Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15029, for James Lincoln, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Lincoln, James Abigail
N. 15029
CONTENTS

21.56 Massachusetts
James Lincoln
of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Sauc of the Reg commanded by Col in the Mass line for 8 Mos  1863
Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 29 Dollars 36 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Aug , 1832 and Sarah E S Lincoln Norfolk
Arrears to the 4th Mo. 31 $59.12 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4th Mo. 121.66 $180.78
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. C. Hily Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 50
73 Norfolk

Let to Hon J. L. Adams, H. C. D. D. 1839. April 9. 1839.
Massachusetts - 2286.
Abigail Lincoln widow of James Lincoln
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7: Jan 32 and who died on the 23: May 1835 of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a P.M. in the County commanded by Captain Loomis of the Regt. commanded by [blank] in the Mass line for 8 mos 24 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Apr 39 to Hon J. L. Adams Barnstable, Mayor Present.
Arrears to the 4th of March - $ 84.99 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 4 16 $ 99.15
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. Burdick Clerk, Book A Vol. 1- Page 103

Jenny Lincoln Map
March 8 mo 24 days
14 of P. 382 May 8 1833
166 0 264 2976 8887
J. J. Leland Esq. Roxbury Mass

BRIEF in the case of,  James Lincoln  County of Norfolk  in the State of  Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1777 5 Private Gen. Capr Lane   1779 2 13 " Cap Champany Major Heath   " 1 11 " Cap Gushing  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cambridge Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional, documentary and one living Witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? — The credibility of the living witness is not certified nor are the papers attached agreeable to the regulations 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

V 1748
Abigail Lincoln widow of James,
Mass.
act 7 July 38
m. 88. d 35
same proof of identity
goodly informality
adm
Smo 2400 hi
28. 83/100
James C. Dean Cohasset 711

The following is a copy from the Book of Records of Marriages belonging to the Town of Bridgewater in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts —
"Seventeen hundred and eighty eight February twentieth James Simonds of Cohasset in the County of Suffolk and Nabby Mitchell of Bridgewater were Married by the Rev Samuel Angier."
I do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the Record in plain, legible figures as follows "17 Feb. 20"
Mitchell South Town Clerk
I Mitchell South above named, do hereby certify, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town, with the exception above named, as certified by me
Mitchell South Town Clerk of Bridgewater Massachusetts
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Plymouth County ss: } September 6. 1838
Sworn to before me
William Hale Justice of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that William Hale Esq. is a justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the above is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of the Court of Probate for said County this twelfth day of September 1838. Jacob H. Lord

State of Massachusetts } Norfolk County ss. } On this ninth day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared Abigail Lincoln before the Hon ble Sherman Peland Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Norfolk said Abigail being a resident of Cohasset in said County aged seventy five 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 27 28 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows, That she is the widow of James Lincoln who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution the particulars of whose service were fully set forth to the War Department in his declara- tion by which he obtained a pension under the act of June second Eighteen hundred and thirty two, to which evidence your petition now refers in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said James Lincoln February twentieth Seventeen hundred and eighty eight that her husband the aforesaid James Lincoln died on the twenty third day of May Eighteen hun- dred and thirty five, That she was not married to him previous 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
Abigail her Lincoln mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me the said Abigail Lincoln, who by reason of bodily infirmary, is unable to attend court to make her declaration.
Before me H. Leland Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb, Register of the Court of Sessions for said County, do hereby certify that Sherman Leland is Judge of said Court of Sessions, and that James P. Doane is a Justice of the same within said for said County and that their respective signatures to these papers are genuine and true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at said Court at Wrentham this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1838.
Jonathan H. Cobb
122

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. - I Thomas Bourn of Cohasset in the State & County aforesaid aged seventy (70) testify and say that I was well acquainted with James Lincoln and Abigail his wife for more than forty years, and that during that time, and until the death of said James, they lived together in good repute as man and wife, and that the said Abigail has never been married since the death of said James which took place in Eighteen hundred and thirty five, and that said James at the time of his death was reputed to be a pensioner of the United States for revolutionary services.
Thomas Bourn
Norfolk County ss. August 20 th 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Thomas Bourn and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me James G. Boane Justice of the peace. I certify that the above deponent Thomas Bourn is a credible witness James G. Boane Justice of the peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss. On this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Quincy in and for said County, James Lincoln a resident of Cohasset , in said County, aged seventy one , 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 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Cohasset aforesaid
on the twenty second day of April A. D. 1760, and that there is a record of his birth On the Town records of Cohasset that he was in the United States service from the sixth day of November A. D. 1777, to the seventh day of April A. D. 1778 as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Cohasset aforesaid .
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Lord, & Stephen Haddad Lieut. of the regiment commanded by Colonel Brooks : that he marched from Cohasset to Cambridge , from to from to : that he served at Cambridge with none of the regular troops ; and
no - regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge : that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Cohasset & that he has no documentary evidence of this service
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from from the 1st day of July A. D. 1779, to the third day of October A. D. 1779 as a volunteer in the company commanded by Capt. Denny : that he was residing at Cohasset
when he entered the service ; that he served under Capt. Denny and served for the period aforesaid under the command of aforesaid for the time aforesaid : that he marched from Cohasset to Boston , from to from to : that he served at Boston
with none of the regular troops ; and
regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge.
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from from 24th the 1st day of May A. D. 1779, to the 4th day of July A. D. 1779 as a volunteer in the company of Capt. Lord : that he was residing at Cohasset
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Lord : that he marched from Cohasset to Tiverton , from to from to : that he served at Tiverton
with none of the regular troops ; and
regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge. and no documentary evidence of this service

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid. James Lincoln
We Jacob Fliint a clergyman, residing in the Town of
Cohasset and James C Doane residing in said Cohasset
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Lincoln , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy one years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier in the Militia of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Jacob Fliint James C Doane
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Jacob Fliint , who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said Cohasset ; and that James C Doane who has also signed the same is a resident in Cohasset and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Sherman Seland Judge of Probate
I Samuel Haxon, Reg d of the book of Probate aforesaid , do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Lincoln , for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Haxon

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug t 20 1832.
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 James Lincoln is borne upon the Rolls of Capt Caleb Gushing's Company Col Daml Dimes's Reg t for the space of one month & eleven days from May twenty fourth 1779
Also on the Rolls of Capt Caleb Gushing's Company Major Nath l Heath's Detachment for the space of two months & thirteen days from the tenth twentieth day of July 1779
Edward D Dange. Secy

I Aaron Pratt of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk Agea Seventy two do testify and declare That I entered the army of the United States on the seven day of November 1861 and served in the company commanded by Capt. Louis Stephen Stoddard until April seventh 1865 That I pensionary since June Lincoln the within named applied for a pension, That the the within in same company until myself and second for the period of five months as set forth in his declaration within.
Aaron Pratt
1. Norfolk August 20 th 1882 subscribed & sworn to before S. L. and Judge of Probate
I further certify that said Aaron Pratt is a credible witness Helena Probate

Mass.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15029
Abigail Lincoln Widow of James Lincoln Priv. Recr. War
Act: July 7 th 1838
Index:—Vol. a , Page 136
[Arrangement of 1870.]

✓ Ans d James C. Coan Oct 8 th 38 - Let. to Hon. J. D. Adams, " " James C. Coane, Dec. 17, 1838 do. Hon. J. D. Adams, Jan 7 12, 1839. do. Hon. J. D. Adams, Mar. 21 '39

I Ezekiel Pratt the only practicing Physician in the Town of Cohasset aged Sixty three do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Abigail sometimes called Nabby Lincoln the widow of James Lincoln late of Cohasset deceased who was a revolutionary pensioner, and have known her for more than forty years. That her health has been for several years very infirm. And in my opinion, at no time within the last year has she been able to ride twelve miles, being the nearest place where a court of records is held within this county, in consequence of general infirmity which confines her to her bed much of the time.
Ezekiel Pratt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss January 31 st 1839 Personally appeared the above named Ezekiel Pratt and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me James G. Boane Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Mass. ss.
Norfolk ss I hereunto Leland Judge of the court of Probate in and for said county hereby certify that according to the best of my resolution & belief, the above is a true statement of the health & condition of the said Nabby Lincoln at the time she made her declaration, in the month of August last past, before me, to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of July 7 th 1832 as the widow of James Lincoln deceased. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court this thirteenth day of February A.D. 1839 J Leland

Cohasset MS
Free
Jan'y 5
Dear Sir, J. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
[Faint, illegible handwriting, possibly bleed-through from the reverse side of the paper.]

Cohasset Jan'y 8 th 1838-
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Sir
In your of Dec 3 rd you state "In the case of Abigail Lincoln widow of James Lincoln deceased, some proof of her identity with the individual named in the town clerk's certificate and the widow of the late Francis is necessary" You have the deposition of Thomas Dwan a gentleman of the first respectability living here stating his acquaintance with James and Abigail Lincoln for more than 40 years living together in good repute as man and wife - thus identifying her as the wife of James Lincoln married as per town clerk's certificate - It is true that the minister recorded her name Nabby, a name formerly, and now used as synonymous with Abigail - If that is the difficulty, please so to state and we will prove her never had any other wife than his present widow -
You further state "The declaration should be made in open court, or the Judge should certify the actual disability &c" I have supposed that to have been done; Judge Leland took the declaration with a number of others for the purpose of making upon them such a certificate, it may have been accidentally omitted, if so please return the papers to me, that such a certificate may be had.
Very Respectfully yours
James C Dwan

Feb 22 Mass. add. proof Abigail Lincoln,
Joseph M c Feb 18
J. F. Edwards Esq. Dear Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th inst. and in reply to inform you that the same has been forwarded to the proper authorities.

Cohasset Feby 18 th 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq. Sir
Inclosed are two depositions in aid of the claim of Abigail Lincoln for a pension -
Respectfully Yours
J. C. Brown

1748 Mafs 7 July 1838, p Sept 17 - Chapel Ms Sept 21
free
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington. D.C.
Ms A. 9. 2. 20 p 5 v 1 1-30-50 Ms A. 9. 2. 20 p 5 v 1 1-30-50

Cohasset Sept 17 th 1838
J. L. Edwards Esq r Sir
I inclose the application of Abigail Lincoln for a pension under the act of July 1838 with the proof to support the same, to which I take leave to ask your attention — Very respectfully yours.
J. L. Boaz

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I Abigail Nichols of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty four years do testify and say That James Lincoln of Cohasset who was a revolutionary pensioner and died at Cohasset in the year eighteen hundred and thirty five, was my Brother, and that he married Abigail Mitchell of Bridgewater about the year Seventeen hundred and eighty eight. That I am well acquainted with the said Abigail and have been ever since their marriage. That she is now living in Cohasset and is the widow of my said Brother James Lincoln and that the said James never had any other wife
her Abigail X Nichols Mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. January 18 th 1839. Personally appeared the above named Abigail Nichols and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by her subscribed before me, and I further certify, that the said Abigail Nichols is a credible witness
James G. Dole Justice of the Peace Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb, Registrar of the Court of Probate for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that James G. Dole is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Norfolk & that his signature above is

is genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty third day January A.D. 1839.
Jonathan H. Cobb

I Cummings Lincoln of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy do certify and say that I was well acquainted with James Lincoln of Cohasset a revolutionary pensioner who died at Cohasset in May Eighteen hundred and thirty five. That the said James married Abigail, or as often called, Abigail Mitchell of Bridgewater about the year seventeen hundred and eighty eight, that I am well acquainted with the said Abigail that she now is, and ever has been since her marriage a very near neighbor of mine, that she is now living the widow of James Lincoln, and that the said James never had any other Cummings Lincoln
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss January 18 th 1839 Personally appeared the above named Cummings Lincoln and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me James G. Doane Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named Cummings Lincoln is a credible witness James G. Doane Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Registrar of the Court of Probate for said County of Norfolk, hereby certify that James G. Doane is a justice of the Peace within & for said County of Norfolk and

that his signature on this paper is genuine & true. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty third day of January A.D. 1839.
Jonathan H. Cottle

8887 James Lincoln
E. J. Leland Esq. Roxbury Mass

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jammy Smoot which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? yy 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? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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? yes 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? No 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? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
 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.

Adams July 21 st 1839
Sir
The enclosed certificate is transmitted as the request of Noble Lincoln to be used in her case now pending for a pension as the widow of James Lincoln deceased
Yours obed
servt
J. L. Lincoln
James L Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions Washington City