Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,323, for John Sutton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Sutton, John Alice
R 10,323
B.L. Mt. 78,019-160-55
CONTENTS

The Record of Service in this case is filed with her appli- cation for Bounty Land under the Act of March 3 1863

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss
May 8th. 1883
I Cummings Lincoln of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk aged Eighty Six years, do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Alie Sutton of Cohasset the widow of John Sutton deceased and have been acquainted with her for twenty years past, that I was present and saw her married to John Sutton formerly of Cohasset some time in the autumn of the year seventeen hundred and ninetyfour, that she continued his wife until his death, and that she now remains his widow.
Cummings Lincoln
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me Martin Lincoln justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss.
May 9th. 1835
I Tamar Willcutt of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk aged Eighty Seven years do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Alice Sutton of Cohasset the widow of John Sutton deceased, and have been intimately acquainted with her for Sixty five years past, That I was present and saw her married by Rev. Jonah C. Shaw in Cohasset to the said John Sutton joyfully Celebrate in the autumn of the year Seventeen hundred and ninety four, that she continued his wife until his death in 1826 since which time she has remained his widow.
Tamar her Willcutt and
Sworn to and subscribed in the day and year above written
before me Martin Sinsabaugh Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts
Norfolk Cty. ss.
On this fifth day of May A.D. 1855. Alice Patten a resident of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk aged eighty seven years who being 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 July 29 th 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the Widow of John Patten of Cohasset formerly of Scituate who served at Cambridge in Job Cushing's Company, Heath's Reg t in 1775 Also in Col t Nathaniel Winslow's Company, 6 th Pioneer Batts Reg t as Corporal in 1776 Also in Col t Nath l Winslow's Company, 1 st Pioneer Batts Reg t as Sergeant to Nov r 30 th 1776 and at divers other times and places which from age and infirmity I am unable to identify. She further declares that she is still a widow that her husband John Patten died at Cohasset in October 1826
Alice Patten mark
Norfolk ss. Cohasset May 5 th 1855 Sworn to and Subscribed before me
Marlin Lincoln Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK ss.
I, EZRA W. SAMPSON, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Martin Lincoln Esquire,
was at the time of taking the annexed affidavit then is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed certificate is genuine and true.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twelfth day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five Ezra Sampson Clerk.

H. C. Doane. Apr 15/56 Hon. J. Buffington. Jan 29/57 H. C. Doane. Sept 16/57
Vol. 2. - 149.
163.888 Act March 3/55- June 11/55-
Alice Sutton wid of John Sutton Put 11/1/58
Capt H. Cushing
Col J. Heath
2 d Simon as capt. Capt Nathl. Mellow Col Simon Carey Ent Aug 1. 1776 Det Nov 30. "
Revolutionary war
Map Ind. 48
CID: 160 Acc, Feb. 10/58
Special B. B. Fulton
7
Sat C. Doane Colapet Brattle

I Famar Willcutt of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk an State of Massachusetts aged Eighty one years Do hereby certify and upon oath declare That I am the oldest surviving child of John Sutton , who died in Cohasset in November 1826, by his first wife. That I was born in Scituate where my Father at that time lived, that when I was quite young, at what age I do not remember, my Father removed with his family to Cohasset where my mother died, and my Father subsequently married Abie Stephenson who now survives, and I was present at the wedding, that I have often heard my father speak of serving in the war of the Revolution, and at one time was stationed at Hull, and in riding with him he pointed out to me the House in which he lived while on duty there. That I never knew or heard of any other John Sutton living in Scituate or Cohasset except my brother now deceased. That I have no

interest in the result of the application for Bounty land made by Alice Sutton my father's widow
Witness Henry J. Sumner
First James K. Hilbert Mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss. Cohasset January 20 th 1850 Subscribed and sworn to before me, the deponent being of sound mind and body.
Henry J. Sumner Justice of the Peace

I Joseph Osgood Pastor of the First Church and Society in Cohasset in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts do hereby testify and say that I have in my possession the ancient Church records of Cohasset in which are to be found the only ancient records of marriage by the several clergymen who have preceded me since the organization of a church in this place and I further certify that there is not to be found upon said records any marriages performed by Rev. J. C. Shaw while he was in the ministry, in this place from the year 1792 to 1798.
Joseph Osgood
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss. June 28 th 1855 The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year herein first written, and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person and that I have no interest in the claim.
Martin Lincoln
Judge of the peace

163.888
Alice Sutton, widow of John, Map
application for Bounty Land, 1853-
Alice Sutton & John Cunningham Ex m
correspond with Jas. C. Doan Cohasset Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss.
On this second day of June A D one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five personally appeared before Martin Lincoln a Justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Alice Sutton aged Eighty six years, a resident of Cohasset in the State of Massachusetts, who being duly sworn according to law declared, that she is the identical widow of the identical John Sutton who was a private in Captain Job Cushing's Company, Col d Heaths Regiment of the Revolutionary Army in December 1775. Serving at Cambridge. Also a Corporal in Capt d Nath l Winstows Company 10 th Simon Cramers Reg t in Feb y 1776. Also in the same Company and Regiment from Aug t 1 to Nov r 30 1776 - 4 months as Sergeant also in the same Company and Regiment in June 1776 all of which service will appear by the accompanying certificate from the office of the Secretary of the State above named. That he is supposed to have enlisted in November 1775 and continued in actual service in the Revolutionary war for the term of one year or more and was honorably discharged.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 d 1855. She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any application therefor.
Her Alice X Sutton mark

We David S. Sutton and Harriet Nickerson residents of Cohasset in the State of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Alice Sutton in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
David S. Sutton Harriet Nickerson
The foregoing declaration and affidavit, were sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year before written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Martin Lincoln Justice of the Peace

163,888
[3] This Record was, also, filed in support of a claim in the name of Alice Sutton for a pension under the Act July 29 / 1848, which claim has been dis- missed.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 18 th 1855.
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 John Sutton is borne on return of Capt. Job Cushing's Comp. Col. Heath's Regt. Name borne on cost roll dated Cambridge Camp. Dec. 18. 1775. Residence not given.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's Comp. Col. Simon Cushing's Regt. from time of Marching July 12. 1776. 7 days, as corporal. from Scituate.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's Comp. Col. Josiah Whitney's Regt. from Aug. 1. to Nov. 30. 1776 4 mos. as Sergt. from Scituate. Also on pay roll of Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's Comp. Col. Josiah Whitney's Regt. for travel, advance wages, blanket money &c. £3. 4. 3. as Sergt. from Scituate. Roll dated June 20. 1776.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
Made by the J. C. Doane Attorney of the party who rendered the service.
County of Norfolk State of Massachusetts Town of Cohasset
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of John Sutton in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts is supposed to have
He enlisted from the Town of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts in the year 1776 as a Private  supposed to have been in the Company commanded by Captain Stowers or Obadiah Beal in ^ Regiment and he served as follows,* viz:—
in Hull and supposed in other places
* Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now Eighty Seven years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
Witness my hand, this thirteenth A. D. 1857
day of April
James G. Doane attorney to Alice Sutton
Signed by said in my presence,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. }

78.019
160 - acres

No 1418 Alice Sutton widow of John Mep
J. C. Doan June 9 1855 Same July 3 - 1855 Same Aug: 4 th 1855. B. S. D.
10323
July 29 1848

FREE
163888
Alice Antton
Boston
Howland James Buffington M.B.
Washington
D. Columbia

Richard Lutton see
Map P.R. CORRESPONDENCE
FREE
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Advised - Nov 29/86

I believe the police who served under Capt. Winston in 76. from Scituate, by the name of Prof. Boston, was the husband of the Applicant in this case.
Served Nov 6 months.

Copy
L P Waldo Esq. Commr d of Pensions July 23 d 1855.
Sir - In reply to your note of 5 th inst. that your office is not in possession of any evidence of the service of John Sutton the husband of Abigail Moss, permit me to call your attention to your letter of June 9 th acknowledging the receipt of Abigail Sutton's application for a pension which was accompanied by a certificate from the office of Secretary of the State of Mass. proving a service of more than 4 months in the New Jersey, which application altho' informal for reason already given, for the purpose of procuring a pension, is not so understood by me, (having reference to your instructions and forms) for the purpose of establishing her claim to the benefit of the act of March 3 d 1855. The absence from the files of Mass State department of the regular rolls of the company in which Sutton served, together with the impossibility of proving the service by living witnesses has induced me to withdraw her claim for a pension, but the evidence of service thus forwarded and acknowledged, it is presumed is available to sustain her claim for the benefit of the act of March 3 d . For this purpose she had made a declaration duly authenticated in conformity with your circular of March 5 th 1855. To prove her marriage with the man under whom she claims, you have the deposition of Cumming Lincoln and Fannie Willcutt, both of whom made oath that they were present and saw them married and the deposition of J. Beyer (the Clappymen having the custody of the Church records) that there is no record to be found of marriages by J. C. Shaw, the person who married Sutton to Abigail Stephenson the claimant during his ministry, and the affidavit of Joseph Gurnet to have served in Do. G. Hassel and in the only John Sutton of Scituate of Scituate, that he knew John Sutton of Scituate who served in the Revolutionary War. The deponents in this case are in good standing for veracity as can be found within this State. If all this is rejected as untenable

of evidence of his claim I am unable to imagine, being doubtless to my obtuseness of understanding, what will be received and admitted by your department as evidence - Unless I am favored by an explanation why what has been forwarded has been rejected as inadmissible, which I most respectfully request, I am wholly at loss to know how to proceed further with the claim through the pension office -
Very Respectfully
J. C. Dyer
Copy of Joseph Gannett's deposition forwarded to Comms. of Pensions
I Joseph Gannett of Scituate in the County of Plymouth I am of age aged * years do testify and say that I was intimately acquainted with John Sutton who died in Cohasset in the year 1824, and his wife Abigail Sutton - that I lived in the same house with him in Scituate previous to his moving into Cohasset, and that he was always reputed to have served in the war of the Revolution, and that I have never known of any other man of that name in Scituate who was so reputed, and had there been such man, I have no doubt I should have known it - * Not filled when copy was made      Sign'd & sworn to believed to be 85 or 86 years

Cheset June 27 th 1855
L. P. Waldo Esq.
Sir - In the case of Alice Sutton applicant for a pension under the act of July 29 th 1848 which is represented to be informal, arises from the fact, that having addressed a request to your department to send me a copy of your instructions and requirements in such cases, I received only, probably by inadvertence, a copy of the Land Bounty Law instructions and forms -
If the evidence of Suttons service is insufficient to entitle his widow to a pension, no living testimony is available, and unless further details of service are upon the files at Washington fixing with more accuracy the length of service, the time, place, and officers under whom he served being already given, any further attempt to substantiate her claim must necessarily fail. He doubtless served from the time he first went to Cambridge to the end of the year, He afterwards entered the private armed service, was captured and imprisoned. John Sutton was a master mariner well known to me for many, did not apply for a pension under the acts previous to his death in 1826 being reputed not in necessitous circumstances, having property exceeding $500 - the amount excluding an applicant, as I remember, previous to 1832. His widow and her friends until recently were not aware of the act of July 29 1848 the act of February 1848 not reaching her case -
I herein inclose the affidavit of Joseph Gannet of Scituate of good reputation to prove the identity of Sutton the husband of the applicant, as the man who enlisted from Scituate and is

certified as being found upon the Massachusetts rolls -
Scituate and Cohasset are adjoining towns, and Sutton lived near the line in either town. You have the affidavits of two persons who witnessed his marriage with Alice the claimant, and you inquire how they are able to fix the time. Cummins Lincoln a very respectable man and of unquestionable integrity and Tamar Willcutt - Lincoln testified from his recollection as connected with other facts distinctly remembered. Tamar Willcutt is the daughter of Sutton by a previous marriage, and recollected from her own age at the time of her father's second marriage. Since her affidavit was forwarded she has found an old diary kept by her husband Joel Willcutt, which diary is now in my possession in which I find this entry - "1895 Nov 8 Went to Father Suttons wedding". Joel Willcutt the husband of Tamar was for many years Postmaster in this place and Inspector of the Customs, he was a near neighbor and intimate acquaintance of mine, I was familiar with his handwriting and have no doubt the entry was made at the time given, and by him. Mrs Willcutt has no interest in the claim. I also inclose the affidavit of Rev Joseph Arger with reference to marriage records, which I personally know to be correct.
I trust with this evidence enough will be proved to establish the petitioners claim.
Very Respectfully
James E Doane

Chassel Mass Jan y 18 th 53
L. P. Waldo Esq r Comm r of Pensions Sir
I herewith inclose the application of Alice Cutter Widow of John Cutter for a pension under the act of July 29 th 48 and for land bounty under the act of March 3 rd 1850. Such communication, as may become necessary, if any, you will please make to me at this place.
Very respectfully yours
James C. Deane

I Joseph Gannett of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged Eighty seven years, do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with John Sutton who died in Cohasset in the year 1826 and with his wife, now widow, Alice Sutton, that I lived in the same dwelling house with him in Scituate previous to his removing into Cohasset, that he was always reputed to have served in the war of the Revolution and that I have never known of any other man of that name in Scituate who was so reputed, and had there been any such man, I have no doubt I should have known it
Joseph Gannett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss. June 25 th 1885 Subscribed and sworn to before me in the say and year herein written and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person and I have no interest in her claim
Martin Lincoln
Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF NORFOLK, ss.
I, JONATHAN H. COBB, Register of Probate, in and for said County, hereby certify, that
Abie Sutton & John Cunningham were duly appointed Executrices of the will of John Sutton late of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk, at the request of the said John, at a Court of Probate held at Quincy in & for the County of Norfolk on the second Tuesday of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty six.
In Witness Whereof, I, the said Register, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Probate for said County, this
fourteenth day of May , one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
Jonathan H. Cobb

Concord July 23 d 1855
Sir
In reply to your note of 5 th inst. that your office is not in possession of any evidence of the service of John Sutton the husband of Alice of Massachusetts, permit me to call your attention to your letter of June 9 th acknowledging the receipt of Alice Sutton's application for a Pension, which application was accompanied by a certificate from the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass s , proving a service of more than four months in the Revolutionary army, which application at the informal, for reasons already given, for the purpose of procuring a pension, is not so understood by me, having reference to your instructions and forms, for the purpose of establishing her claim to the benefit of the act of March 3 d 55.
The absence from the files of Mass s State Department of the regular rolls of the company in which Sutton served, together with the impossibility of proving the service by living witnesses, has induced her to withdraw her claim for a pension; but the evidence of service thus forwarded and acknowledged, it is presumed is available to sustain her claim for the benefit of the act of March 3 d 55. - for which purpose she has made a declaration in conformity with your circular of March 5 th 55. To prove her marriage with the man under whom she claims, you have the depositions of Cummins Lincoln and James Dillcutt who have both sworn they were present and saw them married, the affidavit of Rev d Joseph Osgood that there is no known record to be found of marriages by the person who married Sutton during his ministry, and the affidavit of Joseph Gannet of Scituate, that

that he knew John Sutton of Scituate the husband of the claimant to have moved into Cohasset and as the only John Sutton of Scituate who served in the War of the Revolution.
The deponents in this case are in a good standing for veracity as can be found within this State. If all this is rejected as destitute of evidence of her claim, I am unable to imagine, owing doubtless to my obtuseness of understanding, what will be received and admitted by the Pension department as evidence. Until I am favored by an explanation, why that which has been forwarded, has been rejected as inadmissible, which I most respectfully request, I must remain wholly at loss to know how to proceed further with the claim through the Pension office.
Very Respectfully
James C Doane
To Hon. L. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

10323
P. O.
Alice Sutton
Service: _____
John
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

I Daniel Bates of Cohasset in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Master Mariner, hereby certify and upon oath declare, that I lived nearly twenty years a near neighbor to John Sutton who died in Cohasset in 1826, that I have sailed with him on sea voyages, and have often heard him speak of serving in the Revolutionary war, that I know Alice Sutton his widow who now survives, and is my near neighbor.
Daniel Bates
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss. Cohasset December  September 3 d 1857 Subscribed and Sworn to before me Martin Lincoln - Justice of the peace

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth Town of Scituate.
I James C. Merrill Jr Clerk of the Town above named hereby certify that by the request of James C. Seane Esq. of Cohasset Attorney for Alice Totten widow of John Totten upon oath declare that I have examined the Ancient records of the Town of Scituate now in my possession for the purpose of ascertaining if there was more than one person by the name of John Totten who was an inhabitant of Scituate during the Revolutionary war and that I found none by that name during that time
James C. Merrill Jr. Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this seventh day of August A. D. 1857
Shadrock B. Merrill Justice of the Peace

Pension Office, April. 15 1856.
Sir:
The bounty land claim of Mrs. Alice Sutton, has been examined & suspended.
Proof should be filed, which will identify the husband of the Applicant John Sutton, as the soldier whose services are described in the Certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, filed in support of the claim.
Yours Respectfully, C. H. Russell.
for Commissioner.
W. C. Doan. Esq. Cohasset. Mass. ✓

Cohasset Mass. Jan y 21 st 1858
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Sir
Permit me again to ask your attention to the claim of Alice Sutton Widow of John Sutton N o 163.888 for Bounty Land under the act of March 3 rd 1855. In conformity with your requirement of Sept r 16 th 1857. I inclose the affidavit of Rev Joseph Asgood showing the recorded date of the death of John Sutton formerly the husband of Alice Sutton the claimant, and his age at the time of his death, by which it will appear, that he was born in the year 1749, and consequently was 25 or 26 years old at the commencement of the war.
Also the deposition of Tamar Willett stating her birth and fathers residence in Scituate in the 1777 at which time her father must have been 28 years old.
You have previously received a certificate from the State department of this Commonwealth proving the Service of John Sutton of Scituate in the Revolutionary army for more than four months.
The deposition of Joseph Gannet of Scituate that he lived in the same house in Scituate with John Sutton who died in Cohasset in 1826 and had never heard of any other John Sutton in Scituate.
A certificate from the Town Clerk of Scituate that he

cannot find upon the Records of the Town the name of any other John Sutton.
The affidavits of Cummings Lincoln and Tamar Wilkins that they were present at the wedding of John Sutton and Alice Stephenson.
The affidavit of Daniel Bates a near neighbor of Sutton who knew Sutton from his earliest recollection, had sailed with him and heard him speak of his Revolutionary services.
The deponents are all well known to me, as was also John Sutton for more than a quarter of a century (I am close upon 70) they are all persons of as good standing for truth, as can be found in this community, and probably any other - and if the testimony is insufficient to prove Mr. Sutton's legal right to Bounty Land as provided for, I am wholly at loss to know what further could be reasonably required.
Very Respectfully
James P. Doane

I Joseph Osgood Pastor of the first church in Cohasset in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts do hereby certify and uppon oath declare that I have in my possession the Church Records kept by the Rev Isaac Taint my predecessor as pastor from the year 1798 to the year 1835 in which are recorded the deaths and ages of persons who died in this town during that time That I find there recorded as follows to wit "Nov r 2 d 1826 Died John Putnam aged seventy seven" that I have never known or heard of any other person of that name having lived in Cohasset.
Joseph Osgood.
Cohasset Mass Norfolk County ss. Sept r 23 d 1857. Subscribed and sworn to before me James C Dorrance Justice of the Peace

John Sutton Esq. Essex
16388
Boynton May 10/56. Not found in file,
Sept 8th 57
Boynton
Mar 18
186
31
166
Sturminster Newton W. R.
FREE

Cohasset Sept r 4 th 1857
To the Commissioners of Pensions Sir
Permit me once more to request your attention to the claim of Alice Sutton Widow of John Sutton (N o 163888) for Bounty Land under the act - of March 3 d 1855. I now inclose the deposition of the Town Clerk of Scituate showing there was no other man of the name of John Sutton belonging to Scituate during the war of the Revolution except the husband of the claimant. Also the deposition of Daniel Bates of Cohasset, a near neighbor of John Sutton, and who had frequently heard him speak of his Revolutionary services. The claimant and deponents are all well known to me, and are as reliable for truth as any equal number of persons in Massachusetts.
Very Respectfully James C. Drazz