Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,432, for Eleazer Taft, Massachusetts

SÉVICE
NUMBER _____
Continental Mass
Taft, Eleanor Relief
24 16432
CONTENTS

Portsmouth see letter Oct. 4. 1844 to S. W. Dearborn -
3713.
New Hampshire Portsmouth
Relief of Sarah widow of Eleazer Nash who was a Private in the Revolution Mass
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 86 Dollars 16 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Dec. 1843 and sent to
W. H. Parker Portsmouth N. H.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4 Vol. 1. Page 21.

40.26
5 1/2 mos @ $20 = $100.66 D o . D o @ $8 = 40.26 Bal. - $60.40
which balance the Agent has been directed to deduct out of the Pension which may become due hereafter.
30 Nov. 1828
M c E. Taft written to 1 Jan y 1820
Notice also sent to Wm Claggett Esq 27 1/2 Sept r 1821 Portsmouth N.H.
1,620
New Hampshire Roll
Ebenezer Taft Non Commissioned Officer Washington's Washington's life guard in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 8 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 4 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of June 1818 and sent to Pensioner Portsmouth N.H.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818 Semi-ann. all ce ending
5 Mos 4 1/30 th — $ 100.66 $ 40.26
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Agents to be William ... 1 Year ... Continued Portsmouth Rockingham N.H.

Pen. cab. re to. Aug 17. 1839 by J. W. Kelly of Salisbury, N.H. and enclosed same day to John Kelly, Exeter, N.H.
3677 New Hampshire
Relief Sast widow of Eleazer Sast , dec.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 1834 of Rockingham in the State of N.H. who was a priv & Serg in the Co commanded by Captain  of the regt commanded by Genl Washington in the Mass line for 20 mos priv " " 278 , Serg
Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth at the rate of 86 Dollars 16 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of July 1839 to J. W. Kelly , Salisbury, N.H.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1839 $258.48 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep '39 43.08
$301.56
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by J. M. Gundy , Clerk, Book 9 . Vol. 1 . Page 59 .

We Abba Randallet of Exeter New Hamp- shire aged forty years and upward and Priscilla S. Taft of Boston Mass- achusetts aged thirty years and upward testify and say that we are the children of the late Eleazer Taft and Relief his wife - That the said Eleazer at the time of his death was a Revolu- tionary Pensioner of the United States - That he died at Exeter aforesaid on the third day of January A.D. 1834, having resided in Exeter a year or two and previously thereto he resided in Portsmouth - Since the said Eleazer's death, the said Relief Taft his wife, hath never remarried, but hath ever remained and still is the widow of the said Eleazer Taft. We further say that our eldest brother the late Doctor Charles Taft who died about fifteen years ago in North Carolina would if now living be more than fifty two years of age according to the amounts always given us of his birth and age Abba Randallet Priscilla S. Taft

State of New Hampshire } Rockingham } ss on the 14 th day of September A.D. 1830 the within named Abba Brundlett and Priscilla S. Taft, who, I certify are credible persons, and their statements entitled to credit, made solemn oath that the fore- going affidavit by them subscribed is true. Before me John Kelly Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire Rockingham } ss I, Ira B. Hoitt Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that John Kelly is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that the foregoing certificate purporting to be his is genuine and in his own proper hand writing. For Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 14 th day of Sep- tember A.D. 1830. I. B. Hoitt Clerk

I Benjamin James, town clerk of the Town of Weston in the County of Middlesex of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby certify that the following — to wit — "The following marriages have been solemnized by the Rev. Mr. Samuel Kendall Viz. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four, October the twenty fifth, Eleanor Taft and Relief Seaverns both of Weston."
is a true copy of the record of said town of Weston with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows, to wit
"1784 Oct. 25."
Benj. James Town Clerk.
I, Benjamin James, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Weston, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception as above certified by me.
Benj. James Clerk of said town of Weston.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex ss.
August 17 th A.D. 1838. Personally appeared the above named Benj. James, to me known as Clerk of the Town of Weston, and made oath that the above affidavit, by him subscribed, is true.
True from the original
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. I Isaac Fisher Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Isaac Jones Elyon is a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Middlesex duly commissioned & qualified, & that his signature above written is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Probate this Eleventh day of August in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty eight.
Isaac Fisher Reg.

Declara 3674 V Richard Taft A.W.
1806
widow of Ebenezer Taft dec'd
act 7 July 1838
Maria 1784
dec'd 1834
Allot 20 m. pr. $6666
Serf 3 m. 27. 14 50
pr ann $86 16
Map leav line
Gen Washington
Guards
Mr Keller Salisbury W.K.

State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
On this fourteenth day of September AD 1830 personally ap- peared before the Court of Common Pleas held at Exeter in and for said County on the first Tuesday of Septem- ber 1830 and still in session Relief Taft a resident of said Exeter aged seventy two years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the fol- lowing Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1830 entitled "An Act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows!"
That she is the widow of and formerly of Portsmouth (as she thinks) Eleazer Taft late of said Exeter deceased who was a soldier in the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War and served as she believes as many as three years as a soldier, and did for some part of the time, duty as an officer, she thinks, a Lieutenant's duty, but she does not know that he actually received a com- mission; - and he was, as she has been informed, one of "Washington's Life Guard" during a part of the war - But she asks leave to refer to his Application for a Pension made in 1810 or 1819, under the Act of 1810, and the evidence accompanying the same on file in the War Office, for evi- dence of the terms of his service and the capacity in which he served - The said Eleazer Taft having been placed on the Pension List (on the New Hampshire Agency) as a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, in 1810 or 1819, & continued thereon till his death

She further declares that she was married to the said Ebenezer Taft at Weston in Massachusetts on the twenty fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty four by the Rev Samuel Randall: — that pre- vious to her marriage her name was Relief Seaverns; that her husband the aforesaid Ebenezer Taft died on the third day of January in the year eighteen hundred and thirty four; that she was not married to him prior to his leav- ing the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January nineteen hundred ninety four. Viz. at the time above stated; that since the death of her said husband the said Ebenezer Taft, she hath never intermarried, but hath ever remained and still is his widow. Relief Taft
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first before written in open Court — Miss H. B. Hitt Clerk
I, H. B. Hitt Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Rockingham do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the mat- ter of the application of Relief Taft for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this fourteenth day of September AD 1880.
H. B. Hitt Clerk

COA Lab ms

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
DISTRICT OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE ss.
A. D. 1828, personally appeared in open court
ON this Twentyth day of August Ebenezer Traft
Before the Hon. JOHN SAMUEL SHERBURNE, Judge of the District Court of the United States for the New-Hampshire District, being a Court of Record, in and for the said District, having the power of fine and imprisonment, the said Ebenezer Traft being aged and sixty six years, resident in Portsmouth aforesaid in said District, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: viz.
Eight months in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five, under Capt. Elias Wild, belonging to Col. Cleton's regiment, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six, in the company commanded by Capt. Grafton, more than nine months, as a non-commissioned officer, in company then dismounted His Excellency General Gage's Washington Light Infantry - in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, in the company commanded by Captain Joseph Farnsworth in Col. Pillsbury's regiment, in the reduction or capture of Gen. Burgoyne's army, each of the said companies being in the Battle of Saratoga and the course of life guards called in Saratoga. His several services aforesaid being fully set forth in his deposition to declaration transmitted to the War Office, and understood to be as follows -
The date of my original declaration in order to obtain a pension is the fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight. The number of my pension certificate is 1620. I have received a Pension.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. My occupation is for many years past been in the manufacture of hats. I have not sufficient ability to pursue it, but through infirmity of body & increasing age am not of sufficient ability now to pursue it.
My family residing with me consists of my wife aged fifty six years, and three daughters, Mary, Sarah, and Abigail, all of which are now married.
Their capacity to contribute to their support is small. The eldest being the only one able to support herself. The two younger are not able to support themselves, being both weakly.
Sworn to and declared at Portsmouth in said District, on the 20th day of August A. D. 1828, before me
John S. Sherburne Judge of the said District Court for the New-Hampshire District.
I William Glaggett Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the New-Hampshire District, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are true copies from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is five hundred dollars and and five cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this day of August A. D. 1828.
William Glaggett Clerk of the said District Court for the New-Hampshire District.

SCHEDULE
CONTAINING the whole estate and income of Charles Graft (his necessary clothing and bedding excepted,) by him subscribed, exhibited to the District Court of the United States for the New-Hampshire District, on the twentieth day of August 1825, and annexed to his oath, viz.
  1 looking Glass $6   1 Sofa 6   1 Table 2.   1 Japan counter .75   1 Bench .25   Shovel & Tongs 1.50   1 Pair Handcuffs 1   4 Chairs 1   1 round Table .50   1 Kitchen do .50   1 Glass .50   2 Pair Hat Boxes .75   2 Bedsteads .50.   Handcuffs shovel & tongs .50   1 Warming Pan 1.50   Shovel & tongs .50   undry pieces of wood 1.50       $25.25 
  1 Drying Pan $0.25   1 Bedstead 1.75   do do do 1.   1 Minnow & Tongs .50   1 set Glassware 1.   do with bottles .50   1 side board 5.   2 Trunks 1   1 Table .25   1 Dining do 2.   1 Rocking do .75   6 Chairs 3.   1 looking Glass 1.25   1 pair iron dogs .30   1 Desk .50   1 Carpet 10.   1 set shovel & tongs .75       29.00   25.25      $54.25 
Clear. Graft -
A true copy attested
William Blaggett Clerk -

From the circumstance of this man's having been so often transferred from different corps, it is be- lieved that he belonged to the militia service and did not serve on the Conti- nental service or in the regular army U.S. — This point will, however, be investigated by the Judge, in order to ascertain whether the claimant was correct in saying that he served on the Conn. establish.
War Dept Pension Office May 9. 1818
I have no doubt Mr. Tuft served upon the continental establishment The evidence of testimony is very satisfactory W. M. Richardson

I Ezeazai Tapp of Portsmouth, in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, Do Testify and say - That, in the Month of April, Seventeen hundred and seventy five, I enlisted, as a soldier, in the Continental service, in the Revolutionary war, in the Company of Capt. Silas Wild Commander - in Col. 1 / 10 Graton's Regiment, and continued in said Company and Regiment until the close of the eight months Campaign - I further Testify and say that I enlisted again, at the close of the eight months Campaign, above described, as a soldier, under the above said Capt. Silas Wild, but was soon after draughted into General George Washington's Life Guard, as then denominated, as a Noncommissioned Officer, in Capt. Caleb Gibbs Company, and in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six, and by taking and reading General Order to said Company, part of the regt I acted in the Capacity of an Adjutant of a Regiment - I continued in said Capt. Gibbs Company until the close of the twelvemonths Campaign, in Seventeen hundred and seventy six, as above stated, and received my discharge, and returned home - I then engaged & served in the Army, in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven, two months, at Providence, Rhode Island, as a Noncommissioned Officer, and continued through the term, and rec d my discharge - I then, in Seventeen hundred and seventy seven, engaged to serve my Country under Capt. Joseph Tower of Braintree, now Randolph, Massachusetts, for three months, and in Col. 1 / 10 Gills Regiment - General Warner's Brigade, and in the Department of the united states Army Commanded by Major General Gates, at the reduc- tion of General Burgoyne; in which Campaign I was a Lieutenant under Capt. Joseph Tower, and served

the term through and returned home in the month of November or Dec r of the above stated year - 1877 -
I further Testify and say that I have lost my Commission and all my Discharges which I received - I further Testify and say that from my reduced circumstances I have need of Assistance from my Country, being destitute of the means of supporting myself and family. - Ebenezer Taft
State of New Hampshire.
I William M. Richardson Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature of said State, do hereby certify that on this fourth day of April, A. D. 1880, Ebenezer Taft Esq. per- sonally appeared before me, and made sol- emn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed. And I further certify that being well acquaint- ed with Mr. Taft, and knowing him to be a man of probity & truth, I am well satisfied that the facts stated in the said affidavit are true. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of said Court to be affixed, on the day and year above mentioned.
W m M. Richardson
By order of the Judge Nath l . Adams Clerk

Eleazar Taft - M.H. ad 1778 Ports. when paid - d 1894.
H.H.
Died 3 d January 1836 & paid to that time S.C. S.C.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16452
Relief Left Wid of Ellazer Left Sergt. Rev War
Act: March 3 rd 1/43
Index:—Vol. M , Page 264
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Stephen Penniman of Washington in the County of Cheshire  Coos & State of New Hampshire of lawful age testify & say that in the year 1777 Hezekiah Dast was a Lieutenant in Capt. Joseph Farnsworth's Company and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Gile and in General Warren Brigade - that I was well acquainted with said Dast a number of years before he received his Commission - that I was with him at the taking of General Burgoyne - that I was a Major of the Regiment commanded by said Col. Gile Stephen Penniman
April 11. 1818
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss
Personally appeared Stephen Penniman and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true - Before me Ward Sawyer Justice of Peace

Portsmouth August 20th 1821
Sir,
The inclosed packet addressed to you is the application for a renewal of Pension of Mr. Ebenezer Taft of this Town - I forward it at his request, and am requested to state, that since the passage of the last act of Congress respecting Revolutionary Pensioners - Mr. Taft has been absent from this Town a considerable part of the time, and has been unable until now to comply with the Law - Mr. Taft is well known to me, and is a man of strict integrity & good moral deportment - he is also very poor & destitute & being far advanced in life, together with infirmity renders his situation peculiarly unpleasant - I would not have made this statement had I not been very intimately acquainted with him & his situation - I sincerely hope he will be placed upon the list, it will afford him great relief in his present destitute situation. -
I have the honor to be very respectfully
Sir
your ob d Serv t
James Ladd Surveyor of the Port of Portsmouth & N. H. Public -
Wm Hon J. B. Calhoun Sec. of War

I hereby certify that Eleazer Taft of Portsmouth New Hampshire, formerly of Braintree, Massachusetts, did enlist under my command as his Captain, as a noncommissioned Officer in His Excellency General Washington's guards in the Continental Army in the Year 1776. And that he actually served more than nine Months, and did receive an honorable discharge from me in January 1777.
Given under my hand at Charlestown Massach ts July 7 th 1818
Caleb Gibbs, Late Major Comd t of the Corps of Guards

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex ss July 7. th 1818. Then - Caleb Gibbs who signed the within Deposition. made solemn Oath to the truth of the same -
Before me.
John Kirtland. Justice of the Peace

Portsmouth August 20. 1821
Hon John C. Calhoun Secretary of the War department
Sir I herein inclose to you the declaration of Ebenezer Duff, who has formerly been a respectable Schoolmaster in this town. I am personally acquainted with him - he is considered as an honest man, and I think you may safely give full credit to said declaration.
The reason he assigns for not having sooner made said declaration is that he has been for a long time past in the State of North Carolina, where he was afflicted by sickness & had his original certificate in this town
Wam, his respectfully
Yob. Duff
William Claggett

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7, 1838.
State of New Hampshire, ss. Rockingham County }
On this fourth
day of
September A. D. 1843
per-
sonally appeared before me WILLIAM BENNETT PARKER, a Notary Public Justice of the Peace in and for the State aforesaid
Relief Taft — a resident of Portsmouth in the County of Rockingham aged Seventy Seven years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of Eleazar Taft — who was a Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer in the Revolutionary Army:—
That she made her declaration at Exeter in said County before some Court, the style of which she does not remember soon after the Act of 1838 passed, to which she begs leave to refer, and received a Pension Certificate, payable by the Agent at Portsmouth N.H. for five years pension at the rate of Eighty six dollars per annum. But, as she intends, for the future, to reside in Boston, she therefore requests that her new Certificate may be made payable in that City.
Relief Taft
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me:—I also certify, that this declarant is personally known to me. Wm B. Parker, Justice of the Peace.

District of New Hampshire, Set
I, John Lord Hayes, Clerk of the courts of the United States for the district aforesaid, hereby certify, that William B. Parker is a Justice of the Peace, for the County of Rockingham, within the said district; and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the District court of the United States to be affixed, this fifth — day of September in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
John L. Hayes

June 4
N.H. add. Express Relief Tafts.
FREE
Genl J. L. Edwards Comm Pensions City of Washington

[Case of Relief Tafts. forwarded Sept 10 1930]
Exeter V. H. May 29. 1939
Sir,
A letter from your Office of May 10 informs me that the evidence of Ebenezer Tafts service in Wilds Company is not in your Office.
Enclosed is a Certificate of the Secy of State of Massachusetts which, I presume, on that point will be satisfactory to you.
Without the service in Wilds Company it is stated that his widow would be entitled to a Certificate for 12 months as a private and 3 m. 27 ds as a Sargeant.
Very respectfully Yours & John Kelley.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 23 d 1839
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 that the name of "Ezger Tapp" is borne on a Master Roll of Capt. Silas Wells Company in the 36 th Regiment of foot of the Continental Army. Encamped at Fort No. 2. October 6. enlisted from Braintree April 28 th
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

2 March
F Moulton
asking to have the papers in the case of Relief Taft widow of Eleazer - N. H. referred to one of the Examiners

Commission Room March 2 nd
The Heirs (Children) of Eleazer Taft have written to me asking an examination of the papers in their Father's Pension case - They claim arrears for services as Lieutenant - He drew as a Private & his Widow was pensioned at the same rate From the hasty examination I have given to the evidence I think there is proof of service as Lieutenant for three months at least - Will the Commission be kind enough to refer the papers to one of the examiners & direct him to report to me the result! &
Cour. of Pensions?
Oblig d Resp y F. Moulton

3475 Sept. 8, 1843.
R. Taft.
March 30 1843
N. H.
$86:16 per
War Department, City of Washington
W. B. Parker, Portsmouth
W. L. Cummings Commissioner of Pension Office,
Hon: J. L. Cummings
3475 Sept 8 1843

Portsmouth N. H. 5 th September 1843.
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir : -
Enclosed is the declaration of Relief, the Widow of Oliver Taft for a year's pension.
As she intends to make Boston the place of her future residence she would like to have the Certificate made payable in Boston.
I am, Sir, respectfully,
Your Obedt Servant
Wm. B. Parker.

Oct 3 rd 1844
Rece d Draft.
of
Free
Hon J. L. Edmonds Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Exeter N.H. Sept 27 1844
Hon J L Edmands Dear Sir
At the request of Relief Dist the widow of Elazar Dast late of Portsmouth in this State I would make the enquiry whether she is not entitled to an increase of pension & arrear that was due her late husband Elazar Dast who was one of Washington life guards and received a certificate of the act 7818 or some act near that time at the rate of forty dollars per month & he received some two or three payments at that rate as Mrs Dast says and then his pay was cut down to ninety six dollars per year which he drew the remainder of his life & Mrs Dast has drawn under the acts of 1838 & 1843 at the rate of eighty dollars per year by answering the above you will much oblige
Yours very Respectfully J. W. D. Dearborn
P.S. you will please forward the certificate of Eunice Porter of Danvers to me as soon as convenient.
J. W. D.

Eleazar Foss
1775 8 Cap Nels
1776 12 mo. { Washington Life Guard from Ulster Co. Calhoun Grubb Co.
1777 2. R.I.
" 3 Lts. Capt. H. Town from Aug 15 to Dec 12 '77 on roll as Sgt Vol 23 p. 157
.... 3 mo. 27

Hon. J. C. Calhoun Sec. of War

Portsmouth July 13. 1818
Sir,
I have the Honor to return your Elmer Ladd's affidavit & application for a pension, with additional testimony of his serving on the continental establishment Revolutionary War, — Should his claim be considered good, his name is to be placed upon the pension list of the U.S. by the N. Hampshire Agency —
I have the Honor to be very respectfully Sir
Your obedt Servt
James Ladd
Hon. J. C. Calhoun Sec. of War