Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6997, for Nathaniel Mason, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Mason, Nathaniel R 6997
CONTENTS

Nathan Mason Disposition

I Nathan Mason of the Town of Fort Ann, in the County of Washington and State of New York aged seventy eight years being duly sworn do testify and say, that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven I resided in Lansborough in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and was well acquainted with Nathaniel Mason, now of Ira in the County of Pittsfield and State of Vermont, who then resided in the town of Adams County of Berkshire Massachusetts - within about five miles distant from this deponent, and who then was described by the name of Nathaniel Mason Junior, his father of the same name then being alive - The said Nathaniel and this deponent then and for a long time afterwards stood as "Minute men" and as such both were frequently called out, on Militia tours or alarms, and were both in the same Regiment which was commanded by Col. Simonds , Lieut. Col. Miles Powell, Maj. Stanton and Adjutant Stearns Stearns - Col. Simonds, Maj. Stanton, & Adj. Stearns then lived in Williamstown Mass. and Lt. Col. Powell in Lansborough Mass. I recollect that the sd Nathaniel was frequently out, he was with at this deponent at at Barrington battle, this deponent was in the midst of that engagement and the said Nath. was on guard. The said Nathaniel was also with this deponent, at Manchester Vermont, under the same Regimental officers. At Benning- ton the said Nathaniel was in Capt. Enoch Perkins Company, and this deponent in Capt. Daniel Brown's Company. This deponent was also with the sd Nathaniel on an alarm against the Tories & Indians, went as far as Williamstown and then were released - This deponent was knowing to the said Nathaniel setting out on a tour from said Adams to Skeneateles, and that he was absent on that tour as a Militia man for some time, but how long I do not recollect, this deponent was not then with him - After the year 1777, but what year I do not recollect, the said Nathaniel set out from said Adams for a tour of duty, to go to Stillwater in the State of New York

and was about on that tour for a considerable length of time but this deponent does not know how long.
This deponent further says, that he is unable at this late period to state the exact length of time, with any degree of certainty that the said Nathaniel served his country in the Revolutionary War, at any one time or at all the times that he was out, but firmly believes that it was as much as nine months or more in the whole, besides he well knows that the said Nathaniel as well as this deponent standing as "Minute men," as above, were required constantly required to stand in readiness for several years and until the seat of war was removed from the vicinity - and during during that time much time was necessarily spent in making preparation which cannot in any way be estimated.
And further this deponent saith not his
Nathaniel X Mason mark
State of Vermont { Middlesex 11 th February A.D. 1835 Rutland County } Then personally appearing the above named Nathaniel Mason, and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Before me -
And I certify that the said Nathaniel Mason is a credible witness
Jonas Clark Justice of the Peace

32. 667
Nath e Mason du
Vt
Act 1 June 32
Patricio Mena Sebastian

State of Vermont } Rutland County ss }
On the 12 day, of, February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty five before the Honorable Probate court, within and for the District of Rutland in the County, of Rutland ss. now sitting Nathaniel Mason of Ira in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont aged seventy 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 — That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: to wit. When first called into service, he lived in the town of Adams in the County of Berkshire and state of Massachusetts and resided there until the year seventeen hundred and eighty three when he removed to Ira in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont and has resided there ever since. —
He was drafted several times into the service. He was never a substitute, the first time he was drafted was for an expedition with General Montgomery to Quebec — He was then about nineteen years of age, he was equipped and met his comrades and was about to join his company when his father hired one David Nichols as a substitute to take his place, and that company was absent about five months, and during that time, he remained at home as a minute man, subject to be called out at all times, best thinks during that season he did but little if any actual service — He was frequently called out whenever there was an alarm, was out a short time and dismissed, some times one day, and sometimes two and three and four days at a

time He once went to Williamstown and was dismissed - At one time he was called out and marched to Manchester in Vermont under Lieut. Asa Wilmanth. He then be- longed to Capt Enas Parkers company, Colo. Simons commanded the Regiment Stratton was the Maj- The Lieut. Colo. was Miles Powell and the  Spence was the adjutant - Colo. Simons Maj. Strat- ton, and Adjt Spence, then lived in Williamstown Vt. and Lt Colo Powell lived in Lansborough Mas. - He was at Manchester about half a month. Colo Warner's Regiment was then at Manchester, He thinks it was in July 1777. —
15 A short time previous to the Battle of Bennington Capt Parker called out his company, and this applicant went to Bennington with the company and at the time of the battle was on guard and had the charge of the Horses was absent about one week - in Aug 1777 In Oct 1777 this applicant was again called out and went with Capt Parker to Skeensborough New York and was stationed there for the purpose of cutting off the communication between the lake and General Burgoyne's army and was out on this service about one month. —
31 In Oct 1781 this applicant was again called out and was in Capt William Baker's company with Lieut Joseph Parsons, went to Saratoga, and Stillwater and was absent about half a month - This applicant was frequently called out on short excursions to protect the inhabitants and their property from the Tories but at this time is unable to relate all the times and the particular services except as above stated. —

But this applicant does verily believe that from first to last, he has served his country at least nine months in the revolutionary war.
This applicant has no documentary evidence to prove his services above set forth, excepting the deposition of Nathan Mason which accompanies this application. He knows of no other person or persons nor can he discover any other person or persons now in life whose testimony he can procure and who can testify to any or all of his said services. He has no original discharge from service, and does not recollect whether he ever had any. He hereby relinquishes ever claiming 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.
Nathaniel his  X Mason mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid A. L. Brown, Judge
Mr Joseph Parker, a clergyman, residing in Ira and John Mason residing in Ira, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Mason who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be in the eightieth year of his age; that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed this 17. day of Feb. 1835.
A. L. Brown Judge
Joseph Parker John Mason

I Frederick W. Hopkins Register of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Mason for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of February A.D. 1835.
F. W. Hopkins, Register.

State of Vermont District of Rutland ss
I Henry Hall register of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Rutland in the County of Rutland holden at said Rutland on this sixth day of July A.D. 1846 do hereby Certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Nathaniel Mason late of Ia in the County of Rutland was a Soldier of the revolution and that he the said Nathaniel Mason died at said town of Ia in said County of Rutland and State of Vermont on the 23 d day of May A.D. 1835 and that he left a widow whose name is Naomi Mason who is still living in said town and County as the widow of said Nathaniel Mason.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Rutland in said County and District this sixth day of July A.D. 1846.
Henry Hall. Register

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
6997
P. O. Nathaniel Nason
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Vermont William Mason Rejected Set RR Dural 11 March 1835 J. C. Dexter. June 22, 1846. Har. S. Peete, July 20/46.
6997

Free
Feb. 19
Walter Mason Feb 24 76 - Claim
James L. Edwards Esq. Pension Agent Washington City. District of Columbia.

Rutland (Vt.) 19. Feb. 1835.
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you Nathl.
Mason's declaration, made for the purpose of obtaining a pension. —
Mr. Mason is a very worthy, and a very honest man, - but from old age and forgetfulness, is unable at this time, to go to the particulars of all his services in the revolution, but states generally that he "verily believes from first to last he has served his country, at least nine months in the revolutionary war." His Cousin Nathan Mason states nearly the same facts. He hopes these facts are sufficient to entitle him to a small portion of his country's bounty, which has been so liberally bestowed upon most of the worthies of the revolution. If it should be granted him please enclose to me his certificate of enrolment and much oblige &c
J. S. Edwards Esq Washington City.
Ruben R. Moulton

April 17. 1896
Rev. Nathaniel Mason,
J. S. Edwards Comm: of Pensions Washington D.C.
10
5 1/2

Sir.
Rutland 7 th Apr. 1846.
Some years since Mr Nathaniel Mason of Ira Vermont made application to Jesse Gove an Attorney of this place in order to obtain a pension for services as a Corporal in the War of the Revolution and Mr Mason some time after died and soon after his Atty J. Gove Esq also died. Mr Mason left a widow who would be entitled to the pension if the necessary proofs are or can be made. She does not know what papers were made and sent to your department and I therefore request that you will inform me what papers there are in that case on file. I can not discover what has been done by inquiry of the Administrator of Mr Gove and I do not know what is wanting. Very Respectfully Yours Abt Secy. J. C. Deyton
J. S. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington D.C.

Nuttland Vt. July 6 th 1846.
Sir.
Herewith is forwarded the evidence with regard to the pension of Nathaniel Mason furnished by the Secretary of Mass. It certifies that no rolls of the Company of Capt. William Baker are to be found in his Office and we do not know where they may be found if found at all. At the time Mr Mason made a declaration to obtain a pension he had a brother living some where at the West who was a pensioner and who was knowing to some part if not all of his services but it is believed that he is now dead. Whether Col. Jesse Gove procured his affidavit or not before he died is not known but he may have procured it and forwarded it to your Office. Mr Nathaniel Mason was a justice of the Peace and a deacon of a church during several years of his life and his character for truth was deservedly high. Evidence can be procured that would be perfectly satisfactory that any statement made by him whether under oath or not is entitled to full credit and belief. The Hon. S. Foot M.C. from this District if acquainted with Mr Mason in his lifetime (and I presume he was) will cheerfully bear witness to his being a man of good character and more than ordinary strict integrity. Unless such evidence will be of use (and I do not know whether it would or not) I shall be obliged to submit the case on the evidence now before you. Mrs Mason is very old and poor and if the evidence is such that you could bestow the bounty of her Country upon her it gladdens and cheer her last days much. -
Yours Respectfully your Oblt. Servt.
J. C. Deyte
Hon. J. S. Edwards Comm. of Pensions Washington D. C.

July 9, 1846.
elder case
Naomi Mason.
Solomon Foot.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
June 29 1846.
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 Nathaniel Mason is borne upon a Pay Roll of Capt Enos Packer's Company in Col Benjamin Simonds's Regt from the County of Berkshire as a private from July 9 to 31 1777. 23 days. Upon another of said Company, in said Regt detached from Militia in said County to reinforce the Continental Army at Bennington as a private from August 14 to 19 1777. 6 days. Upon another of said Company, in said Regt as a private from September 3 to 27 1777. including allowance of 3 days travel. 27 days. Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Ezra Whipple's Company in Col Benjamin Simonds's Regt from the County of Berkshire on an alarm at Castleton, as a private from October 14 to 19 1780. 5 days. Upon another of said
23
6
27
5

Capt Whipple's Company. Simonds Regt as a private from October 27 th to 29 1780, 3 days.
3 rd The Roll of Capt William Baker's Company is this Office.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the Commissioner's letter of June 22. 1846 was filed in this Office; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said letter, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowl- edge, 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.