Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,559, for Elijah Mason, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass
Mason, Elijah
S. 17,559
CONTENTS
carded

Connecticut. 1777
Elijah Mason
of Woodstock in the State of Conn. who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Wheeler of the Reg. t commanded by Col o Micon in the Mass. & time for two years. Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn. t at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Sept. 1833 and John Fowler 2 d North Woodstock Conn.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept r 1833. 200. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34. 40.
$ 240.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M c Palmer Clerk Book 6 Vol. three Page 28.
Lt. E. J. Tavel, 2 d - Oct. 8. 1833
Apl. 22, 1885 - Statement sent to Ezra S. Stearne E. Rindge N. H. - see copy inside.
Note of death recd in 93.

E Mason
8010
grace of fifer - credited by they roles & witness silent as logan therefore dis allowed.
Roll, Col Putnam
enl d 17 th June 1778
disch 17 Mar 1779
29 month
Adm d
24 mo. free
804

State of Connecticut Windsor County Town of Woodstock - } ss
on this 11 th Day of August 1832 Personally appeared in open court before the Hon. John Rain Esq Judge of Probate for Woodstock District now sitting Elijah Mason - a resident of Woodstock in County of Windsor and State of Connecticut, aged 74 - years who first being 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 th 1832 -
I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - At the time I entered the service I lived in the town of Lincoln in the State of Massachusetts . I belonged to Company of volunteers under the command of Capt Smith (was at the Battle of Concord Bridge on the 19 th of April - after that we moved to Cambridge where I entered as a fifer under Capt Smith for eight months Belonged to Col. John Dixon Regiment - was stationed at the College & I was in the Battle at Bunker Hill after the Battle I went on to Winter Hill to the Barrack and stayed until my time was out - - January 1 st 1776 I enlisted again as fifer under command of Capt Adam Wheeler for one year Belonged to Col. John Dixon Regt I was one of the Detached party who entered Boston with Genl Washington from the Boston I returned back to my old camp soon after I went to New York. - Through Providence New London - from New York I went to Governor Island stayed there until the British took Long Island August 27 th 1776 - When Genl Washington retreated out of New York with his army I was with him - - After this I marched to White Plains was at the Battle of White Plains Oct 28 th - After this I marched to New Jersey to reinforce the army joined a division under the command of Genl Lee before he was taken Prisoner I marched and crossed the Delaware River and went down towards Trenton

After the battle at Trenton we crossed the Raritan and drove the British into New Brunswick - soon after this my term expired and I returned home - In the 1778 in June I enlisted again as a piper for nine months and marched to Freshkill where I was there under the command of a commissary was his guard stayed there three or four months I was then ordered to go and help build a Bridge over the Housatonic or some other river near the Raritan after this I joined Col. Rufus Putnam's Regiment at Freshkill - Here I stayed until my time was out - 1779 and was discharged and returned home - I was born in Lincoln Mass. Middlesex County 1758 Lived when called into the service in Lincoln Mass - and now live in Woodstock Connecticut volunteered was under Washington's command - never had any discharge - Reference John Fox Deacon Jacob Dyer Abraham Noyes - I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state - Sworn and subscribed the day and year afore said - Elijah Mason
"We W. M. Connell a clergyman residing in the town of Woodstock and John Fox - residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elijah Mason 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 neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion Sworn and subscribed the day and year afore said W. M. Connell { Clergyman of Woodstock John Fox

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of this matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certify that it appears to them that W m M c Cornell who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Woodstock and that John Fox — who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit — and that it is the opinion of this court that the statement of the applicant is true —
I George Bowen clerk of the court of Probate for Woodstock District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the applicant of Elyah Mason — for a pension —
in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11 th day of August 1839
George Bowen Clerk of Probate for Woodstock District

July 1, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Elijah Mason-S.17559 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Albert A. Kemter 1433 Midland Avenue Syracuse, New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Elijah Mason, pensioner in 1832 in Windham County, Connecticut.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.17559, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Elijah Mason.
He was born in the year 1758 in Lincoln, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; the names of his parents are not stated.
Elijah Mason, while residing in said Lincoln, served with the Massachusetts troops, as follows-
He was at the battle of Concord Bridge under Captain Smith, and marched to Cambridge and there enlisted and served eight months as fifer in Captain Smith's company, Colonel John Nixon's regiment; and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He enlisted January 1, 1776 and served one year as fifer in Captain Adam Wheeler's company, Colonel Nixon's regiment, was in the retreat from Long Island and in the battle of White Plains. He enlisted sometime in June, 1778 for nine months as a fifer, was a guard to a commissary for three or four months (no officers given), then served in Colonel Rufus Putnam's regiment, for the remainder of enlistment.
Elijah Mason was allowed pension on his application executed August 11, 1832, then a resident of Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut.
Joseph Mason, brother of the soldier, Elijah

Mason, was eighty-one years of age in 1832 and living in Walpole, Cheshire County, New Hampshire.
It is not stated that soldier, Elijah Mason, was married.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address to whom sent, and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, Elijah Mason, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data-
Elijah Mason Certificate No. 17777 Issued September 19, 1833 Rate $80.00 per annum To commence March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Connecticut Agency
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

8610
Elijah Chatham
29 m as before
adm D
✓
John Fowler 2nd
Burunt

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elijah Chasner _____ 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? 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? CVO

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? 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.

17559 INVALID.
1925-Dec. 14-Heir to Mrs. E. J. Champlin's
File No. 17559
Elijah Mason Pre Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]
5

was at the Battle of White Plains, Oct. 28 th — then marched to New Jersey & joined a division Division under Genl Loll, before he was taken prisoner. — Marched & crossed the Delaware & down towards Trenton — after the battle at Trenton, crossed the river & drove the British into New Brunswick. Soon after this his leg was injured & he re- turned home.
In June 1778 embarked as a fifer for 9 mos — & marched to Fishkill — was there under the Command of a Commissary. Was his guard — stayed there 3 or 4 mos — was then ordered which built a bridge over the Hudson for some other river — after this he joined the Col Rufus Putnam's Regt at Peekskill. Where he served out the balance of his time.
Says he was born in Lincoln in 1758 — & lived there when called into service —
Joseph Mason of Wolfville N.H. says he lived in Lincoln Mason is brother of Elijah Mason & was in service with Elijah in Capt Smith's Co. in 1778. They were both fifers — also that they served together nine months in 1778. & that Elijah was under him in a Com- missary guard at Fishkill.

The following is not probably his Elijah Mason called for his  his  family  family as U.S. Pension Officer
Elijah Mason - Woodstock, Conn. - Aug. 18 th 1832 - aged 74 yrs.
Allen Subsisted Belonged to Col. Volunteers at Lincoln Mass. under Capt. Smith. was at the Battle of Concord on 19 April  April after that marched to Cambridge, where he enlisted as a fifer under Capt. Smith. for 3 mos. Belonged to Col. John Nixon's Regt. was stationed at the College - was in the Battle of Bunker Hill - after the Battle went with the Barracks at Winter Hill where he served duty long time
In Jan'y 1846 again enlisted as a fifer for one year - under Capt. Adlam & taken by Col. Morton's Regt. was one of the delinquent part who enlisted in Boston with Genl. Washington from Boston returned to the Bunker Hill Camp - soon after went to N. York through Providence & New London - from New York went to Long Island & re- mained there until the British took Long Island. Aug. 27 th 1776 - was with Genl. Washington when he retreated out of N. York - after marched to White Plains &
(13979-200,000.)

The following is not a biography of Rev. Dr. Rev. Dr. having been S. P. Hemen, Official
Elizate Hemen - D. Mus. Phil. & Sc. D. Cony - Aug. 11 th 1832 - aged
74 yrs. He He belonged to a family distinguished at various
times by the name of Smith - was a son of the Rev. Dea. Hemen
on the 11 th of the month of March last to Cambridge, Mass.
where he resided as a young man - returned to Col-
lege - returned to Col- lege - returned to Col-
lege - returned to Col- lege - returned to Col-
lege - returned to Col- lege - returned to Col-
lege - returned to Col- lege - returned to Col-

MRS. LEWIS T. CHAMPLIN 142 GROVE STREET PUTNAM, CONN.
Nov. 7, 1925.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
I would like the Revolutionary service of two pensioners as follows:-
ELIJAH MASON, who died in Woodstock, Conn. Feb. 18, 1849, was pensioner in 1832 and 1840 as given in Connecticut Men of Rev. p 657-663
EPHRAIM HOUGHTON, Pension # W.2550. Widow Mary, died May 6, 1840, as found in Connecticut Men in Rev. p 657.
Very truly,
Mrs. L. T. Champlin

Syracuse, June 19, 1933.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Will you kindly send me pension record of the following:
Connecticut Rev. Soldiers
✓ Elijah Uason , residing in Middham Co., 1832. ✓ Elijah Uason, residing in Woodstock, Middham Co. 1840.
Thanking you in advance, I am, Sincerely, -- Alice M. Reuter.
Mrs. Albert A. Reuter 1433 Midland Ave. Syracuse N.Y.

and 1812 Section.
awg
December 14, 1925.
Mrs. L. T. Champlin 142 Grove St Putnam, Conn.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 17559, it appears that Elijah Mason was born in 1758 in Lincoln, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
While residing at said Lincoln, he was at the battle of Concord under Captain Smith; and April 19, 1775 at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served eight months as a fifer in  as Captain Smith's Captain Smith's Company, Colonel John Nixon's Massachusetts Regiment, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill.
He enlisted January 1, 1776 and served one year as fifer in Captain Adam Wheeler's Company, Colonel Nixon's Massachusetts Regiment, and was in the retreat from New York, and in the battle of

White Plains.
He enlisted in June 1778 for nine months as a fifer, and was a guard to a commissary for three or four months, no officers stated; then served in Colonel Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts Regiment, for the remainder of enlistment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 11, 1832, while a resident of Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut.
It is not stated that soldier was married.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

I Joseph Mason of Walpole in the county of Cheshire aged Eighty one years depose and say - that in the and during the whole Revolutionary War except when In the army, I lived in Lincoln Massachusetts - that my Brother Elijah Mason now living at Woodstock Connecticut then also lived at said Lincoln - that the said Elijah & myself were both in the service in the year 1775 - in Capt Smiths Company - enlisted for and served eight months - and served one month over our time - were stationed first at Cambridge in the college & afterwards at Winter Hill - were both fifers in said Company. -
That I was knowing also to said Elijah Masons enlisting for one year in 1776 - that I was not with him, nor did I see him in that service, but understood that he was in Capt Whipples Co & Col Christys Regt - & was at New York City & other places. -
I further say that In the year 1778 - the said Elijah Mason served with me nine months was under me on a Commissary guard at Pitsfield & joined Col Putnam's Regt with me - & was dis- missed at the same time I was at Pitsfield. - at the end of our nine months service. -
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss. -
Joseph Mason
Augt. 20. 1832. - Subscribed Sworn to Before me Th. M. Edwards
I certify that I am but partially acquainted with said deponent, he living in an adjoining town - but that he is represented to me by persons in whom I have confidence to be a respectable man & credible person. -
Th M Edwards
Just Peace -
Cheshire ss - August 20. 1832
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Judicial Court in said county certify that Thomas M. Edwards is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, & that the foregoing are his signatures. - In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale, Clerk