Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26757, for John Kent, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Kent, John Betsey
W. 26757
CONTENTS

Maine - 3250
Betsy Kent, widow of John Kent,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June '32 and who died on the 17 th Aug t 1835 of Kennebec in the State of Maine who was a Pen. & Cor. in the County commanded by Captain Sampson of the Reg t commanded by _____ in the Main line for 8 mo s
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 27 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of June '39, and sent to Geo. W. Morton, Augusta, Me.
Arrears to the 14 th of March - $81.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 13.50 $94.50
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Purdie Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 15 Page 13.

11980 Maine
John Kent
of Kennebec in the State of Maine who was a for 1 Conf. in the Company commanded by Captain Sampson of the Regt. commanded by _____ in the Mass. 3. and time for 9 mos for 1 " Conf. }
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 27 Dollars 00 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 $54.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 13. 50
$67.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Wilkins Clerk Book E Vol. 1 Page 28

Copy from the town records of marriages in the town of Marshfield Massachusetts
John Kent & Betty Walker both of this town were married March sixth seventeen hundred eighty eight.
I certify that the above is a true copy of the records with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows, viz. March 6. th 1788.
Samuel Curtis } Town Clerk
I Samuel Curtis above named depose & say that I hold the office of town Clerk of the town of Marshfield, County of Plymouth state of Mass ts . & that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me
Com te of Mass ts Samuel Curtis } Clerk of Plymouth ss. sworn before me this Marshfield fifth day of August A D 1838
Seth Sprague Jr. Clerk

Concord, Mass. Sept. 1888 July, Mass. Aug. 9. 1888
I hereby certify that the within Sets of Warrants, is a true copy of the original for the County of Plymouth. Witness my hand & the Seal of State.
John P. Bigelow
Secy of the Commonwealth

aged sixty six We, Abigail Weston aged sixty eight years, and Betsey Kent, both of Duxbury in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, sisters of John Kent, who lives in Readfield in the State of Maine; do testify and say that our said brother enlisted and served in the war of the American Revolution at Nantasket in the state of Massachusetts aforesaid. We the said Abigail and Betsey are unable to state the particular year he enlisted, or the length of time he served at said place; but We well remember when he went from home, and assisted in preparing his things for the campaign. We also well remember when he returned home, and are frequently heard him speak of incidents that occurred during his service at said place.
Abigail Weston Betsey Kent.
Plymouth ss September 1st 1832. Then the above named Abigail Weston and Betsey Kent personally appeared and severally made oath that the above affidavits by them subscribed is true.
Before me. John Ford Jr Jus: Peace.
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Abigail Weston and Betsey Kent; and that their testimony is entitled to credit.
John Ford Jr
John Ford Jr Esq is a Justice of the Peace Nathan Weston

John Kent
Private - Mass. troops, Weston's Co: 4 months
D. Sampson's Co: 3 months
Corporal Quincy's Co: — 1 month
1 month as a corporal 7 months as a private 8 "
Adm'd 7 mo. Private 10 mo. Corp'l 8 mo: Applicant informed - Certified by Judge in open Court April 4, 1833.
23.33 3.64
W. C. Rose. 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 seventh 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, John Kent a resident of Readfield
in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, aged Seventy seven years in December 1832
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 William Weston and served in Col. not recalled regiment of
the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Weston Captain . That
in July 1776, he enlisted into that company as a private for the term of four months. That he does not recollect his Colonel, if the company was attached to any regiment. That he continued to serve the period of his enlistment in building a fort on the Guarret in Plymouth harbor, Massachusetts , and was verbally discharged in November 1776. That in the same month of November he re-enlisted as a private for the term of three months as a private in the same company, then commanded by Lieut. Sampson and continued to serve in the Fort built on the Guarret until March 1777 when he was verbally discharged. That in March 1777 he again enlisted as a corporal for one month in Capt. Cushing's company, and he believes in Col. Swart's or Col. Marshall's regiment of the Massachusetts troops. That he served out this period, and by request of his Officers, chose not to enlist longer, and was verbally discharged at Nantasket in Boston Harbor the first of May 1777.
And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the Act of Congress, he answered: That he was born in Marshfield, Massachusetts in 1755, where he supposed his age is recorded, and where

on the first of May 1770
And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the Department, he answers: That he was born in Marshfield, Massachusetts in 1755, where he supposed his age is recorded, and where his home was during his revolutionary services. That about 1796 he removed to Mount Vernon, Maine, and that in 1827 he removed to Readfield Maine, where he now lives. That he never took any written discharge. That at the above periods, he enlisted, was not drafted or received as a substitute. That his two first services he was before stated. That his best service was at the Fort in Nantucket. That Capt Weston's first Lieut was Sampson, his second Smith. That Cushing's first Lieut was King Lapham, his second Rogers and that he cannot more particularly state the names of other 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.
John Frost
Sept 7
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Before Nathan Weston his 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.
State of Maine
April 4, 1833. 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 review his declaration & again to make oath to the same -
Nathan Weston his S.P.C.

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 John Kent for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this seventh day of September
A. D. 1832,
J. A. Chandler.

Patsy Kent V219 Widow of John Kent a pensioner under Act June 7. 1832 on the Maine Agency Me
act 7 July 38
Married in 1788 died in 1835
admil 7 mo pri 1. corpe
27. 4
No deduction
Governor Morton Augusta Maine

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
STATE OF MAINE.
Kennebec
County, ss.
On this fourth day of August A. D., 1838, personally appeared before the Hon. Nathan Weston Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Maine Betsey Kent otherwise Elizabeth Kent a resident of Readfield in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, aged Seventy nine 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 7th, 1838, enti- tled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of John Kent late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under Act of Congress of June 7, 1832 She refers to the evidence furnished the War Department by him for the purpose of establishing his pension under said Act
She further declares, that she was married to the said John Kent on the fourth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty eight ; that her husband, the aforesaid John Kent died on the fourteenth day of August 1835 in said Readfield ; 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; that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
her Betsey X Kent mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me (the applicant from age and infirmity unable to appear in open court ) Nathan Weston C.J. S.J.C.

State of Maine.
On the first day of August, 1830, Betsey Kent, the applicant within named, was examined and sworn, as within stated. I am satisfied that she was married to John Kent, late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, on the sixth day of March, 1708, that the said John Kent deceased on the seventeenth day of August, 1835, and that the applicant has ever since remained his widow.
Nathan Weston C.J. S.J.C.
STATE OF MAINE.
Memoranda ss.
I the subscriber Clerk of the Court for said County, hereby CERTIFY, That the Hon: Nathan Weston before whom the proceedings were had, is Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State. I also CERTIFY, That the foregoing Memoranda contains the original proceedings of the said Chief Justice in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this first day of September, A. D., 1838.
Thomas Swan

I Patsy  know of Readfield of the County of Lincoln  as do testify and declare upon oath that John Kent late a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States died in said Readfield in the year 1835 that his widow Betsey Kent is now living, having remained unmarried since the decease of her said husband
Patsy Kent
State of Maine
County of Lincoln
Subscribed & sworn to this first day of August 1838 the deponent being a credible witness Before me, Nathan Weston Ch. Med. S.P.C.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
October 24, 1933.
Edward P. Criswold, 228 Yosemite Ave., Modesto, Calif.
Sir;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 26757 , it appears that John Kent was born December 1755 in Marshfield, Massachusetts, and while residing there enlisted in July 1776 and served four months as a private in Captain William Weston's Massachusetts company, and in November 1776 he enlisted and served three months under Captain Andrew Sampson.
In March 1778, he enlisted and served as a corporal in Captain Josiah Cushing's company in Colonel Stewart or Marshall's regiment and was discharged in May 1778.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832, while a resident of Readfield, Kennebec County, Maine. He died August 17, 1835.

Soldier married at Marshfield, Massachusetts, March 6, 1788, Betsey or Betty Walker, she was allowed pension on her application executed August 1, 1838, while living in Readfield, Mass., aged seventy nine years.
It is not stated whether they had children. No further family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Jan 20 , 19 22
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Bent a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his(er his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. 26757
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1776 4 mos. Pvt. William Weston ✓ Mass.   Mar. 1776 3 mos. " Andrew Sampson ✓   Mar. 1778 7 weeks Corps. Josiah Cushing Stewart Marshall  
Battles engaged in, None stated Residence of soldier at enlistment, Marshfield, Mass (Plymouth Co) Date of application for pension, Sept 7 1832 al. Residence at date of application, Readfield, Kennebec Co., Me. Age at date of application, 6 Dec 1775 in Marshfield, Mass. Remarks: He married Mar 6 1788 Betty or Betsey Walker both of Marshfield, Mass; died Aug 17 1835 in Readfield, Me. she was al pem on an ap of Aug 1838 while res. in Readfield, Me. ae. 79 yrs. It is not stated whether they had any children.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

24 So Main Armer Albany N.Y. Jan 29-1922
Washington Lodge Commissioner Veterans Washington D.C.
Dear Sir. I have recd the war record of John Kent, sent me Jan 20. I want to make sure that he is the John Kent who was my ancestor and want to ask for further information concerning him if your records have any further information to give!
The record I have recd is that of John Kent who enlisted from Marshfield Mass. and whose residence at date of enlistment

for pension was Readfield Me. An error has undoubtedly been made in the record sent me in giving the date of this John Kent's birth. On the blank following "Age at date of application" (it reads) b. Dec 17- 1775 in Marshfield Mass. May I have another copy of this record giving the date of his birth correctly as this will assist me in determining whether he is the Kent I am interested in. I also want to know if this John Kent is the same John Kent who enlisted with troops from Candia N.H. in 1776 also

1778 in Capt Emerson's Company and who also served, in the 5 th Co of Col. Joseph Cilleys Regt 1781. This John Kent is on the Disbursing Rolls of Col Cilleys Regt. (Information gathered from N.H. State Papers Vol (16) P 200, P 269.). also Vol 15 P 714
If these records do not refer to the same man will you kindly correct the mistake made in giving the date of birth of John Kent's record already sent out, and also give me the Rev. Mr Kent's record for the John Kent of Candia as it is

that of another man - I very greatly appreciate the contents and prompt attention my requests for these records have received and with these and possibly one or two others which I am looking up, my inquiries will have
Very truly Yours (Miss) Cora Ann Steele

REC'D JAN 7 1921 DIVISION

Rev. Sec
24 South Main Ave Albany N.Y. Jan. 4 - 1922
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: Will you kindly have sent me the Pension- ary war record of John Kent who enlisted from Candia N.H. John Kent was the son of Benjamin Kent of Marshfield Mass. He was born at Marshfield Mass. April 8 1743 and was living at

Mount Vernon Maine where the following children were born. Wife Betsey - 1 Kent
1. Anna J. Oct 8, 1788 2 John F Oct 8, 1791 3 Polly F May 13, 1793 4 Betsey S. F June 1796 5 Lydia F Mar 23, 1798 6 Abigail V. Dec 17. 1801
I believe this John Kent is the one given in Muster Rolls & the Adjutant General's Office Captain Emerson's Co. 1776, " " Emerson's Co 1778 John Kent's name also appears & the Disbursing Roll of W.H. 8th Co. Col. 2nd Gillett's Regt. 1781.

I shall greatly appreciate an early a reply as possible -
Yours very truly (Miss) Corn A. Steele

Key
26757 WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26757
Betsey Kent Wid of John Kent Corp Mass line
Act July 7th 1898
Index : Vol. A , Page 394
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1922 Jan 20. hist to Miss Cora A. Steele - En 1924 Feb 23 same as above as she claimed date of Sol's birth wrong En 1923 Oct 24 Hist to Edward P. Brinsfield See letter re claim Philip Morse S. 18132 ams.

I, Nathel Root a Revolution Soldier aged Seventy three years upon oath, testify and declare that John Kent served as a privet soldier in the revolution war A D 1778 at Vaulasket in Boston harbor last taking leave of my that being my self in the same company with him one month at the same time.
Nathaniel Root
State of Maine Kennebec ss sworn and subscribed this twenty fifth day of August A D 1832 The deponent being a credible witness.
Before me Dudley Root Just. Peace.

State of Maine.
Kennebec, p:
I John A. Chandler, Clerk of the Courts, Kennebec County, hereby certify that Levij Bacon, Esq., George Lathrop, Esq., & Dudley Moody, Esq., before whom the annexed proceedings were had are Justices of the Peace & that the signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State this 29 th day of April 1823.
J. A. Chandler

John Kent

The within testimony would be received as competent and credible in any Court of Justice. Nathan Weston
I, Issa Rogers of Marshfield in the County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that on oath disposs'd say, That I was born in said town of Marsh- field & have always resided there except during the time I was a soldier in the American Army. When a boy I was well acquainted with John Kent, formerly of Marshfield, now of Ridfield in the State of Maine. During the Revo- lutionary War, some time according to the best of my rec- ollection in seventeen hundred & seventy seven, I enlisted as a private soldier in a Company of Massachusetts militia commanded by Capt. Josiah Cushing, & served in this Com- -pany for the period of two months. The Company was sta- tioned at Rantashket near the mouth of Boston harbor. The said John Kent entered this company with me and served in the same, the same period that I did. — I remember him well. — Isa Rogers 
Suffolk ss. Boston Oct. 5 th 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Issa Rogers & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed — Before me Isaac Daly Justice of the Peace who is a Justice of the Peace Nathan Weston

We the undersigned certify that Mr. John Kent the bearer is a man of truth and veracity, and so considered in the neighbo- rhood where he resides and that we have been well acquainted with him for a number of years.—
Readfield July 18 th 1832
David Wheelock Dudley Woodley Luther Sampson

John Kent

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County
To whom it may concern This may certify that John Kent was a private soldier in a Company commanded by William Weston stationed on the Gurnet at the mouth of Plymouth harbor in the year 1776 and I knew him to have been on the same station in the year 1777 under Capt Andrew Sappson how long he continued in that service in either of the above said years I cannot say, I was there about nine months in the course of the above two years and know that his name was on the muster rolls -
Thomas Samson
Duxbury Oct 2 1832
Plymouth Co Oct 2 1832 then the above named Thomas Samson personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me Judah Hildreth Justice of Peace
This may certify that Thomas Samson is a man of integrity that his Oath may be relied on - from the best of my knowledge I can give Weston Company commanded its service July 1 - 1776 and that Samson took the Company July 1 1777 & continued through that year who I am satisfied is a man of fine Peace Nathan Weston

We James Williams, a clergyman, residing in the Town of Readfield County of Kennebec and State of Maine, and Jonathan G. Hinton residing in the same Town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Kent who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy seven years of age; that he is respected and believed, in the neighbor- hood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. — James Williams Jonathan G. Hinton
Kennebec, August 21. 1832. — Sworn, and sub- scribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before me — Esq. Bacon } Jus. Peace
Esq. Bacon Esq. is a Justice of the Peace. The Rev. James Williams is a Clergyman residing in Readfield & the Hon. Jonathan G. Hinton late Governor of the State of Maine , resides in the same town & their statement is entitled to be believed. — Nathan Weston

Augusta, Me. Sept 3 d . 1838.
Sir
I herewith transmit the following applications, claiming pensions under the Act of Congress of July 7. 1838. Viz. Abigail Baron, Hannah Dyer, Mary Hinkley and Charity Staples, whose husbands died previous to the passage of any act that would have entitled them to a pension for service rendered in the war of the Revolution, for the service performed by the respective late husbands. They refer to the rolls of the regiments in which they allege their late husbands to have served, supposed to be in your possession — Abigail Bennion, Sarah Chandler, Mary Cooker, Sarah Hinkley , Abigail Kendall, Dorcas Pickett and Mary Smith, whose husbands were pensioned under Act of March 18. 1818 they generally refer to the evidence furnished by their late husbands of their services in the Army of the Revolution presumed to be in your possession — Ruth Abbott, Hannah Chandler, Hannah Greeley, Hannah Hall, Betsey Kent, Sarah Lancaster, Deborah Neal and Hannah Prane whose husbands were pensioned under Act of June 7. 1832. They also refer to the proofs made by their late husbands of their revolutionary services. In the examination of the above cases all of which it is hoped will be deemed satisfactorily proved to be entitled under the act to a pension, please send me for them such certificates as are required in similar cases.
I am, very Respectfully
Yours Ovr Servt
Geo. W. Morton
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

On the first day of August, 1930, by request, I received the declaration of Betty Kent for a pension, at her residence. She was Seventy nine years of age, and the infirmities incident to that advanced period of life, prevented her attendance in open court.
Nathan Weston C.f. State of Maine

John Kent

to whom it may concern I Andrew Sampson of Duxbury in the County of Plymouth Mass Testify & say that I well remember John Kent formerly of Marshfield Mass now resident in Readfield in the state of Maine And that said Kent worked with the company of soldiers in building a fort at the Gurnet at the entrance of Plymouth Harbor in the year 1776 commanded by William Weston a in which I was a commissioned officer how long he was there in said year I cannot remember in the year following Col Weston resigned & I was appointed Captain said John Kent enlisted at the commencement of the year or January 1777 as a private soldier in said company stationed at the fort aforesaid for the defence of Plymouth harbor how long said Kent served I do not positively remember but think three or four months given under my hand this twenty eighth day of September 1832
State of Massachusetts Plymouth ss
Andrew Sampson Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written before me
Seth Sprague
who I am satisfied is a justice of the Peace Nathan Weston
The above testimony would be received as competent and credible in our courts of justice.
Nathan Weston

I Thomas Addison of Greene, Kennebec county, Maine, on oath testify & say that I am now seventy years of age & was a soldier of the revolution: that having served in the same company & regiment at the same time I well know that John Kent of Readfield in the same county served four months in the year 1776 in Capt. William Weston's Company at the Gunt in Plymouth Harbour, Massachusetts. His service being from July 1776. Thomas Addison
State of Maine Kennebec ss: Soon I subscribed this twenty fourth April 24 day of April A.D. 1833, the deponent being a credible witness, Before me George Lathrop Justice Peace