Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10486, for Benjamin Thayer, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Thayer, Benjamin Elizabeth
R. 10486
CONTENTS

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston April 25 th 1844
I hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation Ira M. Barton was judge of the Court of Probate Perley Hunt and Abel Wilder were Justices of the Peace for the County of Worcester,
In the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
N. W. D. Supt Sept 23 Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester.
In this twenty fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four, personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for said County, Aronath Adams a resident of Mendon in said County of Worcester aged forty three years, and a daughter of Benjamin Thayer and Elizabeth Thayer his wife, late late of said Mendon deceased, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, as well on her own account as in behalf of Eunice Hilly of the same Mendon, her only sister, she having no brother, 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 and pensions to certain widows".
That the said Elizabeth Thayer was the widow of the said Benjamin Thayer who was a private soldier in the war of the revolution, and as the wife believing went into the service from said town

of Mendon came some as nearly as the has been able to ascertain as follows, to wit;
1. The first service was at the Concord fight in the year nineteen hundred and sixty five under Captain Joseph Darrac, for the term of twelve days. 2. The second service was at Danville in the spring of the year nineteen hundred and sixty six, in the company of Captain Levi Aldick and Regiment of Col. Chubing, for the term of two months. 3. The third service was in New York in the summer or fall of the year nineteen hundred and sixty six, in the company of Captain Braggins & Col. Darrac and Regiment, for the term of three months. 4. The fourth service was in the fall of the year nineteen hundred and sixty six in the company of Captain Peter Pomerance for the term of one month and three days, but the deponent has not ascertained where that service was rendered.
She also well knows that her

same father with the other revolutionary services, but as he was young when he died, she is not now able to state nor prove them, from his declarations or otherwise. Her same mother, who has recently deceased, frequently spoke of the revolutionary services of her husband since here, before her death, made progress in obtaining evidence of them for the purpose of obtaining a pension, but this declarant has no documentary evidence of them, but must refer to the proofs annexed, annexed to the rolls in the War Department.
She further declares that her said father and mother, the said Benjamin Thayer and Elizabeth Thayer, were married on the sixteenth day of September in the year nineteen hundred and twenty nine, that her father the said Benjamin Thayer, died on the twenty fourth day of September in the year eighteen hundred and eleven, that her said mother was not married to him, so far as this declarant is able to prove, prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January nineteen hundred and twenty nine, viz at the

time also stated. Since the further declares that her mother, the Spaniard Elizabeth Hays, died on the tenth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and fifty four, since you was now married after the death of her said husband, since that she left as her only sur- viving children this declaration since the said Lucas Kelly.
Given to your subscribers on the day and year first above written
Isabella Tolson
Before me, the words of Colonel Denny being first administered
W. M. Babbitt Judge of said Court of Probate

I believe Thayer of Mendon in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do affirm once say, that I well knew Benjamin Thayer late of some Mendon deceased, who was always reported to be a revolutionary soldier, once died at least thirty years ago, and as I well believe on the twenty fourth day of September A.D. 1811. I was with him in his last sickness and attended his funeral. His wife once widowed Elizabeth Thayer, who was now married after her death, died on the tenth day of the present month of April, and Catherine Adams, who has this day made her declara- tion for a pension, is the daughter of the said Benjamin Thayer and Elizabeth Thayer.
Wilborne Thayer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester April 24th. 1844. Sworn to by me Wilborne Thayer who is a man of truth - Before me
Am M. Barton Judge of The Court of Probate

I Darius Sumner of Milford in the County of Worcester Commonwealth of Massachusetts a Revolutionary Pensioner after being duly sworn, do testify and say according to the best of my knowledge and belief that I well remember serving with Benjamin Thayer in Capt Lewis Adrick's Company of Col Whitney's Regiment commencing about the first of March 1776 making a total of 14 or 15 months at Dorchester as a private soldier in the Massachusetts Service Also I well recollect serving with said Benjamin Thayer in Capt Ennagin's Company of Col Denny's Regiment three months commencing in the month of August or September 1776 Said Service was performed in Tarrytown State of New York as a Private soldier, as taken from my Discharge papers  Darius Sumner Mark Attest Gizzily Sumner Pearley Flint
State of Massachusetts March 19th 1844 Then Personally appeared Darius Sumner and Made Oath to the truth of the above statement, which he has subscribed in my presence and with whom I am well acquainted & in whom I have the fullest confidence in his veracity  Pearley Flint Justice of the Peace

know all men by these presents that I Elizabeth Thayer of Mendon in the County of Worcester and Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, widow of Benjamin Thayer late of said Mendon deceased do hereby appoint and make Thomas J. Lapham to be my attorney for me and in my name to act and do as follows, to wit to call on the Secretary of State at Boston, in said Commonwealth, and search the records of said State of what relates to the services of the Revolutionary Soldiers, with a view of being placed on the pension list, for the services rendered by my late husband, Benjamin Thayer afore- said. And I hereby give said attorney full power of substitution to do all acts necessary for said purpose of being placed on said pension list at said Boston or elsewhere. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
Signed sealed and delivered
in the presence of
Elizabeth X Thayer Mark
George W. Mowry,
Attorney at Law

I Peter Gaskill of Mendon in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Eighty two years, having been duly sworn do testify that I have always lived in said Mendon and was well acquainted with Benjamin Thayer late of said Mendon deceased who left a widow living  were married by the name of Elizabeth Thayer who was still living two years since as his Widow, having never married since, I distinctly recollect that said Benjamin Thayer went to the Concord fight (so called) in April 1775 and was gone 12 days under Capt Joseph Daniel. I also state that I knew that said Thayer went to New York for three months, in Capt Craggins company and Col Denny regiment, commencing in the month of August 1776. the said Benjamin Thayer was a high neighbor to me during the course of the Revolution and I distinctly remember of his doing a great deal of service in said War of the Revolution in the above service he  he he served as a private soldier  Peter Gaskill
State of Massachusetts } April 12th 1844 Personally Worcester County ss. } appeared the above named Peter Gaskill and made oath to the truth of the above statement, by him subscribed in my presence and in whose statements I have the fullest confidence Abel Wither Justice of the Peace

I Benjamin Pickering of Mendon in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty six years a Revolutionary pensioner, having been duly sworn, do testify and say, that I was in the revolutionary service, with Benjamin Thayer, late of said Mendon deceased, whose widow, Elizabeth Thayer is still living, in said Mendon. I have a distinct recollection of serving with said Thayer, in the Massachusetts troops, under the command of Captain Levi Aldrich, in Col. Whitney's Regiment, for the term of two months, at Dorchester, when the fort was built there, and the British evacuated Boston; and I am confident he went to New-York for the term of three months in the summer of 1776. The above terms he served as a private. Benjamin Pickering
State of Massachusetts } February 16 th 1844 Personally Worcester County ss. } appeared the above named Benjamin Pickering and made oath to the truth of the above statement, which he subscribed in my presence, and with whom I am well acquainted, and in whose veracity, I have the fullest confidence. Abel Wilder Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester, do certify, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that Elizabeth Thayer, widow of Benjamin Thayer, late of Mendon, in said County, deceased, died on the tenth day of April, A. D. 1844, in said Mendon - and that she left two children only, to wit, Durana Kelly and Asenath Adams.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this twenty fourth day of April, one thousand, eight hundred and forty four.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 24 18 412
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 Benj. Thayer is borne upon a pay roll of Capt. Peter Gannin Dec. 8. 1776 for one month & three days
There are no rolls of Capt. Saml. Cragg for 1776 and no rolls of Capt. Saml. Hildreth and no rolls of Capt. Baldwin in 1777 in this Office.
The name of Benj. Thayer is borne upon a pay roll of Capt. Joseph Daniels from April 19. 1775 - four days and 14 miles travel
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Wm. Sufte , Sept 3 Secretary of the Commonwealth.

10619
Elizabeth Takey 1844
Mass ts
Act 7 th July '38
This was her last will and testament Witness her hand
1775 - 7 days
1776 1-3 - Capt. Periman
2 - Capt. Cragg
2 - old
57 10-
58

I Lewis B Arnold Town Clerk of the Town of Cumberland in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island do certify & say that by virtue of my said office. I have the custody of the records of the births and marriages which have take place in said town and. I further certify that I have examined said Records And I find the marriage of Benjamin Thayer & Elizabeth Cook to wit,
I do hereby certify that Benjamin Thayer of Mendon and Elizabeth Cook of Cumberland daughter of Elder Nathaniel Cook were Lawfully joined together in marriage at Cumberland on the sixteenth day of September A.D. nineteen hundred & seventy nine By me
Jonathan Carpenter
Justice of the Peace
Recorded March 14 th A.D. 1779.
attest Jonathan Carpenter
Town Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Record with the Exception of the date which is inscribed on record in fair legible figures as follows "16 th day of September A.D. 1779"
attest Lewis B Arnold
Town Clerk
of the town of Cumberland Rhode Island
Providence for Cumberland April 28 th 1874. Here personally appeared the above named Lewis B Arnold (known to me as the Town Clerk of the Town of Cumberland) and made oath that the above certificate was a true copy from the Record except as above excepted Before me
Abner Tilton Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Providence ss
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
April 29 th 1844
I Samuel W King Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Almon Tilton is now and was on the 23 rd day of April AD 1844 a Justice of the Peace in said County duly appointed and commissioned by the Governor of said State and that his signature within is genuine to the best of my belief
In Testimony of which I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 29 th day of April AD 1844
Sam W King Clerk

amt
10.480
P. O.
Elizabeth Mayer
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

1844 Pugilist Surrendered del. to J. J. Lapham Sept. 27 th 1844 — 6 Apr. A.D. 1844 24 Feb. 23 rd 1845
Note page 238

   date length & grade Capt. H. C. where     '75- priv - 12 days Daniels   '76 " 3 m. Braggins   '76 " 2 m. Aldrick Whitney Dorchester   '76 3 m.  

Smithfield April the 30th 1899
Mr. J. S. Edwards Esq. Dear Sir. I have procured these papers for Elizabeth Thayer the widow of Benjamin Thayer who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. I have been to the secretary off. in Boston & cannot find much service there. It appears that the muster rolls have not been carried to the secretary office for recording. Perhaps you may find some records of his service in your office. Mr. Ben- jamin Pickering states to me that he was the in some of his service orderly sergeant & had the muster rolls in his possession when making out the papers for his own claim for a pension & I suppose that you can can examine his document in your office & find some service there for Benjamin Thayer. I can find a great many soldiers, that was in the service with Benjamin Thayer. But cannot find many records. The records & rolls were lost & destroyed. I wish you to examine this case and allow what you can think reasonable & correct. I have no doubt that B Thayer served as much as fifty months in the war of the Revolution but at this time it is hard to make the proof as the soldiers were almost all dead. I hope you will find sufficient proof here for a pension under this act.

After you have examined this Case I wish you to make your return to me. Sincerely Rhodesland yours in respect Thomas G. Lapham Attorney

I Thaz Allen of Bellingham in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath do depose and say that I am now about Eighty years of age on oath do depose to say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Thayer late of Mendon deceased and that he left a Widow by the name of Elizabeth Thayer and she is now deceased I distinctly recollect of his doing a great deal of service in the war of the Revolution I remember his going out in several alarms in the fore part of the war I lived in the neighborhood with him in the time of the war he was some years older than I. I remember his serving two months under Capt Levi Aldrich and went to Boston in the spring of 1776 And I also remember of his going to New York for the term of three months in the summer of 1776 under Capt Samuel Bragg. Also I distinctly recollect his serving one month under Capt Peter Senneman in the December 1776 I think this service was done at Roxbury near Boston Capt Peter Senneman was then a high neighbor of mine during the war of the Revolution, and I distinctly remem- ber that service The above service was done as a private Soldier
Thaz Allen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss Personally appeared this seventh day of Novem- ber A D 1844 the above named Thaz Allen who made solemn affirmation to the truth of the above affidavit written by me & read to him and signed in my presence and from more than twenty years acquaintance I think his statements are entitled to full credit
Stephen Larnett Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston November 8 th 1844
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Stephen Leavitt Was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Nov 8 1811.
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 Benjamin Thayer is found upon a pay roll of Capt Peter Bonnan of Col. Tyler's Regt Dec 8. 1776. for 1 mo 3 days.
The only roll of Capt Joseph Daul is for the amount due the Company for travel under a Resolve of June 23. 1776 and made up Jan 15. 1777, with only the number of the Officers & Privates.
The only roll of Capt Sam Crappin is from Dec 8. 1776 for 1 mo 18 days, but the name of said Thayer is not upon it. There are no rolls of Capt Levi Aldrich in this Office.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the Commencement letter of Sept 21 1844  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, contains 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.
John G. Gay, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Smithfield November 19 1844
Dear Sir
I Received a letter from you stating the case of Elizabeth Thayer widow of Benja- min Thayer claiming a pension under the act of July 7 1838 has been examined and filed and it appears that there is not service enough proved to entitle the claimant to a pension, it appears that you have not received a certificate from the secretary office in Boston. I thought I sent you a certificate from the secretary of the state of massa- chusetts with the documents in this case to you, to prove one month & 3 days in Capt Peter Penniman Company in Dec 1776 and seven days in 1775 under Capt Joseph Daniels, which would make over six months service I have now procured another as you will see I wish you to examine this case with the additional service correspondence that I have procured and send me a letter stating the case: Direct your letter to the Smithfield post office R I
Yours in Respect
J L Edwards Esq Washington D.C.
Thomas J. Sapham

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Thayer, Caleb GRADE Sergeant LINE Crane's Continental Artillery (Massachusetts)
WARRANT NUMBER 5184 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 30, 1796 to William Blanchard
*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.