 20 Vol. W
1832

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the 2 d Section of the act of Congress passed on the third day of February A. D. 1853 entitled "an act to continue half pay to certain widows & orphans"
State of Maine Hampshire } ss County of Carroll } On this first day of March A. D. 1853 personally appeared before me Jonathan G. Chase a Justice of the Court of Probate in said County which is a Court of Record Betsey Pratt a Resident of Madison in said County aged Seventy-one years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the 2 d Section of the Act aforesaid - and I hereby certify that the said Betsey by reason of bodily infirmity is wholly unable to attend Court and unable to leave her own house - She declares as follows -
That she is the widow of Solomon Pratt who served in the Army of the Revolution - That by reason of impaired memory she

and because she was not married to him till many years after his service it is not in her power to state the particulars thereof - That after his decease she as his widow drew a certain amount of Pension to which her said Husband was entitled in his life time and as she believes, and is instructed is probable, under the act of June 7, 1832 and she respectfully begs leave to refer for the particulars of her said Husband's service to the Papers and vouchers on file in the Pension office by virtue of which the said Pension was granted -
She further declares that she was married to the said Solomon Pratt at Conway in the said State on the twenty eighth day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and five -
That her Husband the said Solomon Pratt died at Madison in the State of Maine on the eighth day of February in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty three -
That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service, nor prior to the year 1794, nor prior to the year 1800 but the marriage took place at the time above stated -
She further swears that she is now a widow

and that she has never before made any application for a Pension, except the amount which was due her said Husband at his decease -
Estey Dett
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year first above written before me -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be affixed - and I certify that I have no interest in the result of the aforesaid claim & no concern in the prosecution of it -
Jonathan Chase Judge of Probate
Clerk of Court with Certificate
State of New Hampshire County of Carroll ss. I Jonathan P. Carter Register of Probate for said County hereby certify that Jonathan T. Chase above named is Judge of Probate for said County & that his signature above is genuine. Given under my hand & seal of office at Mt. Aspel in said County this first day of March A.D. 1853 Jonathan P. Carter Register of Probate

State of Maine.
Penobscot, ss.
I, Nathan Weston Jr. , William T. Gilmore , Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County, certify that
Charles Davis , _____
Esquire, is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, as appears by the paper hereto annexed, that he is duly qualified to act as such;
and that the signature purporting the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT for said State, this tenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Nathan Weston Jr.
Clerk.

Widows Claim Act of Feb. 1853. 2 d Section
W B
Geo. B. Moody Agent Bangor - Maine

I, Susan Minship residing at Bangor Maine on oath depose & say that I was acquainted personally with Solomon Pratt who was a Revolutionary Pensioner & lived at Mad- ison in said State - He was my Father. He died at said Madison on the eighth day of February A.D. 1803 - Betsy Pratt now residing at Madison M.H. is his widow & my Mother. she is the same person who has applied for a Pension. I have no pecuniary interest in her claim.
Susan Minship
State of Maine County of Penobscot } ss
March 10. 1853
Subscribed and sworn to before me and I certify the Susan Minship is personally known to me and is entitled to credit and I also certify that I have no interest in the result of the claim of Mrs. Pratt & pro- concern in the prosecution of it.
Charles Davis Justice of the Peace

State of New-Hampshire.
CARROLL, SS.
I, Francis R. Chase , Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for said County, hereby certify that John Eastman Esq., before whom the annexed affidavit was made, and who has thereunto
subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereunto is genuine.
In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court, this twelfth day of March 185 3 .
Francis R. Chase Clerk.

1805 Record of Marriages solemnized by and before the Rev Nathaniel Porter returned 1805 Thomas F Odell & Betsy Abbott married April 22 - 1804 Peter Coffin & Jane Evans August 12 - 1804 Samuel Merrill & Sarah Holt Eastman Nov 4 - 1804 Solomon Pratt & Betsy Boswell April twenty eighth A.D. one thousand eight hundred and five Richard Odell Town Clerk
A true of the Records except the date which is written in fair legible figures as follows -
April 28 - 1805
Attest - L. S. Morton Town Clerk -
I Leander S Morton depose and say that I held the office of Town Clerk of the town of Conway County of Carroll and State of New Hampshire - and the foregoing is a true extract from the records of said town except the date as certified by me
Leander S. Morton
State of New Hampshire
Carroll ss.
Feby 28 - 1853
Subscribed & sworn to before me and I certify that I have no interest in the result of the claim of Betsy Pratt for a pension and no concern in the prosecution of it Joel Eastman Justice of the Peace

10795 App. of Betsey Pratt widow of Solomon.
Mar. 1832 11990
Act 3 d Feb. 1853 p. 99. \frac{18}{100} per Ann. um Commencing Feb. 3 d 1853. ess:
Geo. B. Moody Bangor Maine
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Register

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5580
Betsey Pratt Wid.
Solomon Pratt Matrop Rev. War
Act: July 29 th 48
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 139
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Col. Pratt

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 13 th 1833.
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 Solomon Pratt served in a company raised for the defence of Castle Governor's Islands / commanded by his Excellency John Hancock, Esq., until October 24 th 1781, and afterwards by the Hon. Thomas Cushing, / whereof William Burbeck was "Capt. Lieut.", as follows, viz. Said Solomon Pratt served as a private from the 12 th Jan y . 1780 to December 14 th 1781, & was paid for twenty three months & two days service;
m d 23.02
Edward D. Dins
Ex d

Sol o Pratt

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 20 th 1832.
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 Solomon Pratt is borne on "a pay roll of the company commanded by the late Capt. Samuel Wurd deed, in Col. Cogswell's regiment of militia detached for the purpose of guarding & fortifying the ports in & near Boston," as having served as a private from Octr. 5 th to Decr. 31 st . 1778, & was paid for two months & 28 days service.
and that the name of Solomon Pratt is borne on "a pay roll of Capt. Nathan Packard's company in Col. S. Jacobs' regt. of militia detached from the Massachusetts State to reinforce the Continental Army for the term of three months, which service has been done in the State of Rhode Island," as having served as a private from August 10 th to October 31 st . 1780, & was paid for two months & 22 days service.
and that the name of Solomon Pratt is borne on "a muster roll of Capt. Abram Washburn's company in Col. Edward Mitchell's regt. in Bridgewater Militia marched to Horse neck in Braintree March 4 th 1776," as having been paid for six days service.
And that no rolls of Capt. Wurd's company in 1776, or of Lt. Treats service at "the Castle," are to be found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs Secy

Platt

Brief in the case of Betsey Pratt, widow of Solomon, Carroll County and State of New Hampshire, act 3 rd , February, 1853.
Claim, ("original," or " for increase ")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner, under the act of 7 th June, 1832.
Marriage proven by record evidence.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Geo: B. Moody, Esq., Bangor. Me., Name and residence of Agent
S. P. Baynton, Examining Clerk.

Pension Office, 30 th May. 1853.
Sir.
Be pleased to inform me, to what time, Solomon Pratt, a revolutionary pensioner, under the Act of 7 th June, 1832, at the rate of $99. 16 / 100 Per Annum, & inscribed upon the Maine Roll, was paid.
I have the honor to be, Sir. Respectfully Your Ob dt . serv t . S p Waldo Commissioner.
Died 6 th Feby. 1833, and paid to the day of his death.
F r Bent. Auditor.
Francis Root Esq r . Third Auditor, of the Treasury.

Sol: Pratt
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a continuous letter.]

I Humphrey Burrill of Milburn in the County of Somerset and State of Maine, of lawful age testi- fy and say that I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, having enlisted at various times, and performed sundry terms of service, and among others I enlis- -ted in what was called the three years service in Massachusetts, and about the year 1778 and in years following I was stationed in Castle William in Boston Harbor, doing duty there and in the Vicinity. I belonged to the Company of which Colonel Burbank was command in Chief, and in his absence Lieutenant Treat was command in Chief. During my said three years service, I was well ac- -quainted with Solomon Pratt now of Maduel in the County of Somerset, he being in the same Com- -pany with myself, commanded by said Lieutenant Treat, and did duty with me as a Soldier in said Castle William, for two years or thereabouts. It may probably have fell short a trifle of two years, but I am confident it was very near if not quite two full years that the said Pratt served with me as a Soldier on said Castle William. I was very inti- -mate with Mr Pratt while serving as a Soldier with me as aforesaid, and distinctly recollect his enlisting, and afterwards his drawing of clothes, rations &c as a Soldier, at same time that I drew clothes &c. From my advanced age, being now in my seventy- -eighth year, I am not able to recollect dates very -early; but of the general fact of the said Pratt's serving with me as a Soldier on Castle William

in the manner above stated, there can be no mistake. I recollect it as distinctly as any event in my life. Further the Deponent saith not.
his Humphrey X. Burrill mark
State of Maine
Somerset Co. September 7 th AD 1832
Personally appeared Humphrey Burrill and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deponent by him subscribed
Before me Judah McClellan Justice of Peace
Judah McClellan Esq is a Justice of the Peace, and the deposition a credible witness.
Nathan Weston Jr

I Elam Pratt of Bloomfield in the County of Somerset and State of Maine, of lawful age, do testify and say that in the Revolutionary War I was a Citizen of Massachusetts, and enlisted in the three years service , as it was called in Mass- achusetts - and was stationed for two years on a man on Castle William. While stationed on Castle William, I became acquainted with Solomon Pratt now of Maduel in said County, and remember he was on the Castle for most of the time above stated, employed same as rest of the Soldiers. From my advanced age, being now eight- y years of age, I am not able to testify with ab- solute accuracy to the said Pratt's enlistment, and the other particulars of his soldier'ship; but this I mean to be positive of, viz that he was on said Castle William, employed as aforesaid, and I have no doubt he was a soldier regular enlisted the same as myself. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. Elam Pratt
State of Maine Somerset ss. Sept. 7 th 1832 Personally appeared Elam Pratt and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Declaration by him subscribed
Before me Judah McClellan Judah McClellan Esq is a Justice of the Peace, and the deponent a credible witness. Nathan Weston

In case of Betsey Pratt.
New. claim
Act Feb. 1853
Written proof of death of Soldier -
to be filed with the Declaration &c handed to Gen. Johnson in the Pension Office March 30. 1853 by
Geo. B. Moody
of Bangor
agent in the claim
Chq 80 cts

State of New-Hampshire.
CARROLL, SS.
I, Francis R. Chase, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for said County, hereby certify that Chas. Poole Esq., before whom the annexed affidavit was made, and who has thereunto
subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereunto is genuine.
In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court, this Twenty Third day of
March 1853
Francis R. Chase Clerk.

I Sarah H. Chick before me say that I now reside in Farmworth in the county of Carroll in the State of New Hampshire, and for my first Husband I married a Son of the late Solomon Pratt who was a Revolutionary soldier and that he lived at the time of his death at Madison in the State of Maine - I was well acquainted with him and am personally knowing to the fact that he died at said Madison on the Sixth day of February A.D. 1833. I was present when he died We have former- ly lived in Eaton (now Madison) N.H. Betsey Pratt who is now applying for a Pension is his Widow - I have no interest in said estate Sarah H. Chick
State of New Hampshire County of Carroll ss
March 17 th 1853
Sworn to and subscribed before me - and I certify that Sarah H. Chick is well known to me and is entitled to full credit, that I have no in- terest in the estate of said man & no interest in the prosecution of it
[Signature] Justice of the Peace and I do hereby certify that the above