Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31786, for Chever Kendall, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
16023
Kendall, Chever or Cheever
S. 31786
CONTENTS
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]

Maine Oct. 5/78
Dear Randall,
Walpole in the State of New Hampshire who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the 1st Regiment commanded by Colonel Danks in the New Hampshire Line for 13 months 20 days I was 10 " 10 " a Sergeant
* mass
Inscribed on the Roll of the WILL at the rate of 77 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Nov 1833 and sent to S. C. Henry Belfast Maine
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 £243.05 Pension allowance ending Feb 1835 - 48.61 291.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. C. Gilson Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 15 Page 38

13000 Chever Fendall
Sept 10 Mr 9 10 days Pmt 13 " 20 97 2 24 194 44 48. 65 11. 13. 14 50. 1609 243. 05 43.35 222 P. 2997.22 Mr Bangs
Mr Bangs's Arithmetical regim to be amended 24 Feb 1835
W M Lowry Belfast Mann

BRIEF in the case of  Chesher Kendall  County of Waldo  in the State of Maine  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 77.  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.     Vol. In 1775. 1 st May .. 8 .. private. Gen. Capt. J. Agel Col. Reub   do. 1776. 1 st April 1 .. .. sit. Capt. A. Gardner Col. J. Brooks   do. 1777. 25 th Decr 7 10 10 Sergeant. Capt. W. Smith Col. J. Jacobs Gen. Sullivan  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains - Rhode Island -  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Framingham, Middlesex Co. Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional & a witness who proves the last term of service  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk. March 13. 1833.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A.D. 1832
State of Maine
Waldo County ss
On this twenty fifth day of September before the Hon. Alfred Johnson Esq. Judge of the court of Probate now sitting Chester Maine to wit: of the adjoining town of a resident in the town of Sursmont in the county of Waldo aged seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath aforesaid make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated
At Framingham in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts about the first of May 1775 he entered the service of the United States for eight months as a volunteer and private in Captain John Ayer's Company of Volunteers Col. Reed's Regiment & marched from said Framingham to Cambridge then to Roxbury Mass. & was there stationed until the eight months for which he engaged expired & was then discharged about the first of January 1776
At said Framingham about the first of April 1776 he again entered the service of the United States for one year as a volunteer & private and served that length of time in Captain Aaron Gardner's Company Colonel John Brooks Regiment of Volunteers - From said Framingham he marched into the State of New York; was present at the retreat of the Americans from the City of New York & was afterwards stationed at a place called Horse Neck in the State of New York; thence he marched & continued marching from place to place until the Battle of the White Plains in which battle he was engaged at a place called Four corners  Valentine's Hill in New York about the first of April 1776 he was discharged At the battle of the White Plains he had his fore finger on his right hand cut nearly off & was wounded in his left leg by musket balls
At said Framingham on December 25th 1777 he enlisted into the service of the United States as a volunteer & sergeant for one year to commence from the first of January then next but was not called for until the March following - He then marched from said Framingham to Providence Rhode Island & served to the end of the year in Captain Nathan Smith's Company Colonel John Brooks Regiment and was

discharged below Woodlands ferry in Rhode Island the first of January 1779 at a place called Little on Coston -- He was present at the retreat from Rhode Island to Snipes & Bulls Harbor was in the engagement the next day -- Edmund Rice whose deposition is herunto annexed was in the same company with him as he states in his affidavit but he is confident that said Rice is mistaken in regard to the time of enlistment & the time of service --
He was born as he was informed at said Framingham August fifth 1755 & is seventy seven years old -- He thinks there is a record of his age in said Framingham town record -- He served in the army of the Revolution two years and eight months; one year of which time he served as a sergeant of the company & the remainder of time as a private -- He never had a written discharge; has no documentary evidence & knows of no one who can testify as to his service except Edmund Rice  whose affidavit is annexed --
He was acquainted with General Sullivan & was under his command part of the time before mentioned -- He is known to Asahel Folsom Postmaster Scituate & the Selectmen of Scituate & Hopkinton who can testify as to his character for truth & veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution -- Since the Revolution he has resided in said Framingham at Scituate  at Hopkinton at which latter place he now lives -- At the several times he entered the service he lived at said Framingham --
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Chas. F. Kendall
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
A. Sprague, Judson P. Babson
We the undersigned a Clergyman residing in the town of Hopkinton and Reuben Safford residing in said town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Chas. F. Kendall who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier

of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion -
Eben Cox
Stephen Safford
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Before me
A. D. 1832
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 above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states -
And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Ebenezer Cox who has subscribed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman residing in the town of Hopkinton & that Stephen Safford who has also signed the same is a resident in said town is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Nathan M. Loomis Register of Probate for the County of Middle do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Fox for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1832
Nathan M. Loomis Register of Probate

Waldo County ss June 23, 1853 State of Maine
Personally appeared before me the subscriber Judge of the Court of Probate for Waldo County in open court now sitting Chester Kendall of Searsport an applicant for a pension, who being duly sworn + swith deposed that he was part of the time with one of his sons in Hope & the other part of the time with an other son in Searsport & that Ebenezer the clergyman & Nathan Safford the citizen whose evidence he produces in this sheet of paper reside in the same neighborhood with himself when with his son at Hope & but two or three miles from his home when at his other son's in Searsport. He further deposed & said that he has made diligent search & strict enquiry & cannot hear of any survivors of his first or second terms of service & that it is not at this time in his power to produce any other evidence of his two first terms of service than his own oath.
Declaration of Chester Kendall
He further testifies & says that he had a Sargents warrant at the time of his last term of service & that he brought it home with him but has since lost it. This Warrant was signed by John Folsom the Colonel.
Chester Kendall
Subscribed & sworn to before me the day & year first above written
Alfred D. Merrill Judge of Probate
I, Nathaniel H. Loring Register of the Court of Probate for Waldo County State of Maine certify that the above contains the original proceedings of the court of Probate in the matter of Chester Kendall for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 23 d day of June 1853
N. H. Loring Register of Probate

October 11, 1930
Margaret Snow Librarian Rockland Public Library Rockland, Maine
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31786, that Chever (the name also appears as Cheever) Kendall was born August 5, 1755, at Framingham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
While residing at Framingham, Massachusetts, he volunteered May 1, 1775, and served eight months as a private in Captain Edgel's Company, Colonel Read's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted about April, 1776, served as a private in Captain Aaron Gardner's Company, Colonel Brooks' Massachusetts Regiment, was in the retreat from New York, and the battle of White Plains, where he was wounded by musket balls, one wound on the forefinger of his right hand, almost severing it and the other in his left leg, length of service one year.
He enlisted December 5, 1777, was called into active service in the following March, served as a private in Captain Nathan Smith's Company, Colonel John Jacobs' Massachusetts Regiment, was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition and in the battle of Rhode Island and was discharged January 1, 1779.
After the Revolution, he lived in Framingham, Massachusetts, and at Hope and Searsport, both in Waldo County, Massachusetts (Maine).
He was allowed pension on his application executed
as he appears to have been my ancestor I am very interested in his name and service I have VOL VI p. 215 V. Page 215
as Capt. Gardner then offered in Col. Steiger Brooks & not John Brooks Rest. 9 in 1776 at name of Col. John Brooks VOL VI Page 258

September 25, 1832, while residing in Hope, Maine.
Two sons are referred to in 1833, one living in Hope, and the other in Searsport, Maine. Their names and ages are not stated, and no other children are named, nor is the name of his wife shown or the date of their marriage.
Very truly yours
J. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ or a statement of the military history of _____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE. CAPTAIN. COLONEL.
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____
Date of application for pension, _____
Residence at date of application, _____
Age at date of application, _____
Remarks: _____

31786 Rev INVALID.
File No 31,786
Cheres Kendall Sergt Rev War
Act: June 1 st 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 219
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct. 31 96 Soldier pensioned to Edwin Keating Highland, Me.
Jan. 9. 1897 History to Miss Marilla E. Barney 1312. Walton St. Denver - Colo.
1909 Aug 20. Hist. to Mrs. Richard C. Thompson to Mrs. Eugene Graham 4221 Mackinac St. C
1923 Dec. 11. Frank H. Ingraham refd 87 cost of 20 pages
1930 - Oct 11 - sent to Margaret Second Set Setter in care Joseph Cull 10-10-30

August 6, 1909.
MRS. RICHARD CLOUGH THOMPSON,
REGENT PINE BLUFF CHAPTER
D. A. R.,
#519
WEST BARRAQUE STREET, PINE BLUFF, ARK.
Hon. Vespasian Warner,
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions,
Dept. of the Interior, Washington, D.C,
Dear Sir:-
In order to establish their eligibility to membership in the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the lineal descendants of a Revolutionary Soldier, -Mrs Eugene Graham and sister, Mrs Mac Kenzie, of this city, -desire a copy each of the record of
SERGT. CHEEVER KENDALL, 1756-1835 placed on the pension roll of WALDO COUNTY, MAINE in 1832 for nearly two years actual service of private and sergeant in the MASSACHUSETTS State Troops, -he was born in Framingham, Mass., 1756: -died in HOPE, MAINE, -1835.
Please be so kind as to mail these papers to me as the REGENT of the Pine Bluff Chapter D.A.R., -for the purpose of getting my endorsement to the applications of the descendants for admission to a patriotic society, -I am the Officer authorized to transmit the completed application to the National Board of the D.A.R. in Washington, D.C, -Thanking you in advance, believe me
Very truly
Hulda Kellogg Thompson Regent Pine Bluff Chapter D. A. R.

[Handwritten mark or signature]
...the Revolutionary War... ...died in Hopkinton Co (now Knox Co)... ...to get the date of his death... ...thought he was in... ...get any record of him... ...the pension rolls.
Yours With respect Edwin Hastings Brighton Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, October 15, th 1833.
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 Chever Windal is borne on a Roll of Capt. Aaron Gardner's Company, in Col. Brooks Regt. in 1776. no time of service mentioned.
Chever Windal's name is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. Nathan Smith's Company, in Col. John Jacob's Regt. where he is allowed from Feb y 20 th 1778. ten months & ten days. m. d. 10-10 His name is most under that of the Ensigns, but the title of Serjeant is not given him on the roll.
Chever Windall claims for services under Capt. Agel in Col. Reed's Regt. the rolls of which are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

Chever Kendall
13000
Mr Bangs must amend his Certificate by stating in what capacity the claim- ant served in Col. Nichols Regiment. Mr. Bangs should also state whether or not he has in his possession of Col. Reed's & Col. Nichols' Regt. & whether or not the claimant's name appears there- in.
N. M. Downey Esq.
Belfast Maine

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

 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  It does not appear that either reside in this neighborhood at the time claimed  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?  It does not appear that there are survivors of his service by whom the service may be proved  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? not at all 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? yes  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.

FRANK H. INGRAHAM ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW 431 MAIN STREET ROCKLAND, MAINE
November 9, 1922.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I wish to obtain copies of papers in the matter of the pension of Chever Kendall, who was in the Massachusetts State Service as a Private and Sergeant in the War of the Revolution and was pensioned at the age of 79 in Waldo County, Maine, pensioned under the act of June 7, 1832.
If you will furnish me with these copies and advise me the amount of your charge, I will be pleased to remit. I thank you and am,
Very truly,
Frank H. Ingraham
9/11/22 FBI-MSH

Rev. War Section.
aw
Dec. 11, 1913.
Frank H. Ingraham 431 Main St. Rockland, Me.
Sir:
In response to your letter of the 2 nd ultimo, requesting copies of the original papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31786, of Chever Kennell, Mass. Troops, you are advised that photostat copies of the same will be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1913, at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra for certification, if that is desired. The number of pages to be copied is nine.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, returning this letter with same.
Very respectfully,
Copy to Mr. [unintelligible] [unintelligible] [unintelligible]
Hubert [unintelligible] Commissioner.

...the ... of Past ... in the ... Commonwealth of ... aged twenty seven years ... I remember that Cheever ... in the county of ... with me at ... about the ... in the year of our Lord ... and seven eight ... I ... did duty ... the best I served ... the whole term ... and ... at the same time ... in the ... seventeen hundred ... and twenty nine, and both returned ... in company. Said Kendall at that time ... in Framingham a town adjacent ... said East ... said Kendall always ... in said Framingham till he moved ... to the State ... his Christian name ... was ... commanded ... Gen. Sullivan ... in the town ... a part of ... was in my company ... Rhode Island, and ... the engagement above mentioned, ... at which time I received a wound ... neither ... received any written discharge ... to ... the whole ... service ... done ... the ... I was ... Edmund Rice

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. September 5 th 1832. Then person- ally appeared the above named Edmund Mellen and made known unto me that this deposition is true to the best of his knowledge. Subscribed and sworn to before me E. Munney
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Middlesex, do certify that Edward Mellen Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, within & for said County of Middlesex, & that I believe his name set to the above Certificate is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affix- ed the seal of said Court the sixth day of September 1832.
E. Munney

Southwest side of South Scituate in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am aged seventy eight years of age and do hereby remember that Oliver Kendall of Scituate in the county of Waldo and State of Maine, was my companion in the war.
Since Kendall did duty most of the time in the same company with me. We both served the whole term for which we enlisted, and received our discharge at the same time, which was on the first day of January in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty nine, and both of us returned in company. Said Ken- dall at that time resided in Framingham a town adjoining said East Scituate. Said Kendall always resided at said Framingham till he removed to the State of Maine.
The captain of our company was Smith, and his Christian name I think was Nathan.
The Regiment to which our company belong- ed was commanded by Col. John S. Sleeper, Gen. Sullivan, Commander in Chief. and
Kendall was in our company at the time of the attack on the British on Rhode Island and was in the engagement above mentioned. We are in the town of Swansea at present time. We neither of us received our dis- charge so far as I recollect. The whole of the service done by us during the time above referred to, was performed in or near Rhode Island the State of Rhode Island.
Edmund Rice

Commonwealth vs.
vs. Russell L. Smith May 24th. A.D. 1853.
Subscribed to me personally before me the above named Edmund Rice & made solemn oath, that the above deposition by him subscribed is true.
Also certify that the said Edmund Rice is a man of strict truth and that his declarations were entitled to cred-
Edward (Mellen) Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Elias Thayer Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of records in said County of Middlesex, do certify that Edward Mellen Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex, and that his name set to the aforegoing certificate is his own proper signature —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the tenth day May 1853 —
E. Thayer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 1 1833.
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 Cheever Kendall appears on a Roll of Captain Nathan Smith in Colonel John Jacobs Regiment from February 20 th 1778, where he is allowed ten months and ten days service. - and said Roll was adjusted and paid January 22 nd 1779.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy