Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,507, for Abijah Mead, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Mead, Abijah
S 18,507
Carded
CONTENTS

21,119  Massachusetts  Abijah Mead
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Sergeant in the Comp y commanded by Captain Smith of the Reg t commanded by Col. Niter in the Mass line for 7 Mo. 5d
Index
Inscribed on the Roll of M ch 1831 at the rate of 3 Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Aug.  1832 and sent to M ch 1832 Banc
Arrears to the 4th of Ma ch 1831 $ 7  00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th 1831  17  50  $87  50
Recorded by J. C. [Signature] Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Book E , Vol. 3 , Page 54 Clerk
83 Worcester
✓

6542
Abijah Mead
Augt 7 Month
WCE
11. 12 16 06
Apr. 29 1833
P 361
Nathl Keoughton Barre Mass

6542
BRIEF in the case of  Abijah Mead of Worcester Co in the State of Mass (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? 82  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 the fall of the year In 1775 about 1 October 3 2 Subt & orderly Gen. Cap Smith - Col Nixon   a short time after 2 do Cap Wheeler - Col Robinson   Last Aug t or 1 Sep t 76 to about last Nov r 3 do Cap Hitch - Col Brear  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Concord  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lincoln  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The Deposition not properly authenticated
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. G. Easton Examining Clerk. 24 Jan 33

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this twentyfirst day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before me William Rainsey Judge of Probate for said County now sitting in Barnes a resident of Barnes in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He entered into the service of the United States in the militia of Massachusetts in the fall of the year 1775. about the first of October and served two months. He took the place of one Jonas Mason who had enlisted for eight months & who was sick & unable to complete the term and the term having expired he was dismissed the company officers were Capt William Smith of Lincoln, Lieut John Hartwell, Col. John Wilson commanded the Regiment. - A British was major. that he resided in the town of Lincoln in the County of Middlesex where he entered, that he acted as a volunteer, that he was stationed on winter hill so called in Charlton near Boston. Genl. Howe's Washington there were there as he then came home stayed a short time, then he went as a volunteer to Cambridge Mass. and served two months, till the British left Boston. he then served under Capt. Israel Whitney & Lt. Nathan Stow & John H. Durd. the Regt. was commanded by Col. Robinson that he was then dismissed - Genl. Heath I think then  was In the last of August or first of September 1776 he entered into the service again marching through Concord. to Northampton from there to Pittsfield - from there to Stockbridge - from there he went in boats to Picoenderaga where & in the vicinity he stayed till there months, the time for which he was engaged had expired & then he was dismissed. that he marched & served under one Capt. Smith Lt. Nathan Stow & Col. Brewer - Genl. Gates was the Commander in chief. that he belonged to a minute company which marched to Concord 19 Apr. 1775 and among them which met the British at Concord bridge and saw the first British blood flow. He was the orderly sergeant during all the services above stated & performed that duty - He was born at Lincoln March 2 d 1750 - that he has no record of his age - that he resided there when he entered the service - that he entered the service as a volunteer & never had any withdrawal - that he has no documentary evidence & that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except Tilly, Abut. that Shayer James & Seth Lee are persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood & who he believes will testify to his character, & to their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Nath. Farnes Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Iziah Shaw

We Ebenezer Jones a Clergyman residing in the town of Barnes and Seth Lee residing in Barnes hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abijah Mead who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Byrne Nathl. Jones Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Ebenezer Jones Seth Lee
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Abijah Ebenezer Jones who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Barnes and that Seth Lee who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Barnes and a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. Jones Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Deputy Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abijah Mead for a pension. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Probate this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two
Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts
No 6542.
Worcester ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester , do hereby certify that the papers now connected together by ribbon, under the Seal of the said Court, are the original papers and proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Abijah Mead for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Probate for said County this sixth day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three .
Theoph. Wheeler Regd of said Court

I Tilly Maud of Borne in the County of Worcesters of lawful age testify & say That I am the brother of Abijah Maud that I was knowing to said Abijah's serving as a Soldier in the Militia of Massachusetts in the war of the Rebellion in the fall of the year 1865 at Winter Hill in Charlestown Mass. I saw him frequently. I was also in the Army at the same time & Stationed at Cambridge within two miles of him - but not in the same Brigade I do not know the term he served, but believe he was there as much as two months.
I also saw him in the Army at Fredericksburg I saw him when he arrived there & when he left. I should think that he was there as much as three months. I understood at the time that he was an orderly sergeant.
Tilly Maud
Worcester Aug. 21. 1882 - Personally the above named Tilly Maud & made oath to the truth of Deposition above, by him Subscribed And I further certify that said Maud is a person of truth, and full credit credence is to be placed in his declarations Before me Seth Lee Justice of the Peace

2
1850 y INVALID.
File No. 18,277
Abijah Merrett
Serg Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 253
[Arrangement of 1870.]

65.42
Abijah Mead
North Hampton Barre 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 Abijah Head 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? [Handwritten line] 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 ? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? No
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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 ? No
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 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.