Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10577, for Seth Thrasher, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Thrasher, Seth Abiah
R. 10577
CONTENTS
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State of Massachusetts, County of Bristol Town of Raynham
Joined in Marriage by the Rev. Perez Forbes, November twentieth Seventeen hundred ninety four, Seth Thrasher of Bridgewater with Abiah Andrews of Raynham.
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,
November 20 th . 1794.
Soranus Hall } Town Clerk } of Raynham

Westford Windham Co. Conn Jan 21 st 1857
Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Dr Sir Pm
your favor of Jan. 12 you stated that if you was informed that Seth Thrasher was married to Abiah Thrasher his widow you would send a form for a declaration In reply I will say that - the Widow Thrasher is now dead and I wish a form of declaration for Polly Smith one of the three surviving heirs of Seth Thrasher Seth Thrasher was married to Abiah Andrews On the 20 th day of November 1794 Seth Thrasher died April 19 th 1848 Abiah Thrasher died February 6 th 1856
I have a certificate of their marriage shall you require to have it certified by a county clerk
Respectfully yours
John C Smith

BRIEF in the case of  Seth Thrasher  of Ashford  in the State of Connecticut  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 68 years  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 1780 — 6 — As a Private Gen. Col. Bailey's Regt Col. Drown's Co.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence on the Rolls — "Enlisted 8 July, discharged May 1. 81"  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. D. Bullock Examining Clerk.

Seth Thrasher Conn - Jan or Feb 1832
Cole wid application
Horace Gaylord Ashford Conn.

I Stephen Rogers of Plymouth, in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts aged Sixty three years on Oath do testify & say that I kept the Almshouse in the said town of Plymouth from the year Eighteen hun- dred & forty two to June, Eighteen hundred & forty nine. Sometime in the year Eighteen hundred & forty six Mr. Seth Thrasher and his wife Abiah Thrasher being in distress & chargeable to said town were admitted into said Almshouse & remained there under my care until the nineteenth day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and forty eight when the said Seth Thrasher died at eighty four years, and in the month of August following his Widow Abiah Thrasher was removed by her son to Enfield in the State of Connecticut. I often heard Mr. Thrasher say that he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution from the town of Plymouth.
Stephen Rogers
Plymouth Sp. October 25, 1855 Then the above named Stephen Rogers appeared & made Oath to the truth of the fore

going affidavit by him subscribed in my presence & I certify that he is a credible person.
Jacob H. Loud Justice of Peace

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth Town of Plymouth (a) Deaths in Plymouth, April nineteenth, Eighteen hundred & forty eight, Seth Thrasher, aged eighty four years.
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:— (b)
“April 19. 1848” I find no other Seth Thrasher named on record.
Leander Lovell, Town Clerk of Plymouth
I, Leander Lovell above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, county, and state aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy from the records of said town, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Leander Lovell { Town Clerk of Plymouth
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this twenty fifth day of October A.D. 1855 & I certify that said Leander Lovell is Town Clerk of the town of Plymouth Jacob H. Lord Justice of the Peace.
(a) Here fill in an exact transcript of the record, except that, instead of copying the figures, the date must be written out in full.
(b) Here give the date exactly as it is in the record.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss.
I certify that Jacob H. Loomis Esquire before whom the foregoing & attached declarations and affidavits were signed & sworn to, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned & qualified and authorized to admin- ister oaths and to take acknowledgments of deeds &c., and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County, Commonwealth this twenty fifth day of October A.D. 1855.
M c W. Whitman S Clerk of said Court

I Stephen Rogers of Plymouth, in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts aged Sixty three years on Oath do testify & say that I kept the Almshouse in the said town of Plymouth from the Year Eighteen hundred & forty two to June, Eighteen hundred & forty nine. Sometime in the Year Eighteen hundred & forty six Mr. Seth Thrasher and his wife Abiah Thrasher being in distress & chargeable to said town were admitted into said Almshouse & remained there under my care until the nineteenth day of April in the Year Eighteen hundred and forty eight when the said Seth Thrasher died at eighty four years, and in the month of August following his Widow Abiah Thrasher was removed by her son to Enfield in the State of Connecticut. I often heard Mr. Thrasher say that he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution from the town of Plymouth.
Stephen Rogers
Plymouth Sp. October 25, 1855 Then the above named Stephen Rogers appeared & made Oath to the truth of the fore

going affidavit by him subscribed in my presence & I certify that he is a credible person.
Jacob H. Lourd Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut } Probate District of Ashford County of Windham }
On this ninth day of April in the year 1857 Personally appeared in open Court, Polly Smith a resident of Ashford in the county of Windham and State of Connecticut aged fifty two 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 Acts of Congress, passed July 29 th 1848 & June 7 th 1832 That she is the daughter of Seth and Abiah Thrasher, deceased, that Davis Thrasher of Wilting- Shongo P.O. Alleghany N.Y. Rufus A. Thrasher of Enfield in the State of Connecticut and this declarant are the surviving children and the only surviving children of said Seth & Abiah Thrasher That according to the best of her knowledge and belief her father the said Seth Thrasher did enter the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War at Plymouth in the state of Massachusetts on or about the 1 st day of July 1780 for the term of six months and continued in said service until January 1781 that he marched from said Plymouth to Springfield in Massachusetts under the command of one Lieut. Jackson and joined the Main Army at Springfield, was present at the Execution of Maj. Andre in October of that year She further states that her said father and mother were married in the town of Raynham in the

State of Massachusetts by the Rev. Perez Forbes on the twentieth day of November 1794 and that her said mother's name before marriage was Abiah Andrews — that her said father died at Plymouth in said State of Massachusetts on the 19 th day of April 1848 and that her said mother survived her said father as his widow and ever remained single and unmarried and the widow of my father the said Seth Thrasher until the 6 th day of February A.D. 1856 when she died in the town of Ashford aforesaid — that her said father and mother were not married prior to the first day of January 1794 but at the time above stated That in addition to the claim for the benefit of the Act of July 29 th 1848 she claims the benefit of the Act of June 7 th 1832 or in other words she claims a pension in behalf of her said father from the 4 th day of March 1831 to the 19 th day of April 1848 pursuant the Act of 7 th June 1832 and from said 19 th day of April 1848 to the 6 th day of February 1856 under the Act of July 29 th 1848 in behalf of her said mother — for proof of her said father's service reference may be had to a Certificate of said service from the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts sent to the Pension Office in the Autumn of 1856 and to the depositions and certificates herewith forwarded
In presence of
Polly Smith
Mary H. Gaylord
Horace Gaylord

Seth Thrasher
No. 11
No 2.858
P 6
no papers
Return to be made to Alvin Bellis - Brooklyn Connecticut -

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, } COUNTY OF WINDHAM, } ss.
On this 23 rd day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court of the County of Windham aforesaid, now sitting, Seth Thrasher , a resident of the town of Ashford in the County of Windham, and State of Connecticut, aged 68 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.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
I enlisted into the United States service in the time of 6 months in the month of June in the Army of the Revolution at Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts in the Company commanded by Capt. Seth Dyer in the Regiment commanded by Col. Bailey and marched from said Plymouth and joined said Regt. at West Point in the State of New York. and we went marched from West Point to Stony Point in said State of N.Y. in boats when we landed and marched into the Jerseys near Philadelphia where we remained until near the 1 st of Dec r . following when we marched to said West Point where I remained until I was discharged from the said service at West Point - on or about the first day of January 1781 - I have no documentary evidence of my service. I am poor and cannot get any further testimony I do not know of any person now alive who can testify to my service. - I well recollect Gen l . Washington and the Baron Munch who frequently exercised our Regt. - I was at Stony Point when Arnold deserted West Point. I was within one half mile of the place of Execution of Major Andre the day on which he was hung.
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.
The following interrogatories were by said Court propounded to said applicant, viz:—
1. Where and in what year were you born? I was born in Middlebury Mch. 1764. 2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I have no record of my age 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? I lived in Plymouth when called into service. I have lived in Massachusetts & in Connecticut ever since & now live in said town of Ashford 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? I enlisted into the service as above stated 5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. I have already stated all I can recollect on this subject 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? I rec d a discharge and lost the same 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief in your services as a soldier of the revolution. Rev. Asahel Skinner & Abner, Richmond Esq - Benjamin Larned
Seth Thrasher

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year aforesaid, before the County Court for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut.
Attest Armin Bolles Clark Proprietor
We Ezekiel Skinner a clergyman, residing in the town of Ashford in said Windham County, and Benjamin Gannett residing in (the same,) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Seth Thrasher , who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be 68 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Ezekiel Skinner
Benjamin Gannett
1780 m
Sworn, and subscribed, on the day and year aforesaid, before the County Court for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut.
Attest Armin Bolles Clark
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, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Ezekiel Skinner who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the said town of Ashford and that Benjamin Gannett who signed the same is a resident in the said town of Ashford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Armin Bolles Clark
John M. Bolles Thrasher
Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham, in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Seth Thrasher for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court. This 23 d day of July 1832
Armin Bolles Clark

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
10.5776
P. O. Abiah Thrasher
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

No Abiah Thrasher, dec. Widow of Seth Conn t . H. Gaylord. May 30. 1857.
10577
Act July 29. 1848.

Con. = 2855
Letter Thrasher
rejected
see letter to
Annie Bolles
4 th Dec 1892
See letter to same 11 Sept
1833
John C Smith June 5 1853 same June 15 1853
1832 (over)

John C Smith Jan 1
12 1857-
Same Feb 6. 1857

Westport Jan'y 27, 1857
Mr Minot sir I ask of you to send me back the certificate of sett Thrasher's for I want to make out an application for a petition and like will them deeds No 11237. Samuel Turner No 13958 - Bartholomew's name
Hingham County Massachusetts
John C. Smith

Westford May the 22. 1855
Mr Walde sir I want to know if the service of 5th Thrasher Revolutionary soldier is on your pay roll of six months men raised by the town of Wymouth Mass from June 3. 1780 to Jan'y 5. 1781
I want you to write back something saw that I may know that you have received this
John C. Smith Westford Conn

Yorford Nov 27. 1856
sir as I have let this thing lay some time with the hopes that Gudge walde would belfe me through with it as he said that our Clame was good and he should not have answered it as he did if had nawen the proof of of his clame I showed him the letter from Boston and he pronounced it good and told me what to do to prove the clame I spent one week in getting the papers and I have most of them now and we have yet to give one fourth of what we get to prove the business and you can decide whether we are entitled to our Clame or not as here is all the proof we shall offer I want you should show me why our Clame is not good for in your letter June 5, 1855 saw shorter Clame than six months is owed any Clame in that way I think as you are Aboddy of men selected to draw justice between man and the government that you will answer this soon if the clame is not allowed that the stipendate of some should be sent back J. C. Smith on the other side

Westford Windham County Connect
Sir I want this Certificate from Boston showed to the commissioner of pensions for Waldo call it good !

Pension Office, January 12 1837.
Sir: The widow of Seth Thrasher must go before a Court of records, if her health will permit, if not, before a Justice of the Peace, and make a declaration, stating when he died, and when she was married to him and prove the truth of her statements, and claim the benefits of the Pension Laws. - If I am informed when she was married to him I will send a form for a declaration.
I am respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
J. C. Cole for Commissioner. John C. Smith Esq., Westford, Conn.

War Department, Pension Office, 4. December 1832.
Sir,
The claim of Seth Thrasher to a pension under the Act of 7. June 1832, has been rejected. It appears by the rolls that he enlisted on the 8 th . July 1780, and was discharged 1. January 1781. - As he did not serve six months, his claim does not come within the provisions of the Act. His papers are retained on file.
I am, respectfully your ab t Serv t J. L. Edwards
To Annie Bolles, Esq. Brooklyn, Conn.

Pension Office June 5, 1833.
Sir
Pensions are not allowed for a shorter period of service in the Revolutionary War than six months. Seth Thrasher of Connecticut did not serve that long. His claim to a pension was, therefore, rejected.
I am respectfully Your d At t . Serv t . J. Waldo Commissioner.
John C. Smith, Esq. Hartford, Connecticut.

April 22 nd 1855 Westport Conn.
Mr Waldo Sir it not Seth Thrasher of Connecticut but Massachusetts having heard the sauldier say that he was in the war of the Revolution and not thinking much about it at the time untill the Passage of the bounty land she widow requested me to write to Boston and see if his service was there and here is my answer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
secretary's office Boston May 4 th 1855
I hereby certify that from an Examination of the books and Documents which remain in this Department it appears that the name of Seth Thrasher is borne on pay role of six mos men raised by the town of Plymouth from July 3-1780 to Jan'y 3-1781 and 240 miles travel 6 months 12 days also on size role of six mos men who march from Springfield under the Com of Lieut Jackson of the artillery armed at Springfield July 8, 1780 age 16 height 5.5 Complexion Light born Plymouth Plymouth County Massachusetts
I am the son in law of the widow Seth Thrasher the old lady don't wish to make any effort if there isn't any chance
John C. Smith Westport over Conn

as there was now Capt Col or Regiment given in this sent back to boston and here is my answer
I have the answer that the name of the Capt or Col or Regiment is not given but it appears to be a role sent from the town of Plymouth
Yours in haste
J. B. Hunt

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
May 4 th 1855.
I  H ereby C ertify, 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 Seth Hunsker is borne on pay roll of Six mos. men raised by the Town of Plymouth from July 3. 1780 to Jan'y. 3, 1781 and 240 miles travel 6 mos. 12 days. Also on size roll of Six mos. men, who marched from Springfield under the comd of Lieut. Jackson of the Artillery, arrived at Springfield July 8. 1780. Age 16: Height 5. 5: Complex. Light: from Plymouth, Plymouth County. Massachusetts.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wing
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

April 22 nd 1875
Sir I want you to send me the service of Seth Thrasher Revolutionary soldier his age when listed and for how long and whether he went home an invalid or discharged we want all the particulars for we are trying to get pension and soldier warrant
The widow says he saw Andrew Bangs She thinks one of the officers names were Drew and supposed to having listed at Plymouth And enrooted at Springfield
I enclosed one dollar to you if the amount is sufficient send me word and I will refund the post mark
Direct to Westport Conn John B Smith

Seth Thaxter
Supp c . Declaration
3 Returns to be made to J. Buckley - Ashford Connecticut

State of Connecticut } /s/ Ashford May 1833 County of Windham
On this 15 th day of May 1833 personally appeared before Ichabod Bulkeley Esqr. Judge of Probate for the District of Ashford aforesaid Seth Thrasher a resident of Ashford in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged sixty six  Eight years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth say his oath makes the following sup- plemental declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 That sometime in the month of July last past he made out his declaration before the County Court for the County of Windham on a term of service performed partly at West Point in the State of New-York part- ly at Stony Point so called and partly in the State of New-Jersey which term of ser- -vice he verily believed from the best of his recollection to be six months, that being the time for which he enlisted, but from the returns from the War-Department it appears that he enlisted on the 8 th July 1780 and was disch- -arged the first January 1781 not serving the full period of six months.
We now would further state that he again entered the service of the United States the fore part of June 1781 at Plymouth County of Plymouth aged State of Massachusetts, that he served as a Private in a fort on an Island called the guernet which he says was within the boundaries of Plymouth, being about five miles from the centre of said Town He served as substitute for Ephraim Pate then an inhabitant of Plymouth in the militia under the command of Captain Jesse Stevens, Lieutenant

Thomas Warren And Ensign Ephraim Nelson There were no field Officers on the Island. The number of soldiers who served there was about thirty - Was engaged in guarding the Island, and having served a period of six weeks when he was succeeded by Ephraim Dute for whom as substitute he performed the service We do not recollect the names of any other of the subordinate officers or soldiers and he knows of no person living who can testify to this term of service nor has he any documen- tary evidence in relation to it. We hope that his claim to a pension may not be prejudiced from the fact that this last mentioned tour of service was not inserted in the first declaration, but that the Department will reconsider his claim and if his services have been duly proved agreeable to the rules prescribed by the War depart- ment will grant him a pension —
We can not state the precise day of the month when he entered the service last above mentioned nor the precise day of the month when he left, but that he left the latter part of July 1781 having served the above period of six weeks —
We further state that said fort was erected on said Island for the protection of the harbour and town of Plymouth.
Levi Thompson Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before the court of Probate for the district of Ashford, in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut — Attest. Benj. C. Simmons Clerk

And the said Court of Probate do hereby declare Their opinion, after the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states -
Attest. Benj a C. Simmons Clerk
I Benjamin C. Simmons Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Ashford, in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original supple- -mental proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Seth Thrasher for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this 15 th day of May A. D. 1833 -
Benj a C. Simmons Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Thrall, William GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6572 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Nov. 10, 1792 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.