Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29935, for Jesse Keen, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Keen, Jesse
S 29935
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

32791 Massachusetts.
Jesse Keen dec d
Reported
of Bristol C o in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain Thomas of the Reg t commanded by Col Hathaway in the Mass line for 9 mos & 22 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 32 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Paid 12 February 1833, when he died
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Nov r 1832 and sent to J. J. Coombs, present
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending Payable to only sur g children Ruth Keen, Joseph Keen Mercy Sherman and Huldah Roundwell
Revolutionary Claims Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Book E
J. P. Chase Clerk Vol. 2 Page 46

Jesse Keene's Hairs act 7 th June 1832.
37.487

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, of the 7th July 1830, entitled "An Act Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows  Act granting half pay and pensions to certain surviving Officers & Soldiers of the Revolution. Supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving Officers & Soldiers of the Revolution.
State of Massachusetts, } ss. County of Bristol }
On this Second day of February in the year Eighteen hundred and forty seven. Personally appeared before the subscriber in open Court, Judge of the Court of Probate in the County & State aforesaid. Reuben Green a resident of Fairhaven in the county of Bristol aged 66 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, 1830, entitled "An Act Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows  Act granting half pay and pensions to certain surviving Officers & Soldiers of the Revolution. That she is the widow of Dea. Green late of that part of Dartmouth now called Fairhaven, deceased. That said Dea. Green was a soldier in the Army of the Revolutionary War, and performed therein several terms of Military duty. Viz. In the first Eight months service, and also in the previous service at Lexington under Captain Levi Bowdenville of Col. Brewer's Regiment in the year 1775: and likewise two several terms of service; One under Capt. Benjamin Dillingham; and the other under Capt. Hethaway. For the particulars of which I refer to the evidence of the Massachusetts Rolls contained in the accompanying Certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts.
I further declare and say that my late Mother died on the 15 th day of March in the year 1828 and that the said Dea. Green my said father died on the 7 th day of February in the year of our Lord 1833, by which
She further declares that she was married to the said _____ the _____ day of _____ in the year seventeen hundred and _____; that her husband, the said _____ died _____ day of _____ himself & the other surviving children of said Dea. Green die - became entitled to the benefits of the Act of the 7th of June A.D. 1830, 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.
Reuben Green
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me,
Oliver Russell Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mistral County ss - I Amos Nasset Registrar of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Oliver Prescott whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate is the Judge of said Court of Probate -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court of Probate this second day of February eighteen hundred and forty Seven - A Nasset

Commonwealth of Massachusetts M Bristol County ss. - I Amariah Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify, that, at a Court of Probate held at New Bedford in and for said County on the second day of February Eighteen hundred and forty seven, it was satisfactorily proved to said Court that Gese Keen late of Fairhaven in said County deceased, died on the twelfth day of February Eighteen hundred & thirty three leaving no widow, but leaving four children and no more viz. Meuben Keen, Joseph Keen, Mercy Sherman and Huldah Mansville who are of age and still living —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this second day of February Eighteen hun- -dred and forty seven —
A Bassett

29935 INVALID. Rey
File No. 29,935
Jesse Keen His Rev. Mrs.
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 219
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 37,489 Jesse Kern ad
Map
Lot 6 Reuben Balow April 9 th 1847. to Same July 10 '47 to Same Aug 13 '47
847 June 1832

Isaac Ream died Mar. - Age 7 th June, 1832 - Age 79 yrs 22 days Pri. $32.44 - per ann from 4 th Feb 1831 to 12 th Feby 1833 - when he died -
Payable to Reuben Ream, Joseph Ream, Mercy Sherman & Hulda Runnells, his only surviving chil- dren -
Cert. sent to J. J. Coombs Present -

July 27/47 Miss Keene Om.
FREE
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington.
TOP

Boston. Mass ts , July 23 d . 1847.
Sir
Your Letter of the 10 th Instant, relating to the case of Jesse Reen's heirs, came safely to hand on my return to this city yesterday.
Under the existing circumstances of this case, you require impossibilities. I presume you are not aware that in the country containing a sparse population like that of Freetown and the adjoining part of North Fairhaven (formerly a part of Dartmouth) there is no Church or Town Records made, relating to the death of Ordinary Individuals, neither is there any Sexton or Undertaker in those parts, separate from the generality of the inhabitants. The usual practice in such cases is that, some joiner is called upon to make the coffin, or otherwise send to some popular Town and buy one. Some neighbour digs the grave; and at the hour appointed the neighbours assemble, and after a Prayer by one of their number, the remains of the deceased is consigned to the grave. I was in hopes of finding grave stones erected to the memory of Jesse Reen, but this I understand has not been done. The surviving children inform me they are waiting for the anticipated Pension money, to enable them to accomplish that object.
There is not in existence any known record evidence of the precise time of the death of the said Jesse Reen, save that made by Reuben Reen, in whose family the said Jesse Reen lived, and eventually died.

It was the the above mentioned record evidence together with the sworn to by said Reuben Keen together with the testimony of James White, on which was founded the certificate of the Probate Court, which accompanied the application papers in the first instance. Yet this evidence is deemed unsatisfactory, and testimony which does not exist is demanded, thereby requiring impossibilities. If the Department desire it, the said Reuben Keen will again testify as to the precise time of the death of his late Father Jesse Keen aforesaid, as shown from his Record referred to, but it seems to be the same  other thing over & over again.
Be pleased to signify your your pleasure on the foregoing subject. There is no person who will testify from their own personal knowledge, more strongly than has James White as to the precise time of the death of Jesse Keen, altho at his funeral.
Very Respectfully Sir I am Your Obedient Servant, Reuben Baldwin.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington.

Boston. Mass ts , June 30 th 1847.
Sir.
I transmit herewith the affidavit of Mr James White of Freetown, who was a near neighbour of the late Jesse Keen of Fairhaven deceased; As further proof in support of the claim of said Jesse's surviving children to the arrears of Pension due their deceased Father, from the 4 th March 1831 to the 12 th February 1833 - the time of his death, under the act of 7 th June 1832.
The full requisition contained in your letter relating to Jesse Keen's service, especially the alleged term under Captain Brandon, cannot at this late day be complied with. However it is shewn by the enclosed testimony that there was not other person by the name of Jesse Keen in that section of country who was old enough to serve in the Revolutionary Army.
Be pleased to give the above mentioned case a further action and forward the same to me
Very Respectfully Sir I am your Obedient Servt, Reuben Baldwin
James L. Edwards Esqr, Commissioner of Pensions. Washington.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston June 28 th 1847
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Noah C. Perkins was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sleeper.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County ss June 24 th 1847
I James White a resident of Freetown in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth aforesaid aged 62 years being sworn do testify and say that I was well acquainted with S er Pease Keen deceased he was a near neighbour of mine from my boyhood said S er Pease Keen died in Fairhaven near my residence according to the best of my recollection on the 12 th day of February in the year 1833 I was present at his funeral - said S er Pease Keen left no widow but several children him surviving. It was always reported that the said S er Pease Keen was a soldier in the army of the Revolutionary War - I never knew any other S er Pease Keen who was old enough to serve in the revolutionary war in this vicinity or elsewhere -
James White
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss June 24 - 1847
Then the above named James White who is a respectable inhabitant of the adjoining Town of Freetown and a credible witness made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Noah C Perkins Justice of Peace

Boston. Mass ts , March 17 th 1847.
Sir.
I transmit herewith the papers of application for arrears of Pension, under the Act 7 th June 1832, by the children of Jesse Keen, late of Dartmouth, Bristol County Mass ts , deceased.
The accompanying certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, as you will perceive, is indefinite as to the duration of the first term of service of Captain Benjamin Dillingham's Company at Cambridge near Boston, from the time of their arrival in Camp 15 th February 1776, to the time of his commanding the Sea Coast Guards stationed at the Fort at Dartmouth Harbour - now New Bedford, commencing on the 29 th April 1776; But it is generally understood that Captain Dillingham's Company was immediately recalled from the vicinity of Boston on the evacuation of the Enemy on the 17 th March 1776, to guard the Town & Harbour of Dartmouth, when a new Company was organised as Sea Coast Guards under Captain Dillingham. See the Secretary's certificate of the service of Eliphalet Pierce of Middleborough Plymouth County, obtained as proof, in support of the claim to a Pension, by Mrs Tabitha Pierce his widow, under the Act 7 th July 1838, forwarded on the 6 th of August 1846. Under all the circumstances of the case, the Department will exercise their own judgement in computing the duration of the term of service referred to.
Very Respectfully Sir I am James L. Edwards Esqr. } Your Obedient servant. Comm ss rs of Pensions. } Reuben Baldwin. Washington }

Jesse Keen of

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
January 8. 1847.
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 Jesse Keen is borne
mo. Days. upon a Muster Roll of Capt Levi Rensselaer;  1775-0. 03. Company that marched from Housatonic on an  1775-8. 04. alarm April 19 1775 as a private 3 days.  1776-1. 15  1780-0. 06 Upon a Muster roll of said Company in Col  9. 24 David Brewers regt in the Eight Months  9-47 Service as a private of Dartmouth from  May 5 1775. 3 Months and 4 days. Upon  a Return of said Company in said regt.  as a private of Dartmouth. from Service  named. Said Return is dated Roxbury  October 7. 1775. Upon an order of said  Company for Coats dated Roxbury November  8 1775. The name of Noah Ashby men-  tioned in the annexed application is also borne  upon rolls of said Capt Rensselaer Company  In 1775. with that of said Keen. Upon a

List of Men that marched to Head Quarters under Command of Capt Benjamin Dillingham arrived in Camp from Dartmouth 13 th February 1776 as a private. No Service named.
upon a Pay Roll of Capt Thomas Brandeis Company, in Col John Walcutt's regt as a Sergeant, from August 2 to 8 1780, 6 days.
The preceding is all the evidence of Service of any one of the name shown by the Military records in this Office.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said appli- cation, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Jesse Keene
2599
S
R. Baldwin agent.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish Evidence from the Rolls in his Office, of the service of my late Father Jesse Keene in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the then Town of Dartmouth, now the Town of Fairhaven, and enlisted from the Town of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol and State aforesaid and performed several terms of Military duty in the Militia of his native State, one term in particular of Eight months duration at Roxbury in 1775 when he was stationed at the time the Battle on Bunker's Hill was fought. Noah Ashley of Fairhaven was in one term of service with said Keene but under what particular Officers I am unable to state. I am unable to state my Father's service more particularly than above owing to lapse of time since my Father's death which took place February 12 th 1833 —
Witness my hand, at Fairhaven this fourth day of December AD 1826
Signed by said Joseph Keene in my presence
Joseph Keene
Chas A. Morton
Justice of the Peace

Reuben Stein son of Isaac Stein Mays.
May 1832

Washington, June 13 th 1880.
Sir:
At the request of M c Neil Pease Esq. of Senox, Mass. I respectfully request an Examination of the claim of Rev. Reuben Keen, for Arrears of Pension due under the Act of 1832, for the revolutionary services of his father Deacon Keen, A.C. Having examined copies of the evidence on file, it appears to me that this small claim is most fully established.
This is one of the cases filed by Mr. Baldwin, A.C. whose business has passed into the hands of Mr. Pease
Very Respectfully Your ob dt . Serv t J. J. Coombs
Hon. J. L. Edwards Court of Pensions.
I authorize Mr. Coombs to attend to the above case. Mr. Baldwin's papers in the above case have been put into my hands by his widow, who requests me to attend to it.
M c Neil Pease