Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15419, for John Taylor, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Taylor, John Mercy
W 15419
CONTENTS

Rep
145
Massachusetts
Mercy Taylor
widow of John Taylor who was a private
in the Massachusetts line for 7 months & 15 days Mass
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of May 1843. and sent to
Seth Sprague Jr Duxbury Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 1 Vol. 1. Page 53.

18850 Massachusetts
John Taylor
of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Farnum of the Regt commanded by Colonel in the War of the line for 7 months 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 25 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of July 1836 and sent S.P. Load Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $56.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 1833 12.50 $68.50
Recorded by H.H. Nelson Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 a Page 84
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }

John Taylor 10.387
John Taylor in Pembroke etc.

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this twenty first day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Wilkes Wood Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Duxbury within and for said County of Plymouth, John Taylor a resident of Duxbury in said County of Plymouth, and Common-
wealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy two 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, 1832. He hereby relinquish- es 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. I Enlisted July 1 1776 into the comp
any commanded by William Weston stationed at the Gurnet at the entrance of Plymouth harbor Andrew Sampson was our Lieutenant I served in this enlistment four & half months agreeable to the deposition of Lieut Andrew Sampson
Some time in the year 1778 I cannot now recollect the month I went to Rhode Island in the secret exped on as it was called in John Turner company in Col Cottons Regt & served one month
In April 1779 I enlisted into the company commanded by Amos Turner for two months stationed at near Howlands ferry & at the old distillery the C of the Regt I cannot recollect I have no written disch arge & have no other evidence of my service than the testimony of my fellow soldiers which are annexed I was born in Pembroke Me in the year 1760

& lived there untill after the Revolution since which I have resided in Duxbury & am known to the Benjamin Kent & Judah Alden & to the citizens generally particularly in Duxbury -
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Attest John Taylor
Jacob H. Lord

We, Benjamin Kent a clergyman, residing in the town of Duxbury and Judah Alden residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Taylor who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. Benjamin Kent Judah Alden
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
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 certifies, that it appears to them that Benjamin Kent who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Duxbury and that Judah Alden Esq who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I, Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Barnstable do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Taylor for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two  Jacob H. Lord

7 Taylor (1239) Mercy Taylor - widow of John Massachusetts
admitted P. p 25.-
March 26
propos. aoy June 1852

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss On this Sixteenth day of August A D 1888 personally appeared before the Hon William Wood Judge of the court of Probate in & for the county of Plymouth Mercy Taylor a resident of Duxbury in s d County aged Seventy three 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 1838 entitled an Act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows That she is the widow of John Taylor late of Duxbury deceased who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution for about eight months for which service he was pensioned under the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832 And for a detailed account of his services I refer to his declaration & evidence on file in the Pension office She further declares that she was married to the said John Taylor on the eleventh day of September Seventeen hundred & ninety two at the house of M rs Sampson in Duxbury by Gamaliel Bradford a justice of the peace & she knows of no record of her marriage but several persons are now living who were present at her marriage

And that her husband the aforesaid John Taylor died on the ninth day of December 1832. That she was not married to him prior to this leaving the service. But that the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four viz at the time above stated.
Mary Taylor.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written Before me Willes Wood Judge
Plymouth Yrs. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Willes Wood is Judge of Probate 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 third day of September 1838
Jacob H. Lord

Ann Taylor Deposition
John Taylor

I Andrew Samson in Durdur in the County of Plymouth Testify and say that John Sayler was a private soldier In the Revolutionary war in Capt. William Westons Company Which I was lieut. colonel at the Point at the Mouth of Plymouth Harbour the time of his enlistment was the first day of July 1776 and he served as far as I can remember a least four months & a Half
Plymouth 30 August 6 1832
Andrew Samson Lieut.
Personally appeared the above named Andrew Samson & made oath to the truth of the above statement before me Seth Sprague Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss
April 10 1833 I certify that
I am personally acquainted with Andrew Sampson the within deponent & that he is a man of good character & entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr. Justice of the Peace
John Dyer

To Whom it may concern I Joshua Mayvill of Pembroke Mass Testify & say that I am well acquainted with John Taylor of Duxbury formerly resident of Pembroke & that I knew him in the war of the Revolution & was with him at Rhode Island in the year 1777 we were together in Capt Amos Turner's Company stationed at or near Howland's ferry at an old Distillery Taylor served two months I think we went in April 1777 — Joshua Mayvill
State of Massachusetts } Sworn to & subscribed this twenty fifth Plymouth ss } day of August 1812 before me Seth Sprague Jr. John J. The Pease
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Seth Sprague Jr & Kilborn Whitman Esqrs. are Justices of the Peace in & for said County and that I believe that their names subscribed to the certificates upon the Depositions here annexed together are true & genuine sig- natures In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty first day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

State of Massachusetts } April 10 1833 I certify Plymouth ss —
That I am personally acquainted with Joshua Magoon. The within deponent & That he is a man of good character & entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr. Justice of the Peace

I Asa Taylor of Pembroke in the County of Plymouth of Lawful age to give evidence testify and say, that I am well acquainted with John Taylor of Danbury - who is in the seventy third year of his age and is my brother and being myself a Soldier, under Col Calvin Pierce of Dartmouth in the Secret expedition, as it was called on Old Point, and also in that expedition thirty days and was dismissed - I know that my brother John Taylor was there a Soldier in the Company of Capt John Turner of Pembroke - the name of the Colonel of the Regiment, to which I and my brother belonged in that expedition I have forgot - and further your Deponent saith not
Asa Taylor.
Plymouth Jc Pembroke August 4 1832
Personally appeared before me Asa Taylor and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed -
William Whitman J. Bree
Plymouth Jc Pembroke April 12 1833 I certify that I am personally acquainted with Asa Taylor the above deponent and that he is a man of good character & entitled to credit
William Whitman J. Bree

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob N. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Solomon Lincoln & Seth Sprague Junr. Esquires before whom the annexed affidavits were sworn are Justices of the Peace in & for said County & that their signatures thereto are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this twenty sec- ond day of December 1838.
Jacob N. Lord

I Thomas Drew Clerk of the Town of Plymouth, in the state of Massachusetts, hereby certify, that in the second book of records in said town, containing the marriages, births &c. under the head of "Publishments in order for marriage", page one hundred and sixty first, there is the following entry, viz: August eighteenth, seventeen hundred and ninety two, John Taylor and Mercy Burgep, both of Plymouth -
And I certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record, in fair legible figures as follows: viz: 1792. Aug: 18
I Thomas Drew, above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Clerk of The town of Plymouth, in the state 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; and that the marriage of said persons is not on the records.
Thomas Drew, Clerk of the town of Plymouth
Plymouth Dec r 5th. 1838
Plymouth Jp. Dec. 5, 1838 Sworn to & subscribed the day last above written Before me
Horatio Lincoln Justice

I Ralph Partridge Clerk of the Town of Duxbury hereby certify that the Marriage of John Taylor & Mercy Burgess is not in any of the Town records in my possession neither do I know of any record of Marriages in this Town books between the years one thousand seven hundred & seventy five & ninety nine I further certify that John Taylor late a pensioner of the United States deceased was the husband of Mercy Taylor & that they lived together as husband & wife or for any other reason as I can remember until his death given under my hand at Duxbury the twenty first day of December 1888
State of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss On the day & year above written personally appeared the above named Ralph Partridge & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed I further cert- -ify that said Ralph Partridge a credible person & his testimony is entitled to credit before me
Seth Sprague Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob N. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Solomon Lincoln & Seth Sprague Jun. Esquires before whom the annexed affidavits were sworn and Justices of the Peace in & for said County & that their signatures thereto are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this twenty sec- ond day of December 1838.
Jacob N. Lord

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15419
Mercy Taylor Widow of John Taylor Priv. Res. War
Act: Mar. 3 rd 1848
Index:—Vol. M , Page 264
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mercy Taylor Massachusetts = Suspended See let: 17 Nov 1838, J. N. Lord,
Act 7 July 1838

2250
Massachusetts
Mercy Taylor - widow of John Taylor - Dec -
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 18. and who died on the 9 December, 1832 - of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the Company: commanded by Captain Turner of the Reg't - commanded by Col: Colton - in the Massachusetts line for 7 Months & 15 days -
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 25 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th: day of April 1839 and sent to Loud. Plymouth, Massachusetts
Arrears to the 14th of March '39 - $ 75.00 - Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept: 12.50
$87.50
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by M c Keen Clerk, Book A — Vol. — 1 — Page 136

John Sayler
Part 7 Mar 15-1833
No. 17
March 9-1833
P 282
J H Scud Plymouth (Mass)

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

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? /// 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? /// XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? /// XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? ///
 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 shown 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.

Massachusetts John Taylor p. 25 per ann. Act of June 1832 to what time paid?
Pens Officer
Due 9 th Dec 1832 6% that period
Nov 27. 1838
JH

Map add: proof
Mercy Taylor
7 July No 1239
James L. Edwards Esq Commission of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dec 28

Probate Office
Plymouth Mass.
Dec 22. 1838
Sir
I send you two affidavits in relation to the marriage of John Taylor & Mercy Burgess. When her papers were sent the marriage I believe was proved by an Affidavit of a person who was present at the consummation thereof.
I now send you a Certificate of the Town Clerk of Plymouth of the publication in that town of the intention of Marriage of these people & that there is no record of their marriage. I believe in her declaration it is alledged that the Marriage was solemnized in Duxbury. I also send an affidavit of the Clerk of Duxbury that there is no record there.
I understand they never had but one child which is dead & that no record was ever made of its birth from the fact probably of its occurring pretty soon after the marriage.
Yours &c
J. W. Lord
J. L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions Washington D. C.

I Ruth Sampson aged eighty years depose & say that I was present & saw John Taylor & Mercy Butz- -er married by Gamaliel Bradford Esq & according to my best recollection & belief it was Septem- ber Seventeen hundred & ninety two I know it was ten years after I was married & in the fall of the year I further certify that Mercy Taylor is the widow of said John Taylor who not been married since his decease given under my hand this thirteenth day of August 1838
Ruth Sampson
State of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss On the day & year above written personally appeared Ruth Sampson above named & subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Ruth Sampson & that she is a credible person & her testimony is entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr for Dean

I Sarah Burgess aged eighty one years depose & say that I was present & saw — John Taylor & Mercy Burgess married at the house of M rs Sampson in Duxbury by Gamaliel Broadbent a justice of the peace & according to the best of my recollection it was in the month of September in the year Seventeen hundred & Ninety two I know the year by the age of one of my sons who was then about one year old I know it must have been previous to January Seventeen hundred & ninety four & I have no doubt it was at the time above stated — I further certify that Mercy Taylor is the widow of John Taylor who died about six years ago & she has not been married since his decease given under my hand at Duxbury this thirteenth day of August 1838
State of Massachusetts.                      Sarah Burgess Plymouth County ss on the day & year above written personally appeared Sarah Burgess above named & subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me I further certify that said Sarah Burgess is well known to me & that she is a credible person & that her testimony is entitled to full credit Seth Sprague Jr. Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Seth Sprague Esq. Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the signatures to the foregoing affidavit pur- porting to be signed by him are his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this third day of September 1838
Jacob H. Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County } Is
Be it known that on this seventh day of April A.D. 1843 personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County, Mercy Taylor of Duxbury aged twentyfive 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 the third day of March in the year eight hundred & forty three.
That she is the Widow of John Taylor who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution & served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original declaration for a Pension under the law of the 7th of July 1838 to which declaration & the accompanying papers now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his service and for the proof of her marriage identity & the time of her husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said act at the rate of twenty five dollars per annum which amount she received from the fourth day of March 1836 to the fourth day of March 1841 at the agency in Boston Mass. -achusetts and at the time of receiving her last payment surrendered the pension certificate granted to her under said act to the Pension agent at said City of Boston aforesaid agreeably

to the rules of the Department And this declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said husband but is now & ever since has been the widow of said John Taylor deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed and further saith not
Mary Taylor
Sworn & subscribed before me on the day & year above written I further certify that I have always known personally the above deponent & that the above declaration is true & correct
Seth Sprague Jr. Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob St. Lourd Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Hon. Seth Sprague Junior is a Justice of the Peace duly Commissioned & qualified & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be signed by him are his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this fifteenth day of April in the Year Eighteen hundred & forty three Jacob St. Lourd